Mirror, mirror on the wall....
I don’t know about you folks but I go through phases where I get a crush on a particular photographer’s work. I see a certain image and that’s it, I’m off...I saturate myself in that artist’s photography, spend endless hours working out the lighting techniques, read all of his (it's usually a guy, but not always) books/interviews/portfolios, I try and work out the reason WHY he was moved to take the image in the first place. I want to know everything about the artist, the man behind the camera...yup, it’s a full-on crushed-out obsession. I’m sure I would stalk the poor guy if given the remotest chance.
Currently I am infatuated with André Kertész:
Actually he's dead, so I can't stalk him. But his photography (both his Distorted Nudes and his reportage work) just blows my mind. He was obsessed with capturing “the right moment –the moment when something changes into something else” and the result of this obsession is photography that is original, atmospheric, witty. Every image tells a story, conveys emotion and tells me about the man behind the lens (who is just as fascinating as the images he produces, if not more so.) To me, he is the best at what he does. However, for most of you, his work probably doesn’t rate as particularly significant, which just goes to show how split opinion can be when labelling something “the best.”
As much as everyone would like to believe that pure objectivity can exist when judging photographs, personal preferences always play a part. Art is subjective. It’s that simple. Sure, between most photographers there is a common consensus, a broad recognition of quality (or lack thereof) but comparative selection usually asks us to look deeper into our own view of art, and one person’s opinion is never exactly the same as another’s.
So why look for an answer to “who is the best photographer?” when you know there is no right answer?
Well mostly because it’s fun. Arguing about the pros and cons of our favourite photographers is a pastime that all photographers and models enjoy, so having a debate can only be a good thing. Rich and I spent endless hours over cappuccinos arguing, discussing, reviewing, debating a particular artist's style – our opinions are usually direct opposites and always will be, but it is immense fun trying to change each others’ minds.
But even more than that, making a choice as to your favourite photographer, finding “the one” who influences your work more than any other, is your opportunity to convey something of yourself. If you choose Photographer X or Y as the best photographer since sliced bread then this is a clear way for you to express yourself and your photographic style, taste and vision. It lets me know who you are as an artist and as a person, as well as telling me where you are aiming for in the future. It’s a glimpse of “the real you.”
For example, my choice of André Kertész as my favourite photographer lets you know how much I love witty photographers who create innovative, quirky, intelligent art that makes me think outside the box. It tells you that Kertész’s view on life is mine too. He thinks as I do: "Everybody can look, but they don’t necessarily see."
So simply by learning about my obsession du jour, my unequivocal opinion that Kertész is the absolute BEST photographer in the world (for this month, anyway) this gives you a glimpse into who I really am as a person. Because yes, I am exactly like that – a slightly distorted, weird kind of girl who thinks rather too deeply about everything and is fascinated with what makes people tick.
So now you’ve heard mine. Let’s hear yours...who is your best photographer, and why?
Labels: photographers, purist











