QOTD: David Bailey - DPChallenge Forums

10/13/2002 09:02:19 PM · #26

I found it rather typical of celebrity photography. Vapid people, in vapid scenes, with vapid expressions.

* This message has been edited by the author on 10/13/2002 11:00:13 PM.

goodtimecharlee

Olympus E-10

10/13/2002 09:46:56 PM · #27

it is a ridiculous statement. i disagree completely. there is no reason there should be a comparison of the two.

* This message has been edited by the author on 10/13/2002 9:44:58 PM.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

10/13/2002 11:02:08 PM · #28

I wonder if his comment was a backlash to the problems photography has had being accepted as art.

paganini

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

10/13/2002 11:06:31 PM · #29

Photography IS art, it's an expression like anythign else and photographs are created by man and thus it is art :-)

I actually liked Bailey's work better than Erwitts, probably because of the various expression he captures but i wonder how many hundreds of shots in a controlled setting he did to get those expressions, versus Erwitt's public photos on a spurr of the moment? I think Erwitt's work is more difficult than Baileys simply for the fact that he is in public, not in a controlled lighting situation as in a studio that Bailey is doing in the portraiture of Hollywood weasels :)

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

10/14/2002 12:01:06 AM · #30

Of course it is art, but it has had a hard time being accepted as such. Just because we say it is art, does not mean that all galleries will instantly display it. For the most part, this has been overcome, but it was not always the case. I do not know when the quote was made, but I have a feeling it was a reaction to the lack of uniform acceptance of photography as art.

Morgan

Nikon D800

10/14/2002 02:23:58 PM · #31

Originally posted by Zeissman:
I found it rather typical of celebrity photography. Vapid people, in vapid scenes, with vapid expressions

Vapid is an interesting word for you to use. Perhaps, it may be a suitable theme for an upcoming DP Cahllenge? However, I found the "garbage" challenge to be rather vapid; so maybe we have already been there? I did not find David Bailey's work to be flat, dull, and tasteless, quite the opposite actually. I suspose that it all still boils down to the old expression, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

10/14/2002 03:16:16 PM · #32

I think my biggest problem with it is, that it has become a very common style for celebrity photographers. He is unquestionably very talented, I just do not like his style. The photos of Mick Jagger, and Jack are two examples, both hide the subject, rather than reveal them. I see them as almost being exploitative. The white backgrounds give me no frame of reference for who the person is. Probably my favorite, is the old man out in front of the building, I am assuming that is his neighborhood.

I am having a hard time putting my feeling into words. But it is not like the camera is being used to get to know the subject, but the subject is being used to create an image.

I did find them dull, but not tastless, flat, as in it really does not hold my interest after in initial reaction wears off. I did not bother bookmarking this to look at later.

* This message has been edited by the author on 10/14/2002 3:15:27 PM.

Morgan

Nikon D800

10/14/2002 08:23:44 PM · #33

Originally posted by Zeissman:
I think my biggest problem with it is, that it has become a very common style for celebrity photographers. He is unquestionably very talented, I just do not like his style. The photos of Mick Jagger, and Jack are two examples, both hide the subject, rather than reveal them. I see them as almost being exploitative. The white backgrounds give me no frame of reference for who the person is. Probably my favorite, is the old man out in front of the building, I am assuming that is his neighborhood.

I am having a hard time putting my feeling into words. But it is not like the camera is being used to get to know the subject, but the subject is being used to create an image.

I did find them dull, but not tastless, flat, as in it really does not hold my interest after in initial reaction wears off. I did not bother bookmarking this to look at later

I can appreciate your viewpoint and accept your interpetation of his work. You make valid comments. But, I still like his work. ;-)

* This message has been edited by the author on 10/14/2002 8:24:10 PM.

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

10/14/2002 09:15:44 PM · #34

Morgan,

I am curious, are these photos you would like on your living room wall to see every day?

aelith

Olympus C-3020Z

10/14/2002 09:35:59 PM · #35

Originally posted by Zeissman:
I think my biggest problem with it is, that it has become a very common style for celebrity photographers. He is unquestionably very talented, I just do not like his style. The photos of Mick Jagger, and Jack are two examples, both hide the subject, rather than reveal them. I see them as almost being exploitative. The white backgrounds give me no frame of reference for who the person is. Probably my favorite, is the old man out in front of the building, I am assuming that is his neighborhood.

I am having a hard time putting my feeling into words. But it is not like the camera is being used to get to know the subject, but the subject is being used to create an image.

I did find them dull, but not tastless, flat, as in it really does not hold my interest after in initial reaction wears off. I did not bother bookmarking this to look at later

Zeissman, When I first looked through the gallery, I could see what you are referring to. Bailey is using famous names go get you to look at his abstract art compositions. Then I thought about the quote and realized he sometimes engages in visual puns. The fur about Nick's head is rather jagged. The one of Will Smith is rather startling. Eyes shut and ears pulled into dimond shapes his head is very rectangular. (blockhead?) Jack Nickelson's face is very plastic/moble. Is this a comment on his many character roles or his temper?

But perhaps I have too much immagination. They are all excellent studies in light and form.

aelith

Morgan

Nikon D800

10/14/2002 10:07:40 PM · #36

Originally posted by Zeissman:
Morgan,

I am curious, are these photos you would like on your living room wall to see every day?

Most unlikely. Our living room walls are ruled by a much higher authority - my wife.

I hang most of my photographic art at the office (my domain). Since I work in broadcasting, I do have a number of images of major talent similar to these images.

To be clear, we have a series of Rene Gruau paintings in our living room that were created as a work up of various models wearing hats designed for Christian Dior. Loads and loads of colour, brightness, and of course, fun and passion.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

10/14/2002 10:40:06 PM · #37

My point was, is this something you would want to see many times, each day, I think you answered yes to that.

timj351

Sony DSC-F707

10/15/2002 12:42:21 AM · #38

I think Bailey's work is excellent even if I think his quote is stupid. I think his photography captures a unique part of each person. I much rather see this style then to see a photo that attempts to capture the whole essence of a person but usually only succeeds in a pretty ordinary photo, not something memorable. If you ask most people to tell you about somebody close to them don't they usually tell you about the unique, and interesting things that made the person special to them? They don't usually describe everything about the person from what they look like to everything they have done in there lives. Bailey's work has qualities of a snapshop with strong compositional and tonal qualities which I really enjoy.

paganini

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

10/15/2002 12:59:28 AM · #39

Others might not agree with me but Portraits is all about getting the right expressions at the right moment, with good lighting complementing it. And Bailey has certainly captures the moment very well with excellent lighting (just right and evenly distributed, must have a Novatron and a nice $20,000 light set). It has a glamour shot feel to it but not as strongly as what you would see at your local MALL :)