Visual Acoustics

[David Karp]

Some of you might be interested in the documentary "Visual Acoustics" about photographer Julius Shulman.

Here is the trailer: www.juliusshulmanfilm.com/trailer-gallery/

Here is the website: www.juliusshulmanfilm.com/

Here is a review: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment...,6494000.story

It is now showing in Santa Monica, CA.

[Richard M. Coda]

Thanks for the link. Wish it was showing in AZ.

[chris_4622]

I saw this movie yesterday at the Chicago Film Festival.

It is an interesting story about a likable guy. I have one criticism about the movie, it was edited a little too fast for my taste. Not much time to look at the photos and read the captions. I realize the filmmaker had to fit an awful lot of information in an hour and a half but in this case I think less would have served the movie better.

I recommend seeing this movie. The man, photography and history makes for a satisfying, inspirational and educational experience.

[David Karp]

Thanks for the quick review Chris.

[drew.saunders]

It's also listed in Netflix as a "save" option, but no release date is given.

[Merg Ross]

Thanks for posting, Dave. I look forward to viewing the film.

Julius Shulman and Morley Baer, both photographers of West Coast architecture, were my mentors. They were my inspiration, and responsible for my venture down a similar path as an architectural photographer. Morley, I had known from childhood. Julius, I never had the opportunity to meet; however, I have been in houses that he photographed, and in comparing the structures to his photographic renditions, the results are amazing. He was truly a master of his profession.

It is wonderful to see his work and life put to film. However, I must disagree that he was, "the world's greatest architectural photographer". He was present at a pivotal time in West Coast architecture, and extremely skilled at interpreting and presenting what was before his lens.

[David Karp]

Frustratingly, I have not yet had a chance to see the film. I am champing at the bit.

I have read a couple of Shulman's books, and enjoyed them tremendously. His personality shows through loudly and clearly in each of them. I always wanted to meet him. People I know who had met him said he was always gracious and willing to share his knowledge with other photographers. My wife and I were scheduled to go to a show of his work not too long before he died. He was scheduled to be there and to give a talk. We had to cancel because it turned out to be on the same night as a school function that meant a lot to my son. We made the right choice, but I had a sneaking suspicion that when you pass up on a chance to listen to and meet a 90+ year old photographer, that I was not likely to get another. Unfortunately, I was right on that one.

Here are some other links with information on or interviews with Julius Shulman:

http://www.scpr.org/news/2009/07/16/...-shulman-dies/

http://www.kcet.org/explore-ca/web-s...lman/index.php

[chris_4622]

Thanks for posting, Dave. I look forward to viewing the film.

It is wonderful to see his work and life put to film. However, I must disagree that he was, "the world's greatest architectural photographer". He was present at a pivotal time in West Coast architecture, and extremely skilled at interpreting and presenting what was before his lens.

Merg,

Well put.
I came away from the movie having similar thoughts, though not as concise as yours.

chris

[D. Bryant]

FWIW, This movie is now streaming on Netflix.

[Doug Howk]

I bought the DVD and have watched it couple of times. Not much on techniques but great on the modern architecture styles as practiced in California.