It should come as no surprise to anyone that there are seminal works in photography.
Nor should it come as a surprise to anyone that, being interested in photography as I am, that I am also somewhat interested in these seminal works.
By coincidence, two such works came into my possession recently.
First was this book (thanks Trade Me), a look at Auckland through the eyes of a Robert Frank inspired twenty-something photographer in the late 1960s.
It's okay. As with many things seminal, the impact it may have had can be less obvious over time as those it inspired produce arguably stronger and better work.
The printing isn't great, but few photography books printed at that time were printed beautifully.
Photographically, as far as NZ street photographers go, Peter Black is more my cup of tea, but I'm glad to finally have my own copy of this very important NZ publication.
Last weekend, just before escaping Palmerston North, I came across this (thanks Bruce McKenzie). Not exactly a seminal book, but a seminal work.
The film
La jetée was, as Wikipedia states, "constructed almost entirely from optically printed photographs playing out as a photomontage of varying pace."
So the book is the stills of the film from which the film was actually made.
I watched
La jetée last year, and to be honest it didn't hold me. As is often the case I blame the inability of my TV to hold my attention for long. I would like to see it on the big screen though, given the opportunity.
Still, the stills are cool, the book layout is by Bruce Mau, and the story pleasantly sci-fi. It's good.
A few weeks ago a photographer friend gave me a heap of unwanted film.
Amongst the bunch were a few rolls of Agfa XRS 1000 colour negative film.
The dating on the packaging is 08/89.
What's twenty years between friends.
So one wet, windy and cold Sunday I headed to the south coast for a bit of fun.
Whoops, getting confused.
So one wet, windy and cold (not that it started out that way) Sunday I headed around the Taranaki coast for a bit of fun.
Stopping every now and then to take a photo of the sea.
It was fun, and I went places I hadn't been before.
And places I had.
Many times.
Thanks Patea.
