FOUR THINGS ABOUT ROBERT CAPA - (ARTIST SPOTLIGHT)

Several years ago, I watched a documentary that has fascinated me, and haunted me for years. The 2011 documentary, directed by Trisha Ziff is The Mexican Suitcase. It tells the story of the recovery of over 4,000 film negatives of the Spanish Civil War captured by photographers Robert Capa, Gerda Toro, and David 'Chim' Seymore. The negatives were considered lost since 1939 so their discovery in a suitcase in Mexico in 2007 is quite the story. I know the documentary is available to rent through Amazon, and is well worth the rental fee.

PHOTOGRAPHER MARGARET BOURKE-WHITE

Let’s add another strong, independent, talented, female photographer to our Artist Spotlight for June. Today is American photographer, Margaret Bourke-White’s birthday (6/14/1904 - 8/27/1971). I remember hearing Margaret Bourke-White's name in photography courses, but I do not remember that her work was shown. Nor do I remember that her life, accomplishments, and work were discussed at length. I decided to remedy that for myself by actively seeking out books and other information about Bourke-White.

FILM FRIDAY WITH A PHOTOJOURNALIST THEME

Since Margaret Bourke-White is the featured artist for the Artist Spotlight this month, I thought it would be fun to see if any movies have been made about her. I found a 1980's era television movie, starring Farrah Fawcett; BUT, since it is only available on VHS tape, I chose a "runner-up". I thought I would share a movie about a female war photographer which might tie-in nicely with our Margaret Burke-White "theme" this month.

Ernst Haas

Inspiration and InfluencesSuZan AlexanderMarch 2, 2018Artist, Photographer, Photojournalist, Quote, Motivational MondayComment

Photographer Edward Curtis

Today is Edward Curtis's birthday. Edward Curtis was a photographer, who, in my mind, crossed lines into the territory of what I consider a historian, and perhaps even a photojournalist. Officially, however, he is referred to as an "American photographer and ethnologist". I have written a blog about him before (HERE). His (circa) 1895 photograph of Princess Angeline (above) is

Russell Lee Photography Exhibit

Inspiration and InfluencesSuZan AlexanderFebruary 8, 2018Artist, Photographer, Photography, Photojournalist, Russell Lee Comments

Happy Birthday Russell Lee

Inspiration and InfluencesSuZan AlexanderJuly 21, 2017Artist, Farm Security Administration, Photographer, Photojournalist, Russell LeeComment

Happy Birthday Dorothea Lange!

Inspiration and InfluencesSuZan AlexanderMay 26, 2017Art History, Artist, Photographer, Photography, Photojournalist, Quote, Dorothea LangeComment

Feature Friday: Dorothea Lange (Part III)

Here we are in week three already. Last week was all about Dorothea Lange’s transformation from portrait and studio work, to documentary work with the Farm Security Administration (FSA). The FSA terminated Lange January 1, 1940 and completely disbanded in 1943. Many of the FSA photographers considered their time at the FSA a highpoint of their career. This was particularly true for Lange who took her termination hard and continued to search for projects that would be like the FSA work. This week, we will discover that she used her camera to document another group of Americans whom she hoped to aid with her images.

Feature Friday: Dorothea Lange (Part II)

We are in the second week of celebrating Dorothea Lange. Last week, we set the foundation of Lange’s work as a successful high-end portrait photographer. So, how did this “city-girl” evolve into a documentary photographer best known for documentation of rural America, agriculture, agriculture workers, and their hardships? Hold on to your virtual hats because Lange is taking us on a ride documenting rural America.

Dorothea Lange: Part I

During the month of May, I will be adding posts about American Photographer, Dorothea Lange (May 26, 1895 – October 11, 1965). Lange is known as one of the preeminent documentary photographers of the 20th century. Lange’s images are some of the best known, most recognizable images of the 20th century. And, even though viewers recognize the images, they may not know the artist’s name who is responsible for the images, or anything about her.