A film you must see if you are interested in people and photography

[louis1]

Sometimes you just get smacked in the face and all you can do is sit still, try

to recover and think "why".

 

I have just seen a film "The Rich have their own photographers". It was a smack

in the face.

 

WHY.

 

Why does one take photographs and what is their value to others and us?

 

This beautiful and moving film is about the life of a photographer who was

totally unknown to me. He is one of the greatest photographers ever but don?t

take my word for it judge for yourself. He continues to live in the USA. His

name is Milton Rogovin.

 

Whilst we photograph sunsets, flowers and travel, Milton photographs humanity

indeed he photographs our neighbours. He went back and tracked down people after

10 years and then again after 20 years, photographing them afresh each time. He

was invited to Chile, Mexico, the Yemen and many other countries.

 

He is now 97 and his dedication is awesome and inspiring. The film about him is

not a workman like record of events and images but the love story of a man, his

wife and the world about him.

 

So now the film is deservedly winning awards at film festivals around the world

(I saw it in Cork, Ireland). After being targeted as a public enemy in the USA

Milton Rogovin's entire collection is now housed by the Library of Congress.

 

His photographs are in many collections around the world: Bibliotheque

Nationale, Paris, France; Fotografiska Museet, Stockholm; George Eastman House,

New York; J. Paul Getty Museum, California; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New

York; National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh; Victoria and Albert Museum,

England and many more.

 

Now with this film you have a chance to see his work, hear how he worked and why

today's museum curators think he is so special. You can also visit his website

http://www.miltonrogovin.com/ and also the website of the film which gives

details of the next screenings in the Hollywood and soon in London and Lisbon

http://www.tellingimagefilms.com/index2.htm .

 

I hope I am the only one never to have heard of Milton.

[jonathan_reynolds]

Unfortunately you aren't, Louis, but thanks so much for the introduction to his work.

[Spearhead]

<i>I hope I am the only one never to have heard of Milton.</i><p>A quick search here shows plenty of references in past posts.

[ray .]

This isn't the flower and sunset forum. I don't photograph sunsets and flowers.

 

Well OK,

maybe sometimes, but please don't tell

anyone.. not flowers though.. more like plants. Green and leafy.

[david_m]

Each photographer has his or her own reasons and motivations for what they photograph. None is superior to any other. This is no exception. There are thousands of comletely unknown photographers taking wonderful photos that will ever be in any 'collection'.