Michael Kenna :: Images of the Seventh Day

Michael Kenna is certainly one of the most successful contemporary photographers. His work is shown in exhibitions, museums and galleries around the world.
Images of the Seventh Day is a catalog for an exhibition of the same name done in Italy back in 2010.
As most of Kenna's books are thematic and relative to his series based projects, Images of the Seventh Day is different. Produced for the exhibition, this is a full career retrospective showcasing some of his earliest work going back to 1977.
We have covered Kenna before on the show, but I think it would be fun to revisit him in a new light through some of the rare images in this book.
The interesting thing to look at is the influence of Bill Brandt in Michael Kenna's early work. We see how this transformed over the years to Kenna's own style. Also notable here are some abstract images and still-life work that Kenna is not really known for. These images are beautiful as well and its interesting to see how Michael Kenna has incorporated this type of image into his larger landscape work.
Images of the Seventh Day on Amazon:
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Ted Forbes
The Art of Photography
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[@sergioa.olivera6230]

You are one of the most important people in my career as a photographer, your work as a disseminator of information is one of the pillars of my knowledge, thanks to you I have known the work of many photographers that have led me to look for others and inquire into their job. Thank you very much for your great work.

[@stephenryde78]

Great episode Ted Thanks Love Michael Kenna's work. I met him last November at the G. Gibson Gallery in Seattle. It was a book signing for his images taken in France. What an awesome guy. Takes the time and speaks to every single person like they are a friend.

[@theartofphotography]

Stephen Ryde Thats awesome! I've heard he's extremely nice.

[@chrisperry4612]

Ted, I have been watching your videos for years. And I still enjoy going back through your archive and watching old videos. I found your channel when I was starting to take photography seriously and found it as inspiring then as I do now. Keep doing what you are doing!

[@Kleinbiology]

So nice to see how an artist has grown and changed over his career. Kenna does wonderful work. Thank you Ted.

[@theartofphotography]

Rich Klein Thanks Rich. He's one of the best for sure!

[@ThatGamingGuyfromthe70s]

A great episode of a wonderful photographer, I really enjoy your commentary on the books it puts them in a new light and I learn a lot. It was from your previous episode on Kenna I decided to look more into his work. Your intelligent and articulate commentary has made a big impact on my understanding of composition, light and the art of seeing differently which in turn has improved my own work. I recently bought his France book, it shows off many different styles of his work from the lace factory, formal gardens, coast, city and night photos. It is a massive volume of work and is truly inspiring to see his use of light and composition which runs through the book. His level of consistency in producing outstanding images is astounding. Cheers, Jon

[@CharlieHoward4379]

Enjoyed the show. Great commentary on the book and your interpretation of Kenna's work,

[@theartofphotography]

Thanks Charles

[@ChristianMeermann]

Just ordered a copy... and your excellent review is to blame for this purchase. 😉

[@DavidMeyerPhoto]

Great book and I'd love to have it for sure. Kenna is one of my favourite photographers, so the more we see of his work, the happier I am :) He's absolutely brilliant at capturing genius loci. I haven't been to all of the locations he photographed, but having seen some of them I could understand better why he photographed those places the way he did and understand his principles of composition better. I've seen those lace factory images before! The subject is very different from what he usually does, but they very much still keep his personal touch.

[@theartofphotography]

David Meyer we'll do more - he's fantastic.

[@DavidMeyerPhoto]

The Art of Photography Can't wait then :)

[@cronnyberg]

That last shot from Italy really interested me. I'm only a beginner in the medium, so I was really interested to see you appreciate & highlight the technical prowess of a particular photo; It allowed for a greater insight into why good photos are considered good, which is pretty much the main thing I want to learn about.

[@mariorossi8376]

this was a amazing episode . would be amazing to see you interview kenna . please make it happening . even on something like google hangouts .

[@theartofphotography]

Would love to. One day...

[@centeioalves6515]

Another great episode and amazing photographer. I discovered this week Miroslav Tichy, its possible to make a episode about him? Thanks for your good work, im learning a lot with "The art of photography "

[@brianjrichman]

Those power station cooling towers dominate the landscape for miles around. There are a couple of views of one or two different power stations that I have seen in the north of England but was on a Motorway (British Freeway), and unable to stop. I wish I had a decent (any?) camera with me at those times, but was not able to for all sorts of reasons back then. Must have been in the late 1980's when I was last in that part of England. Lots of drama when the weather turns bad up there on the moors and such as it will do all the time. Good place for image making.

[@theartofphotography]

Brian Richman A trip to the UK might be in order? ;-)

[@brianjrichman]

Not for a while. I spent 45 years (was born there) and now after 14 years of living in TX, there is much more here.

[@cronnyberg]

I'm from northern UK so I totally relate to this. Also, now there are often some really dramatic wind-farms that can be seen from the motorway too, which could be a really good area for someone to explore.

[@brianjrichman]

I can't remember the name of the place, but there used to be a bunch of cooling towers visible from the very top end of the M18 where it becomes the M62. Is that where the Drax place is? Rob Cronin We have a bunch of wind farms over here too, and I bet once we get out of the cold weather (we Texans don't really function outdoors when it's under 70 degrees), that I can take a trip to one. Only problem now is the stupid security people who want to run you off if you even look at some of these places. Unlike the UK, over here they carry guns!!!

