Henri Cartier-Bresson

This book the education of a photographer is truly interesting. Hence the reason why it now has its own section.

The section on Bresson moves on again from Abbott but once again focuses on the photographic reportage, the picture story. How interested they would have been in relation to a blog or an app.....the possibilities are endless with a brilliant photographer and a world-wide audience in an instant.

A whole world of exciting prospects are available to me once I have made sure I have the foundations and concepts stable and secure. Exciting times ahead even though I know it will be hard work.

Again like the other photographers I have discussed HCB  talks of photographic reportage and the story book the making the joy of finding and recording a situation that is "unrolling" before your very eyes

One word that he uses when talking about his work, is that he is still am amateur but is not longer a "dilettante" fabulous word that will be mine for today.

The picture story - can be a situation that rarely happens when the whole frame of the photograph "posses such vigorous and richness, and whose content radiates outwards from it, that the single picture is a whole story in itself"

It is however possible to create a picture story based on the core by combining all the sparks that are associated with it, therefore building the story form various shots. Simple and obvious I sort of say and then think and remember how hard this actually is. This is the very idea that I am taking to Belgium. The very core of the story is to pay respects to a man who from my ancestry gave his life from the age of 14 in the fight for our liberty and freedom. The sparks from this are the people who we will be travelling with and their individual stories of their ancestors and also the journey we will have on the Lambrettas, no doubt along with the problems we have. This in turn building a comradeship. I am hoping it will be a great photography reportage!

To Bresson the story book involves the eye, brain and the heart, to depict the content of the event and communicate your impression. You can not be stationary in your attitude towards the event and need to see it from all angles. Bresson works in a way that is comfortable, self propelling and emotional, this is because he loves and is proud of what he creates.
The decisive moment Henri Cartier-Bresson. I sometimes think I would not like to do photography as a job as then it would become a chore. However, this would truly depend on what sort of Photography you where involved in!

Besson is a man of integrity and has little respect for enhancement in any way, this includes light. In his book you must work with what you have and manipulation would not be tolerated. I think that really is the way though I am not quite there yet when I do not dabble a little in Lightroom to get the very best out of the frame.

The Subject

Leitmotiv another great word. HCB goes on to compare painters with photographers and how he feels that some of the details that a painter would find difficult and sometimes irritating can be amusing to photographers as they are the reality that they crave in the frame.

The education of a photographer 18 August

Photography at the Crossroads - Berenice Abbott

The Education of a Photographer

Robert Taft - Photography and the America Scene. 

Interesting that this book apparently depicts the significant growth of the medium and integrates it into the social and economic growth of the country.  One for the library me thinks.

How interesting to do a study to show the contraction of social and economic growth there and also in the UK. 

The riots of recent and also the way our country is changing would be really interesting to document.  Time, money, time, money...............fabulous thought though!

Lens art - looking and seeing. Content, meaning and impact.

As I read this book I begin to understand more and more the term Art of Photography and the structure behind the foundation of the course. Art and photograph are intrinsically linked.


The eye of view, the perception of truth, though whose truth depends on the artist in question.


Adapting your own truth is what counts. Taking your view or eye is what will allow the photograph stand out, really work and make you proud. But, what you see as the truth will not necessarily be everyone's truth, but hey I know that already in life.  Nevertheless disappointment can build rather than destroy.


I feel that my photography will lead me to a place of human discovery and or an appreciation of difficult factors and achievements that can be documented.  I know it will never make me rich in monetary terms, but it will be full filing from the aspect of my place in life.  Well that is my hope anyway.


All these are thoughts that are being generated by understanding why I am doing this course and what I hope to achieve. By analysing this I can then see where my place in this world of art belongs.

The paths of modern art - Alexander Rodchenko


Touching a little of what Berenice Abbott created in her works of NYC an adaptation of life at that time. Not with just the buildings and structures but the very soul of the generation. What it's beliefs and foundations were constructed on. What was moral and right and what you expected to see around you. 

But beliefs are not that structured anymore they are fragmented and difficult to bottle, as Abbott did.  So a different way of looking at the social aspect within the UK is required in today's society.


In the open letter that I am reading, Rodcencko talks of a belly button view and explains how we tend to see things or attempt to see things from this aspect. This view will allow us to look at the subject to the top through to the bottom. Then you can start to create from this point, because you have the full picture initially.  He talks of perspective and how certain angles can totally detract from the subject itself, which sometimes can be rewarding, but, if the subject is not so well known it can have an adverse effect.


I also think it is important to fully understand what it is you are trying to depict no matter how trivial.  There must be a story a reason for the interest and this should hit you as soon as the photograph is in your mind and before the shutter is pressed.

Alexander talks of falseism in a photograph and the set up involved. Saying that instead of the camera taking the photograph, the subject matter is controlling the lens. I have never liked this type of photography and choose to stand back and observe, take without arrangement. The commercialism of what he describes is more of a money maker and bread-earner and I feel not artistic, necessary but for me looking from the outside not so rewarding.

