STREET PHOTOTOGRAPHY - SHOW & TELL EPISODE 4, HALLOWEEN SPECIAL: JOEL STERNFELD VS GREGORY CREWDSON

[@createtechreviews4282]

Seriously, your videos and comentary are fantastic! I have seen Zap's work featured by other photography KZbin channels, but I never connected with them and did not know why, until now. "Empty" hit the nail on the head for me.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Thanks very much. It is a mystery to me too....

[@_stefkas_]

You say this so well. Seen one Crewdson pic, you get the drift- he just keeps on drifting along. And I always envy the lives of people like Joel S. and many others who just seem to be again and again be kissed by serendipity and luck to be granted to really encounter the places and moments these images could be taken in. Imagine the thrill of finding these pictures and compare it to the crude (crewd ?) force of large-set-producing "artificially weird" photos... Thanks for wrapping this up for me !

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Thanks for watching, I'm glad you like the video. Joel Sternfeld's luck is hard earned (and apparently he also used to use a police scanner.....) New video just gone up, please take a look.

[@JJ_Photo]

Ok, this channel is already becoming my favorite KZbin photography channel... Thank you, from one bald guy to another!

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Welcome aboard! Glad you found me, more to follow....

[@irvb9881]

Found your channel via Andy Adams’ Flakphoto email newsletter - just after watching a few of Crewdson’s recent videos and thinking “this isn’t real, it’s not for me”.

[@WhoIsSerafin]

Secret exposed, good hair creates creativity

[@danicee]

Was hoping more people would share Halloween photos so I’m happy you decided to share some. And you’re right, a lot of people are just wearing costumes, not channeling a vibe of eeriness/creepiness.

[@bhadriverduzco5923]

Another insightful and entertaining episode Stephen. Well done

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Thanks very much, Glad you like them.

[@roberthein4052]

Spot on with the Zap critique - have been tired of eye rolling at each mention of his "fabulous allegorical American angst a la cinema''....keep up the great work.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Thanks very much. I’ll try!

[@AndyHall-u7e]

Another brilliant illuminating episode. I learned so much. ididnt know enough about Joel Sternfeld. And the use of that Dalton Trumbo quote - genius! totally agree. Loved it

[@frame-lines]

I like your point about Sternfield keeping his distance from the elephant. Including the cop car with the open door, suggesting danger makes it all the more interesting. 'Whats the sheriff going to do to the elephant?' is what I take from that photo. Great episode! -Shane

[@stephenlesliephoto]

I was going to add that sometimes his photography looks like the most amazing screen grab from Google maps street view. But I forgot.

[@12qwas12as]

Great again. One small regret: Zap gets all the attention as we engage in our hard wired negative bias. I can’t get enough Sternfeld.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

JS gets the cover photo though….

[@12qwas12as]

@@stephenlesliephoto Indeed. Was thinking of the discussion more than the video…. We gravitate toward the negative as a species.

[@12qwas12as]

@@stephenlesliephoto Maybe a look at Jeff Wall, some day, who also stages?

[@stephenlesliephoto]

@@12qwas12as I will keep him in mind - although I've got loads more films to do first! Thanks for the suggestion though, maybe I'll get round to him eventually....?

[@12qwas12as]

@@stephenlesliephoto looking forward to wherever is coming…

[@dennislee8253]

This was excellent and so very entertaining. Thank you so much. Also thank you to Andy Adams for steering me to this. Such a treat!

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Glad you enjoyed it! More to follow, Andy has excellent taste. Thanks for watching.

[@sansclous]

Top tier content, critique, and conversation about coiffure. Very much looking forward to the next one.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

There might not always be a hair element but who know? Glad you’re enjoying them. Thanks very much.

[@neilgenower9950]

Great research and brilliantly written. It's about time this kind of constructed banality of gloom and organised bilge was called out. Nice one !

[@stephenlesliephoto]

I just seem to have said what a lot of people have been thinking but keeping to themselves! Glad you liked it. More will follow.

