The Seeing is Important; The Print is Not

The print, to [Cartier-Bresson] as to most European photo-journalists, is just a transition between the seeing and the publication. It is something to toss by the dozen into the laps of editors; it is nothing by itself…Developing and printing [Europeans] usually leave to a technician in a laboratory. Enlarging is routine, the technician following the photographer’s indications on the contact sheets. The image — the seeing — is important; the print is not, and to American eyes is execrable — not even half “realized.” The print to a European is only a proof; his image is not complete until reproduced where a million eyes can see it. If his intention then appears clear and forceful, he is content.

When a print is required for exhibition, Cartier-Bresson works directly with the technician, and works for a quality much like that of a good gravure. He chooses semi-matte paper, he enlarges to 11 x 14 or 16 x 20, and insists on tones like those of a wash or charcoal drawing.He wants his image sharp enough to be convincing, but the sharpness Americans find requisite seem to him a fetish, beyond and apart from what is necessary.

Nancy Newhall, “Controversy,” 1953. in Aperture Anthology: The Minor White Years, pp. 129-130

I’m not going to make a big deal out of the World Press Photo of the Yearthing, partly because it’s not all that interesting, but mostly because there’s a limit to how often even I enjoy pointing out the antique vintage of photography’s problem of the week. (Although yes, I did make a “90’s problem — more like 1890’s” joke when I first saw it circulating.)

I just want to point out the passage above, in which Nancy Newhall describes the characteristic European photojournalist’s attitude to prints in the 1950’s. The range of adjustments made or not made in printing a negative are in very much the same ballpark as the range of digital post-processing that is at issue in the Hansen photo.

Note the distinction between the image and its specific printed forms, which might differ significantly from one another. (And in the context of film, it goes without saying that none are the “true” or “original” or “unaltered” version of the photograph — when printing from a negative, there is no such thing.) Note also Newhall’s comparison to gravure, in relation to derogatory use of “illustration” in discussing “photoshopped” images. Note Newhall’s emphasis on mass reproduction. (And remember who the audience of news is supposed to be.)

I would also suggest comparing the Hansen image(s) (h/t Raw File) with the versions of a Bresson photo here and here (h/t @vossbrink. (Note: when I saw the Bresson exhibit at SFMOMA a while back, prints of the same negative with equal or greater degree of difference were on display at the same time. (More on that exhibit here and here, if you’re interested.))

It’s good to talk about photojournalistic ethics. But I think in the big list of ethical problems that journalism has to deal with, how photos are post-processed should be near the very bottom. Ultimately, it’s not really an ethical question at all — it’s an aesthetic question. And talking about aesthetic questions is good, but applying professional ethics-style thinking to them is maybe not so much. I think it tends to end in people conflating “tacky” with “false.”

32+ Tumblr Sites Street Photographers Should Follow

by ERIC KIM on FEBRUARY 19, 2013

John Szarkowski and Garry Winogrand fooling around. Photograph by Lee Friedlander, 1971. Tumblr icon added for drama.

Tumblr has been one of the most popular social media sites as of late when it comes to street photography. Personally I haven’t used Tumblr much, but I see that the platform has a lot of potential for street photographers and the community.

There is a vibrant and active street photography on Tumblr — but the problem is knowing who you should follow. Below is a curated list of notable photographers/street photographers/collectives to follow. Big thanks to Chio Gonzalez and AG DeMesa for helping me compile this list.

Also of course this is not a comprehensive list. If you have other suggestions on other street photographers to follow on Tumblr (other than yourself) please paste a link in the comments below!

Photographers

1. http://picturesofpeopleandthings.com/

Photograph by Kramer O’ Neill. Click to follow on Tumblr

Eric: The tumblr of Kramer O’ Neill, a talented street photographer and the founder of the collectivestrange.rs. In the past he has written a blog post on my blog about self-publishing his own books. You can also see some of his books here.

2. http://streetzen.tumblr.com/

Photograph by Rinzi Ruiz. Click to follow on Tumblr

Eric: The tumblr of Rinzi Ruiz, one of my good friends and one of the most prolific street photographers I know in LA. Downtown LA is his stomping grounds, and light and geometry are his tools he uses to craft his images. Black and white bliss, check it out.

3. http://dirtyharrry.tumblr.com/

Photograph by Dirty Harrry. Click to follow on Tumblr

Eric: One of my favorite contemporary street photographers whose surreal imagery is taking the genre to a whole new level. His images are always unique and entertaining, with a touch of darkness. One of the photographers whose work I love looking at the most.

4. http://curdiogenes.tumblr.com/

Photograph by Jared Iorio. Click to follow on Tumblr

Eric: Jared Iorio is a street photographer based in Los Angeles who specializes in color and has a keen eye for layering and urban landscape. A photographer with fresh vision, don’t miss out his work.

