Lets try this again, in English this time. Sheesh.... Thinking about Helmut Newton today made me think of other photographers. Anyway, long story short, wondered who you guys consider to be your favorite photographer. There are very few things in life that you could ask me "Who or what is your favorite" and I'd be able to tell you. In almost everything I'd answer "it depends". Two of the exceptions are baseball (go Orioles!) and photographers. For me, Joyce Tenneson is it. The power and technical wonder of her work just blows me away. To develop a style so unique that when you see her stuff there is no doubt. Her incredible control of light. Her ability to capture a piece of her subject's energy - can't think of a better way to say that right now. The power she captures in the people (especially women) she photographs is astounding. She just leaves me in complete and total awe. Above is probably one of my very favorite shots from her (excuse the quality). A mother and son (called Sheryl and Sef), I marvel at how she captures the soft side of this woman along with (at least for me) an overwhelming sense of power and protectiveness that she radiates. How about you guys? Do you have a favorite or is it like me with most things? Depends. -=>Donald

Hi Donald, I haven't photographic culture and I didn't know Joyce Tenneson but I've taken a look at her work and she won't be one of my favs for the moment. I don't know modern celebrityphotographers. Anyway, the first name in mind reading this message has been Ansel Adams, and perhaps I try to imitate it, especially in the DOF.

My first post in the forum...just had to respond to this. My favourite photographer is the first who really broke through my eyes straight to my heart (ick...what an image..) - Zed Nelson. I often wander around his site ( http://www.zednelson.com ) and admire his power and originality.

Anyway...I've popped my head up, and now I'm going to go and hide...far too scary voicing an opinion amongst such greatness.

Hoping you all are well.

Hmmm after much thought on this subject I am going to have to say, I guess it all depends on what you like, for scenic/nature John Gavrilis or William Neil both have some gorgeous images! I shoot that kind of work so I suppose that is what I am drawn to. For a portrait, I think that Dorothea Lange captured the essence of the depression with most excellence here (see photo above). I guess I am going to have to side with Enax on this subject, because I do think that Ansel Adams has a ton of awesome images out there. I can not say that I am as impressed as you are with that image above. *Huge Hugs!* Brenda :)

I have so many favorites....but one of my favorite is Joyce Tenneson, I adored her series on Wise Women, and her Flower Portraits are supreme.... she is one whose work I try to emulate, yet fail miserably at. But as Nilla said there are so many....that I love... Dorethea Lange who recalls a sad era, in the history of the United States is also one, who is definitely in my top five.... Ansel Adams for his nature/landscapes, David LaChapelle a contemporary commercial photographer whose work is so over the top and sexy. And Diane Arbus....real people, strange and unglamourous.... simply beautiful work, what a loss for us that her life was cut so short. And mustn't forget Richard Avedon... and Edward Weston too.... Ok I'll stop now..... I think I have too many favorites...

I am, therefore I create.......
--- michelleamarante.com

Thank you for starting this thread, Donald. I know that I have really lost touch with the any of the modern work out there. [Used to buy every photo magazine out there, particularly those wonderful "Annual" issues with all the photos. 'course, there were a lot fewer magazines back then, and things sort of dried up in the 80's] Favorite? Depends... I'd add Elliot Porter to the list already here.

I agree with Donald and Michelle that Joyce Tenneson is outstanding. Ansel Adams was a pioneer and I think all of our work today is some what touched by his genius. My favorites probably all reside here on this forum. We have some VERY talented shooters here. But I have to say that the most inspirational for me was Robert Mapplethorpe. His work spanned from delicate (orchids) to shocking (nudes). Yet all said something. All are moving in some way. Thanks for popping up raven. Going to check out Zed Nelson's work now. Pop up more often! Magick Michael

My favourite photographers change from year to year, but the ones whose image's stay in my mind are. The very English, Martin Marr http://www.martinparr.com/index1.html Sebasti Salgado http://www.terra.com.br/sebastiaosalgado/ Rankin http://www.rankin.co.uk/ (some nudity)

Eggiwegs! I would like... to smash them!

Attached Link: http://www.tenneson.com/html/books.html

Forgot to put a link to her site when I posted. Brenda - I'm not impressed by the image above either. :) It's a very poor reproduction of the true photo. Shows none of the depth, the tones or the warmth. I think that particular photo is in her book "Light Warriors". 'chelle - Yes yes ... Arbus. There is just something about the shots she took of the mentally retarded people in that grassy area that gets me. And one of my absolute favorite shots of hers - it's actually one that I printed out as a huge 3' x 4' poster and hung on the wall at work - is the little boy with the hand grenade standing in the park. He's our department's mascot. :) I really like and admire Adams' work and I recognize the sheer brilliance of his techniques, the power of his photography and that fact that he did all that while re-defining photography technique (sort of like looking at a Degas and realizing this man wasn't just pushing the boundaries of art at the time - he was smashing them), but I have almost no desire to shoot landscapes. Every now and then I shoot a few just 'cause, but it just doesn't move me. Edward Weston - Yea, he's on my list. The shot of Orozco has got to be the most intense portrait I have ever seen. :) First time I saw his work, was flipping through a book that had some of his photos in it and I'm like "Holy crap ... that's Frida Kahlo .... that's Diego Rivera ... that's Tina Modotti! Who the heck is this guy?" LaChapell is has to be on that list. The saturated colors along with his initial work with digital, but beyond that his eye for creating scenes, composition and color is incredible. Older photographers I'd have add to my favorites list, Garry Winogrand and Arthur Fellig [aka Weegee]. Hey, I'm still a street photographer at heart. Contemporary photographers; Howard Schatz (his underwater model shots alone are enough to put him on my list), Richard Corman, Annie Leibovitz (although I admit I think I like her older stuff more than the new stuff), Bob Carlos Clarke, Rankin, Gilles Berquet and Martin Boelt. I could probably keep going; but still, above all, Joyce Tenneson touches me. -=>Donald