[@DavidBennettplus]

Very entertaining. Crewdson's colours are great. Bilious green. I get your point, and probably agree. I liked Crewdson's photos when I first saw them, because they are eerie. Then I saw an exhibition of his photos at the Photographer's Gallery and was less enamoured. Maybe he is just impatient to get something down. There are scenes in MadMen where the camera pans back, wide angle - and we are looking in on the remains of a scene, telling you it is staged but it is true. As I said, very entertaining, and educational. Do more.

[@Snulrich]

Perfectly summarised!! Amazing work, Stephen

[@iraaikman]

Awesome video, great insights. Looking forward to more!

[@adenijiadetomi1469]

Enjoyed the episode, I was literally refreshing your page on intervals to check the video drops. it was totally worth it.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Glad to hear it! Just subscribe and it should let you know automatically. Thanks again.

[@hephph]

another awesome video! this is quickly becoming one of my favourite channels on here. thanks for putting these out Stephen

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Glad you like them. More will follow in a slow but steady fashion….

[@gordonwill6885]

Worthy winner, another great video. Thank you.. 👍👍

[@Mandibil]

Saw Credson in Copenhagen about 15 years ago ... impressive, but cold and emotionally unengaging imo

[@virtualBob1]

I almost stopped he video when you started showing Crewdson. I follow him on IG but find most of his work a repetitive yawn, so yes I agree with that you are saying.

[@geoffmphotography9444]

I didn't know much about Sternfeld but now I've learned more. Agree wholeheartedly about Crewdson's photography; there's nothing there and I have always thought that. Glad I'm not alone. Great channel Stephen.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Thanks very much, I have been pleasantly surprised by how many people seem to agree. Still, I guess Zap won't be losing any sleep over it. More films to follow soon, stay tuned.

[@davidwoods80]

So refreshing to hear thoughts on photography that go beyond genuflection to the artists. Opinion! What a concept!

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Thanks. Do you think it will catch on?

[@davidwoods80]

@@stephenlesliephoto I'm hoping your channel catches on, so we can all laugh at the imitation 'content creaators' that will surely follow your lead. I will be smug, knowing that I was an early adopter, and ahead of the KZbin hive-mind algorithm.

[@SlavaVeres]

❤ Sternfield is one of my favourites!

[@digitaldion]

Stunning! Please, keep the videos coming! I think one of the reasons why I love street photography, and reportage, is that it captures ‘dailyness’. In a hyper manufactured and curated world, this is so refreshing. That being said, there is also a kind of artistry in the work of those photographers who make portraits and scenes that are carefully constructed, lit, and staged. Yes, but the Trumbo quote rings true for me too! Thank you Stephen.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

He knew a thing or two did Dalton. There's a very good film about him (just called Trumbo) with Bryan Cranston. Worth seeking out. Thanks for watching. More to follow, please subscribe, tell all your friends etc etc....

[@peterkorcek9506]

thank you very much for this summary and clear opinion

[@StreetPhotographyChannel]

As an old appreciator of Sternfeld photography I just can say THANK YOU for this fantastic video.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

My pleasure. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Hopefully more will follow.....

[@sergebeb]

Thank you so much for these videos. Finally an entertaining and foremost very instructive channel about photography. Keep them coming.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Glad you like them! I will try to carry on.

[@Blanktarn]

The difference between Crewdson and Sternfeld fundamentally is, when you look at Sternfeld’s work, you’re inspired to go out and capture… when you look at Crewdson’s, you think “wow, this looks cool, let me see if I could get a loan”

[@carlitodcreative]

Awesome again, Stephen....! Very insightful!!!

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks.

[@Kalaharish]

well, thanks for sharing so much new insights and especially for having an authentic opinion about stuff

[@stephenlesliephoto]

You’re welcome, glad you liked it. More to follow, soonish.

[@tbostrowski6136]

yet another thought provoking video. Stephen you certainly are contributing to the dialogue in photography. I confess that I hadn't thought of Zapp Crewdson in this way the you brilliantly illustrate. Don't stop...its awesome shit.

[@lazhar_captures]

Great video, man. Very informative and inspiring. Audio sounds great btw 👍🏼🙂

[@stephenlesliephoto]

I appreciate it! Early sound issues have now been sorted! I even have a proper audio technician/ sound mixer!

[@Doogle136]

I too see the hollow and repetitive ring to Crewdson’s elaborate productions. But, is it possible his fantasy images unintentionally expose an America where it is desperately hard to know what, if anything, is real?

