WEEKLY DISCUSSION 2.0 #8 - Martin Parr

<p>"They belong to a series that is documentary and not street photography. I doubt Martin Parr was thinking much about the "real world of street photography", whatever that is."</p>

<p>Documentry and street photography are birds of a feather much the same thing...real world street photography, to my thoughts, is adding something extra not just pointing a cam/nuclear colours for sensation...and pressing the big button....Nothing different or special in Martins photos just bog standard stuff. Not Magnum material.</p>

<p>Not meant to offend just my thoughts.</p>

<p><em>A request.</em></p>

<p>These threads are discussions about the photographer introduced in the OP. They are not meant to be a place to showcase our own work. I think it will sometimes be appropriate to post or link to our own photos in order to illustrate a particular point about the photographer we're discussing. And, naturally, we may wind up discussing our own work as it relates to the discussion of the photographer we're considering. There are a lot of opportunities on PN to highlight our work and I'm glad thy are there. I would like us to avoid posting strings of our own photos for sure. Individual personal photos are welcome if there is a tie-in to the photographer we're discussing. Thanks to all.</p>

<p>Phil, where is the special...the talent? There are many, many, documentry photos of the working class from that time...</p>

<p>Why are his particularly special?</p>

<p>"They are not meant to be a place to showcase our own work"</p>

<p>My photos were just to illustrate there is nothing special about Martins work...not really showcasing. I have only my photos to offer.... I do not like using others work (without permission...link or otherwise.). Sorry if I have offended.</p>

<p>But I just think...so much talk....</p>

<p>Nice to have some photos too.....</p>

<p>Fred has told me off yet again....feeling Im a naughty thing.</p>

<p>"I'm sure there are, but what's your point "Phil.</p>

<p>Nothing special about his photos other than following a simple theme.</p>

<p>"There's a much more universal subtext to it."Phil</p>

<p>Really, what is the subtext?....a story about the working class. Hello. Any photographer could have done the same...they just need someone like you to to add a fairy tale.</p>

<p>"How do your photos illustrate this? I don't see them as having any relevance to Martin Parr's" Phil.</p>

<p>They illustrate that Martins photos, clearly, are just mundane...offering nothing special other than a bloke snapping away...Eyes to see.</p>

<p>"Martin Parr photographed in and that showed your own unique perspective of the place and the people in it then that would be great of course. Phil.</p>

<p>He showed what there was without offering of any real talent or art...he pressed the big button. The end of his talent. Where is the art or talent in any of his photos? Really, look.</p>

<p>The worship of fame and celibertity seems to me the common theme.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Look at his photos.</p>

<p>Ask yourself, in a honest way, where is the talent the Art?</p>

<p>How and why does he lift himself above the mundane.</p>

<p>Phil, your verbosity, could create a photograph of a stick into a magic work of Art.</p>

<p>"Are you saying that you're photos are so much better and more special than his"</p>

<p>Yes. And yours.</p>

<p>Jeez, some folk think you should walk around the world dressed in a cloth cap and ashes.</p>

 

<p>"The worship of fame and celibertity seems to me the common theme. "Allen.</p>

<p>I thought we were talking about photography. Phil</p>

<p>Is that some sort of put down?<br>

.</p>

<p>Look at the photos, Phil.</p>

<p>Forget the photographer...open your mind and throw away those pre conceived ideas. I did that with your photography which I thought was crap.</p>

<p>Then I understood you were going to a different place....I like different.</p>

<p>"Allen, sorry to burst your bubble but no, your photos aren't <em>better</em> and neither are mine. That would be an extremely arrogant and misguided thing to state. This doesn't mean that any of us wouldn't be able to make a compelling series in the same location when given the same subject matter, resulting each in different photographs unique to our own perspectives, but certainly not better or even equal.<br /> It's not that I'm a fan or so of Martin Parr's work. Even if you don't like his style, you're not doing yourself any favors as a photographer by being so blind to the what and the why of what makes work like his and the Last Resort series in particular worthwhile to consider. I mean, he's only a member of the most elite photo agency in the world, right?<br /> Seriously, I wonder how one can even expect to grow as a photographer with a mentality like yours. It would be great if we were all on Henri Cartier Bresson's level and then we could also confidently dismiss Martin Parr's work if we didn't like it. But we're not HCB so we better watch and learn."</p>