5. http://blog.bryanformhalsphotography.com/

Photograph by Bryan Formhals. Click to follow on Tumblr

Eric: Photographer Bryan Formhals, the founder of LPV magazine- an online and print magazine dedicated to contemporary documentary and fine art photography. He has his roots in street photography, and has been posting some lovely still-life medium-format photos from NYC on his Tumblr.

6. http://alexjdsmith.tumblr.com/

Photograph by Alex JD Smith. Click to follow on Tumblr

Eric: Alex JD Smith is photographer from Los Angeles who is very project-oriented and a wide gamut of styles and approaches in his work. His Tumblr is full of interesting videos, quotes, and his own imagery.

7. http://justinsdisgustin.tumblr.com/

Photograph by Justin Vogel. Click to follow on Tumblr

Eric: Justin Vogel is a member of Burn My Eye whose punk-rock attitude and images certainly leave an impression on you. One of the admins for Hardcore Street Photography — (love him or hate him) you should definitely follow his work.

8. http://gericcruzfoto.tumblr.com/

Photograph by Geric Cruz. Click to follow on Tumblr

Eric: Geric Cruz is a photographer based in Manila who focuses on street and social documentary photography. He uses color and black and white superbly – capturing the mood and essence of people and places. You can see a past feature of his work on my blog here.

9. http://newarrivals.johngoldsmithphotography.com/

Photograph by John Goldsmith. Click to follow on Tumblr

Eric: John Goldsmith is one of the heavyweights in the street photography scene whose color work inspires me. He is able to craft complex visual narratives in his frame (very similar to Alex Webb) yet maintaining a sense of order. Don’t miss out on his work.

10. http://quarlo.tumblr.com/

Photograph by Todd Gross. Click to follow on Tumblr

Eric: The tumblr of Todd Gross, a photographer based in Queens, New York. His images are fun and invite the viewer to look deeper for the small odd details which are puzzling and fascinating. He has one of the freshest visions out of all the photographers I follow.

11. http://lumor.tumblr.com/

Photograph by Ludmilla Morais. Click to follow on Tumblr

Eric: Ludmilla Morais is one of the most talented female street photographers I know who prowls the streets of LA for tough and gritty images. Her passion in street photography is unparalleled, and her images definitely convey that.

12. http://blog.stefanomattia.it/

Photograph by Stefano Mattia. Click to follow on Tumblr

AG: Italian based photographer Stefano Mattia. He shoots film in Italy and uses his tumblr as a diary of his travels. Classic style street photography in a very huge and busy city.

13. http://renbostelaar.tumblr.com/

Photograph by Ren Bostelaar. Click to follow on Tumblr

AG: Ren has been shooting since 1997. His works new and old shot in his home city of Toronto Canada is posted on the tumblr. Another stream type tumblr that has various genres. What I do look forward too is his photographs that has been clearly shot on the other side of the street. How it looks is beautiful to me that I can’t quite properly express yet.

14. http://kpraslowicz.tumblr.com/

Photograph by Kip Praslowicz. Click to follow on Tumblr

AG: One of my favorites and one of Duluth MN’s greatest photographers, Kip’s tumblr contains his photos of Duluth Minnesota. His works is a good evidence that you do not need to be in a huge city to make great street photographs.

15. http://streetsofberlin.tumblr.com/

Photograph by Klara Yoon. Click to follow on Tumblr

AG: Klara Yoon runs the streets of Berlin tumblr. Black and white, shot in film, and in one of the nicest cities of the world. Follow to explore how she sees the city of Berlin .

16. http://jonathanhillhouse.tumblr.com/

Photograph by Jonathan Hillhouse. Click to follow on Tumblr

AG: Jonathan Hillhouse is one of those photographers that make me feel bad about myself. His tumblr is another one of those stream types that contains various genres that stretch from portraiture, still life, and some street works. The genres maybe be different but the feel and style of the photos are the same. His command of the camera is amazing.

17. http://bootsonthestreet.tumblr.com/

Photograph by Kurt Kamka. Click to follow on Tumblr

AG: This purely street photography and street portraiture blog is run by sir Kurt Kamka. He shoots everyday in the busiest parts of Manila trying to capture the community and the smiles. He places his favorites on the tumblr so it becomes a stream of consistent photographs. For those that prefer a tighter edit, he has book out called Free Smiles available on blurb.

Galleries

18. http://tppg.tumblr.com/

TOTEM POLE PHOTO GALLERY, Shinjuku. Hasselblad SWC with Sunpack flash. Click to follow on Tumblr

AG: Tppg is the official tumblr of the totem pole gallery in Japan. The in house artists of that gallery includes square format BW maestro, Shinya Arimoto, The works of Tokyo Camera Style creator, John Sypal, and many other Japanese Photographers that is worth your time looking at.

