Spearhead Posted August 27, 2006 Share Posted August 27, 2006 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.) Music and Portraits Blog: Life in Portugal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
._._z Posted August 27, 2006 Share Posted August 27, 2006 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> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spearhead Posted August 27, 2006 Author Share Posted August 27, 2006 Interesting interview, thanks. Music and Portraits Blog: Life in Portugal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary_watson Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 Jeff--You might also enjoy Geoff Dyer's, The Ongoing Moment--one of the best photo books of the past year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack_lo_..._t_o Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin m. Posted August 29, 2006 Share Posted August 29, 2006 Netflix has the movie: http://www.netflix.com/MovieDisplay?movieid=60028589&trkid=33859 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ted_fisher Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 Excellent tip. I've added the movie to my NetFlix selections and will watch it soon. Thanks, Ted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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