Thousands of Words About Pictures

Robert Adams - from The New West

In case you haven’t noticed, there’s some afoot in the world of blogs about photography (not to be confused with photoblogs). Lately it seems like lots and lots of smart people are writing interesting things on the subject. Some people, like Raul Gutierrez, have been writing interesting blogs for a long time now. Others, like say Brian Ulrich have recently stepped it up a bit, perhaps nudged along by Alec Soth, who only started his blog recently, but has already acquired an almost slavish following. (I too am one of those enthusiastic fans.)

I am pleased by this new development, but also somewhat dismayed. Pleased because the best of these blogs are enlightening about the discipline, but not single-mindedly about photography - they’re broader than than that and touch on life, inspiration and sometimes politics. It’s nice having a window into what makes the people who I enjoy and admire tick. I’m dismayed because, well, how’s a girl supposed to keep up?? I’m not just talking about my ever-growing list of bookmarks, a formidable undertaking in and of itself… I’m also talking about my own musings here. It’s a struggle to stay up to par. All these smart people are messing with the curve, damnit. Anyway, all of that said, here’s what I’m reading and why:

First off, I’d like to point you to an interesting conversation about fair use that started over on Raul’s blog, inspired his posting of the Robert Adams photo above from the book The New West. Photographer Robert Wright posited that using the photo was a “blatant misuse of copywrighted material” and an interesting conversation ensued. (You can see where I stand, having just republished the photo myself.)

Art blogs in general are probably a whole other post, but Modern Art Obsession gets a nod in this one for pointing me to a Fortune article about collecting photography. (Although I have to say I wish he’d lay off on the strike throughs a bit. The posts can often be hard to decipher and he’s usually got interesting stuff to say.)

Conscientious is a must read, naturally. I’d say it’s the most consistent fine art photography crit blog around, and it’s all the better because, like it or not, Joerg has his opinions and is not afraid to make them known. Being a woman of opinions myself, I like this a lot, so much so that I asked him to be a panelist for Hey, Hot Shot! and was delighted when he said yes.

Photographer and biennial star Zoe Strauss consistently warms my heart with her very authentic and regular person posting style. I love an art star with heart, and Zoe has miles and miles of it.

I could give exhaustive commentary on every blog I read, but I need to get on with my day, and besides maybe y’all just want the meat of the matter, so here’s a list of links I love, including the ones mentioned above:

1mag3
2point8
alec soth - blog
Automatt .com
Big Images Blog
bighappyfunhouse
Conscientious
FlickrBlog
Journal Of A Photographer
Meet Me In Ataxia, Baby
NOTIFBUTWHEN #2 (Brian Ulrich)
nyc.photobloggers.org
PDNedu
powerHouse (Although their new MySpace location hurts my eyes. Ow.)
site news - joe’s nyc
slower.net weblog
State of the Art
The Daily F’log (Who recently ran an interview of me conducted over IM with Ms. Jenni Holder)
The Online Photographer
virtublog
Youngna (A photoblog, but with meaty “captions” that are basically posts.)

I’m sure I’ve overlooked some, so I encourage additional pointers in comments below, so let me know whatcha got.

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You’re currently reading “Thousands of Words About Pictures,” an entry on Personism

Published:
11.14.06 / 12pm
Category:
Friends, Ideas, Photography, Web
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