Collectives

19. http://tumblr.burnmyeye.org/

Photograph by Junku Nishimura. Click to follow on Tumblr

Eric: Burn My Eye is one of the newest street photography collectives and in my opinion, has the group of the most talented and original photographers. They are very active, participating in group edits, and regularly feature inspirational single images. Don’t miss out on them.

20. http://blog.strange.rs/

Photograph by Naveen Jamal. Click to follow on Tumblr

Eric: The tumblr of strange.rs, an international group of photographers who seek out the “subtle strangeness hidden behind everyday reality.” Another superb group of photographers with a solid unifying vision of what great photography means.

21. http://postcardsfromamerica.tumblr.com/

Postcards from America by Magnum Photographers. Click to follow on Tumblr

Eric: Postcards from America is an exciting project and collaboration from a group of Magnum photographers who gather in locations across America and work together. The different styles and images of the Magnum photographers create an interesting visual ensamble which is a delight to the viewer. A definite must-follow.

22. http://sweetphotosbro.tumblr.com/

Sweet photos bro. Click to follow on Tumblr

AG: SPB is a forum and collective of Australian and New Zealand based photographers. The photos they post on this tumblr are some of the street shots of the members of the forum. If you are from that part of the world, this is worth checking out and if you are interested, joining.

Magazines

23. http://radiate-magazine.tumblr.com/

Radiate Magazine. Click to follow on Tumblr

Eric: The tumblr of Radiate Magazine. Here is where they share links but also a place where they share news of some of the photographers they have featured before. Best to still get the magazine but this tumblr is a great companion if you want to see more from these hardworking guys.

24. http://photographsonthebrain.com/

Photograph by Bryan Formhals. Click to follow on Tumblr

Eric: The tumblr of LPV Magazine – which they share a daily digest of links, quotes, excerpts and photographs from around the web. Great source of daily inspiration and insights into contemporary photography.

Education

25. http://shootinggallery.tumblr.com/

Photographers featured on Shooting Gallery. Click to follow on Tumblr

AG: Although not always about street photography, Shooting gallery is a compilation of various videos of photographers being interviewed or in the practice of shooting. Great for learning more about the photographers or looking into their work process.

26. http://conscientious.tumblr.com/

Photograph by Aaron Schuman. Click to follow on Tumblr

Eric: The tumblr of Jörg M. Colberg, photography writer and critic. Although he is also not focused primarily on street photography, his words are insightful and deep and worth following.

Books

27. http://streetleveljapan.tumblr.com/

Spread of “A Trip To Europe” by Emi Fukuyama. Click to follow on Tumblr

AG: The tumblr of Photography critic, photography writer, and book publisher, Dan Abbe. Based in Tokyo, Abbe is now one of the best exporters of Japanese photography to the west. Fans of their photography will surely love what Dan is posting.

28. http://japanexposures.tumblr.com/

Japanese photobooks. Click to follow on Tumblr

AG: My bias for Japanese photography by showing yet another blog about Japanese Photography. This is Japan Exposures tumblr blog which has sample pages and prints of the books they are selling. There are also some quotes and snippets from Japanese photographers. An essential follow for fans of Japanese photography.

Photography Websites

29. http://americanphoto.tumblr.com/

Photograph by Erik de Castro. Click to follow on Tumblr

AG: American Photo’s official tumblr page. This serves as a great add-on to their main website. Here they post links and photos found in their articles for extra reading and consumption.

30. http://timelightbox.tumblr.com/

Photograph by W. Eugene Smith. Click to follow on Tumblr

Eric: The official tumblr and behind-the-scenes look into LightBox, a blog by TIME’s photo department that explores how photography, video and the culture of images define today’s world.

Inspiration

31. http://notes.japan-photo.info/

Photograph by Shomei Tomatsu. Click to follow on Tumblr

AG: Street Photography has been embedded in Japan’s photographic culture but that doesn’t mean it’s all you can see there. This tumblr features different works that doesn’t necessarily contain the names “Araki” and “Moriyama”. They are currently posting some of the late great Shomei Tomatsu’s works. Japanese photo lovers will love this one.

Cameras

32. http://japancamerahunter.tumblr.com/

Photograph by Bellamy Hunt. Click to follow on Tumblr

Eric: http://japancamerahunter.tumblr.com/

If you love film and old-school analog cameras, make sure to follow Bellamy Hunt’s tumblr for your daily dose of camera porn.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Seeing

SHOOT FILM

11 Reasons To Shoot Film

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

TUMBLER SITES FOR STREET PHOTOGRAPHY