I thought it would be interesting to start a philosophical discussion on what / who people view as "influential" and see how people find meaning in their own work or what they want to leave behind when all is said and done.
Thanks, very interesting. I have to admit I only know Adams , Rowell, Porter and Muench and am only familiar with AA's and Rowel's work. Interesting is the semantic you used: "influential" cause that's for sure true judged by what I know about AA, Muench and Rowell.
But influential should not be confused with "creative" "innovative" or "good" cause bluntly and honestly, some reputation some photographers have I do not understand based on their portfolio alone... That's now meant more generally, also covering contemporary photographers already considered to be "big".
Just my cynic view...
I find it interesting that so many of those guys are known for photographing the western part of the USA...
And Dietrich - I'd guess that if you're referring to older photographers, some of their work may have gotten it's cachet because it was ground breaking at the time. Perhaps it seems boring and common now, but maybe it wasn't before - which is why people may have considered it great. Not sure if that's the kind of issue you're encountering, but I know it's one I've discussed with people a few times in several different ways (movies, music, etc...)
I think the best nature photographers come from Europe.
If you ask me Vincent Munier is the best out there. A dedicated man and a big inspiration.
Edwin Kats
Posted by Richard Wong on June 25, 2009 at 6:46 PM
Good stuff. Lanting would go on my "best" photographers list no doubt but as for influence I drew a blank there. On a best list you would probably put mostly modern photographers on there obviously because the artform has advanced but that shouldn't be confused with influence. It's like saying Kobe Bryant is a more influential person in the history of basketball than James Naismith (the inventor of basketball).
Jim - Banerjee was a consideration of mine as well since I think the debate on the Arctic and subsequent dialogue on global warming really took off after his book was shown around Congress.
Dietrich - Glad you noticed the terminology I used because what I was trying to get at is how people have used photography to make a difference in the world.
I'd have to have Stephen Dalton on my list, along with either Richard and Cherry Kearton or Eric Hosking (as most influential bird photographers), and George Shiras (who has been referred to as the "Father of Wildlife Photography").
Posted by Peter Barnes on June 26, 2009 at 9:36 AM
"I'm wondering if some of the international members could add a few names. "
Peter Dombrovskis (1945-96) is a very influential Australian landscape photographer. The only Australian inducted to the International Photography Hall of Fame, his work was also critical in a very significant political campaign in Australia in the early 1980's. The campaign succeeded in stopping the construction of dam on the Franklin River in Tasmania which would have flooded a large area of pristine wilderness.
By "influential" if we mean influencing decision makers (and everyone else of course) to help protect and conserve nature and its life forms then top slots in my list will be taken by photographers like Karl Amman and Stefano Unterthiner. I also love their images for originality, uniqueness and creative merit. My top 10 list also includes photographers like Steve Winter, Frans Lanting and Jim Brandenburg. I had an opportunity to spend some time with Steve Winter and saw him working in field for a week when he was here in India last year. I was amazed by kind of effort he puts in to get those award winning images. People like Steve Winter probably make about 10+ images a year but those images will live in the minds of people for ever.
I think that Steve Winter, like Joel Sartore, has the potential to make the top ten list, but I don't know if they are there yet. And I think Michio Hoshino had a shot at that list if he hadn't been killed in Kamchatka. By the way, if you haven't read Schooler, Lynn's The Blue Bear, New York: Harper Collins, 2002. ISBN 0060935731, a fine biography of MIchio, I strongly recommend it.
Posted by Richard Wong on June 26, 2009 at 6:41 PM
Sounds like an interesting book on Michio Hoshino. I'll have to check it out. Speaking of Karl Amman i think the articles OP have been publishing of him in the past year or so have been among their most provocative which is surprising given how conservative the magazine usually is.
To earlier posters, Hoshino and Mitsuaki are too 'obscure', Sartore is still too young but in 10 or 20 years time he should be on the list, Munier is way too young, but Lanting is a must as far as european photographers are concerned, he has inspired and influenced just about every one of us since we first saw Eye to Eye or Jungles.
I would also remove Morris or replace him with Tim Fitzharris (the low angle shooting + clean backgrounds was his way earlier).
But my real 'issue' with the list is the absence of Jim Brandenburg, I can't conceive modern nature photography without him.
You said "the historical impact of nature" well I would have thought Richard & Cherry Kearton must have been the original pioneers of nature photographers. They used stuffed cattle as hides/blinds hahaha how typically English eh but I think we all recognise that kind of dedication. I guess Eric Hosking must be pretty much next in line with his early use of flash etc.
I would be very interested to know who in the world really was the pioneer wildlife photographer and a sort of time line of names after that. Who for example was the first to photograph a bird on the nest ? Whe was the first to use flash for wildlife photography ?
Discussion
14 repliesI thought it would be interesting to start a philosophical discussion on what / who people view as "influential" and see how people find meaning in their own work or what they want to leave behind when all is said and done.
Cheers.
But influential should not be confused with "creative" "innovative" or "good" cause bluntly and honestly, some reputation some photographers have I do not understand based on their portfolio alone... That's now meant more generally, also covering contemporary photographers already considered to be "big".
Just my cynic view...
I'm wondering if some of the international members could add a few names.
Frans Lanting comes to mind, however, I have no feeling for his level of "influence".
And Dietrich - I'd guess that if you're referring to older photographers, some of their work may have gotten it's cachet because it was ground breaking at the time. Perhaps it seems boring and common now, but maybe it wasn't before - which is why people may have considered it great. Not sure if that's the kind of issue you're encountering, but I know it's one I've discussed with people a few times in several different ways (movies, music, etc...)
If you ask me Vincent Munier is the best out there. A dedicated man and a big inspiration.
Edwin Kats
Jim - Banerjee was a consideration of mine as well since I think the debate on the Arctic and subsequent dialogue on global warming really took off after his book was shown around Congress.
Dietrich - Glad you noticed the terminology I used because what I was trying to get at is how people have used photography to make a difference in the world.
Peter Dombrovskis (1945-96) is a very influential Australian landscape photographer. The only Australian inducted to the International Photography Hall of Fame, his work was also critical in a very significant political campaign in Australia in the early 1980's. The campaign succeeded in stopping the construction of dam on the Franklin River in Tasmania which would have flooded a large area of pristine wilderness.
By "influential" if we mean influencing decision makers (and everyone else of course) to help protect and conserve nature and its life forms then top slots in my list will be taken by photographers like Karl Amman and Stefano Unterthiner. I also love their images for originality, uniqueness and creative merit. My top 10 list also includes photographers like Steve Winter, Frans Lanting and Jim Brandenburg. I had an opportunity to spend some time with Steve Winter and saw him working in field for a week when he was here in India last year. I was amazed by kind of effort he puts in to get those award winning images. People like Steve Winter probably make about 10+ images a year but those images will live in the minds of people for ever.
I would also remove Morris or replace him with Tim Fitzharris (the low angle shooting + clean backgrounds was his way earlier).
But my real 'issue' with the list is the absence of Jim Brandenburg, I can't conceive modern nature photography without him.
Regards,
www.enriqueaguirre.com
I would be very interested to know who in the world really was the pioneer wildlife photographer and a sort of time line of names after that. Who for example was the first to photograph a bird on the nest ? Whe was the first to use flash for wildlife photography ?