Watched this programme through twice - it was well worth it. Directed by Albert Meysles the programme was described in the synopsis as "a look into the creative minds, philosophies and techniques of some of the most famous photographers working today". The chosen photographers were: Jay Maisel, Susan Meiseles, Brigitte Lacombe, Miru Kim, Steve McCurry and Bruce Davison. The great shame was that the programme lasted less than 50 minutes excluding the commercials. The content was such that I was left with the feeling that each photographer could have used the whole time for themselves.
I have been an admirer of Jay Maisel's work for some time. I also recognised some of the other work shown without necessarily knowing the photographer. Miru Kim's I had not come across before who was unique because she was the subject of her own photographs. I found myself picking up on different points on the two occasions I watched the film and I guess it will be a little while before I will realise the impact upon my own photography. I do know that having watched Jay Maisel in action both on the streets of New York and in Paris France has had a direct impact upon the way that I work when doing street photography. With these sorts of programmes it is inevitable that we unconsciously absorb tidbits of information that we then transfer to our own style of working. They are not the 'big things such as Miru Kim photographing herself in the nude but the approach and preparation advice that is given directly or indirectly. For example one piece of advice I will take away in the piece by Steve McCurry is have your camera settings set so that you can pounce immediately you see something.
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