Essential Viewing: 5 Documentaries for Photographers

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Which is your favourite documentary that I've not mentioned here?

[@karlgunterwunsch1950]

I wish there were a documentary about Robert Doisenau - his work really was impressive, for me his work was move evocative of emotions than any of the more well known photographers like Henri Carter Bresson - especially since the latters work IMHO only comes to life if you know the context. Robert Doisneau managed to capture both the context and the moment in life of the people he showed in one single image... Best though among the more light hearted work of his was one series that showed the people in front of an artist store window showing the reactions of passer byes to a (at time risky) painting of a burlesque dancer...

[@ElectricCelluloid]

Anthony Armstrong Jones did a brilliant series in which he took a superb photo using a simple pinhole camera he made from a box and processed in the bathroom of his hotel in Venice.

[@Hassebas88]

'The Impassioned Eye' from 2003 is embedded in my dna

[@iamtesting3824]

War photographer, which is a documentary film about James Nachtwey , was my favourite.

[@denislaroche3957]

+ 1

[@aljawad]

Excellent selection of documentaries. If I may add to it: I suggest “McCullin” about the legendary photojournalist and war photographer Don McCullin. I trust it’s not on KZbin, but it’s worth looking for.

[@_g_r_u_m_p]

“Finding Vivian Maier” was recently added on youtube for free, just finished watching it.

[@karlgunterwunsch1950]

I wish there were a documentary about Robert Doisenau - his work really was impressive, for me his work was move evocative of emotions than any of the more well known photographers like Henri Carter Bresson - especially since the latters work IMHO only comes to life if you know the context. Robert Doisneau managed to capture both the context and the moment in life of the people he showed in one single image, especially the plight of the miners and iron workers in the 1960's he depicted with tear inducing strength... Best though IMHO was one of his series that showed the people in front of an artist store window showing the reactions of "passer byes" to a (at time risky) painting of a burlesque dancer...

[@ArthurMorgan-mo7lh]

I would add to this excellent Kilbee List, the informative and engrossing Bill Cunningham New York. I never would have guessed such a character would be a talented fashion and street photographer. He's a little gruff, somewhat unassuming, and had such a wonderful eye and method of disappearing into the crowds and working through them that all photographers should learn.

[@Ian-re9kd]

How wonderful that these documentaries are available to us for free. Thank you for the links Alex!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Your welcome

[@Daniel_Zalman]

@ThePhotographicEye We, lovers of photography, are blessed to have access to such a rich source of education and inspiration! Thank you, Alex.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Wow, thank you

[@fotticelli]

Joel Meyerowitz was one of my strongest influences. I'm talking about his 8x10 camera work. I had all of his published albums in the late eighties and early nineties. I bought a 4x5 camera and imitated his style for a couple of years. His style encouraged me to photograph scenes and subjects that most people consider mundane or boring but yet, in my opinion, tell more about the world than cleverly thought up and executed, slick images. I consider him one of the greatest photographers in history. Right up there with Eugene Atget, Walker Evans, Diane Arbus, Irving Penn and several others.

[@Running-withscissors]

This channel has helped me so much. I do not watch many photography related YT videos, but always try to catch those here. My health and motivation have waned the last year, but these videos have really rejuvenated me and reminded me WHY I shoot. Thank you.

[@brianm.9062]

another brilliant conversation, its like I have asked a question and you give me an honest answer, its a rare gift you have.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thank you

[@michaelalden1405]

Solid work, thanks! I did find the BBC "Genius of Photography" series on the Internet Archive (at least in the US, hopefully in other countries as well) and it's free to stream/download.

[@grahamsmith7938]

I'm not sure how readily available it is, but for "The Genius of Photography", the BBC book of the same name produced for the series and written by Gerry Badger (Quadrille Publishing) is worth reading if you can get hold of a copy. Actually, I see Amazon (UK) are selling s/h copies for 99p !!

