Who Do YOU Like Better

Who Do YOU Like Better

  • Ansel Adams

    Votes: 55 20.2%

  • Henri Cartier-Bresson

    Votes: 144 52.9%

  • Garry Winogrand

    Votes: 48 17.6%

  • William Eggleston

    Votes: 25 9.2%
  • Total voters
    272
Being the consummate New Yorker, I had to choose Winogrand. HCB and Eggleston are not far behind. Not to offend anyone, but as I became more and more involved with photography, while I do respect his achievements, the less I like Adams. I liked him even less after I read his autobiography and began to know his friendship with a certain historian who wanted to write the history of photography in a very biased way.
 
I appreciate Adams for his craft in B&W and colour respectively but ultimately his photography is not for me. Eggleston and colour is growing on me. I love Winogrand's work but my vote went to Bresson for the thrill and education his work gave to me when a photographic novice. In a certain way I feel that my enjoyment and understanding for Winogrand's work is amplified by the fact that I 'arrived' at it after looking at Bresson's photography. That's not to say that Winogrand's photos cannot be appreciated in the absence of what Bresson did before but I think they take an additional layer of interest if they are seen in a[n imaginary] street photographic dialectic.
 
MOMA had a exhibit years ago of Adams' early work - yes, incredible. I can't help not separating the man from his work. When I was a student, I worked in a large camera store and had the pleasure of meeting Gary Winogrand. While everyone is biased in some way, he was a genuinely down to earth nice guy. While I might not care for everything he has produced, I have respect for the guy.

It's funny, as I've known people who have gotten into photography, there are certain photographers who are always mentioned as favorites at the top of everyone's list. As they have matured, and progressed in developing their own style, they have begun to produce a new set of more "sophisticated" (?) favorites.

As far as shooting lots of film, it could be said for HCB as well. I have seen some of his contact sheets reproduced of some his well known imagery. He didn't always get what he wanted on the first try as sometimes we are lead to believe.

To learn our craft, hone our vision, we have to shoot - lots.
 
oscroft said:
Hi folks,


A few people have been praising WE here, but I honestly just don't get his stuff at all. I wonder if anyone who likes him would be kind enough to tell us what they think is so good about the photo in the link above? (I'm asking out of genuine interest - I'm really fascinated by other people's views on art).
Click to expand...

I would have taken that shot too... so I don't know how to tell you what it is about that photograph except I like it. For this one it may be how he has made a cohesive image from what at first seems an asymmetrical one. In looking at his photos in the link Ray provided, his work seems more about the concept first and then the image.
 
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memphis said:
I like eisenstadt, cappa, the dustbowl photographers, eggelston (he grows on you after meeting and somewhat understanding the man), I also liked bob carlos clarke, there are many others I've liked -- usually, it's the image rather than the photographer --- Stanley Kubrick was an exceptional photographer, jack robinson, there's countless timeless images that really hit home with me
Click to expand...

How true Blake!
 
My vote goes to HCB.

Maybe I´m too much part of the so-called "Old-Europe", but I never was that much impressed by Winogrand or Eggelston. Cartier-Bresson was - in my eyes - one of the luckiest men of the last century. He was always at the right place at the right time - remember for example his pictures of Ghandyand his burial.

Thomas
 
Eggleston link: http://www.masters-of-photography.com/images/full/eggleston/eggleston_plastic_bottles.jpg
oscroft said:
A few people have been praising WE here, but I honestly just don't get his stuff at all. I wonder if anyone who likes him would be kind enough to tell us what they think is so good about the photo in the link above?
Click to expand...
For me, Eggleston's images that work are those, like the one I posted, that seem ordinary but aren't - his photography looks casual, mere snapshots, but are very deliberate.

The linked photo, Black Bayou Plantation, asks questions, and draws you in: Why are those bottles there? What happened? What does it mean? This image is hyper-real, almost surreal; Eggleston has deliberately imbued the scattered bottles with significance.

Another favourite photographer of mine is Harry Callahan, who also creates images full of exaggerated meaning. Here's a short essay I wrote on one his photos, which, coincidentally, is also about something dropped: http://www.richcutler.co.uk/photo/essay_01.htm. Unlike Eggleston, Callahan is more traditional in his compositions.
 
Have to say that I've been a Winnogrand fan since highschool...though it's hard to pick from such a list.

Off the list, I'd say Arbus is my fav of the moment, or maybe Natcheway (sp?)
 
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cp_ste.croix said:
Have to say that I've been a Winnogrand fan since highschool...though it's hard to pick from such a list.

Off the list, I'd say Arbus is my fav of the moment, or maybe Natcheway (sp?)
Click to expand...

totally OT... where have you been? I thought you dissappeared! Good to see you again.
 
Thanks RayPA. If I didn't look at this post, I wouldn't have investigated Eggleston's work. Pretty great stuff. Makes me want to carry color film in my M6 at all times.

I picked Winogrand (even though I love AA and appreciate HCB) because of his attitude. He seems like the kind of guy I'd hang out with. His photos are good too.
 
jan normandale said:
totally OT... where have you been? I thought you dissappeared! Good to see you again.
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In all honesty, I needed a break. Too much gear lust and there was a bit too much drama for me for a while. I've continued to lurk though.

It's good to be back, there are some great new members here!

And now back to the topic...
 
I think this poll elicit multiple interpretation.

Do you like your favorite's photograph? or his personality? or both combined?

These can yield different choices. Personality-wise, I think my favorite would be Gary Winograd with HCB as a close second. But photograph-wise, Ansel Adams pulled off some of the best imageries I have ever seen.
 
This is a question that I certainly cannot answer.

I adore HCB for the importance he gave time; I adore AA for the feeling of timelessness expressed in his compositions. Two totally different approaches... but the output from both was equally seminal.
 
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