#LeicaConversation

Join us for a conversation with legendary fine art photographer Ralph Gibson.
Gibson will discuss a selection of his pictures that speak to breakthrough moments in his career with former Editor-in-Chief of LIFE magazine Bill Shapiro. Covering a wide range of topics the program will look back on his progression in the medium and the people, places and moments that have had an impact on his career.
#LeicaConversations
SPEAKER BIOS:
Ralph Gibson (b.1939) studied photography in the US Navy and further pursued the medium at the San Francisco Art Institute in the early 1960’s. Gibson went on to assist Dorothea Lange and later, Robert Frank on two of his films, launching his professional career. Having a strong interest in books and book-making, he founded his own publishing company, Lustrum Press out of New York and went on to create his trilogy, The Somnambulist, Deja Vu, and Days at Sea which were instant hits and helped solidify his mark as a key player in 20th century photography.
Gibson’s photographs are in many important museum collections and have been shown in hundreds of exhibitions across the globe. His awards include a John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship, Leica Medal of Excellence, Lucie Lifetime Award among many others, and in 2018 he was appointed Chevalier de la Legion d’honneur de France.
Bill Shapiro served as the Editor-in-Chief of LIFE, the legendary photo magazine; LIFE’s relaunch in 2004 was the largest in Time Inc. history. Later, he was the founding Editor-in-Chief of LIFE.com, which won the 2011 National Magazine Award for digital photography. Bill is the author of several books, among them Gus & Me, a children’s book he co-wrote with Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. In 2018, he published What We Keep, which was recently turned into a streaming series with Cynthia Erivo serving as executive producer. A fine-art photography curator for New York galleries and a consultant to photographers, he also serves on the Art Advisory Board for the SXSW festival. He writes about photography for the New York Times Magazine, the Atlantic, Vogue, and Esquire, among others. On Instagram, he’s @billshapiro.

[@muriukinuthia9493]

Ralph Gibson dropping knowledge bombs and a lifetime of wisdom so casually... Truly impressive.

[@mattdayphoto]

Always a pleasure to hear Ralph. Thank you for making this happen!

[@BillMcGaughy]

In the early '70s as a student of photography I found Ralph Gibson and now in 2021, after a life of other means, am returning to photography and discovering him as he is today, again.

[@blazerbarrel2]

Thank you Ralph , thank you Leica . I have seen and learned from your photographs for many years . A true pleasure to have this Camino !

[@philippwelsing9108]

Visual overtones. THIS. 100%. 👏

[@richardsimms251]

Very good interview. Thank you. RS.

[@karunakbk]

Thank you Team Leica, Ralph, and Bill. this is truly such an eye-opener for experienced photographers like me who are on the verge of understanding the expressions of a soul, and how photography can make the artist a Poet, and a philosopher. truly humbled and feeling enlightened. 🙏

[@stephenvictor8961]

I am most heartened from this piece. I learn from another’s information, yet, to me, the important and primary learning ensues from attending to another’s experience. Mr. Gibson’s experience bears learning from. Good job Bill. Thank you Kiran Karnani. I salute you each.

[@beeshapi]

Thanks so much, Stephen. Glad you enjoyed the inspiration that is Ralph!

[@michaelrutchik9906]

I was so happy to hear the story about the eye acting somewhat independently from the brain. I came across this concept when watching an interview with some neuroscientists who described exactly what Mr Gibson is talking about here. Ever since then I have walked around feeling like my eyes are two mini brains that not only see, but pass judgment on what they have seen and only send the most interesting bits to my brain. We are all so lucky that Mr Gibson’s mini brains have such good taste.

[@owleye303]

You've created a beautiful dream, Ralph

[@Jpackardphoto]

Loved this interview. Thank you, Leica.

[@agatarek_pl]

I am in love. What an amazing artist and human being! Tank you

[@ohstanley3058]

His advice on “point of departure” is invaluable.

[@ChristineWilsonPhotography]

Great video and Ralph nailed it with the iphone discussion, there ars a lot of variables in a good photo, and while there are some great photos taken with the iphone , they don't have the versatility of a camera with a lens but who knows what the future holds.

[@tofulosophy]

This was great! A lot of what he said spoke to me and helped me to see where and how I can grow as a photographer.

[@jasongold6751]

wonderful and invigorating discussion. An insight to Ralph's eye. I love your work, once lucky to see it all before me, at a gallery in Toronto. It was being prepared to ship back! The gallery staff brought it all back, placed on floor and no time limit to look, ponder, analyze, decipher and simply bathe in the images.. Thank You Ralph. Great questions!

