Bad Weather is my go-to when it comes to Parr, and a book I hope they rerelease one day so I can get a copy (or perhaps I'll find a good used one somewhere). I have nothing to add to this excellent little write-up, thank you, and that's all, to Martin.
I do the same: for things I can’t afford, I make some small 4×6 prints of images I can source online to keep around, to have a look at on the wall or on one of my pin/magnet boards.
Yeah, there are some Joachim Brohm books, or John Gossage books I would be willing to part with a month’s rent for if I didn’t value a roof over my head, and this book is definitely in that category, so fingers crossed with his passing the foundation or a publisher releases his older works.
I remember seeing The Non-Conformists exhibited at Compton Verney just after the book was printed, a decade or so ago, wondering why I hadn’t seen this side of him before: when he was still so young, but so obviously massively naturally gifted. It is my favourite work of his (and he kindly signed my copy… – always, when not working, generous with his time: quizzing me gently on my favourite image, the man with one foot on the ladder in his suit and hat…). Not that he ever went downhill, just that his focus shifted.
Bad Weather is close behind; and I seem to be in a majority here of the photographers who prefer his black-and-white work. But, whatever your feelings on the later colour stuff, there is no doubt in my mind that he was a great photographer all of his life; and that he used that talent to do so much for us all (especially the Foundation): knowing that, one day, he would have to let go.
His influence, I am sure, will reverberate around the planet for as long as there is photography; and for that I am grateful. A great man. And missed so much already, and by so many.
I only new the colour photography Parr made. This is an excellent book and so is your essay! Although I can see Parr‘s way of seeing and photographing the world around him in this work, there are other elements that add a new emotionality for me here. Thank you for writing about this and sharing the video of the book!
Bad Weather is my go-to when it comes to Parr, and a book I hope they rerelease one day so I can get a copy (or perhaps I'll find a good used one somewhere). I have nothing to add to this excellent little write-up, thank you, and that's all, to Martin.
I want a copy so bad, but it can be $700 CA or US here. I’m stuck with the images on the internet and a couple I printed.
I do the same: for things I can’t afford, I make some small 4×6 prints of images I can source online to keep around, to have a look at on the wall or on one of my pin/magnet boards.
Yeah, there are some Joachim Brohm books, or John Gossage books I would be willing to part with a month’s rent for if I didn’t value a roof over my head, and this book is definitely in that category, so fingers crossed with his passing the foundation or a publisher releases his older works.
I remember seeing The Non-Conformists exhibited at Compton Verney just after the book was printed, a decade or so ago, wondering why I hadn’t seen this side of him before: when he was still so young, but so obviously massively naturally gifted. It is my favourite work of his (and he kindly signed my copy… – always, when not working, generous with his time: quizzing me gently on my favourite image, the man with one foot on the ladder in his suit and hat…). Not that he ever went downhill, just that his focus shifted.
Bad Weather is close behind; and I seem to be in a majority here of the photographers who prefer his black-and-white work. But, whatever your feelings on the later colour stuff, there is no doubt in my mind that he was a great photographer all of his life; and that he used that talent to do so much for us all (especially the Foundation): knowing that, one day, he would have to let go.
His influence, I am sure, will reverberate around the planet for as long as there is photography; and for that I am grateful. A great man. And missed so much already, and by so many.
Thank you, Martin.
I only new the colour photography Parr made. This is an excellent book and so is your essay! Although I can see Parr‘s way of seeing and photographing the world around him in this work, there are other elements that add a new emotionality for me here. Thank you for writing about this and sharing the video of the book!
Thanks for sharing, I only knew his colour work and thought it a bit garish but the earlier black and white is lovely.
Thank you for this. It's a great letter, for a photographer who deserves the recognition.