Berenice Abbott

An America photographer best known for black and white images of New York architecture and 1930s urban design.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berenice_Abbot

Now excuse my rudeness but the above photograph does not fill me with an initial expectation. But as life shows us first impressions are very rarely correct and as the 1930s has always interested me I am very intrigued by what this artist will bring to my knowledge base.

Initial thoughts are that she brings times and situations gone by that are really fascinating by the sheer fact that they could not now be replicated in today's society. Like taking photographs in the times of smog in London during maximum pollution from coal and forms of travel she shows shops and lifestyles that were every day occurrences which now you rarely see, or if you do they look dated.
Her images have so much clarity and realism.

There is such an emphasis of the era and what was important to people. Abbott documented the changing face of New York City over a 10 year period sponsored by the works progress commission.

Already initial reading it shows this woman was not only talented but also ambitious in her abilities. Changing many thoughts about photography especially from the prospective of a woman. Now my interest grows as I make this discovery! Not as a woman's libber. but as a person who wants to make a difference.

The more I read about this lady the more interested I become. I have been reading The Education of a Photographer and within this is the section on Berenice Abbott. At the end of her section she talks about photography photo document. This is the area that interests me and definitely the way I want to head. It is amazing that the article was written back in 1951.

To quote "Today we are confronted by reality on the vastest scale mankind has known. Some people are still unaware that reality contains unparalleled beauties. The fantastic and the unexpected, the ever-changing and renewing is nowhere so exemplified as in real life itself. Once we understand this, it exercises a dynamic compulsion on us, and the photo-document is born"

This is so how I am thinking. I have started a new blog in Wordpress that focuses on m interest in music and people within the scootering scene. Let's see what that brings. Hopefully it will be a record of our time and of interest to others.

These are some images that I found had been out together on u-tube that I thought fitted nicely to what I am trying to say in words.

A few Berenice Abbotts

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Location:The Square,,United Kingdom

Women in photography - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ok there is a whole ruck of influential women photographers here. Add to my list of to do's is to look at them in alphabetical order over the course of my BA and then conclude at the end.

Women in photography - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Colour Part 3 & London Independent Photography

I am catching up with my part three and have some images to upload for part 4 Light.  Things are going along on time and this beautiful weather is certainly helping. 


A few months ago I am sure I said that I had joined London Independent Photography http://www.londonphotography.org.uk/  and receive their FLIP magazine. I have just got round to starting to the read the magazines over the last few weeks and I have to say they are amazing and well worth the effort of interest.


Amongst the articles the magazines address issues and interests that may seem macabre when looked at from the outside but are tackled and discussed with interest with obviously a photographic angle.  
There is one very interesting article on the suicide rate of Indian farmers who are taking their lives rather than have their dignity shames by being unable to look after their family, as they loose their stock to "unpredictable weather patterns" and through fighting the effects of "globalisation".  The photographs are intense and hard hitting to accompany a fabulous article.


There is also an article called a letter from Totteridge and Whetstone.  I will scan the photograph tomorrow when in work but if you can read the article it's a fabulous piece of social writing and the photograph illustrated sets the article of perfectly.  


This is the last issue and has the above mentioned inside. http://www.londonphotography.org.uk/magazine/flip18-street-life/

I know more each day why I love photography so much.  It's not just the production of the piece itself but the story, written and unwritten behind it.  What a lucky girl I am that I have the opportunity to be learning this wonderful craft.  I thank my circumstances that I have worked so hard for every day.

Museum of London - London Street Photography

Museum of London - London Street Photography
Information relating to Street phographers to check out. I would love to be going to this .........

Friday next week, ie 15 April, sees the opportunity to join Jose Navarro in a study visit to this year’s Deutsche Börse Photography Prize Exhibition and to the exhibition of London Street Photography at the Museum of London. It is a full day running from 11 am to 4pm and we know it is short notice, but we have to seize these opportunities when they arise. The study day is free and there will be a refreshment stop. Jose will be making his way between the exhibitions on public transport, so you will need to buy a ticket and can expect a bit of walking.

Going to see what the train prices are!

Abstract Photography - StumbleUpon

Abstract Photography - StumbleUpon This guy has an amazing portfolio. The collgaes and the colour are beautiful, but he doesn't stop at that!

Reading Observations and Thoughts

The more I read about other photographers that I am interested in the more two thoughts spring to mind.

• Times have changed and people, hobbies and daily life has the lost the innocence and openness as found in work such as Cartier-Bresson, John Gay and Lee Friedlander, all of whom I have been studying for the last few months.

Friedlander seems a rebel with his photography and that's what makes him so very interesting.

• The world seems a colder and more materialistic world than those of past photographers.  Nothing is new and it takes a lot to interest most people and draw them away from their comfort zone.

Steve Allen Photography

Steve Allen Photography

Exhibition | Hoppé Portraits - Society, Studio & Street

Exhibition Hoppé Portraits - Society, Studio & Street