inoneeye

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<p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/18139466-lg.jpg" alt="" />.</p>

<p>I also like the photo and the series it is from. For all its blatancy and over the top snapshot characteristics ... what comes to my mind is the nuance I see that sets it apart from other snaps. “In photography there is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality.” – Alfred Stieglitz</p>

<p>".... has this allowed them to retire in luxury?" If only it were so.<br /> I have been a photo/art book collector for 40+ years. Nearly one thousand books by now, I haven't counted. I have many books that I paid $20ish and now online they are listed from several hundred and even 1-2 thousand. But like many collectors I purchased not for future profits but only what i was passionate about or very taken by. If I posessed foresight (something that eluded me) I would have bought x2 or 3 of the books I did buy when they were often $5 or occasionally $25. Back when I started very few books reached $50 and only then if new. Most of my collection started as very inexpensive and used. <br /> Now that most books are out of my price range My Interest has been in new independently published artists. I am seeing bookstores that specialize in limited edition 'unknowns'. Very affordable and often creative/provocative sometimes self published but also new small publishers seeing an opening, an exciting trend.</p> <p>As an example of my lack of foresight, I came across Nan Goldins 'Ballad of sexual dependancy' when first released and available signed for a low price...$? I chose the browser copy that was less money and very dirty from being handled. I liked the handled copy as it seemed to take on a live performance characteristic. The signed version goes for $1000 give or take. Mine dirty copy is probably worth $20.</p> <p>Another example is Fukase ' Solitude of Ravens". I was browsing the nature section of a store in SF when I came across a few copies of a mesmerizing book to my eye. I bought x2 1st american edition softcovers, one for me one for a friend. Under 20 for both. Now listed for 400 up to 1000. It dropped a bit with a reissue but still a profit could be had. BUT I elected not to buy the beautiful limited edition boxed Karasu (the original japanese issue) Now worth up to 5000. It wasn't even in the photography stacks. The owner offered Karasu for less than he had it marked because he saw no value in it. It's now gone. The same store had Sudek prints for sale. I regret that I didn't buy them.</p> <p>I do have several books that ONLINE list for outrageous amounts but I have doubts about how often a 1000 - 2 -3 or 4000 dollar book sells. I have watched some very rare limited electa limited edition portfolios (x5) that I have completely disappear from the online rare book selling circuit. But I can't let them go now. I enjoy them too much.</p>

<p>I have long admired Florence Henri as a early trail blazer and these words I find reflect how I experience Francesca's photos.<br> “<em>What I want above all</em>,” Florence Henri said near the end of her long life, “<em>is to compose the photograph as I do with painting. Volumes, lines, shadows and light have to obey my will and say what I want them to say. This happens under the strict control of composition, since I do not pretend to explain the world nor to explain my thoughts.</em>”</p>

<p>Francesca was an artist. Her work makes that obvious. Her suicide may color the way many experience her photos but as Fred wrote ... we can "...<em>also</em> [see]<em>with eyes that see her as much more than that singular act"<br /></em>When I look at the images Fred posted and her body of work in general I do not find myself looking for any meaning. I am drawn in by her choices (location, pose, self portrait, ...) . Her style. For me the content does not feel as if it is driven by message or meaning beyond the frame. We the viewer supply that imo. She chose a style that is enigmatic and leaves much for the viewer to complete the photo. In that alone there is meaning to be found. She made us a participant. And that is special and in time with continued work & her talent and craft growing, well who knows. .... as is I see the structure and making of her photos too much to experience any real depth and nuance of a message beyond lets see where this goes and how do I do that.<br /> What I experience is a natural talent finding her legs and learning to express herself and experimenting with the language. Eventually as her vocabulary increased she would have a lot to say.</p>

<p>I see youth. not just hers but also mine. The title <em>Self Portrait at Thirteen </em> gives it away but even without the straight forward informative title The photo says teenager to me. Nearly all of her work reads as a young experimenting photographer. I like it for that.<br> What also see in her work is a time period. Maybe even locked in. Her work feels like the 70s and 80s. Although when I check dates on her photos I see a significant organic change occurring. I think her work was becoming less dated and age dependent. Had she continued her life and photography into digital and eventually some commercial ventures I would have wanted to follow her closely. She was showing interest in fashion work including an interest in Deborah Turbeville who managed a good career with some similar flavors IMO.<br> I enjoy looking at artists early years. There is often an exciting energy that comes to the surface. In Francesca's case I think her <em>early middle</em> years would have been something special. I wonder which of her photos form the first years would have made the edit in her future. </p>