<p>You are bursting your bubble not mine. Your photography is better and different so I would not really put them in the same place as Martins efforts...inferior.</p>

<p>"Allen, sorry to burst your bubble but no, your photos aren't <em>better</em> and neither are mine. That would be an extremely arrogant and misguided thing to state."</p>

<p>Jeez, Phil, Im not someone from a Dickens novel..".please sir can i have some more" your photos are lot better than Martins. Mine are a lot better than both of you. That simple.</p>

<p><br /> "extremely arrogant and misguided thing to state"</p>

<p>So, that is my truth, I do not do worship I leave that to you. Too much bending in the world is my opinion.</p>

<p>"Seriously, I wonder how one can even expect to grow as a photographer with a mentality like yours" Phil.</p>

<p>I can grow;that does not mean I have to respect crap, like you...just because its a name...move on.</p>

<p>Well, HCB , and myself are on the same page perhaps you should read it...</p>

<p> </p>

<p>"extremely arrogant"</p>

<p>Yes, that where we should be as photographers...too much of the poor mans Art dothing our caps to the establishment.</p>

<p>We lack respect in the Art world because we lack respect for ourselves.</p>

<p>"I don't see much evidence of that in your work. Either you are actually so delusional or you're just trolling"</p>

<p>Hmm, turning nasty. </p>

<p>I have been around here for ever. How about you?<br>

.</p>

<p>I have just challenged your thoughts...nothing else. I have respected your work.</p>

<p>So, why so nasty?</p>

<p>"I don't see much evidence of that in your work"</p>

<p>You are such a lovely person.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>"There's a difference between being arrogant and being confident. Arrogance usually masks a lack of confidence."</p>

<p>If you really actually know anything about Art most of the greats were very arrogant although some hid it well.</p>

<p>But you know that you just want to be not so nice to me.</p>

<p> "showing a disrespect for photography and the whole scope of it so it means little to me when you say you respect my work"</p>

<p>Martin puts his work in the public domain...asking in a sense for critique. Turning some very healthy coins. So, he gets my opinion because it is stuck in my face. Your work gets a opinion also...whether you devalue it because Martins work is not for me I don't care...for me its about honesty.</p>

<p>If you think my work is crap, I respect your thoughts.....but still I think your work is original and really talented photography...in all honesty.</p>

<p>For me Martin is a nobody.</p>

 

<p>"I said that I don't see in it the bold claims that you're making about it being so much better photography and better work than that of Martin Parr'</p>

<p>I am better.... another level.... I truly believe that...if I thought otherwise I would say so. Im not that arrogant; I always try to be honest.</p>

<p>But I also believe in the Art world photography is considered a lesser Art. So, I really think photographers should be full of arrogance....and have a deep, in your face, respect for their Art.</p>

<p>Phil.</p>

<p>We both know his stuff is watery. You linked his best which were nice....but from a full time working photographer.....what do you think. Good enough? woud you pay his salary?</p>

<p>Methinks not.</p>

<p>The best of fortune in your career Martin may the entity in the far distant stars always walk beside you.</p>

<p>Kind Regards</p>

<p>Allen</p>

<p> </p>

<p>"Dissing the work of another photographer - and an established and recognized one at that - isn't exactly helpful in the valuing of photography as a matured art form"</p>

<p>But we have to have honesty or our Art will be viewed in a lesser form.</p>

<p>Can we end this.</p>

<p>Martin takes photos he is one of us. So, Allen...shut the F....up.</p>

<p>Okay.</p>

<p>What may appear to you a group of bushes could well be a place wherein a leopard lurks:)</p>