These I Like - A Weekly Gallery of Exceptional Photographs

[r.e.]

Austin,

We are headed toward a discussion about whether "exceptional" or "good" is an objective or subjective judgement. I've had that discussion often enough to have learned that it is not fruitful. Enjoy Mr. Picker's photograph.

[austin granger]

Enjoy Mr. Picker's photograph.

I can't now-you ruined it for me!

[r.e.]

We can view a Fine Art photograph from a social or political perspective if we like. It's natural for some people to do so.

We can view a Fine Art photograph from the perspective of meteorology or biology too. Any perspective we like.

Here, the intent was primarily... aesthetic.

Hold it.

I was responding to what you wrote, under the heading "Why I Like It":

"It illustrates the rugged simplicity and solitude of the Gaspé Peninsula".

What I said is that if you are right about your interpretation of the photograph, it is a romantic distortion of the truth. Characterising the Gaspé that way, in 1977 let alone now, is on a factual level just plain ignorant.

On an aesthetic level, my view, with respect to what is supposed to be a gallery of "exceptional photographs", is that this photograph is cliché. It's the kind of thing that one might see, and indeed does see, in Northern New England and Atlantic Canada in third rate paintings and tourist postcards, not to mention countless photographs. In St. Pierre and Miquelon, there is a small island just off St. Pierre that looks like a normal community, but which is in fact a combination park/museum run by the French Government, which is just perfect for taking photographs like this. Indeed, it attracts painters and photographers whose whole point in being there is to make images that are pretty much the same as Picker's.

[patrickjames]

Reality and photographs have nothing to do with each other. Never did.

[Mark Woods]

I know "Art is Art" but part of what the artist does is capture an image. The other half is to "enlighten" or "emotionally move" the viewer. To take an image, like Picker did, is wonderful. To present it out of the political context leaves it open for a political interpretation along with an artistic interpretation. This image says to me, stability, all things are working, the system is correct. But the actuality is quite the opposite for the locals. I feel that in the abstract, many of us respond that this is a great image. But for the locals, and the ones who lived through the rough times,. this may be quite the opposite of what was going on for so many of them. An image needs to be judged on it's own. But somehow, most historical images are judged on the context of history when the image was shot.

Let's not forget that not only is ART is a moving target, but photography is attached to the time it is exposed.

[mdm]

That post quick reply button is dangerous! Try removing that Mr Moderator.

[Ken Lee]

r.e - Thank you for taking the time to share your insights about the photo and the region in general. It may be that many of us have only a limited familiarity with the Gaspesie. Your comments prompt us to investigate the area from a perspective broader than mere sight-seeing. It's also helpful to know that such scenes are commonplace in the region.

In light of your remarks, I have changed the text from "It illustrates the rugged simplicity and solitude of..." to "It illustrates the rugged beauty of...".

Your observations about any of the other photos in the series, are most welcome.

[johnmsanderson]

It is obvious by Ken's choices that he's not interested in showing pictures that are as you describe it "socially aware". Most of the images are classic B&W as you must have noted. This image wasn't posted on the Magnum website with the same caption... if it were then perhaps your jab would be justified.

You are on the wrong forum if you're looking for guilt trip photojournalism.

[Richard K.]

I'm definitely not trying to stoke any fires here and I've read and enjoyed some of the comments, but I would love to see examples, either your own or other published photographs that in your opinion evoke a more profound sensibility. I like the Picker image as a photograph whether there is a tire fire just out of the frame or even if the social climate is challenging. I can find calm oases right here in Toronto that can evoke feeling or even aesthetic appreciation counter to the complex cacaphony surrounding. As far as the Gaspe goes, I don't how many times I've driven there (especially between Riviere du Loup and Rimouski) and been struck by the (other than photographing) almost indescribable view across the St. Lawrence to the North shore on a day in which the sky and river cooperate. At those times one can be as one with the subject, temporarily at least.

[John Koehrer]

I believe most photographs taken are because the person who took the picture thught it would make a nice photograph and didn't at all consider the deeper psychological or mystical art speak that would try to define their innermost thoughts or feelings. =P