Comments on: Salient Words from Martin Parr http://susanaraab.wordpress.com/2009/06/16/salient-words-from-martin-parr/ Scribblings on life & art in Washington, DC by photographer Susana Raab Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:30:39 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Susana Raab http://susanaraab.wordpress.com/2009/06/16/salient-words-from-martin-parr/#comment-1443 Susana Raab Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:00:03 +0000 http://susanaraab.wordpress.com/?p=1203#comment-1443 I think consistency is different from change. For me, there are many established master photographers who have been essentially taking the same picture all their careers - this bores and depresses me. I don't think that the ones who do change are abandoning something for the sake of change, just trying different things, because they too are bored by repetition. Sometimes it is succesful and sometimes it is not. I think Teddy Roosevelt said, "Far better is it to try great things and fail then live in the twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat." (I paraphrase). Of course, most people are not comfortable with change, and a lot are uncomfortable with independent thinking, so those who work the same trope over and over again are rewarded. But we know. Thanks for your insightful comment. I think consistency is different from change. For me, there are many established master photographers who have been essentially taking the same picture all their careers – this bores and depresses me. I don’t think that the ones who do change are abandoning something for the sake of change, just trying different things, because they too are bored by repetition. Sometimes it is succesful and sometimes it is not. I think Teddy Roosevelt said, “Far better is it to try great things and fail then live in the twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.” (I paraphrase). Of course, most people are not comfortable with change, and a lot are uncomfortable with independent thinking, so those who work the same trope over and over again are rewarded. But we know. Thanks for your insightful comment.

]]> By: cafe selavy http://susanaraab.wordpress.com/2009/06/16/salient-words-from-martin-parr/#comment-1439 cafe selavy Sat, 20 Jun 2009 11:53:46 +0000 http://susanaraab.wordpress.com/?p=1203#comment-1439 re: Parr's comment on change, it is the difference in writing between Hemingway and Faulkner. One changed and one did not. History judges. Still, it seems, those who do not abandon a style of shooting but maintain it--think every recognizable famous photographer--has grown through repetition. Abandoning something for change is the hallmark of the amateur in many ways. But the great photographers (and I hate to use that word) have been consistent. OK. I'm open to challenge as I've made one of those totalizing comments. I do like his "gathering evidence for history" statement without reservation, though. I, too, believe "good photography" belongs in quotes. re: Parr’s comment on change, it is the difference in writing between Hemingway and Faulkner. One changed and one did not. History judges. Still, it seems, those who do not abandon a style of shooting but maintain it–think every recognizable famous photographer–has grown through repetition. Abandoning something for change is the hallmark of the amateur in many ways. But the great photographers (and I hate to use that word) have been consistent. OK. I’m open to challenge as I’ve made one of those totalizing comments.

I do like his “gathering evidence for history” statement without reservation, though. I, too, believe “good photography” belongs in quotes.

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