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Well, you might be right. Or you might just be falling in to Greg Zap's expensively staged trap.... Who knows?

[@localcolour]

So good, you know so well and yet you are so modest, brilliant insights and great taste and judgement

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Wow, thank you! Let's not get too carried away though. I'm British, I don't know how to respond to too many compliments! Glad you enjoyed the film, hopefully more will follow...

[@Nerdzombiedisco]

Brilliant. I always felt more uneasy about Zap manipulating the viewer, let alone his sets. Black-locked Harpo for the win. Cheers.

[@krishnapriyaka3261]

I wish I had discovered your channel earlier, wasn’t expecting that t shirt😂, brilliant talk!

[@stephenlesliephoto]

At least you've discovered it now Krishna, hope you enjoy them all. My range of photography inspired t-shirts will be launching sometime next year....

[@espilium]

Thank you very much for sharing your though, knowledge and wisdom. It's always very interesting and informative. And pedagogical too: 22 min are going so fast. Keep going !!! (please 🙂)

[@stephenlesliephoto]

My pleasure! And thank you for the use of the word pedagogical! More will follow, although they might be shorter.

[@riwan91]

Man, this video is awesome. In all sorts of ways.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

I’m glad you liked it. Thanks for watching please subscribe, share etc etc….

[@SliponGravel1]

Utterly brilliant, thank you Stephen.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Many thanks! Glad you liked it.

[@robindrugermany]

Fantastic and entertaining. I just shared this video with my students. they are all huge Crewdson fans. I can't wait to hear their responses.

[@SharonLavierOKeefe]

Just watched your brilliant and enlightening video and will definitely share it with my students. I am now a subscriber; thanks so much for sharing your thoughtful perspective.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Ha! Please let me know what they think. Maybe we can turn a few???

[@stephenlesliephoto]

@@SharonLavierOKeefe Thanks very much, it’s good to know that people like them. Let me know what your students think…

[@roderikrotting]

Won-der-full!!! Truly enjoy this. You expressed my feelings that I was never able to verbalise. Whilst thinking of John Berger of all people! Love your gaze!

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Thanks very much! Berger is obviously a big hero but he didn't make so many cheap hair jokes. Stay tuned, more to follow....

[@leslieditmer1087]

Sternfeld I believe drove around with a police scanner which led him to many photographs including the exhausted elephant.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Clever Joel. I think Weegee started that trend.

[@ianrose2922]

Catching up with these during the Christmas-new year limbo is an absolute treat. X

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Ian is that you? (If it’s not, sorry)

[@ianrose2922]

@@stephenlesliephoto It is me. No need to apologise. But sometimes it's best to get one or two in anyway.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

@@ianrose2922 Lovely to know you’re watching and enjoying! Please now go use your immense reach to get everyone in Australia to watch all the videos! Thanks.

[@Pat-1000]

Thanks as ever Stephen .. Enjoyed

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Very welcome thanks for watching.

[@JustinPhillip]

Hell yea!! I can not get enough of your videos!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Pure gold! KEEP GOING!!!

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Thanks very much, let's see how long that feeling lasts....

[@JustinPhillip]

@@stephenlesliephoto 😂

[@MatthewHolmesPhotography]

I enjoyed the video immensely and am definitely a Joel Sternfeld fan. I understand how the two ended up in this comparison video by Stephen Leslie based on the theme, but pitting Gregory Crewdson against Jeff Wall would make for a more interesting discussion. Sternfeld is on another level; maybe Paul Graham could be discussed with Sternfeld.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

I might try pitting Paul Graham against Jeff Wall?? In an actual pit? Thanks for watching, glad you liked it. New video on dogs in street photography has gone up, please take a look.

[@larrycohen5553]

And Crewdson's shit would be good if the production cost was closer to ten bucks. Then I'd be impressed.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Exactly! Too much money just repeating the same, basic idea.

[@stevescott2052]

Great comparison, very insightful.. thanks Stephen

[@stephenlesliephoto]

You're welcome, thanks for watching. More to follow.

