Who do you want to meet in your life?
Many of the photographers I would love to meet are gone.
It always fascinates me to make the visual connection between the photographer and the images.
On Saturday night I met Bruce Davidson.
. Click the link for a strong background piece from his photo agency,Magnum.
His book East 100th Street is one that has been on my shelves for years.
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And his book SUBWAY is phenomenal.
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Earlier this year there was an exhibit the Metropolitan Museum in NYC by Walker Evans.
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The subject, subways was the same, but what a different take Mr. Davidson had.
Yes another time period, but………..
I won’t discount Mr. Evans vision and perspective, but Mr. Davidson’s imagery moved me in such a different way. The electricity of the subway that I know was so visceral and visible in his images that I was truly moved. Perhaps seeing these images in all of their printed glory was the deciding factor.
I don’t know.
Meeting the man was also an eye opener.
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Soft spoken ,older guy, with , yes , a camera slung across his shoulder.
I didn’t even register what make/model it was but it was of no consequence. Here was a major artist whose tool of choice was ever present. That was the message to me.
Gracious,real and different from the image I had.
The press photos presented to me of this photographer before tonight were of the daring man sporting a bandanna photographing the heart of NYC.
Oh yes, the images on the wall bespoke the eye.
But I was thrilled to meet him. The images he had produced and were in my brain became a little less mysterious. Not a bad thing mind you. But more of a revelation as to the person behind the lens.
East 100 Street is a graphic , honest (to me) collection.
And Subway is..well…just an emotional experience.
If you are in the Los Angeles area , please visit one of our all time favorite galleries, the ROSE gallery and check this one out.
Take a look in our Archives on the right hand side of this page, for some more images from the show.
And if you have the dough, pick up a copy of East 100th Street, and if you have more dough ($300) pick up a copy of Subway.
We picked up a copy of East 100th St, for our readers. Signed by Bruce Davidson.
Stay tuned for information as to how you can own this copy.
Cheers!
Damon Webster
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