Donald, I guess we are something alike! I am turned on by landscapes, not portraits. And you are turned on by portraits not landscapes! LOL! The portrait that I posted in my first response is one that has always turned me on! (Most portraits don't do anything for me at all). To me, this image tells a story, about the hard times experienced in the great depression, even though it is entitled Migrant Mother. I have thought about shooting portraits, matter of fact I have been asked to, I am not sure that this is something I could pursue, seeing how I feel about portrait work. I could go into a speel and tell you what it is about landscapes and nature that makes me "want" to shoot them. But I have yet to find one reason to shoot a portrait. Give me a pencil or some charcoal however,and I will draw your Caricature. That is one of the things that I do draw. (Bet you didn't know I was an artist did you?) But I won't draw a landscape! Go figure! ;) Brenda

I must just quickly say thanks Michael (hope you enjoyed the site), and also a thank you to Azy...I second Sebasti Salgado. I haven't had the opportunity to go to many photography exhibits...but in the summer I saw his recent work...a large group of portraits...The Children. It was amazing. Hoping that you all have a good week.

I have one! I have one! He was the very first photographer that turned me on to Photography--Thomas D. Mangelsen, he does Nature and animal photography, I think. LOL. I want to thank you for adding this thread also. It's expanding my horizon on photographers. Thanks. Jinx

Some of us luv photos of Nature, some prefer portraits and some other subjects; but the magical light of the photos of Ansel Adams still captivating me again and again... Sorry for the low size of the photo but we can appreciate the light but not as the original in fact. What I said about the DOF was a bad joke, but if I'm serious, the Photos and the Style of Ansel Adams is the principal influence in my love for the Photography.

btw, could you put the links to the pages of your favs?
Thanks

Dorothea Lange David LaChapelle Edward Weston Diane Arbus Richard Avedon

I am, therefore I create.......
--- michelleamarante.com

Thanks Michelle

of course there are more than one. Ansel Adams, Peter Lindbergh, Salgado, Anton Corbijn,Irving Penn,Karl Blossfeldt,Robert Mapplethorpe and so many others that i can`t say all. my todays fav ist Anton Corbijn. !!!!!! :O) !!!!!

@logiloglu: Could you put the links Gerhard?.... Yes, I know Google :) but perhaps you know the best pages of these photographers. Thanks

Can I have a link to Ansel Adams? :o) Thank you Michelle and to everyone else for adding there own. Jinx

Attached Link: http://www.masters-of-photography.com/A/adams/adams_bridal_veil_fall_full.html

Link Ansel Adams

i have too many faves...lol. strangely they seem to be alot of fashion photographers. i think that i'm drawn more to the b&w images rather than the photographer. as a view of the type of photographic work i like, these are the photographic books i have: jeanloup sief, horst p horst, george hurrell, andre kertesz, eugene atget and gabrielle basillico whose type of work i would most like to do. i also like edward westons work and am looking for a good book of his work. all of this would not have happened though if it was not for the image by bob carlos clarke. after i'd seen this image everything became b&w. it is the cover of an album by the "damned". i read that bcc burnt the negative after doing just one print for the album!

Pictures appear to me, I shoot them.   Elliot Erwitt

Attached Link: http://www.corbijn.co.uk/photo_index.htm

ok. here is the link to Anton Corbijn.enjoy his wonderful pictures. sorry i forgott it. normaly i look the pictures of artists in books, so i have not all hompages seen, too.

regards

gerhard :O)

Attached Link: http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/mapplethorpe_robert.html

Mapplethorpe. i only found this.

Attached Link: http://www.peterlindbergh.com/

Perter Lindbergh. must see gallerie !!!!!!! :O) !!!!!

Attached Link: http://www.masters-of-photography.com/P/penn/penn.html

Irvin Penn. i found this site with many other great photographers like Adams, Blossfeldt etc. hope you enjoy this regards gerhard ;O)

Attached Link: http://www.philmarco.com/

And i forgott Phil Marco. sorry. a fantastic photographer.

Fire - Hold on... you mean BCC actually shoots photos of women with their clothes on? :) hehehe This is one of my favorites of his. Entitled "Black is My True Love's Heart". I just love the forms and the black satin she sits on with the wrinkles in comparison to her pale skin. Very cool. -=>Donald

hi donald, i had that image on last years calander. lol...not only does he shoot women with clothes on he's also shot still life which had really fantastic tones to them.

Pictures appear to me, I shoot them.   Elliot Erwitt

doh... thanks everyone for the links :))

Pictures appear to me, I shoot them.   Elliot Erwitt

Links: Warning: Nudity in some of these links

Joyce Tenneson

Howard Schatz

Bob Carlos Clarke

Gilles Berquet

Martin Boelt

-=>Donald

Attached Link: http://www.peterbeard.com/

Peter Beard. Must see.