[@denismortell1181]

Creatively, JS and GC occupy different universes: and in GC's case, not in a good way. (JS's "Dubai" series is brilliant and very relevant now.)

[@184186]

I'm a fan of Sternfeld... quit being envious of his hair. Joking!

[@stephenlesliephoto]

I have the Sternfeld wig. I'm not jealous any more.

[@gregwill500]

I love this channel:) That was great. I remember being initially impressed with Gregory Crewdson. I came across him when searching for some reference images ( I’m an art director who also takes pictures ). I needed to show something cinematic and stylised. That was years ago. Then more recently I had a similar requirement and thought I would reference mr zap again. But looking through his work again…I had the same “left cold” feeling. Pretentious arty photos with no soul and the same boring protagonists. And all the craft and lighting provided by a skilled dop who greg briefed. He’s a stills director at most, not really a photographer. Loved your heavy metal versus pop analogy:) 🤘And your recurring hair obsession! And your unapologetic dislike of the celebrity darling gushing bilge that flows out of most of the art world. But most of all I loved discovering a new photographer and seeing beautiful inspiring images. Thanks!

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Thanks very much, in order to appreciate my hair obsession you need to watch episode one. Hopefully it will explain everything. Glad you stumbled across me, much more to come.....soonish.

[@gregwill500]

@@stephenlesliephoto yup I watched episode one and commented there. I’m sure you can’t keep track of all the comments. I would loose all my hair trying ( and not just the spot at the back).

[@stephenlesliephoto]

@@gregwill500 Thanks for watching them all. And you are right, it is impossible for me to keep track of all the comments. Which, I suppose, is a good thing????

[@jamestaylor6062]

Really interesting stuff!

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Thanks. Stick around. More to come.

[@MrWilfreda]

What a fantastic video! I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation and summary. I totally agree with your comments. In essence chance encounter versus artifice. The whole difference hinges on this element and Sternfeld's Images permit the viewer to imagine the why's. Crewdsons, staging lacks that dynamic. To this end, get in touch if you want to see my work, I think you will love it.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Thanks very much. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@terencelaubach6565]

Superb again! Four for four.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Thank you very much, maybe I should just quit now before the inevitable decline in quality?

[@UnderexposedwithAlastairBird]

Not gonna lie: If I have an opportunity to purchase an 'exhausted renegade elephant' t-shirt I won't hesitate. Thanks for the video - great stuff.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Ha! If I get enough requests I may do a limited run. What size would you be after? Theoretically???

[@UnderexposedwithAlastairBird]

@@stephenlesliephoto Men's Large. And I know of at least one other photography geek who would have one.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

@@UnderexposedwithAlastairBird It might yet happen, let me look in to it. Will report back.

[@UnderexposedwithAlastairBird]

@@stephenlesliephoto I look forward to news, at your convenience, of course.

[@jitsejager325]

Here's a +1 for this idea!

[@franforman5287]

Revealing and informative analysis, and I now must reconsider my 'infatuation' with 'Zap'. What do you think is the appeal of Zap's work, and why and how do his prints sell so well? Anyway, I just subscribed to your episodes.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Thanks very much. Zap has a big gallery behind him and he makes for good copy. That’s about it as far as I can see. Become infatuated with Sternfeld instead, it’s better for you!

[@pauljohnroberts4933]

Found you through Andy Adams at Substack. So glad. Enjoyed the straight talking regardless agreeing with it or not. Hope you can carry on.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Thanks very much Paul, glad to have you onboard. I will try to keep on keeping on. Stay tuned...

[@Wpoolesf]

First-time viewer, and now new subscriber. I have and love American Prospects, and when I saw the Crewdson photos they pretty much left me cold. You have helped me understand why.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Welcome aboard! Glad to meet you. Thanks for watching.

[@dbugatto]

I have 'Early Pictures' , it's brilliant . Top notch vid !

[@stephenlesliephoto]

I love that book. Thanks for watching Dominic. Get all of Toronto to subscribe please.

[@naomilviai1]

Ouch! SO good. Agree with every word and so enjoyed it. Thank you 🎃😂

[@stephenlesliephoto]

You are so welcome! Thanks so watching.

