DO you see photography "improving" in the last 50 years?

[art waldschmidt]

Jeff, I could not stay with this thread (or the forum) today because I was busy developing film. You asked for "examples" - but I'm not comfortable with issuing some kind of list that would target the works of specific individuals. I do believe (and doubt that I'm alone in this belief) that there is an abundance of contemporary work that seeks acceptance and approval through context, association, "marketing", and pretense - rather than through any intrinsic depth of beauty, committment, or vision. Travis elicited opinions, "however subjective" - and this is simply mine.

[Spearhead]

Here's the problem. There are always these accusations about modern photographers and artists, but whenever I ask for who they are talking about, I get these vague answers. Until someone points out this vast horde of poseurs, it's hard to tell that they're real.

 

And saying "opinion" is a complete and total cop-out. It doesn't mean that someone can make wild accusations that aren't backed up by facts.

 

My opinion is that there is nothing behind the accusation, at least at this point.

[al_kaplan1]

Mine certainly has. I went from a 120 box camera to a 35mm Ansco Memar at age 13 in 1955. By 1962 I had a Yashica YF, which was a Nicca made Leica copy. From there I quickly moved to genuine Leica screw mounts and by 1967 I was into M bodies. I went through a lot of cameras over the years, including a Hasselblad outfit and several view cameras up to 8x10, but the Leica M's were and are always my mainstay. I'm not sure that I take better pictures than I did 35 or 40 years ago but I think that I'm more consistant.

[art waldschmidt]

Jeff, If I'd have stated my position as a "fact", rather than an "opinion", you'd have undoubtedly been even less gracious! (LOL)

I'm not trying to make any "wild" accusations - and I don't think anyone can read a wholesale indictment of the whole of contemporary art in my response. There are, in fact, quite a few artist-photographers whom I deeply admire. Of course there's a lot of fascinating stuff being done these days - but there is also a lot that has been .... shall we say, overly hyped and unrealistically appraised - and do you doubt that subsequent generations may entertain divergent opinions from the critiques that are current today?

I admire a lot of work that has been done and is being done - but I would be a fool to try to pretend to love EVERYTHING uncritically, mindlessly, or equally!

[nesrani]

"Photography is not 'art'. Best photography is behind us by about 40 years."

 

What an idiot.

[travis1]

WM, thanks for that comprehensive list.;)

 

To others, thanks for the informative views.

 

ANyone would like to add their views?

[ray .]

There's nothing new under the sun. Just different ways of approaching it, and some things that got overlooked.

 

Sounds good anyway.

[john_tencza2]

I have this problem with contempory phototgraphy , in witch one day I decide its time to start shooting color film because I discover people like, David Alan Harvey, and Constintan Manos, and then , out of nowhwere I see the works of photographers like Dr. Emil Hummler, and

Ara Guler, and I think now thats what taking pictures is all about.

I know that the latter two photographers are from an older period

but I get completely undecided on what I would like to do personally.

I know this tread isn't about ME but I'm just reflecting on what good pictures are to me. One day its this ,next day its that.Its a matter of emersion, if you hang around long enough you come to apperciate whats new. I think?

I guess I'll go back to black and white with a old 3.5 suumiron lense.

J. Ten

[john_tencza2]

Please excuse the spelling , (no dictionary).

Those '60's were a killer were'nt they!

[._._z]

<i> I am getting into contemporary Australian photography - just one name off the

cuff is Bill Henson </i><p>

 

He's got some good stuff: <p>

 

http://www.roslynoxley9.com.au/artists/?aid=18&eid=98<div></div>