Garry Winogrand
Garry Winogrand, a prolific and influential street photographer, is often referred to as the quintessential chronicler of American life in the mid-20th century. His candid, spontaneous images captured the essence of post-war America, from bustling city streets to the more subtle moments of everyday life. Winogrand's work has left an indelible mark on the world of photography and has inspired countless photographers to embrace a more intuitive and honest approach to documenting the human experience.
Early Life and Career
Garry Winogrand was born in 1928 in the Bronx, New York City. He initially studied painting at City College of New York and later switched to photography while attending Columbia University. Winogrand honed his photographic skills under the guidance of renowned photographer Alexey Brodovitch at The New School for Social Research.
In the early stages of his career, Winogrand worked as a freelance photojournalist and commercial photographer. His work appeared in various publications such as Collier's, Sports Illustrated, and Life. However, it was his personal projects that eventually gained him widespread recognition and solidified his reputation as a leading figure in street photography.
Photographic Style and Techniques
Garry Winogrand's photographic style and techniques can be characterized by the following key elements:
Spontaneity: Winogrand was known for his ability to capture spontaneous moments and the dynamic energy of the streets. He often shot quickly, without composing his images in the viewfinder, which resulted in an unfiltered and honest portrayal of his subjects.
Wide-angle lenses: Winogrand frequently used wide-angle lenses (28mm and 35mm) to create a sense of immediacy and intimacy in his images. This allowed him to get close to his subjects and incorporate more of the surrounding context in his photographs.
Tilted frames: Many of Winogrand's photographs feature tilted frames, which adds a sense of energy and movement to his images. This unconventional framing also challenges traditional notions of photographic composition.
High contrast and grain: Winogrand's images often exhibit high contrast and noticeable film grain, reflecting his preference for shooting with high-speed black and white film and his penchant for pushing the boundaries of traditional photographic aesthetics.
Career Highlights
Garry Winogrand's career highlights include:
Numerous solo exhibitions, such as his first major show at the George Eastman House in Rochester, New York, in 1960, and a retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1988, two years after his death.
The publication of several influential books, including "The Animals" (1969), "Women are Beautiful" (1975), and "Public Relations" (1977).
The receipt of multiple prestigious awards, including Guggenheim Fellowships in 1964, 1969, and 1978, and a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in 1979.
Photography Gear
Throughout his career, Garry Winogrand used a range of photography gear, including:
Cameras: Winogrand's camera of choice was the Leica M-series rangefinder, particularly the M4 and later the M6, which allowed him to work quickly and unobtrusively.
Lenses: As mentioned earlier, Winogrand favored wide-angle lenses, such as the 28mm and 35mm focal lengths, which enabled him to capture more of the scene and create a sense of immediacy in his images.
Film: Winogrand primarily shot with black and white film, often using high-speed films like Tri-X to achieve his signature high contrast and grainy aesthetic.
Photography Books
"The Street Philosophy of Garry Winogrand" by Geoff Dyer and Garry Winogrand is a thought-provoking exploration of Winogrand's images and the ideas they convey. This book offers a fresh and engaging perspective on Winogrand's work, inviting readers to consider the deeper meanings and narratives within his photographs, and ultimately inspiring photographers to develop their own creative vision.
"Winogrand: Figments From The Real World" is an essential volume for anyone interested in Winogrand's work, offering a comprehensive overview of his career and highlighting his unique approach to street photography. The book delves into the photographer's creative process and shares his perspective on the world, providing valuable insights for photographers seeking to capture the authenticity and spontaneity of life on the streets.
"The Animals" showcases Winogrand's skill in capturing the lives and behavior of animals in urban environments. This book reveals the photographer's ability to find beauty and meaning in unexpected places, and provides inspiration for photographers looking to explore new subjects and settings in their work.
"Garry Winogrand: Public Relations" is a fascinating study of public events and their impact on society. Through his candid and perceptive images, Winogrand reveals the staged nature of these events and their effect on the public. This book offers valuable insights for photographers interested in exploring the relationship between public life and individual experience.
"Women are Beautiful" is a testament to Winogrand's keen eye for capturing the beauty and complexity of women in everyday life. This collection of photographs showcases the photographer's ability to find captivating moments in ordinary situations and serves as inspiration for photographers seeking to create striking and meaningful images of the people they encounter.
Quotes
"I photograph to find out what something will look like photographed."
"There is nothing as mysterious as a fact clearly described."
"All a photograph ever does is describe light on surface. That's all there is."
"The world isn't tidy; it's a mess. I don't try to make it neat."
"I don't have anything to say in any picture. My only interest in photography is to see what something looks like as a photograph."
Legacy and Influence
Garry Winogrand's legacy as a pioneering street photographer has influenced generations of photographers, including contemporaries like Joel Meyerowitz and Lee Friedlander, as well as later artists such as Martin Parr and Alec Soth. His unflinching documentation of American life in the mid-20th century provides a rich historical record of a rapidly changing society, while his innovative techniques and approach to photography continue to challenge and inspire photographers today.
By capturing the spirit of an era and pushing the boundaries of the medium, Garry Winogrand has left an indelible mark on the world of photography. His work serves as a reminder of the power of the photographic image to reveal the complexities and nuances of human experience and to evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world around us.
I would like to introduce an American photographer who shot over 8 million photos on film during his life. He was said to be one of the greatest documentary photographers of his era and the central photographer of his