100 Most Influential Photogs of all Time

[mdm]

Who is the most influential photographer of our time?

[pdmoylan]

Simply from the number of calendars, prints and books sold, and his influence over several US Presidents, Ansel gets my vote. His work has had far more market penetration than any other photographer, and his influence over the outcome of environmental events in the US is without comparison.

[r.e.]

Who is the most influential photographer of our time?

On the premise that you mean photographers who are still active:

Influencing the general public, maybe Bruce Weber.

Influencing other photographers, maybe Sebastiao Salgado on the documentary side, not sure about fashion/culture.

[Jim Jones]

Simply from the number of calendars, prints and books sold, and his influence over several US Presidents, Ansel gets my vote. His work has had far more market penetration than any other photographer, and his influence over the outcome of environmental events in the US is without comparison.

Yes. His name is often mentioned in the unsophisticated market where I display B&W prints. It's obviously unsophisticated or they wouldn't make such a flattering comparison.

[Jim Jones]

On the premise that you mean photographers who are still active:

Influencing the general public, maybe Bruce Weber.

Influencing other photographers, maybe Sebastiao Salgado on the documentary side, not sure about fashion/culture.

How about the National Geographic photographers? With the magazine circulation of 8.5 million, they reach more people than ever heard of most of those 100 most influential photographers

[Robbie Shymanski]

Any Rolling Stone poll isn't worth the bandwidth I used to look at it for free.

More interesting again might be a photographic March Madness. Seed position and let opinion fight out photographer against photographer.

[r.e.]

Yes. His name is often mentioned in the unsophisticated market where I display B&W prints. It's obviously unsophisticated or they wouldn't make such a flattering comparison.

The reality about Ansel Adams is that very few people outside the U.S. know who he is or care. Even within the U.S., I think that time has passed him by. I guess it's a matter of taste, but if someone told me that one of my photographs reminded them of Ansel Adams, I would not be flattered.

[r.e.]

How about the National Geographic photographers? With the magazine circulation of 8.5 million, they reach more people than ever heard of most of those 100 most influential photographers

I agree, although I wonder whether National Geographic, on the magazine side, has the clout that it once had. That said, I think that it is hard to underestimate the influence that Bruce Weber has had on cultural imagery and on creating cultural icons. I think that it is arguable that his work has actually influenced, as distinct from capturing, cultural attitudes. And his influence on fashion photography has been enormous. Calvin Klein, and for that matter Mark Wahlberg, owe him plenty. Ever seen an Abercrombie & Fitch billboard? Or maybe the film, available on the Internet for free viewing, that Weber made about Chet Baker?

[Alan Gales]

I love lists like this. Rolling Stone did their top 100 guitar players and Pat Metheny wasn't even on it. Now you may or may not like Pat, but he is DEFINITELY in the top 100.

I agree with Robbie. I would love to see who Avedon's top 100 would be.

I agree. Pat Metheny should definitely be in the top 100! As for Avedon's top 100, I think most of us would all agree with his list over this one.

Cindy Sherman? What? Frank Petronio is a way better photographer than her plus Frank is smart enough not to do self portraits!

[J. Fada]

Don't confuse influential with what you like. It seems to me that the list is from the perspective of influence on culture as well as other photographers. I can't stand Richardson for example but I can't deny he influences others even if I don't like their work. To think that Avedon doesn't deserve to be number one is a little bizarre to me. You could shake up the order and change out a few people depending on your preferences, but all in all the list seems reasonable to me.