Comments on: Aaron Huey is a Photographer

By: Jesse

Jesse — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:04:55 +0000

Hi Miguel,

I think I’ve figured this out, I saw a comment you made about some collection being shown of Nan’s, and I did a search on her name, and came up with Devil’s Playground- the most recent collection of her work. So, you didn’t suggest it, my bad. However, I wouldn’t really suggest it to anyone else, unless maybe they are an avid Nan Goldin fan. I just found that such a large number of the pieces were of poor photographic quality (ie blurry, unfocused, excessive softness, motion blur due to a slow shutter, etc.). The good ones were, GOOD, but it was just so jaring to see these good gems mashed between some very rough on the eyes photos. But this is all just my not-a-professional-photographer’s opinion.

Great blog, keep it up!

By: stan b.

stan b. — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:53:00 +0000

Debbie, perhaps you could go to the Pine Ridge Res, shoot us an essay on “happy people,” and show us how it’s done!

By: Miguel Garcia-Guzman

Miguel Garcia-Guzman — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:18:46 +0000

Hey Jesse,

What is the collection of Nan Goldin that you find disappointing?

I don’t recall to recommend any of her books here … not that they shouldn’t be … as I love Nan’s work.

Let me know which collection you found disappointing …

Miguel

By: Miguel Garcia-Guzman

Miguel Garcia-Guzman — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:15:29 +0000

Hey Debbie!

You have a point. Indeed it is often the case that artists are more attracted to the sad and dramatic rather than the optimistic aspect of life, but I am not sure that the series America by Aaron is “depressing” in any way. At least I don’t get that feel myself when I look at the images.

Happy people, that would be a nice series. Get photographs of people in the street that convey the sense of happiness of life … may be a challenge but worth to try. Ala Martin Parr …

Best,

Miguel

By: Jesse

Jesse — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:02:38 +0000

Thank you for pointing me to Aaron’s work. I find that it resonates with the kind of photography that I am trying to accomplish, and I find it inspirational. On another note: I bought the Nan Goldin collection that you suggested earlier, and I have to say I am disappointed. I think who ever put this collection together should consider photographic quality first vs. trying to tell Nan’s story as a priority. You cannot tell the life of a photographer through their photos, as the artist is behind the image, not in it.

By: DebbieDowner

DebbieDowner — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:54:15 +0000

These are wonderful photos. However, I have grown tired of all of these “America is depressed” photo series — from Zoe Strauss to Paul Graham to Alec Soth — all one needs to do these days is just point a camera in any direction in any city and you’ll capture the desperate times this country is in. More interesting would be to actually shoot optimistic, happy people!