I found this very interesting. I am extremely uncultured in the history of photography and historical photographers, but I loved this post. Unfortunately, I can't say I have a favorite Sander's photo, because before I read this I had never heard of him! Thanks for introducing me!
You're in for a treat. His photos may be 100+ years old but they're as timeless and humanistic as any portraits taken since. Very much of the people and lack the pomp and cleanliness of those taken by folks such as Edward Stiechen, Julia Margaret Cameron or Irving Penn (as excellent as they are in their own ways).
His work also documented the part of Germany during the late 20s/early 30s that were the exact opposite to what we're taught about the rise of Nazism (whom August didn't get along with and was hounded by them because his work was the opposite of what they were trying to portray in their propaganda). These are hardworking people who are still trying to process the horrors of ww1 and build a life for themselves while a stranger with this strange machine froze that moment in time. His story and work is still so brilliant today and it will continue to inspire people to pick up a camera and document their communities like it has been the case for me.
I can’t help it. Your three farmers reminded me of a picture I once saw in a deli. It’s two little boys about 3-4 years old in their overalls. One asks the other, “You been farming long?” It’s precious. I actually looked it up on line and saved it but I can’t see any way to add it here.
Thanks for sharing this, Andy. I was not familiar with the photograph or with Sander’s work. Now, I have homework to do. Thanks so much. Can’t wait to dive in.
Andy - I've shared this with you before. But I'll share it again, because like Sanders's portraits and Berger's essay, the poem rewards out returns, becoming more as we learn to see it differently and see in it more.
It of course also connects to fields in winter, to Wisconsin landscapes, to fallowness and thaw, to our loneliness and to our longing: for beauty, for renewal, for growth, and change.
A very timely post. Thank you. The concept of wintering is a new one on me. (And I will read the book you recommend). I’ve just come to the end of my last project (www.chrisrydlewski.co.uk/confluence) and am happily hibernating. I feel a little disconcerted but am trying to accept inaction as part of the process. Having been so relentlessly busy it still feels a bit unnatural but I will persist! Best wishes & thanks again. Chris
What a fascinating and thoughtful essay.
Terrific, Andy! I'm a big fan of John Berger, but was not familiar with Understanding a Photograph. Just ordered it. Thanks for the recommendation!
That's great. Enjoy!
I found this very interesting. I am extremely uncultured in the history of photography and historical photographers, but I loved this post. Unfortunately, I can't say I have a favorite Sander's photo, because before I read this I had never heard of him! Thanks for introducing me!
You've got to start somewhere! Thanks for reading, Caelie.✌️📸
Thanks for sharing!
You're in for a treat. His photos may be 100+ years old but they're as timeless and humanistic as any portraits taken since. Very much of the people and lack the pomp and cleanliness of those taken by folks such as Edward Stiechen, Julia Margaret Cameron or Irving Penn (as excellent as they are in their own ways).
His work also documented the part of Germany during the late 20s/early 30s that were the exact opposite to what we're taught about the rise of Nazism (whom August didn't get along with and was hounded by them because his work was the opposite of what they were trying to portray in their propaganda). These are hardworking people who are still trying to process the horrors of ww1 and build a life for themselves while a stranger with this strange machine froze that moment in time. His story and work is still so brilliant today and it will continue to inspire people to pick up a camera and document their communities like it has been the case for me.
Your enthusiasm is amazing. I want to go research it all, now. Thanks for the summary! I can’t wait to dig in a little more.
well. great post, as always. Fine, fine video.
🙏📸
Great read on a Sunday afternoon. I now have a weird desire to wear a suit, although dancing is certainly off the table.
Ha! Cheers, Don.
I can’t help it. Your three farmers reminded me of a picture I once saw in a deli. It’s two little boys about 3-4 years old in their overalls. One asks the other, “You been farming long?” It’s precious. I actually looked it up on line and saved it but I can’t see any way to add it here.
Email me! flakphoto@gmail.com Cheers!
Canes definitely need to come back in fashion asap.
Ha!
Great post, I am also a fan of John Berger and wrote a thing loosely relating to "Ways of Seeing".
Maybe you want to check it:
https://open.substack.com/pub/gruntworks/p/ways-of-nudes?r=2imavs&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I'll take a look! Thanks, Severian.
I saw a fantastic exhibition about John Berger in Barcelona last year called Permanent Red. A fascinating person and commentator
This was a good read for my 15 minute break in work. Those farmers look very dapper.
Glad you like! Thanks for looking, Oliver.
Thank you for sharing. I love history. This is my first time of hearing this photographer's name. Excellent article.
Wonderful! Have fun exploring Sanders' work, Jean. Enjoy!
Thanks for sharing this, Andy. I was not familiar with the photograph or with Sander’s work. Now, I have homework to do. Thanks so much. Can’t wait to dive in.
Wonderful! There is much terrific photography to see here. I'm so glad you're going to explore it. Thanks for reading, Matty.
Andy - I've shared this with you before. But I'll share it again, because like Sanders's portraits and Berger's essay, the poem rewards out returns, becoming more as we learn to see it differently and see in it more.
It of course also connects to fields in winter, to Wisconsin landscapes, to fallowness and thaw, to our loneliness and to our longing: for beauty, for renewal, for growth, and change.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48110/the-late-wisconsin-spring
Sander has a huge influence on my photographic work. My favourite: Secretary at West German Radio, Cologne (detail; 1931).
That is a good one! https://www.artsy.net/artwork/august-sander-secretary-at-west-german-radio-cologne Thanks, Julia.
Great article Andy, and I love the Art Assignment channel, pity that Sarah moved to greener pastures, see what I did there? 😅
Ha! Indeed. Thanks, MK.
A very timely post. Thank you. The concept of wintering is a new one on me. (And I will read the book you recommend). I’ve just come to the end of my last project (www.chrisrydlewski.co.uk/confluence) and am happily hibernating. I feel a little disconcerted but am trying to accept inaction as part of the process. Having been so relentlessly busy it still feels a bit unnatural but I will persist! Best wishes & thanks again. Chris