[@naomilviai1]

@@stephenlesliephoto I'm very interested in the history of all the female photographers who did such important work but are not widely mentioned as part of the cannon and mainstream history of the medium - It would be lovely if you could do an episode (or two!) with your take on them. I know you did one on Diane Arbus, but I'm thinking of experimental and non-center figures such as Claude Cahun, Ilse Bing, Graciela Iturbide, Barbara Morgan... the list is endless. I would love to see them included beside the usual suspects (good or bad 😂)

[@stephenlesliephoto]

@@naomilviai1 Thanks very much for the suggestions. Yes, I fully intend to do more female photographers - although my area of knowledge is fairly focused on street plus I need to be able to find a good angle (and room for bad jokes!) I will check out some of the photographers you mention and please just stay tuned. One or another might pop up in the future......

[@naomilviai1]

PS - I ran into Joel a couple of months ago and he still has great hair

[@stephansagmiller5460]

The two most frequented areas in a book store are Fiction and Non-fiction. There have been countless wars launched against both modes of thought throughout human history, and yet, they relentlessly stand tall.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

True and I like both, I'm not planting my flag in any particular camp. However, I prefer some truths to some fictions and some fictions to other truths.

[@12qwas12as]

Both fiction and non fiction can meaningful or vapid, humble or pompous…. Just speaking in generalities, of course.

[@tommywu9867]

Just subscribed. Thank you for making this video and sharing your inquisitive eye and knowledge about photography. I exposed to GC's work over a few decades ago and have been admired of his big budget image making because I am a photographer and wished I had his privileges' to execute such elaborate setups for one image. About JS, I will appreciate his work differently after this video. An image by JS created from real life scenario takes more visual literacy to dissect and appreciate while GC staged photographs are pop art and accessible for the mass. Although their skills are different, I tend to appreciate real-life more because it requires so much moving parts to pull it off - experience, planning, patience, visual skills and some luck at the right place and the right time. I am hunger for more of your videos.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Thanks very much. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I will try not to leave you too hungry.

[@larrycohen5553]

Ha. So glad that after quickly realizing I don't give a shit about dogs, I watched this one. A pleasure. Well done. Looking forward to more.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

I will forgive you this once. Glad you found them, more to follow (although the next one is dogs part 2...) have you watched the bald one yet?

[@BatterseaWerkbund]

I completely agree with your thesis. GC's early work blew me away - for all those emo reasons you mention. But his Cathedral of the Pines show at Photographer's Galley left me cold. Well not quite, I felt uncomfortable and not in the way the early work intended me to: just too many scantily clad young women for a man of his age (which is also my age - and much as I .... well you know ... but there's a limit or a right way to explore it). IIR he cut a bit of a lonely figure at the opening party. Certainly no fan mob, although that might have just been timing (and of course I should have taken his photo as a meta comment). By contrast I've never once felt like screaming: "Enough already, Joel. Move on." Really enjoying these videos. Thanks.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Thanks for watching, glad you're enjoying them. Yes, I also went to that show and was completely bored by it. Although, I didn't get to go to the opening party. Were the canapes at least nice?

[@BatterseaWerkbund]

@@stephenlesliephoto Ha - yes they were.

[@bouwebrouwer879]

Nailed it!

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Thanks Bouwe.

[@danwongphoto]

🤘🤘🤘 by the way, there’s some great footage of Joel working in the field in the old BBC doc “the genius of photography”. Think he’s taking a picture of someone parachuting to the ground. Again, must be a chance encounter. I’ve got the DVD somewhere, I should have a look again!

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Shit! Wish I’d known, I saw that series years ago but don’t remember that. I’ll have to revisit and then re-edit the whole film!

[@danwongphoto]

@@stephenlesliephoto yeah was great. I think Joel Sternfeld was on the “Paper Movies” episode. I think. I also remember seeing Joel Meyerowitz talking about street photography for the first time and it blew my mind. And I also wondered why all photographers were called Joel.

[@robinchun1]

I wonder how many of Greg 'Zaps' celebrity fans are even aware of Joel's work?

[@stephenlesliephoto]

I have sent out survey questionnaires. Yet to get any reply. Stay tuned for further episodes and I promise to keep you updated.

