Parks was amazing. Half Past Autumn (signed) is among my favorite books.
He came to speak at the art museum, and my dad went to see. Parks was back the following day, and my dad went back, taking me to see him. This must have been 1998, and I hadn't heard of him before that.
I'm a huge Parks fan (my love letter to him: https://juliettemansour.substack.com/p/true-grit-remembering-gordon-parks?r=m5sgx) It's SO interesting to me that you brought up this idea of perspective. Just yesterday I watched a video about a Japanese filmmaker from the '50s and '60s who insisted on having a tiny but sturdy tripod built for his film cameras. He filmed entire movies that way and insisted that he be the one who filmed so that he could have full control. This made me think about this view. Thank you for the lovely images!
Hi Juliette, I reread your homage to Gordon Parks, and enjoyed the nuggets of information I hadn't thought about since I first read it. Thanks for sharing the article, I'm in the middle of watching the video on Mr. Parks as I write this.
What a legend. He had such an impact… speaking of impactful, I finally got around to watching your YT chat over the weekend— the one with you guys talking about film. I really enjoyed it. Between the three of you there is a ton of knowledge!
I was shaken with my first view of Emerging Man. My first b/w film teacher projected it on the class monitor and I squeaked, unaware of doing so, "Invisible Man!" It was a powerful first impression that conjured Ralph Ellison reactively. I don't have 2200+ low angle shots as you do, but I spent many months on my knees a few years back. I wasn't influenced by Parks; instead it was my toddler daughter who was my influence. When she was 4 or so, I got her a plastic digital camera and we walked to the sunday market together. Her images of course were largely out of focus, but her pov made me cry. I had never considered the hugeness of the world from her angle before, nor had I realized she was living in her own world down there. I always remembered that epiphany and wanted to replicate it once I had the chance. Bravo to you for this project. It's worth every knee scrape.
I enjoy hearing when the spark of creativity percolates from something relating to the family unit. The enrichment and edification of the soul by those who are righteous and giving in the pursuit of all that is good. No matter how you arrived at the same point I did, you got there! Oh what a wonder world of creativity.
Right on. I like everything about this. I've been influenced by big names in photography too, as well as some unknown artists who did something I liked. Get your inspiration wherever it hits you, and don't be shy, I say.
An interesting read, Kenneth, and some great images. That 'ant's eye view' makes for a very striking composition, something I've dabbled with, but not to this dramatic level. The Gordon Parks 'Emerging Man' is a remarkable image - no wonder it's stayed with you. John Bate's unflinching eyes seem to be intensified by only showing part of his face.
Well, this had me reading up on Parks. What a remarkable guy and what interesting life he had, against all the odds.. Thank you for sharing.
Btw on a more nerdy level, I also learned something else from reading about him and his first camera, the Voigtlander Brillant. I've always misread that as 'Brilliant' 🤔🙄🥴😊
I like this perspective of yours — and it’s very cool that you’ve realized what influenced you way back in your formative years. A very interesting read, thanks!
Parks was amazing. Half Past Autumn (signed) is among my favorite books.
He came to speak at the art museum, and my dad went to see. Parks was back the following day, and my dad went back, taking me to see him. This must have been 1998, and I hadn't heard of him before that.
Thanks for sharing these poignant memories and experience Kevin. I’ll be watching the movie memoir of the same title soon. Cheers!
I'm a huge Parks fan (my love letter to him: https://juliettemansour.substack.com/p/true-grit-remembering-gordon-parks?r=m5sgx) It's SO interesting to me that you brought up this idea of perspective. Just yesterday I watched a video about a Japanese filmmaker from the '50s and '60s who insisted on having a tiny but sturdy tripod built for his film cameras. He filmed entire movies that way and insisted that he be the one who filmed so that he could have full control. This made me think about this view. Thank you for the lovely images!
Hi Juliette, I reread your homage to Gordon Parks, and enjoyed the nuggets of information I hadn't thought about since I first read it. Thanks for sharing the article, I'm in the middle of watching the video on Mr. Parks as I write this.
Cheers!
What a legend. He had such an impact… speaking of impactful, I finally got around to watching your YT chat over the weekend— the one with you guys talking about film. I really enjoyed it. Between the three of you there is a ton of knowledge!
I was shaken with my first view of Emerging Man. My first b/w film teacher projected it on the class monitor and I squeaked, unaware of doing so, "Invisible Man!" It was a powerful first impression that conjured Ralph Ellison reactively. I don't have 2200+ low angle shots as you do, but I spent many months on my knees a few years back. I wasn't influenced by Parks; instead it was my toddler daughter who was my influence. When she was 4 or so, I got her a plastic digital camera and we walked to the sunday market together. Her images of course were largely out of focus, but her pov made me cry. I had never considered the hugeness of the world from her angle before, nor had I realized she was living in her own world down there. I always remembered that epiphany and wanted to replicate it once I had the chance. Bravo to you for this project. It's worth every knee scrape.
I enjoy hearing when the spark of creativity percolates from something relating to the family unit. The enrichment and edification of the soul by those who are righteous and giving in the pursuit of all that is good. No matter how you arrived at the same point I did, you got there! Oh what a wonder world of creativity.
Cheers!
Right on. I like everything about this. I've been influenced by big names in photography too, as well as some unknown artists who did something I liked. Get your inspiration wherever it hits you, and don't be shy, I say.
Even inspiration where one doesn't remember who influenced it 🥴
Drink it up and put it out there I say.
Cheers Donn!
An interesting read, Kenneth, and some great images. That 'ant's eye view' makes for a very striking composition, something I've dabbled with, but not to this dramatic level. The Gordon Parks 'Emerging Man' is a remarkable image - no wonder it's stayed with you. John Bate's unflinching eyes seem to be intensified by only showing part of his face.
Well, this had me reading up on Parks. What a remarkable guy and what interesting life he had, against all the odds.. Thank you for sharing.
Btw on a more nerdy level, I also learned something else from reading about him and his first camera, the Voigtlander Brillant. I've always misread that as 'Brilliant' 🤔🙄🥴😊
Hi Ralph, I hadn’t known about the Voigtlander, I appreciate that tidbit of information. Thanks for sharing your thoughts 🙏🏽
I like this perspective of yours — and it’s very cool that you’ve realized what influenced you way back in your formative years. A very interesting read, thanks!
I appreciate it KewtieBird 👍🏾
That's excellent, I love that concept. 😀
Thanks so much Andrew 🙏🏽