[@MonsterCookieMuncher]

Excellent video, serendipity at work. I was only reflecting today on how as teenager I had so much access to inspirational information (before the advent of home computers and long before the internet) A network of like minded friends, libraries and most of all high quality arts programmes on the TV. Ironically with the vast amount of information available today it seems so difficult to find something inspirational or simply interesting to experience. Thank you for reminding me

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thanks for sharing!

[@spooksmalloy]

If it's still available, the BBC did have "All the Beauty and the Bloodshed" a while back, it's the recent Nan Goldin documentary about her life, photography and campaign against the Sackler family. Absolutely beautiful film.

[@Anon54387]

The BBC also has a History of Photography 3 hour documentary. I admit I've not watched the entirety yet, but of what I've seen it was interesting.

[@lucarondon]

I’ve just been to her exhibition in Amsterdam and I’m not sure if I wanna watch more of her life in a documentary 😂

[@jadephotography1]

I could listen to Joel Meyerowitz read cereal boxes, One of the best!

[@davidcurrie4122]

Hi Alex I have : The Genius of Photography, absolutely brilliant. Another one to add to your list is : Most Amazing Photos by Notional Geographic, 12 programmes that go behind the lens of iconic images. Yet another must watch movie for the nostalgia of swinging 60s London is the film : Blow Up, with David Hemmings playing a David Bailey character, and Janet Street Porter playing an extra dancing in a night club scene, wearing striped trousers and a silver jacket she made her self. Great stuff. Thanks for the extra links to the documentary's. This is why I watch this channel because its not all about self gratification. Love what your doing Alex.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

That’s awesome, thank you for watching ☺️

[@BretBihler]

What a great video you put together here. I'll be checking out the links you provided! Great service you provide by giving us so much information on different photographers every week.

[@Oncewasgolden]

The word you seemed to be missing when explaining this was “Mindset”. This is what the photographer is thinking when they take photos. I explained mine in a short tutorial about editing, but people did not seem interested. I suspect this arises as some ego thing that I perhaps don’t get. Learning another mindset can only expand upon yours. Yet, people act like it will take away from theirs. I guess I will never understand people.😕 Thanks once more for your open-mindedness. 🙏

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thank you for watching

[@ElectricCelluloid]

Thanks to you I have just received the two DVD set of the BBC "The Genius of Photography".. Thanks for the heads up.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Your welcome.

[@davidtaranzaphotography3324]

Great tips, thank you, Alex. The most inspirational documentary I have ever seen on photography was "Le Sel de la Terre" about Salgado. I was blown away.

[@IVMTAB]

Thank you for sharing these free and valuable YT videos about photography

[@ThePhotographicEye]

My pleasure!

[@stansabev]

This was excellent recommendations! I found the genius of photography and man, this movie is educational, so well made, it is really a gem 💎! Thank you once again🙏🏻

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rexkersley4679]

Hi Alex, thanks for these. One you haven't mentioned is Bill Brandt. I know you are aware of him because you his Francis Bacon portrait on the cover page of one of your videos. Another is Man Ray, a very interesting fellow, one never knows whether what he says is truth or fantasy. It doesn't really matter as his work is s abstract. Cheers Rex

[@simonbnyc]

There's a wonderful William Eggleston documentary called "The Colourful Mr. Eggleston" which is on KZbin.

[@KarySchump]

This is great! I always enjoy your videos. Thanks for sharing these documentaries and the links to the ones available on yt. I love Tatiana Hopper's work, and her channel is one of my favorites! I'm glad you mentioned her and the documentaries she makes.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Awesome, thank you!

[@mjl1958]

Several from "BBC Master Photographers" is available on KZbin.

[@seaeagles6025]

Hi Alex, i found this video interesting and captivating and enjoyed watching Edward Steichen speaking. And all the other great photographers, it was good to put a face and a voice of these photographers and what they had to say. I do remember VHS CASSETTES Alex and it took me back to an era with fond memories and great nostalgia. Thanks for showing this video. 📼😃

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@seaeagles6025]

@@ThePhotographicEye I did enjoy it 🙂

[@chuck-ji8dy]

Another great one!! History is a wonderful topic! Keeps the wheels turning! Cheers mate!!!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thanks for watching

[@tomamyx3980]

You really need to check out Jay Maisel. One of the greats of the 20th century. One of your favorite photographers is Dan Winters, and Jay Maisel was a huge influence on Winters. In fact, Dan Winters photographed Maisel's wedding! To skip him would be a tragedy.

