William Klein

[John Rountree]

I am continually drawn back to the work of William Klein. I know his "in your face" style of shooting is a turn off for some, but I find his work to be strong and daring. I own Klein+Paris and I have checked out New York 1954 many times from the library. I am curious how others think his work stacks up against his contemporaries, Garry Winnogrand and Robert Frank. I would also like to find more info about Klein if someone could point the way.

 

[Nh3]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iGIcRH4ecg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7nPMjTsaKg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4wieOa_Kog

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrQL0ycAAN8

 

[nksyoon]

I read recently an article comparing Robert Frank's "Americans" to William Klein's "New York" - it was written by Gerry Badger in his book "Genius of Photography" (which accompanies the BBC series) - I couldn't find it online, but here's an article by Gerry Badger from "The Photobook: A History, Volume I" on the same subject:

http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~hpj/badger.htm

 

[mhv]

You know the movie "La Jetée" by Chris Marker? (that elusive guy who is my avatar).

Well, William Klein was one of the actors in it, and he played a man from the future.

 

[JOE1951]

Really!!

Really!!

You know the movie "La Jetée" by Chris Marker? (that elusive guy who is my avatar).

Well, William Klein was one of the actors in it, and he played a man from the future.

I love both W. Klein and C. Markers work

I've seen that film a number of times and never noticed it was him! Are you sure?

Now I have to buy the book La Jetée: ciné-roman

 

[mhv]

I love both W. Klein and C. Markers work

I've seen that film a number of times and never noticed it was him! Are you sure?

Now I have to buy the book La Jetée: ciné-roman

Oh yes! If you look up the credits, you will see "Bill Klein". The book is amazing. I got the latest re-print for a song, and while I wish the printing quality had been higher, it's nevertheless a must have. Also of interest is Marker's "Staring Back" book.

Check this page on 5B4 for a shot of Bill Klein in La Jetée:
http://5b4.blogspot.com/2007/07/le-jetee-by-chris-marker.html

 

[JOE1951]

Bought the book!

Bought the book!

Very interesting! Unfortunately, the "key scene (spoiler alert!)" where the woman blinks, doesn't come off well, but the rest of it still works as a book.

I remember hearing Ralph Gibson talk about his editing of the "sonambulist" book and the psychology of the viewer imposing his own pacing on the images of the book. La Jetee is a good example of this insight.

w