Bill Brandt

Dear Brooks,
A while ago I listened to one of your podcast about Bill Brandt. I was wondering if you had changed your opinion?
Cheers, Rex Kersely

I really do wish I could say "yes," but not yet. I recently finished the book Bill Brandt by Paul Delany hoping that would give some background that would help in my appreciation of Brandt's work. I'm still as mystified and left cold by his photography as I was before I started. I feel bad about this, even guilty. With so many fans and adamant followers, I know there is something in his photography, but I look at his image and just don't see what others do. It's me, I know, so I'll keep trying, but as yet all I can think about is if I saw these images on my contact sheets I would never even think to print them, let alone show them to the world.

Brandt isn't the only one either. I'm simply out of phase with a lot of post-modernist imagery. Nan Goldin is a complete mystery, but I love Nick Waplington. Keith Carter gives me the vapors, but Robert Adams is pure joy to behold. Annie Leibovitz seems like a commercial hack, but Howard Schatz is simply inexhaustible. Photography is fascinating this way — we each bring our own mind/heart to the work we view and the connections (or lack thereof) says as much about us as it does about the photographer. I'm glad that Goldin, Carter, and Leibovitz do what they do and have their fans and admirers. It's a big, big world, so I hope they don't mind if I direct my attentions elsewhere and spend my time and energy as a fan of other photographers.

All of which, by the way, helps me tremendously in my own work. I know there are those who love what I do and even some who buy it. (Thanks!) There are others with whom my work — be it my personal photography, my podcasts and blogs, or my LensWork publications — simply does not connect. That's okay; it just says that we are a diverse people with individual preferences. Knowing this leaves me free to do what I do without feeling any pressure to try to please all the people all of the time — which we all know is simply not possible. I have never been tempted to compromise my work so as to please an audience. Maybe some day I'll have an epiphany and fall in love with Brandt's work, maybe not. Same can be said for those who don't like what I do. Viva le difference — it truly is what makes the world go 'round.

Comments

[Rex Kersley]

Hi Brooks,
Thanks for replying. I whish there was some way I could change your mind. Perhaps this:
http://www.masters-of-photography.com/B/brandt/brandt_going_home_full.html

Which I find particularly poignant and indicative of the times.

Or a couple of portraits:

http://www.masters-of-photography.com/B/brandt/brandt_dylan_thomas_full.html

http://www.masters-of-photography.com/B/brandt/brandt_francis_bacon_full.html

Then there is his 1961 book, 'Perspective of Nudes'.

It is of course very English and so perhaps one needs to have English experience to appreciate them.

Thanks again
Rex