[@mrbigg2u]

Excellent assessment of the pair. Greg's snaps are dare I say it almost AI like, devoid of soul. Where as the monster clicker that is Joel is a master. American Prospects is one of my most valued books. Amazing even more so to think it was shot on plate. Alex Prager. I love her work, even though these are heavily constructed... What do you make of her body of work, interested to know...? Thought provoking video sir!

[@pofoto1]

Awesome. Let's start a band!!!

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Okay, although I have no musical talent whatsoever.

[@pofoto1]

@@stephenlesliephoto alas me neither. But that never stopped the punkscene from happening, so there might be hope. 😜

[@gerryorkin]

Crewdon’s work is hair today, gone a bit later today. I can’t conjure up a single image from memory. It’s pixel salad.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

You can stay.

[@paulgero]

Fantastic! Subscribed

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Great. Thank you!

[@russrowland1493]

Dead on about GC’s work…

[@stephenlesliephoto]

You mean GZC?

[@russrowland1493]

@@stephenlesliephoto the one not JS

[@stephenlesliephoto]

@@russrowland1493 I know, Greg "Zap"!

[@russrowland1493]

@@stephenlesliephoto you mean Johnny existential one note

[@allyperry8620]

Wonderful analysis. You put the finger on what I’ve felt but not been able to fully articulate when viewing his work, it is repetitively depressing, never hopeful or rejuvenating. All real artists shift gears regardless of what their dealers/adorers want, Crewdson hasn’t done that. Maybe more than anything, the amount of effort he puts into his scene imagery makes people think he’s worthy of icon status?

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Well he's now done people looking moody at night, people looking moody during the day, people looking moody outdoors and people looking moody indoors. So there is a bit of variety! Who knows why he's so iconic? I suspect a lot of it is to do with being represented by a big, powerful gallery and charging loads of money for a print? Glad you enjoyed the film. More to follow. Stay tuned.

[@vedimido]

One suggestion! Why don't you produce and sell those Ts that relate to each episode? You could promote the channel and make a few squids. Just a thought. Best, Mimi

[@stephenlesliephoto]

I am toying with the idea....stay tuned and we'll see. Thanks for watching.

[@owainshaw]

Cool story that will be of little-to-no interest to anyone: at University I (with the help of some patient and slightly confused friends) made a short series called 'Parked Cars and Briefcases' that was a very low-budget parody of Zap's work. To get up high I mostly had to climb on bottle banks. I stand by this work ... although I've got no idea where the negatives are, and definitely don't have any scans. Still, your video perfectly explains why I felt like making that small series, Zap's pictures to me just involved people who had stopped their cars somewhere for some reason, dropped a briefcase on the floor and decided to stare off camera at something. In hindsight, my pictures lacked pregnant women.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Ha! That's great. Glad you enjoyed the film. Maybe you should re-visit your own series but this time try to rope in a few pregnant women and get them to mope about? I could lend you a ladder if there are no nearby bottle banks.

[@owainshaw]

@@stephenlesliephoto one of my friends is currently pregnant. Perhaps this is a sign. Ladder would have felt like cheating (and been impractical given that I travelled by bike) ten years ago, but I am ten years older now. Can't hurt!

[@stephenlesliephoto]

@@owainshaw Do it!

[@gdmcclintockIII]

While your monologue about manly hairstyles smacks a bit too much of celebrity culture, your panegyric for Sternfeld and critique of Crewdson are intelligently researched and cogently expressed. Thank you very much indeed.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

You are welcome. Glad you enjoyed it. have you watched episode one yet? The Bald Truth. That will explain my otherwise trivial sounding obsession with Sternfled's hair. There is a method to my madness. Thanks for watching.

[@gdmcclintockIII]

​@@stephenlesliephoto Yes! I watched and enjoyed all your videos. The baldie joke is not aging well. Still, your Crewdson history bit reminded me of our boy band, which back in ’69 was a power trio called Vera Chuck & Dave (after the Beatles lyric). Think Cream without Eric, Jack, and Ginger. Vera was spoken for. The guitarist and I couldn’t decide who was Chuck and who was Dave, and we were happy to be either one, as long as we weren’t Vera.

