Movie - True Meaning of Pictures

Last night, I finally saw <i>The True Meaning of Pictures</i>, about

photographer Shelby Lee Adams. This movie, only mentioned briefly once on

photo.net a year or two ago, is a probing examination of the nature of

documentary photography. People interviewed are directly questioned about

issues such as exploitation and Adams' use of setup in the photos.<p>

 

Interviewees include some of Adams' subjects, critic A.D. Coleman, several

photographers including Mary Ellen Mark, a sociologist who spends time in

Appalachia, and Adams. It is interesting that, unlike similarly controversial

photographers Avedon and Arbus, Adams gets permission from all of his subjects

before publishing their photos. Also, Adams roots in the culture he photographs

is discussed. There is footage of Adams shooting, that I believe came from

Adams himself.<p>

 

I'd highly recommend it to anyone intereseted in documentary photography, or in

photography in general. (Warning - a few scenes are not for the squeamish.)

Interview with the director: <p>

 

<u><A href =

http://filmfreakcentral.net/iviews/iviews3-43.htm#baichwal>

http://filmfreakcentral.net/iviews/iviews3-43.htm</a></u> <p>

Interesting interview, thanks.

Jeff--You might also enjoy Geoff Dyer's, The Ongoing Moment--one of the best photo books of the past year.

I took a weekend seminar with Shelby this month, and he made periodic references to what he felt were distortions made by the filmmakers. E.G., in reference to the pig that he bought for that family, explaining that it was nothing more than (a) what he would regularly do-though usually smaller amounts of money were involved, and (b) what these same subjects would regularly do, butcher a pig.

 

I haven't seen the film in it's entirety, but most of what I remember is about the controversies unfortunately. From the course I got a much deeper understanding of his methods, his relationship with the Appalachian families and culture, and his respect for their way of life. The Arbus reference is apt. Seeing a large retrospective of her work several years ago I came away with the feeling that she liked and empathised with most of her subjects, she was not merely presenting them as freaks.

 

With Shelby it's a bit deeper because he grew up among these people. He's a very intense man and an important and unique artist.

Netflix has the movie:

 

http://www.netflix.com/MovieDisplay?movieid=60028589&trkid=33859

Excellent tip. I've added the movie to my NetFlix selections and will watch it soon.

 

Thanks,

 

 

Ted