[@bassem500]

Thank you for this interview. I learned a great deal from the images, context, questions and answers.

[@qnetx]

Superb. Ralph's commentary on his work is very insightful and full of a wisdom that truly inspires. Thank you for sharing.

[@streetowski]

My favorite photographer of all time ❤️

[@robertlingley5300]

I admire Ralph Gibson. He’s such an intelligent, well spoken man. Oh, yes. And a great photographer.

[@nickfanzo]

He is a great artist, but like most great artists, their words are based on their own mind, not yours.

[@klartext2225]

Hello Karen! When I am watching the video, I am really watching. And don't type questions in a "chat window". Enough time to do it AFTER the video. My memory is good enough for that.

[@bakaroo23]

A life well lived makes some excellent photos.

[@ericjudlin5834]

'The photograph is better than the photographer' reminds me of Winogrand saying that he takes photographs to see what things look like photographed. Its the nice surprises that occur outwith our conscious control that makes photography magical. I once took a photograph of some Mexican religious icons using a flash and portable umbrella and in the photograph it looks like Jesus is holding the umbrella! All photographers at every level experience these unexplained gifts... sometimes they would also occur in the darkroom. All the arts experience this but with the 'realism' of photography the accidents make it extra special.

[@krishnansrinivasan830]

I had a great time watching this conversation video :)

[@phiswe]

One of my first creative influences. I've always viewed Gibson's work as more surrealist in nature than strictly formalist. Or maybe his true signature style is that he hits the sweet spot between the two.

[@boarini2003]

His words are just as good as his images.

[@parey555]

This guy so dope . He lived the life

[@gisele6961]

Really enjoyed this one!

[@quickerthandrawing2822]

fascinating work!

[@jimsullivan8423]

Ralph is like the Yoda in the use of a Leica M camera

[@stuartmeador8993]

delightful....

[@gurugamer8632]

When focal length does Gibson use

[@Mariano28253]

🔥✌️🙏

[@gc2161]

"I was shooting all day every day, and developing film through the night"

[@RemoBrandizzi]

GOOD

[@bernardwee3065]

Singapore 🇸🇬

[@nickfanzo]

As much as I love this artist and his works, he uses the same verbiage for every interview and every book about his process or technique. He has basically created a very wordy way, in a very “Leica” way, of saying basic things. Take for example his point of departure story. He tells the same story all the time and then shrouds it in mystery by making the actual “point of departure” elusive to the audience. It can mean going to the store, or basing your works on a dream sequence. This is a Very vague and broad definition. This can confuse a reader or listener, this is elusive on purpose and makes him seem more mysterious. Take it with a grain of salt. I’ll sum things up, frankly and abruptly; make the pictureS YOU WANT to make. Don’t let another artist, who is rich and wealthy, make a script for your processes. Make your own script. Enjoy making art and be well.

[@nickfanzo]

@@SS-jt9ex who knows, he doesn’t even seem to know. He said in interviews that going out with the intention to photograph never worked. So he then was told to make a point of departure. Whatever that means 😂

[@janradtke8318]

Five minutes in and Ralph had not yet a chance to speak …

[@jamesmorton81]

any black photographers ?

[@LeicaCameraUSA]

James, Thank you for the feedback. I encourage you to check out our full playlist #StayHomewithLeica & #LeicaConversations. That said, we are always open to suggestions. Please drop us an email [e-mail]

[@beeshapi]

@@LeicaCameraUSA Marcus Russell Price, to name but one of many. Watch here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWbTm5unnNqohbs

[@linjicakonikon7666]

Any purple photographers?

[@nyfrankie9460]

Green?

[@bohemianphotographer6843]

What a stupid comment .. why you care about the colour of the photographer skin ? Just stupidity that’s what is it

[@papiramen5915]

Im really not a fan of his. I’m really not a dan of putting people on these pedestals in photography, while these people can be so basic and full of themselves. I’m not saying i think his worm is shit. I feel its overly glorified, and his mindset is too far put on a pedestal that people think they need to think like him to make a great photo.

[@linjicakonikon7666]

5 minutes in and the blah blah hadn't ended...I'm outta here.

[@nickfanzo]

It’s an interview, you don’t want talking?

[@TylerMcCool]

lol

[@linjicakonikon7666]

@@nickfanzo It's the interview I was wanting to hear , numbnuts.