Recommended photographers

Who are five contemporary photographers that we (your readers) should check out right now?
Who are five photographers from the past that we (your readers) should check out right now?

—John Motzi

   

Wow, what an interesting question! Against what criteria? My all-time favorites? Based on historical importance? Most popular? Trend-setters? Most worthy to follow in their footsteps? I don't mean to hair-split, but depending on how the question is framed, my answer will change. And, by the way, my answer may only be meaningful to me. Opinions on this kind of question will surely spark lots of lively debate!

With that caveat, let me place my own criteria on the answer. Let me list the photographers I feel demonstrate their creativity by the vision they bring to their work. That is to say, here are photographers whom I consider truly outstanding in their creative — and often unique — vision, photographers who have taught us / are teaching us to see in new ways. I tend to value these people more than those who are talented and competent, but mostly doing work that follows in the footsteps of those who've gone before them.

Are you sure I can't add a couple hundred names? I think I'll specifically not mention the obvious — Ansel Adams and Edward Weston, for example. It pains me to exclude John Sexton and Bruce Barnbaum, too, but their vision is not necessarily new and groundbreaking. I'd still suggest you study their work, especially Bruce's slit canyon work — which really is groundbreaking, so I guess he should be on the list. But then, how can I leave out Jerry Uelsmann, Alfred Stieglitz, Paul Strand, Brett Weston, Paul Caponigro, Christopher Burkett, Nick Waplington, Michael Kenna, Dan Burkholder, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Walker Evans, Mary Ellen Mark, Phil Borges, Thomas Joshua Cooper, PH Emerson, Robert Adams, Linda Butler, Jay Dusard, Ted Orland, Imogen Cunningham, Ryuijie, Helmut Newton, George Tice, Morrie Camhi, Aaron Siskind, Arnold Newman, Karsh . . . Aaaaaarrrrgh! This is hopeless. But, if I must . . .

Contemporary

• Shelby Lee Adams
• Duane Michals
• Dominic Rouse
• Mitch Dobrowner
• Brigitte Carnochan
• Carl Chiarenza
• Huntington Witherill

You said seven, didn't you?

I realize all these are all LensWork alumni, but I might be just a bit prejudiced here. Each of these has found a voice all their own that, IMHO, have added something unique to photography and in an exceptional way. If you are not familiar with their work, you would do well to acquaint yourself with it.

From the past

• Josef Sudek
• Eugene Atgét
• Wynn Bullock
• André Kertész
• Oliver Gagliani
• Roy DeCarava
• Wright Morris

Over the years, I've found myself going back and back to these photographers to learn from them. They each have a depth that is profound. They are not the most well-known photographic "celebrity" names, but that's even more reason to have them listed here. I love drawing attention to them and their work.

And while we're at it, we should really add to our art literacy Rembrandt, Hiroshige, Bach, Dickens, Homer, Dostoyevsky, Rodin, Pollack, Puccini . . . you know, life is good.

Comments

[John Motzi]

Thanks Brooks - I love the way you answered the question!!!

[Kevin Bjorke]

A very western list! No Kawauchi, Moriyama, or even Mikhailov? Did you see any work that got you excited during your recent trips in Asia?

[Brooks Jensen]

Actually, that was part of my reason for wanting to attend the conference in China. I did see a number of photographers whose work was simply wonderful. We are working now to bring a number of them to the pages of LensWork. Stay tuned!