Why Walker EVANS' Unique Spirit Still Influences Photography Today

[@seanw6815]

I’ve never stumbled across a channel that’s so obviously going to do really well so early on. Great educational photography vids, crazy well produced.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Hi Sean, thanks ever so much, that's awesome to hear. Glad you enjoyed it and look forward to sharing more vids with you soon.😀

[@Anon54387]

@@ThePhotographicEye 3:29 So you are saying that the photographer preferred the photo to the right. I noticed the photo to the right is exposed more, more detail can be seen in her dark hair. The photo to the left is exposed less, showing less detail in the hair but more in her face. I'd have used the one to the left. I wonder why the photographer preferred the one to the right. I don't suppose that has been recorded so we likely can only surmise the reasons for his preference.

[@TobyHook1]

At last. A photography channel that is NOT boring us all with gear-talk. Thank you and loving your work!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

More to come! Glad you like it :D

[@Anon54387]

@@ThePhotographicEye I hope you stay that way. Other channels I've watched that started out insisting they will never talk about gear then start talking about gear. Similarly, some do talk about gear but in the gear doesn't matter sense then eventually shift gears and start saying gear DOES matter. In the end, I think sponsorship dollars are responsible for the change in both cases. This, IMO, seems analogous to commercials selling golf clubs insisting that if you buy this expensive driver it'll improve your golf game. OTOH, those PGA Tour players could buy some 50 year old set of golf clubs at an estate sale and still beat virtually every golfer in the world. They might have less success against other PGA players, but still could beat the vast, vast, vast majority of non-PGA golfers. Just my 2 cents, FWIW.

[@ruthtomlinson0765]

Your channel is like a breath of fresh air. You talk like a photographer to another photographer in language we understand. You show you do not need to travel the world to exotic places to take decent photos. I am so excited I have found you.

[@erichstocker8358]

This is the third time I watched this. Each time I was more and more intrigued. Of course, I know his work during the depression as I have an overview book about FSA photographers. But this third watch inspired me to purchase the book that you recommended. There are just so many of his images that I want to study further and longer than possible for you to leave them on the screen. Again, as always in spite of my having over 60+ years of photo involvement, you still are able to get me to see or think about things that either I didn't know or that I didn't take earnestly while younger.

[@erichstocker4173]

I never realized that he used the polaroid. That was an interesting piece of information. Those SX-70 photos definitely still had his "style". I think his FSA work is brilliant.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Yep, I was quite surprised too about the SX-70 work!

[@manuelgonzales2944]

I bought his book show casing the Polaroid SX-70 photos many years ago. The front cover of the book is a Polaroid picture of Walker Evans. He took photos of things that most people walk by without notice. If I had taken the same photos people would ask me what I was thinking. But some how he made it work. Also check out his photos in his book "Cuba".

[@OwensDanielsPhotography]

Thank you for sharing this great video about one of my photographic hero's. I was not awake of his huge impact but that is where your channel back fills my mental library and make it that more richer.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

I'm so pleased you enjoyed the video Owens. Thanks ever so much for leaving your comment.

[@ajitpalsinghpatel]

I couldn't help but notice the amazing lighting in which you youraelf are being filmed.. Cheers. Love your effort and a big fan.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thanks so much!

[@jonathanhotopf1823]

I love and was only aware like many people his FSA work. Good to see a very reasonably priced book recommendation, must explore his other work

[@danielrao3120]

Hello again Alex. To my mind, Walker Evans is another of that extraordinary group of photographers who captured the human condition and the social circumstances of their generation. In this tradition, modern photographers too have taken up the cudgels. This remarkable lineage over time is what fascinates and stimulates me in my own work. Wonderful video again. And thank you.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

It will be interesting to see how the photography produced in say the last 20 years stands up as a record of this time 50/70/100 years from now. The look and feel will change, but the human condition as you say, will still be there written in the faces.

[@danielrao3120]

@@ThePhotographicEye Hello Alex. I agree with you completely. Now for my next viewing. If your last few videos are anything to go by, I'm in for another treat.

[@theMuritz]

Finally a channel where I click the like button prior to watching, not to forget later …. You deserve it

[@bach7617]

Thank you!! Your channel is an ocean...

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Wow, thank you!

[@prilljazzatlanta5070]

Walker Evans, Robert Frank, and Gordon Parks are my top inspirations. Thanks for the video. Wish The Art of Photography was still doing videos like this rather than constant gear videos. I don’t care about gear, I care about art!!!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

It's my pleasure Prill. Well, Ted's loss is this channels gain I suppose :D

[@CanoeToNewOrleans]

As someone whose grandparents were impacted by the Great Depression I found his FSA work to be the most interesting. Also, it captures a time what left an indelible blot on the psyche of my province and its people.

