The other day, I got on the bus, and I got to thinking about photography. It was one of those moments when I wish I had my camera. The entire bus was lined with people all looking straight forward with headphone cords hanging out of their ears. It just seemed to say something.
Then I started wondering where I could find pictures like that, where nothing is staged but it says something subtle yet poignant about day to day life.
hmm. Thought I would have gotten some suggestions.
Lewis Hine
Margaret Bourke White
Ansel Adams
Three words: Henri. Cartier. Bresson.
Robert Frank, one of his most famous photos is of people on a bus (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://infocusphoto.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/frank_trolley.jpg&imgrefurl=http://infocus.chrisbalin.com/&usg=__t1RHeIFeqxGk4F4DJTjnUTr06rs=&h=678&w=1024&sz=308&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=ObWmDYOMw2reXM:&tbnh=99&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Drobert%2Bfrank%2Bbus%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4SKPB_enAF269AF271%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1)
Alfred Eisenstaedt, who was most famous for this picture, although my favorite of his work is this one.
Thanks for the suggestions so far. Henri Cartier Bresson was already one of my favorites. I’m surprised no one has mentioned Doisneau in that same vein.
Most of the pictures/photographers so far have been from back in the day. Are there any more contemporary photographers of daily life?
Martin Parr does this rather well. But really, just go to any bookstore or library and browse through the photography section. Used bookstores are pretty good for this, since photo books rarely go into multiple printings.
Garry Winogrand (1928-1984) might deserve some mention. He captured everyday life but made it look unusual and even surreal. Not really subtle, though.
Some examples here
Edit: Here’s a good one for today : Fraenkel | Fraenkel Gallery
Immediately thought of Robert Frank, but madmonk beat me to it!
I am no photography expert, but IME what seems true and real to one person is corny and staged to another (or the same person at a different point in life). Lately I’m liking Juliana Beasley’s work, especially her photos form Rockaway Beach.
The everyday, documentary style is, I believe, not so much in demand these days. Current photography is much more about establishing the photographer’s personality rather than making statements about life.
But for something a bit closer to our time, there is for example Susan Meiselas’s pictures of the Nicaraguan revolution of 1979. It is in color at least. Also, you might want to browse the homepage of Magnum Photos, a legendary photographic agency (which has hosted Bresson among many others).
Walker Evans
Weegee
I think you will enjoy the work of Martin Parr, a British photojournalist who specialises in whatever is ordinary, mundane and everyday. You can find some examples of his work online but it’s better still to buy his books, which will give you a better idea of how he takes a given theme and explores it.
