Sara Hannant has been travelling the length and breadth of the country to visit the UK's more quirky shows and fairs. The series is called Mummers, Maypoles and Milkmaids. See this
link. Another example, in my mind, of street photography in 'un-urban' environments.
Hello Penny, interesting for me as I am considering Social Documentary (in the absence of "Gesture and Meaning") and like you - I seem to remember, will have difficulty with urban due to geography. However I see a potential conflict with these events as they tend to be "spectacle" in that they, the performers, want to be "seen". Having said that they at least bring forward the local population which should provide a richer source of raw material other than odd stray sheep walking down the main road of the village! Thanks for the link.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you John about the 'spectacle-ness' of shows...but I tried for months to find people around and about. Firstly you are very conspicuous when there so few people about. Secondly when you eventually find some people going about their business, to catch a 'decisive moment' or even something remotely interesting, was nigh on impossible. Unless I took the Maciej Dakowicz approach in Cardiff of going out at night which would probably get brilliant results in Workington and Whitehaven. I wasn't prepared to do that however.
ReplyDeleteAt the shows the images are slightly 'artificial' for wont of a better word, however, as well as the performers you do get the characters and locals out, which does give you some opportunities. I certainly found the shows to be fruitful, fun and interesting. It was also possible to get candid shots. I guess its a 'morphed' street photography...needs must and all that...
Having said that about the entertainers I have directed a lot of theatre (albeit) AmDram productions and whilst they are on-stage performers, they provide the character; their persona "off-stage" though, as a collective body, could well be a legitimate subject? I tried to get some work of my own on this, but there was no space to do it as they looked at me as "The Director".
ReplyDeleteIn my mind, street photography seems to be more about the approach or spirit in which the photographs are taken and less to do with the 'stage'/location or who the 'actors' are. Helen Levitt said 'you go where there are people'. I can see no reason therefore why the street photography ethos cannot be adopted and then applied at shows, in the theatre or infact anywhere as long as there are 'actors' and enough going on.
ReplyDeleteThere must be those decisive moments, or everyday occurrences, to capture everywhere, not just in New York city - its just that through probability, you may have to wait longer. I guess the only caveat is whether the aesthetic is at odds with what has gone before...but there's nothing wrong in challenging that.
Cheers for the link Penny - the book has been duly ordered from Amazon (been thinking of having my wages paid straight to them...)
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