Inspiration from a master | Photography VLOG #20

#photography #vlog #koudelka #inspiration
Presentation of a few images from the book Exiles by Josef Koudelka and me trying to figure out how to learn from Koudelka and his photography.
Table of content
0:00 Hundred photographers
0:51 Exiles
6:21 Simplify
6:38 Fill the frame / empty space
7:01 What to do

[@jamiej.tilleyphotographyar5177]

I got a late start this morning, but finally found the time to sit down with a cup of tea and enjoy this video. Thank you for sharing this book. I think I may have seen the cover photo before, but was truly unaware of his work as a whole, so it was a great introduction.
I also enjoyed the part at the end about inspiration. I like to think of Harold Feinstein who said: "When your mouth drops open, click the shutter." I strive for that headspace when out with my cameras. I think I'm getting closer!

[@frederikboving]

Sounds like solid advice Jamie, maybe some day AI can link the jaw and the shutter to automatically release the shutter when you open your mouth? 🤗

[@desmtb]

Good choice, my favourite photo book.

[@frederikboving]

👌

[@garymc8956]

Just received Gibson’s “Street Photography”. Lots of great influences to explore. Venturing into the genre with my recent rangefinder acquisition makes this very germane to me. Koudelka is an excellent reference. Thanks.

[@frederikboving]

Thanks Gary. Btw, this Gibson guy knows his stuff.

[@genehilmu8189]

Very nice. Was not familiar with him. Thank you!

[@frederikboving]

🙏🏻👍

[@ansgarbook712]

I surfed around your videos.... we share the love for the D700 and I had some of other cameras that you introduced...seems you are still on the journey to the right one...? Never sell the D700 (you will buy it back). Did you ever try a Leica M? M8 makes one love it!!!!

[@frederikboving]

Hi, my D4 is where I ended up - I love that camera. Sold my D700 and D750 and now only use the D4. Leica is out of reach for me budget wise unfortunately 🙂

[@ansgarbook712]

@@frederikboving watch out for M8.2 s they are not soooo expensive and a very nice experience with CCD sensor

[@bfs5113]

I dislike intangibles such as improbable to know what each were thinking and seeing before pressing the shutter buttons. Hence, without the talent and creativity, I GAS myself on the other side of the fence instead. Luckily, some of the techniques being used could be derived from the images.
One such technique that was often used by Josef Koudelka, HCB, Eugene Smith, Fred Herzog, Stephen Shore, Robert Frank and John Free is placing a subject dominantly up front by one side. It can be useful while trying to composite a chaotic scene, such as on the street or a beach.
Instead of what commonly being told to move around to find the best spot (intangible), we can partition the scene into three layers. The front, middle and back. If the subject isn't in front, then the top layer often serves as a stop sign to bring the viewer's eyes to look at the image and sometimes acts as a sub-frame too.
Koudelka image, "www.peramuseum.org/exhibition/josef-koudelka/112' is one example, and Martin Parr had used it liberally to photograph the beach. 🙂

[@frederikboving]

Thank you BFS, I think that comparing Martin Parr and Koudelka is like comparing Bee Gees and Wagner 🙂 Of course they both play music and may use a c-minor chord both of them, but otherwise - IMHO - they could not be further apart. I think I am more on the: "when you see something that makes your jaw drop, hit the shutter" model, and not analyse composition and the like, remembering the words of Paul Russel (my intuition takes much better pictures than me).

[@bfs5113]

@@frederikboving Got it! 🙂