<p>Check out Deborah Turbeville.</p>

<p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/18087791-lg.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="431" /><br /> 'golden dreams'<br /> <a href="https://p2.liveauctioneers.com/1109/25541/9442000_1_l.jpg">calendar photo of Marilyn </a>behind me is by <a href=" Kelly.</a><br /> "<em>I can remember as a very young boy seeing a Marilyn Monroe pinup at the local service station. Clothing of some sort--probably a bathing suit or lingerie--must have been painted in on top of the original.</em>"<br /> this is one version with the added lingerie, there are a few.</p> <p> </p>

<p>or more optically literal ...<br> <a href="http://rohitchawlaphotography.com/klimt.html">Rohit Chawla</a><br> &<br> <a href="http://lunaticadesnuda.blogspot.com/2008/09/art-of-gustav-klimt-reproduced-in.html"> Moises González</a></p>

or Steven Meisel 'patterns' fashion work.

<p>closer to leroy nieman ... but check out Saul Leiter. painted nudes</p>

<p>look up 'thin film interference' for the kind of photo you linked.<br>

<p>OMG Is Brad going on about his years of experience and how it's all about photographer behavior...again!<br> Myopic viewpoints applied with a wide brush are suspect. Any. Like the quote from Patricia Strathern "<strong>It is the kind of photography that is impossible to do today" <br /></strong>or saying ...<br />"Like anywhere else, it’s <strong>all</strong> about photographer behavior." a catchall in this context is a shallow one dimensional personal opinion. Danger in the street as a photographer is a multi layered equation... it has no single take/explanation/answer. </p>

<p>1974-75 from living in the streets to a tale of x2 cities, Minneapolis and Chicago I bought my first camera and setup a darkroom.</p> <p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17956193-lg.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="608" />my first print... IDScenter<img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17956192-lg.jpg" alt="" width="472" height="314" />highland park<img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17956199-lg.jpg" alt="" width="472" height="288" />Selby Dale<img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17956198-lg.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="547" />st paul......<br /> <img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17956201-lg.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="451" /><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17956196-lg.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="453" />wisconsin /chicago<br /> <img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17956195-lg.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="452" /><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17956194-lg.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="333" />chicago/powderhorn park<img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17956190-lg.jpg" alt="" width="319" height="500" /><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17956191-lg.jpg" alt="" width="319" height="500" />hyde park</p>

<p>Sure +. In my own work voicing (i like that) is a visual representation of what I have to say. Styling is the A tool... clothing or body language or amplitude of voice etc. i choose to use.</p>

<p>it is through voice I find my most direct connection/relationship to content.</p>

<p>style-voice and formula. for many years these aspects of photography and art have been significant and a consideration for me. many layers. and somewhat cumbersome for me to discuss without specific content examples.<br /> An early observation as a viewer and wannabe artist for myself was, and still is .. that many well known artists do practice a degree of formula intentionally. Yet The best ones imo do not suffer stagnation simply because they have found an effective/affective combination of style and message. Some use a <em>successful</em> formula to ride as far as possible. While others temporarily explore a formula then borrow or invent another.<br /> In my experience voice has been the dominate consideration. Voice seem to go along with character, personality and taste. My tastes are all over the spectrum as a viewer. That influenced my work as an artist/photographer and designer. Distinction.. In much the same way I can pick up a phone and immediately recognize the voice of the person on the other end I believe that the better artists for me have a distinctive voice. For a few artists this occurs naturally but for most it takes practice and time to discover a distinctive voice. <br /> Personally I turn away from formula.s (that are used over long periods of time) as a viewer and in my own work ... that is my personality. Formula (even if temporary) does have the benefit of giving some comfort, a handle to viewers and buyers/sellers.<br /> Style is primarily the manner of delivery for me.</p>