[@trevor9934]

If I may suggest another amazing photographer and character: Lee Miller. From the time when I discovered her, I have learned more and more and with that knowledge has come a huge respect for someone who threw off the yolks of childhood traumas, and the assumptions that came with her amazing beauty. She was the classic New Woman - strong, independent, breaking rules and taboos, yet super intelligent, daring and very talented in the activities she chose - as a model; and portrait, landscape, surrealist, journalistic and war photographer and journalist. She even excelled as a cordon bleu chef towards the end of her life, overcoming massive PTSD and depression. She is a truly amazing and worthy subject.

[@eelenrt03]

Thank you! I have an exam about art deco and photographers such as Walker Evans, Lewis Hine, Dorothea Lange and Cecil Beaton and this was really helpful.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Best of luck! Hope your exam goes well.

[@martyscheall9626]

I find his FSA photography very interesting. Thank you for sharing all of the different photographers and some of their with us. It’s enlightening and inspiring!

[@Mtbunker]

Masters level photography lecture

[@georgcizek-graf1625]

I´m really lazy when it comes to visiting museums and exhibitions, but your inspiring videos make me want to spend my days there and learn. Thank you!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Glad you liked the video Georg. It's my pleasure

[@mahlatsigallery3051]

Thanks!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thanks man!

[@filmic1]

I have The Hungry Eye. Nice on the coffee table to peruse.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

I love it!

[@filmic1]

@@ThePhotographicEye Was funny at he end of the monograph, he gets angry at the housekeeper for messing with his beer can tab arrangement in the sink? Senility? don't think so, not for an artist.

[@TheCatLady74]

I had no idea that Walker Evans shot in colour, so that was an eye opener. Great summary of his work!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thanks, it was an eye opener for me too. And even more 'exciting' for me was that his polaroids look like my own personal photography, or does my work look like Walker Evans? Either way, it tickles me to see the similarity :D

[@noahschaffer3542]

While researching Walker Evans, I learned that he passed through Bethlehem, PA and Easton, PA. I recently went back to the sites (bridge connecting Easton, PA and Phillispburg, PA as well as a cemetery in Bethlehem PA which overlooks the city itself. Most of the tombstones are intact to this day, as are the houses in the background. It was kind of neat to stand in the same spot as he did in 1935 when he took the picture. I rephotographed the scene and like to compare the similarities and differences. I would love to go on a tour throughout the country and rephotograph what he photographed across the country. I encourage you to research your area and see if a noteworthy photograph passed though there.

[@bongoloony]

Thanks for these terrific short videos Alex, you manage to sum up the work of these photographic greats so succinctly. They’re hugely enjoyable and well informed.

[@chrisluigjes]

Great channel Alex! This quality content deserves many more subscribers, which is surely just a matter of time. I didn't know about the polaroid work. Really interesting that Evans work includes both b&w documentary and the more experimental instant color stuff. Keep it up!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thanks Chris. Glad you enjoyed it. Funny, I was also unaware of the polaroids till I started researching and an article mentioned them almost in passing. You'd think in the 25 years or so I've know about Evans that at some point some colour work would have been seen, but apparently not!

[@toulcaz31]

Nice video as usual. One could have mentioned also his period in Cuba, where he met Hemingway whom he used to smuggle his pictures out of this country. Some of the pictures there are quite showing signs of his future FSA work.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Good point! It's always hard to decide what to include and what to leave out. I want the videos be both accessible for the newcomer, yeet still engaging for the more knowledgeable.

[@suehodnett6911]

Polaroid's! Goodness, not what I expected at all !! Amazing to see, thanks

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Glad you liked it! I was also amazed that Walker used Polaroids!

[@qnetx]

I knew of his FSA work but was not aware of the Polaroids. I think I like the Polaroids the best. Thank you for sharing.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

My pleasure! Glad you liked it, I'm also very keen on the Polaroids.

[@hoagyguitarmichael]

Love this series. I never knew about Evans' polaroid work. thank you so much

[@ThePhotographicEye]

You're very welcome! I was also really surprised about them!

[@suzannemullaney3205]

This is great, excellent content as usual.

[@larryfelton]

Thanks for showing the Polaroid work. I’d seen his FSA photos, but didn’t know about the color. It looks very interesting.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Me neither, but I love it.

[@mjl1958]

Andre Kertesz was another photographer who was given an SX-70. Polaroid's director of communications, Eelco Wolf, in the introduction to Kertesz's "The Polaroids", stated he had reservations about a photographer known for "black-and-white photographs of the mundane, taken in the twenties and thirties." But was pleased with "a small body of work carefully but passionately crafted in memory" of his wife.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thanks for sharing that. Really interesting to hear these insights.