[@rj67photo55]

My man! This is cinematic af! just too good bro. I was sorta waiting for a quiet outro of a train leaving in the distance at the end. 😜

[@cyrilstheone]

Joel was the 1st I came across also John Free. They both have a simple approach to photography.

[@Milchknirps]

Fred Herzog was the first Photographer that i wanted a Book from. I do like that you can still heare his southgerman spelling when he ist talking. Like the former President of Baden Württember, G. Oettinger. Its a nice touch. Sounds a little bit like me ^^

[@x-rain]

I haven't yet watched this video but have already liked it. :D A second later, I'll start watching :D Going to have a street photo walk in a city in Vietnam, and decided to get extra inspiration by watching some videos of yours. I am saying that just to make you know that your work is needed and appreciated. Thank you!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Wow. Thank you

[@johnclay7644]

informative photography content.

[@michaelcary9467]

The BBC 6 part series "The Wonderful World of Albert Kahn" Documentary series about Albert Kahn's photographic Archive of the Planet. For a quarter of a century, Kahn supplied a team of photographers with the world's first colour camera system and dispatched them

[@christriance-martin2168]

Also highly recommended: In No Great Hurry: 13 Lessons in Life with Saul Leiter

[@deckmiller3652]

I give you props from sharing the Genius of Photography but starting with Steichen is a bit dated for me. There are tons of documentary films about photographers out there like Eugene Smith’s Photography Made Difficult, the Michael Engler’s series with Garry Winogrand and Joel Meyerowitz, Cartier-Bresson’s Impassioned Eye, Trent Parke’s Dream Life, and more more more.

[@imniallg]

Some coffee with the classic mini-egg mug.

[@sismith5427]

'Everybody street' is a great documentary about street photography too

[@daemon1143]

People aren't currently in the habit of acknowledging serendipity, because they're busy scrambling for acknowledgement of expertise and they think admitting to an element of luck detracts from this.

[@luzr6613]

Mui cool - thank you muchly for your time and trouble.👍

[@ThePhotographicEye]

My pleasure!

[@ChristopherPollard-h1t]

Fabulous. Bravo.

[@kennethnielsen3864]

Thanks for sharing.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Our pleasure!

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

Great suggestions. Thanks.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

My pleasure!

[@ruivitorino1975]

Hello from Lisbon, Portugal

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Hello there!

[@Rob.1340]

Thank you. All the best. 👍📷😎

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thank you too!

[@dexterfilmore]

Who is "Alex Kilbeell" mentioned in the intro screen?

[@ThePhotographicEye]

My alter ego who types badly :D

[@joaquimmalatodesousa9527]

What about Robert Frank?

[@TDtog2112]

The Genius of Photography is available from the BBC archive. I tried to post a link but good old KZbin keeps deleting it.

[@BittencourtEric]

Not a single mention of Sebastião Salgado?? :O

[@juddrook]

Thanks!

[@stevehageman6785]

Thanks.

[@barrychattillion1705]

I always love to hear people talk about their craft, could watch or lister for hours

[@donnaduhamel6004]

Thanks it our creative history❤

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Our pleasure!

[@neilc4544]

Would really want to talk about the work of "steve mccurry" sometime.

[@maximusaugustus6823]

Modern street photography often lacks the charm and vibrancy of its counterparts from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Today's subjects can sometimes appear mundane and uninteresting compared to the captivating scenes captured in the past. I am drawn to the timeless allure of vintage street photography.

[@WMedl]

Thank You for the interesting links - to me Andreas Feiningers book are neither academic-prone nor text-heavy. But maybe that's why I am European .... :-)

[@tomamyx3980]

"Jay Myself" about Jay Maisel.

[@jeremyfielding2333]

Great iconic photographers, but it's the nostalgia conundrum again. I find it difficult to get excited about modern street photography.