Foto Retro and Futuro

Two contrasting yet oddly complementary bodies of work I've come across recently, both of them I think quite excellent, each in its own way:

Herman Krieger, Todd

Retro: Our friend Herman Krieger has posted a set of documentary pictures that were all taken on film with the delightful new Fuji GF670, a camera that's as retro as you please (folders haven't been common since maybe the 1950s, nor au courant since a couple of decades before that). The set is called "Junction City Junction" (Junction City, Oregon, is 15 miles north of Eugene). I find Herman's documentary photography poignant: the settings are usually plebeian but the people look honest and friendly. I feel Herman's presence in his pictures: people seem to face him openly and with good humor. I'd love to see him work. He clearly has a knack.

Italy by Josh and Beth

Futuro: Meanwhile, a project that's been getting some viral mindshare in recent days is Joshua Brown's book Italy. Talk about up to the minute: it was shot on an iPhone, processed with an app (Camera+), and published as a Blurb Book. You can see the whole book at Blurb (looks best in Full Screen). Seems a model of about the best you can do creating a photographic memento of a vacation. (Josh has many sites; for one, he does weddings.)

The two projects seem opposite in many ways: one shot with a camera that's obsolescent even for a film camera, the other with one that's newfangled even for a digital; one documentary, yet with something of the plainspokenness of the hobbyist photographer, the other romanticized, yet with something of the slickness of the professional. One taken at home and the other on vacation. One about strangers, the other, family. Yet together they probably illustrate, more than anything, that good work has more in common than not, and that a project's success has little to do with the medium that's chosen to create it.

Mike
(Thanks to Richard Parkin and others)

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Original contents copyright 2011 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved.

Comments

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

Futuro? Then why are his iPhone photos mimicking both lith printing and cross-processing?

It seems like analogue is the new digital.

[Moose]

Way back on March 20th. Mike opined:

"Although they give me more to think about than the ubiquitous scenics that bore me out of my mind."

Moose responded:

"Ah well, different strokes . . . Much as I enjoy TOP, one of the mysteries to me is how you can recommend so many photographers in "Random Excellence" who present endless pictures of ordinary people doing ordinary things and ordinary buildings in ordinary places.

How anyone can prefer yet another picture of some kids walking down a sidewalk on the street of another '60s suburb, one pushing a bicycle, to yet another picture of beautiful trees hanging over a body of water, in some state of serenity or agitation, is beyond me. /;^>"

Mike responded in turn:

"Huh? Sure you're thinking of this site? I went through the three most recent pages of the "Random Excellence" category and I have no idea what picture or pictures you're talking about."

Moose, lazy, but patient, waited, knowing more were on the way.

Let me be clear, I'm talking about individual taste, not any judgment of good and bad. I think it's wonderful that Mr. Krieger makes images that make you happy. They do for me what you say scenics do for you, "bore me out of my mind."

Your second feature, Joshua Brown's book Italy, supports your view as well, taking all conventional technical qualities away from what could have been quality travel and people snapshots and beautiful landscapes. The images in that form just don't engage me.

BTW, we mostly agree about Cindy Sherman, although at least she tends to engage me, even if my response is most often negative.

I've been spending many hours processing images from a trip to Yosemite, the majority scenics, although I like to think a few go beyond that. I'll be doing more - they just make me happy.

Just sayin'
Moose

[charlie]

Three cheers to Herman!

Josh and Beth could have used an Art Director, but I love the spirit of the book even if it is a bit of a train wreck.

[Boglev]

I was delighted browsing Herman's site. So many beautiful photographs in one place. I would like to have a book with his wonderful photographs in my library.

[scott johnston (we of the clan, mike!)]

"Junction City Junction," according to Krieger's site, was shot with a Bessa 6x7, not the Fuji GF670 as stated. Not that it matters much to me... thanks for featuring the work.

[Mike Johnston]

scott (I take it you're not my younger brother, whose name is also Scott Johnston!),
I checked with Herman and he has the Fuji version. The Bessa 667 is the Voigtlaender-branded version, but is the same camera.

Mike

[john robison]

Thanks for the heads up. I really liked the Junction City series even if it's not everyones favorite. That new Fuji folder really interests me. The X100, not so much. If a rich uncle offered to buy me just one I wouldn't even have to think about it.

[Darren]

My wife programs an art gallery and it was my pleasure to show her Herman's work and for her to book a show! I got to see Herman's photos in a gallery here in Northern Ireland. Very handy having this facility, lots of good work has been exhibited on my ,erm, recommendation.