The GODFATHER of British Photography? // Martin Parr

[@Johnkostercreative]

When I discovered Martin Parr I was just blown away. The tension, the composition, everything he does balances on the razor's edge of reality and the absurd, the intimate and the alienated. What an eye he has.

[@developingtank]

I completely agree!

[@sputumtube]

Strange how he only just scraped through the acceptance process for Magnum though.

[@developingtank]

I think if it weren’t for Bresson it would be a different story

[@julesdownunderjulesdownund7722]

He used to have an alias account on Flickr which was just genius. Mostly shot at Blackpool in the UK. He was prolific, uploading every few days. I managed to meet up once and was blown away when I found out it was him. Didn't shoot much that day just talked. Absolute gentleman and his eye is off the charts

[@developingtank]

@@julesdownunderjulesdownund7722 that's gold. Do you happen to know the alias account username?

[@chrisvalford]

Thanks for the post, I didn't know of Martin Parr. I really like his work especially his take on mass tourism. Being an English photographer myself, and living in Barcelona, his images evoke similar feelings in me, and I recognise many of the places he photographed. I especially like the fact that he could see through the BS of "club photos" and the clichéd competition images. The colours are true to the era as well, which makes them way more interesting than the high contrast monochrome stuff.

[@developingtank]

Thanks for watching and the solid comment

[@Marcffoto]

Ayyy this is amazing man.. I’ve actually had the pleasure of sitting down with Martin on several occasions. Lucky enough to have had a look though his private collection and even luckier to have exhibited his work at the gallery I co-own. His work is great and will go down in history. Already has. Keep these coming. Love the videos!

[@developingtank]

Wow, that’s so cool. I’d imagine he’d be really fun to riff with.

[@ChristianAndrew1.4]

Brilliant presentation on Parr! thanks so much for the hard work you put into it.

[@developingtank]

Thank you for watching and the nice comment to help support the channel/drive the video

[@innercityunit2112]

A wonderful video, very well put together. I know of Martin Parr, but have not really researched and dived deep into his work. You've now inspired me to take a much closer look, thanks!....You're most probably familiar with the work of British photographer Chris Killip, known for his black & white images, documenting the lives of working class people in the North of England during the 1970s and 80s. However, if you are not familiar, his work is definitely worth checking out. Highly recommended.....I've watched quite a few of your videos now and have found them most fascinating, so, now subscribed. Keep up the good work!

[@developingtank]

Thanks for subscribing and the well thought out comment. I am not familiar with Chris Killip, but I’ll check out his work now that you’ve mentioned it. All of these videos on my channel are my own deep dive into understanding these photographers, so prior to making this I was extremely well versed in my knowledge of Parr either. Thanks for the sub!

[@RikMaxSpeed]

Greatly enjoyed your video. I’ve only recently discovered Martin Parr, so it was really interesting to hear your commentary and see his work over a fifty year career. Thank you.

[@developingtank]

Thank you for watching

[@alfabravo80]

I have always been in awe and intimidated by his abilities.

[@developingtank]

😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫

[@paulr7496]

We are often told that to be a good street photographer, we need a camera that is quiet, black, with logos taped out so we can take sneaky or surreptitious pics etc, etc... Martin Parr is a tall bloke, and he uses flash, and (mostly) wide angle lenses so he has to get in close.. Most of his images are clearly framed thru the viewfinder. The people he photographs know that he is there .(certainly in the New Brighton series). IMHO the key to his photography is that people don't see him as a threat, more of a nerd, and he doesn't care what people think of his presence anyway. It's the lack of embarrassment that allows him to get in close and take great images.

[@developingtank]

In my own experience, I’ve found that being in extremely close proximity to any subject while using a wide angle lens offers opportunities for them to question what you’re actually taking a photo of (as long as they aren’t dead center in the frame) which causes them more confusion than discomfort. Also, I had no idea Parr was tall. I always assumed he was short for some reason 🤷

[@teleaddict23]

The difference with Parr compared to other street photographers is that his photographs are staged. The people in his photos know they are being photographed and are told how to pose to a degree. He uses flash for a surreal look. So I wouldn’t actually call him a street photographer in the traditional sense.

[@TheUrbandilema]

Martin parr is one a again one of my favs.awesome photo essay sir and this is a great indepth creation. I love your work

[@developingtank]

Thank you for always supporting the videos!

[@teleaddict23]

I much prefer Martins earlier work when he shot on film. There’s something very nostalgic about them. I love the look of film. I realise why he had to move with the times, but his modern work looks like everything else made today.

[@developingtank]

Pretty hard for anyone to stand out at this point without doing something completely out there.

[@AlejandroVisuals]

Let me tell you, you have a great talent, keep them coming

[@developingtank]

Thank you, more are already on deck waiting to be uploaded 🫡

[@AlejandroVisuals]

@@developingtank sounds like less netflix and chill to me and more youtube documentaries

[@alandargie9358]

Excellent video, thanks very much!!

[@developingtank]

Thank you! 🙏

[@xjamesramos]

YES! LOVE me some PARR! And Developing Tank strikes again! Nice Hank!

[@developingtank]

We seem to align on our taste in photographers. Who else are some of your favorites that I haven’t covered?

[@xjamesramos]

@@developingtank look up “The Jazz Loft Project” W. Eugene Smith. Idk if you’ve done that one yet. There’s a documentary on it too. 🖤

[@xjamesramos]

@@developingtank extremely good story on him to during this time. I think you’d love it.

[@developingtank]

Cool, he’s been on my list of photographers to cover for a while, but I still don’t know much about him. Maybe I’ll bump that one up in the production schedule.

[@JoeLopez]

Another banger. I have one of Parrs books in my cart as we speak.

[@developingtank]

Nice, which one did you go for?