[@guysansom6849]

Very happy to have found this channel today, thanks so much!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Glad you like the videos and thanks for the comment :D

[@mvia236]

First off I love your videos. Not only are they informative but you get right to the point. After watching one I end up feeling I understand the photographer. Have you produced one on Vivian Maier and if not I hope you will consider doing one soon. Thank you.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Glad you like them! A few people have been asking after her recently. I'll see what I can come up with.

[@jamiej.tilleyphotographyar5177]

I have to say, I really couldn't choose between his two styles of photography, as I enjoy both. It is like getting two photographers for the price of one.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Yep, I know what you mean. Though now I've seen his colour work, I'm sort of leaning that way (but it might just be because it reminds me of my own personal photography, so I'm pretending I'm a genius too haha!)

[@TimGreig]

Nice work on Walker Evans. Like others I had no idea he shot colour: Polaroid of all things! Looking forward to your other videos

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Isn't it funny that for some reason all those Polaroids seem to have flown under the radar all these years?

[@davidrathbone]

Hi Alex just stumbled across your Chanel on you tube, just a quick comment to say how interesting & informative I found your videos 📷📸

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Hi David. Thanks ever so much for your comment, I'm so pleased your finding these videos interesting. It's great to hear that :D

[@stephenroberts7828]

What can i say....loving this series and your excellent work...thnk u

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thank you so much 😀 It's great to get this kind of feedback.

[@altocode2563]

Thank you!!!! 👏🏼👏🏼

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thank you for watching :D

[@PeterGoode1128]

Interesting!! Thanks

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thanks for watching!

[@mattinterweb]

Hi Alex, curious to hear which are your favourite biographies/auto biographies of photographers? I read bailey's recently and really enjoyed it.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

The last one I read was, funnily enough, about Walker Evans. I don't get too much of a chance to read these days as I have a toddler in the house!

[@Cearbhaill78]

I didn’t know that Evans shot color-very interesting! Also, that thumbnail looks like Tom Hanks in the Walker Evans biopic.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

That surprised me too. Funny that I'd never seen them either in my 30 years of knowing about Walker, (and ofc the book is OOP and kinda pricey). Haha, now you mention it it does! I wonder what it would be called?

[@edthesecond]

Found a copy of the book 'Walker Evans' with an essay by John Szarkowski. And for ten dollars! Great quote from the book: The subject got no credit for being grand or modest, esoteric or vulgar, old or new. It got credit only for being good, meaning full of the record of life, or failure, or promise, or style. Also, Walker Evans was a major proponent of the belief that the subject was in front of the camera, not behind the camera.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Yeah, funnily enough, with some few exceptions, most Walker Evans books are quite cheap for some reason.

[@ellenmelo1160]

Thanks. Very good!!!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thanks for watching, it's my pleasure!

[@scottbrennan6450]

Well done.

[@edc5338]

Keep these excellent videos coming. I have enough gear and don't need to watch any more gear videos.

[@ErikNygren]

Just stumbled upon this youtube channel! Thank you for making all these videos! Now i have a few hours ahead of me to watch every episode :)

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thanks Erik, glad you're enjoying them!

[@philipblanchardphotography3784]

Really good channel, enjoying the subjects without the gear, May I suggest if you have the time? Matt Black, Magnum photographer, here's hoping.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Welcome Philip. I'll add Matt to the suggestion box :D

[@ShesUnreal]

In conclusion...holds up book that is in my barrister :D Great summary!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Is that the traveling copy that I think is now a naturalised citizen with it's own green card and everything? :D

[@ShesUnreal]

@@ThePhotographicEye The same!

[@steefanoable]

thanks!

[@GABRIEL_CRAFT]

🙏🙏🙏LOVE YOUR CHANNEL 🖤🖤🖤

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thank you

[@tonycampton4231]

Bring back the posters on the fences, they may these days get tagged by the odd dipstick but they did give life to the street. Tony Australia

[@nlanca1]

Very good review of much of his career and standing, but let's be clear, he did an awful lot of colour work besides the polaroids. Find a copy of Walker Evans: the Magazine Work by David Campany. If you are interested in Evans this is a wonderful book. As I often say; it would be wonderful to see what Evans - and also Andre Kertesz - would have made of iPhone photography. I suspect that they would have loved it.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thank you for the suggestion of that book, I'll go and look it up. Yes, I believe you are right and they probably would have loved the options open to them in the modern world.

[@ghw7192]

Erskine Caldwell and Margaret Burke-White: You Have Seen Their Faces.....

[@oneeyedphotographer]

20s-30s also the time of New Vision

[@roberthaney4106]

Basically shake ur self up like a soda and get a new perspective on the world ?

[@tanner9449]

Too much instagram talk for a Walker Evans video