[@cronnyberg]

Yeah spot on, I just googled it to double check, that's the one I'm thinking of. I'm from Sunderland but my girlfriend is from Leeds, so I've made that trip more times than I can count! :D On the subject of the police, I was taking a photo of a clocktower in Norwich (where I'm at uni) the other day, & I didn't realise it was right next to a police station. They came out to talk to me in a very accusatory manner. They didn't have the right to look at my photos, but I couldn't be bothered to argue, so I showed them anyway to diffuse the situation!

[@davidrothschild8913]

Just bought the book. Thanks Ted! Such a good price for such a wonderful collection of his work. Do you know where you can see more of Kenna's 35mm work? As someone who is just getting started in 35mm landscape photography I would love to see that.

[@theartofphotography]

David Rothschild Enjoy it David. There's a lot of 35mm in there.

[@Alex.0470]

Around 3:50 you say "We don't have the square image yet." But there were square images in 1974; or do you mean that Kenna had shot square images at that time?

[@m4gdelen4]

I did a search and Wikipedia has this: "Since about 1986 he has mainly used Hasselblad medium format and Holga cameras and this accounts for the square format of most of his photographs." So I believe he means that Kenna had yet to start shooting square format.

[@KaidFN]

You should do some review of Linda Mcartney photobook she covers the 60s rock and roll scene

[@luisboaventura22]

👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@JanWikholm]

Minimalism is really striking my fancy!

[@theartofphotography]

just jw mine too ;-)

[@cylurian]

Ted got me thinking when he was defending Kenna's work during the windmill pictures. It reminded me of academia when someone says, "have you paid your dues yet"? This is so true for Kenna, has he paid his dues? Yes. Kenna worked under Ruth Bernhard for about 10 years printing her work. He uses medium format film, nothing electronic to take the pictures (except for a light meter) and he prints his own work. What if Kenna was using a digital camera, used photoshop, didn't print his work, and never paid his "dues" by working with another artisan like Bernhard; would he still be considered a Master minimalist photographer?

[@theartofphotography]

I don't think you'd see the career dedication. Kenna works harder thank just about any photographer I can think of in the fine art space. He developed the style others copy. I don't think it has to do with the medium with the exception of the printing. His prints are gorgeous in person.

[@cylurian]

The Art of Photography I see what you mean. It goes back to what you said, would Kenna think of himself as a landscape photographer. Wouldn't it be great if you can interview him! Thanks for the reply.

[@theartofphotography]

Hopefully some day!

[@mlcovarr]

The Art of Photography I'm not sure how I feel about the statement, "He developed the style others copy." As well as some of your comments in the videos referring to those who do this type of style are "Michael Kenna Jr's" or "Kenna clones." I understand your point of view but I do feel like this is over simplifying the matter and can be misconstrued as discrediting these photographers who found this type of style on their own. Kenna's style is just that, a style, not a patent. Others can express themselves with the same elements of zen buddhist, minimalist composition, and atmospheric in nature just as equally as Kenna can. And if they use these elements that does not necessarily mean they are cloning his work. It is possible there are photographers who arrived at this type of style completely on their own, it just so happens that Kenna gained credit as arriving there first. Maybe the issue isn't that there are all these photographs that are emulating Kenna's work but for the mere issue that long exposures (where clouds/water soften, stars streaking) and minimalism are in vogue at the moment. Which is displeasing, because I do like that style of photography but am disheartened because so many people are doing it.

[@mlcovarr]

The Art of Photography And just too clarify, I do believe Kenna's work is amazing. I have respect for his talent, his style and that he shoots film and prints his own work. Yes, I'm sure there are people who are straight copying his style, but maybe not everyone is copying his style knowing it is his style. They see other people doing similar work so they try that and it happens to look like Kenna because that other person was referencing Kenna. Not everyone is knowledgeable about the history of photography. There will always be people who just want to take pictures of what's in style at the moment in order to get likes on instagram, views on flicker, unique hits on their site. Maybe those people are the one's that don't mind taking the path carved out by someone else. But then there are those who are trying to express themselves and those who want to forge their own path. You encouraged photographers to enter their second act in order to develop their personal style, which was appreciated because this is where I find myself in my photography journey. "What can I do that hasn't been done?" I often ask myself. I believe this is where you are really getting at in your The Road to Greatness video, and you touched base about it in your previous video Capturing Motion: From Vroman to Titarnko. And these are good videos and has made me do self reflection and critically thinking regarding my own personal style. I'm continuing to develop my own style and have started to narrow it down from taking pictures of anything and everything to something that speaks to me personally. It's going to take time to cultivate this but I know it will come and I would hate it if that style came out to considered a clone of someone else. Ok, this turned into something way too long. I'll leave you with, I really enjoy your videos and I learn so much from them. Thank you so much for what you are doing, keep it up and I look forward to seeing where this takes you.

[@maxxweber4336]

$37 at Amazon.

[@ThatGamingGuyfromthe70s]

A great episode of a wonderful photographer, I really enjoy your commentary on the books it puts them in a new light and I learn a lot. It was from your previous episode on Kenna I decided to look more into his work. Your intelligent and articulate commentary has made a big impact on my understanding of composition, light and the art of seeing differently which in turn has improved my own work. I recently bought his France book, it shows off many different styles of his work from the lace factory, formal gardens, coast, city and night photos. It is a massive volume of work and is truly inspiring to see his use of light and composition which runs through the book. His level of consistency in producing outstanding images is astounding. Cheers, Jon

[@theartofphotography]

Jon Burtoft Glad you like it - the France stuff is really amazing. Long ongoing project for him most of which was donated to the state as well.