Kodakism

Words of wisdom from Joel Meyerowitz

“What I think is so extraordinary about the photograph is that we have a piece of paper with this image adhered to it, etched on it, which interposes itself into the plane of time that we are actually in at that moment. Even if it comes from as far back as 150 years ago, or as recently as yesterday, or a minute before as a Polaroid color photograph, suddenly you bring it into your experience. You look at it, and all around the real world is humming, buzzing and moving, and yet in this little frame there is stillness that looks like the world. That connection, that collision, that interfacing, is one of the most astonishing things we can experience.” 

Play Time by Jacques Tati (1967)

I was wasting time on Tumblr yesterday when I stumbled upon a post by “whenwewerecool”, showing stills from Jacques Tati’s Play Time. I was 7 years old when I first saw this movie and I have not seen it ever since. I remember the images vividly though, and looking at a few of them again yesterday compelled me to do this post. 

Tati was a genius in many ways. If you haven’t had the chance to see his work, both Play Time and Mr. Hulot’s Holiday are available on Netflix instant. I chose a few stills from the film to show you. As you can see -  and as Radiohead would sing - “everything (is) in its right place”.

One last thing, I was reading about his unique style on his wikipedia page and I thought I’d share a few sentences with you. 

Tati wanted the film to be in color but look like it was filmed in black and white; an effect he had previously employed to some extent in Mon Oncle. Predominant colors are in shades of grey, blue, black, and greyish white. Green and red are used as occasional accent colors: for example, the greenish hue of patrons lit by a neon sign in a sterile and modern lunch counter, or the flashing red light on an office intercom. It has been said that Tati had one red item in every shot. 

Enjoy, and make sure you follow whenwewerecool!

For more screenshots of the film, click here.

Today is Bob Dylan’s 70th birthday…  

I was reading this week’s issue of Rolling Stone magazine the other day and loved the black and white shots of Dylan at home with his kids (p.69). After going through at least 30 Google pages of Dylan images, I discovered the man behind the camera: legendary Woodstock photographer, Elliott Landy.

These shots are very intimate and personal. They were taken in 1968 at Dylan’s home in Woodstock. I hope you enjoy them. 

ROBIN SCHWARTZ

Step into Amelia’s world…

Last year, my best friend and I were up late one night having a conversation about this amazing photographer’s work she had seen at the 2010 Hyères Festival.

It took her about an hour to remember the photographer’s name. But once she finally found her work online, I was completely mesmerized.

My best friend has always had the greatest taste and I don’t think she realized the impact these images had on me…

I won’t say more, just see for yourself here. 

“My photographs are drawn from real journeys undertaken with my daughter, Amelia. I am driven to depict relationships with animals but the photographs are not documents; they are evidence of the invented worlds that we explore and the fables we enact together. Photography gives us the opportunity to access our dreams, to discover the extraordinary. An artist photographing her child can invite ridicule, but getting personal with my projects has always been both my need and my edge. The Amelia’s World project has evolved with my daughter’s maturing personality and aptitude. Amelia is my priority, my muse, my co-conspirator, my tormentor and my bliss. Collaborating with Amelia, I am able to go to any place in time.”

(Source: robinschwartz.net)

RASMUS VIDEBAEK

Director of photography for the incredible Icelandic film Noi Albinoi, Videbaeck is without a doubt one of the most talented DPs out there. This is one of my favorite scenes in the film. 

(Source: rasmusvidebaek.dk)

Two ways through life

When cinema meets photography, meets Art.

See 2:14 minutes of life through Terrence Malick’s eyes here before the official release on May 27th. 

(Source: twowaysthroughlife.com)

“I’m the nurse in your famous shot” 

Dear Mr, Eisenstaedt:

Now that I’m 60 - it’s fun to admit that I’m the nurse in your famous shot “of the amorous sailor celebrating V.E. Day by kissing a nurse on New York’s Broadway.” The article in the Los Angles Times, which described your talents, stimulated the recall of the scene on Broadway. 
I had left Doctors’ Hospital and wanted to be part of the celebration but the amorous sailor and a subsequent soldier motivated a retreat into the next opening of the subway. I wish I could have stored that jubilation and amour for use P.R.N.
Mr Eisenstaedt, is it possible for me to obtain a print of that picture? I would be most appreciative. 
I regret not having met you on your last trip to Beverly Hills.
Perhaps next time. If not - I’ll understand because “it’s not only hard to catch him - its hard to keep up with him.”

Have fun. 

Fondly

Edith Shain

Letters of Note is my favorite blog. I read it religiously and you should too… 

ESTEVAN ORIOL

My friend Isaac and I discovered Estevan Oriol’s work at the MOCA’s Art in the Streets exhibit a couple of weeks ago… I had never heard of him before and yet, I immediately loved his portraits - raw, intense and compelling. 

Oriol mostly shoots with a Canon AE-1. 

Make sure you read his bio and check out some of his photos on his official website, it’s definitely worth it. 

Plus, here is a teaser/trailer of Oriol’s interview in ‘The Run Up’ DVD (Upper Playground & FIFTY24SF).

Enjoy

(Source: estevanoriol.com)

R.I.P. GUNTER SACHS

Today, the man who single-handedly introduced Andy Warhol to Europe and Claudia Schiffer to the world, has died.

Sachs was among the first to promote pop art and surrealism in Europe. 

Three years ago, he spoke about his photographs and claimed, ”Women are the most aesthetic beings on earth, and I’m convinced God wanted it that way. If a squirrel male was able to photograph, it would take pictures of his female.”