Representation and directory for photographers

[karenoliver]

Originally Posted by GeoffWessex

But not so different to William Eggleston, who is treated like a photographic Messiah in the USA. Ditto Walker Evans, Diane Arbus, Gary Winogrande. But they're all worth checking out online - they certainly had something - even if it's only the ability to provoke discussion.

William Eggleston is my ultimate favourite photographer for so many reasons. All the others you named are masters also. Only William Eggleston is alive out of the list you posted.

Karen

[GeoffWessex]

It's that Marmite effect, I think.

[ABERS]

Since the weather has denied me the pleasure of watching al those Sunday morning wannabees I'd like to pose a hypothetical question.

If young a Bill Ecclestone and a keen young Marty Parr, without all the razzamatazz of their publicity machines and interested parties such a agents or publishers that have gone before, posted some of their unknown and recent images either on Flickr or sites such as this, how many comments would they engender?

And, as I would bet, not many, is that a reflection of the understanding or artistic nous of all of us that inhabit such places?

[karenoliver]

Originally Posted by ABERS

Since the weather has denied me the pleasure of watching al those Sunday morning wannabees I'd like to pose a hypothetical question.

If young a Bill Ecclestone and a keen young Marty Parr, without all the razzamatazz of their publicity machines and interested parties such a agents or publishers that have gone before, posted some of their unknown and recent images either on Flickr or sites such as this, how many comments would they engender?

And, as I would bet, not many, is that a reflection of the understanding or artistic nous of all of us that inhabit such places?

I can't speak for anyone else but if Martin Parr was an unknown and was posting his ' Last resort' shots here ( the ones he did at New brighton) I would be commenting on every one because its the type of photography that I like and the work was brilliant, if not very controversial at the time.

Same with William Eggleston's work, I like his use of colour and subject matter and it would stand out for me. William Eggleston became famous if you like because he was one of the early pioneers of colour photography in a climate where the older generation of photographers thought it was photographic blasphemy! It wasn't an agent or publicity machine that propelled him to fame , rather someone at MoMA spotted him and an exhibition followed.

Martin Parr created a controversial body of work that caught the eye of Thatcher and caused outcry amongst the community of New Brighton. Maybe it was lucky breaks rather than publicity that created their success?

Karen

[ABERS]

You've read all the blurb then!

[karenoliver]

Originally Posted by ABERS

You've read all the blurb then!

Too much blurb! :-) Research was a big part of the photography course I did.

Karen

[simjol]

How do you measure success as a photographer? Is it public recognition and fame and fortune, or is it personal satisfaction with the creativity and quality of your work?

Originally Posted by simjol

How do you measure success as a photographer? Is it public recognition and fame and fortune, or is it personal satisfaction with the creativity and quality of your work?

Personal satisfaction with the creativity of your work. Quality is for others to judge, recognition is just a little of the cream on top, fame most could do without, and fortune, well you can take it with you when you go but it needs to be of the right currency.

[GeoffWessex]

Just so people know what the subject is..... here's the William Eggleston website. If you look through 'Portfolios' and/or 'Monographs' you get a selection of images. His 'Artist Bio' is interesting and, depending on your view of the images, he's either a genius or the luckiest photographer ever. Got his first camera at age 18, second camera, a Leica, at 19.