[@bhadriverduzco5923]

Really? I find the balding joke about unite entertaining

[@Sup90210]

Crewdson is a hack. He’s a Jeff Wall wannabe trying to separate himself with higher production value. Sternfeld is one of the most underrated photographers out there, he’s Shore with personality and a sense of humour. Also, when it comes to early colour street photography don’t forget Fred Herzog, he was shooting colour long before rich boy Eggleston picked up a camera.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Yes, I very briefly touch on Herzog (and his hair) in my first film about baldness. He's great, took one of my favourite photos of all time and may even get a film of his own sometime in the future! Thanks for watching. Stay tuned....

[@Sup90210]

@@stephenlesliephoto looking forward to it. You could probably do a video just on The Vancouver School, Herzog and Girard. Vancouver has had a largely unknown influence on “contemporary” photography.

[@gfet556]

😂

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Sam, is that a photo of you without a beard?

[@gfet556]

I am afraid so. An ancient profile picture on YT from years ago I have never updated. Now is the time.

[@charlieclick]

Wow, that was fantastic. Subscribed

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Thanks very much. Glad you like it?

[@steveb2145]

two different photographers completely. whats the point in comparing?

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Hello Steve, thanks for watching. The point is made in the film but I'll repeat it for you here. 1. Crewdson has repeatedly stated how much of an influence Sternfeld had on his work, to the extent that he went and sought him out at his gallery. 2. The film aimed to investigate a kind of Halloween-ish moody photography that deals in the weird and unsettling. Yes, they both use very different techniques and practices but both men are occasionally going after the same effect. 3. I give numerous examples of similar subjects, compositions and tone. 4. It's my film, I can compare who the hell I want!

[@DenisMark1]

Dammit, I keep waiting to disagree with SOMETHING you've said. Like so many already have told you, you nailed for me what it is about Zap's work (yes, I will indulge you - at least you didn't pronounce Joel Sternfeld's first name "Joe-eel") that annoys me. You might have mentioned that Philip-Lorca diCorcia was doing the same sort of thing before Crewdson - posed photos of disaffected Americans...it's the idea of wanting to look 'stumbled upon' while being totally controlled and edited that also adds to the facile nature of his work. Finally, the notion that you're able to get ANYTHING done with two mopey twelve-year-olds in the house is worthy of admiration alone. An episode about photographers who's work is shooting their children (as opposed to wanting to shoot their children, which let's face it, we all have felt now and again) would be interesting. The obvious is Sally Mann, but you never go for the obvious, which is why I will watch whatever you put up and wait for the next one eagerly.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

If you really want an argument I'm sure we can find something to disagree about. Kids is a possible but tricky future subject. Glad you've enjoyed what I've done so far. More will follow in a bit, maybe you'll hate it.....?

[@DenisMark1]

@@stephenlesliephoto That's the spirit! I think my favorite thing in reading the comments is how uncomfortable you are getting compliments - I know that's an English thing...I promise I'll find SOMETHING to dislike in your next one! Onward!

[@vedimido]

and btw, I also thoroughly dislike GC

[@Neil-Aspinall]

It depends on what you want a photographer to be? Sternfeld has a happy accident style and believe me if you take enough happy accident pics you will get some that appear to have a much deeper meaning than you ever intended. Crewdson paints with the camera and he knows exactly what he wants which for me is superior. If you want to see the Master of the happy accident style see Sir Henri Cartier-Bresson.

[@hectormunozhuerta]

It takes a lot more than just shooting around long enough to get HCB grade stuff.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Neil, I think we’ll have to just agree to disagree here. To dismiss what Sternfeld does as just happy accidents is frankly just insulting and to claim Crewdson paints with light when he has a DOP and a camera operator (and I imagine a whole team of retouchers) to do it for him is being generous in the extreme. Especially as the effect he seems to want to create is just the same, ‘weird and alienated’ tone over and over again. But thanks for your comment, glad you watched it. All the best.

[@jd87a]

Stephen, have you seen the work of Brian Karlsson (@voyeur1)? A lot of his photos have this "mysterious" or "spooky" aspect you describe.

[@stephenlesliephoto]

Hello, yes I have. In fact, Brian is currently staying in my spare room. True story (honest!).

[@jd87a]

@@stephenlesliephoto Wonderful