[@JoeLopez]

@@developingtankThe last resort

[@ChrisBrogan]

Martin Parr really blew my mind with his Brighton stuff. You covered it so well. It's one of the very few photo books my local librayr has (don't cry for me - there are thousands in the system all reachable through my card). I often smack my head and think, "HOW COME NO ONE ELSE KNOWS HOW COOL THIS IS?" His work is just so filled with the human condition from a smirky point of view. Plus, I >LOVE< the story that he and Bresson didn't like each other. Great quote about it. But I'm only 1 minute into your video so maybe you hit that one, too. You often are more thorough than I could ever be. :)

[@developingtank]

I don’t even have access to a library where I’m at, so I’m jealous of everyone who can see photo books through that system. 😪 I had the Bresson stuff in my original draft of this, but dropped it. I might do a video about how Bresson was such a hater. 😅

[@ChrisBrogan]

@@developingtank - I mean, it's a semi deep cut. Plus, you already thrilled me that you knew it and were considering it.

[@developingtank]

I just think there are so many pretentious assholes in art and I hate all of them. What I hate even more is when those people are highly revered. Bresson’s photography is awesome and I understand all of the reasons he is so highly regarded, but the more research I do the more he seems like an asshole and the less I care about his work.

[@ChrisBrogan]

@@developingtank - I'm definitely not down with the gatekeepers and the shit spitters. Do you have a top 5 favs? That's a tricky question because there are SO many good photographers and books and projects. But is there a Rushmore+1 for you?

[@developingtank]

@ChrisBrogan a rushmore of gatekeepers or favs? 😅 (Current) Rushmore: Moriyama, Leiter, Parr, and Shore. However, that is forever changing. The top 3 spots are pretty much settled, but Shore could get replaced. You?

[@michaelacedeno]

Another great video dude, thank you

[@developingtank]

Thank you!

[@TheSololobo]

Why in the world can't we make photographs this rich and vibrant today even with all our advancements.

[@developingtank]

The desire for photographers to be “moody” and create a “vibe” would be my guess. I see plenty of pastel colors that look nice, but are muted. Can’t say I see anyone in street producing work that is this vibrant (I’m sure they exist, but I never come across it). Maybe taking up that style would be a way to stand out.

[@williamlasl]

I suspect it has a lot to do with decline in the use of slide films, particularly with Kodachrome gone.

[@pedronunes6401]

@@williamlaslParr used color negs tho. Color negs have incredible richness too, people just desaturate them nowadays. I think it’s just taste, people want chill photos cause we are surrounded by loud comercial ones

[@teleaddict23]

There’s lots of colour films available today that are this rich in colour. I think Martin should go back to shooting film, but it’s unlikely he will do that, especially with the cost of film nowadays.

[@Bob-Horse]

I also like the work of the late, English photographer Tony Ray-Jones.

[@developingtank]

I’ll look him up. Obviously, this is a titled geared for engagement.

[@iaincphotography6051]

For sure there were a few other God fathers before him, such as Bert Hardy, John Bulmer, Robert Blomfield and Tony Ray Jones. However he brought colour photography on regarding street photography. As for New Brighton it was a short boat trip across the Mersey from Liverpool, a cheap day out.

[@developingtank]

I’m clearly going to have to do a video on Tony Ray Jones with all the mentions on this video.

[@ChrisBrogan]

Damn it. Just got to that quote about nostalgia. I was trying to hide there. Son of a... :( Well now what?

[@developingtank]

Now you gotta evolve

[@ChrisBrogan]

@@developingtank - like a real Pokémon. (As I'm typing this back to you - and I'm not kidding - there's an oompah band playing AC/DC down the street. I can hear it coming in the window. Some kind of Oktoberfest.)

[@developingtank]

😂😂😂

[@trevorpayne2749]

I think Martin Parr’s work is a bit “Marmite”- you either love it or hate it! “Godfather of British photography” - wasn’t that Bill Brandt surely?

[@developingtank]

Sure

[@Anomaliayt]

I don’t know… I’m not a huge fan of his work. Unsure if me being British has anything to do with it. Although I should get more acquainted with his work.

[@developingtank]

Ok then

[@martinpickard5818]

But it WAS better in the good old days…..

[@developingtank]

🤷

[@williamlasl]

An eternal and timeless comment. Could have been said in 4000 B.C., 4000 A.D., or any time in between.

[@stayuntilforever]

My least favourite, famous streetphotographer. But he's definitely got his own style which too many photographers tries to copy these days. Its great documented images but I would never want any of his images on my wall even if I got them for free. I'm more of a Elliot Erwitt, Fan Ho, Bruce Davidson, Tish Murtha and Gordon Parks kind of guy. Been doing streetphotography now for over 20 years in over 20 countries and as the years go by the less interested I get. It just gets more and more boring after awhile especially since the smartphone came along. I still buy photographer books, go to exhibitions, museums and do alot of printing but I muss the passion I saw in photographers. Today there's way more reviews than actually people talking about how to take an image. So people think if they get the newest camera possible or the most expensive Leica 35mm camera they will become a better photographer, which all is bullshit. These days I just shoot anything I love to shoot with any gear that's available. From landscape, astrophotography to extreme sports, portraits and fine art.

[@developingtank]

I’ve shot for seven years in a similar amount of countries and can understand the redundancy factor to some extent. It’s why I think Parr is a great inspiration, because of the variety of projects and that projects are key to continuing to have passion for the medium. All the other bullshit you mentioned is exactly why I’m doing these videos. There is nothing less interesting to me than a video about new camera specs and the idea of having a channel that revolves around gear alone.

[@TheUrbandilema]

@@developingtank agree with u

[@developingtank]

@TheUrbandilema 🫡🫡🫡