Chuck Embrey found this little video from a couple of years ago. Two things: Didn't realize Lee Friedlander was quite so advanced in years as he evidently is, not that that matters; and, I honestly don't think I've ever heard his voice before.
I can't disagree with the moderator's appraisal of Mr. Friedlander, except to note that Elliott Erwitt ain't dead yet. They come from different traditions, Friedlander from fine art (albeit the subversive, counterculture variety) and Erwitt from photojournalism (Magnum).
Run time is 9:43. I assume this is just a sampling of a much longer program. When the moderator says "I think that's a good note to end on," I was thinking, "What!? No it's not!" Seems unlikely they needed all those water bottles for a less-than-10-minute talk.
Nice to hear Lee Friedlander's voice.
Mike
(Thanks to Chuck)
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“One of the things we’re sad about today is that photographers don’t walk around with a camera all the time and photograph without a project.” -Richard Benson
Posted by: Stan B. | Thursday, 03 March 2016 at 10:33 AM
What an absolute treat. Thank you so much for finding it. Lee Friedlander is my favorite photographer in the world and it is a pleasure to hear him speak. I had never heard his way of finding a "project" by looking backwards, but it is exactly the way I have come to work. I have numerous 3 ring binders that are labeled by finding what I'm interested years after I started taking pictures of it. And his reference to continuing to photograph something, without success, for 15 years, only to find it in the 16th gives me hope for a number of my obsessions.
One question. Do you know which book they are referencing with the uncoated paper?
[I believe it's The American Monument, 1976. http://amzn.to/1TcL8f5 --Mike]
Posted by: James Weekes | Thursday, 03 March 2016 at 10:41 AM
That was marvelous. I want more.
Posted by: Robin Dreyer | Friday, 04 March 2016 at 08:06 PM
I highly recommend the Mark Steinmetz video at the same site. He's not the greatest public speaker but he has some interesting things to say and the photos he shows are stunning.
Posted by: PaulC | Saturday, 05 March 2016 at 06:39 AM
Terrific. Perhaps the quickest 9:43 ever! I agree - ended way too soon.
Posted by: Ernest Zarate | Saturday, 05 March 2016 at 02:58 PM
Lee has really lived his art. From being at the edge of a stage shooting a searing saxophone solo, to really getting inside the cacti and tumbleweeds in his desert work. Acts of commitment that inspire, as artists intend their work to do. I look at things differently now, really seeing these kinds of things thanks to Mr. Friedlander. Thank you for this!
Posted by: rick frystak | Sunday, 06 March 2016 at 04:26 PM
Bravo! & Thanks. Lee is Jazz.
Posted by: Lance Evingson | Monday, 07 March 2016 at 08:41 AM
'zine as in magazine was how I assumed it was pronounced...
Posted by: George C | Tuesday, 08 March 2016 at 01:28 AM