Martin Parr has died(bbc.co.uk)
bbc.co.uk
Martin Parr has died
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg5m0mnvnvmo
4 comments
Yes, my sister noticed this on BBC News in the UK and posted it to her people.
I have mixed feelings about Mr Parr's work. I should mention that I was born and grew up in New Brighton[1]. He did seem to have a specific view of people and the world that is not one that I think I share.
On the other hand, his use of large format cameras with colour film and wide-angle lenses and on-camera flash fill in was a breath of fresh air back in the day. 73 isn't that old so hope is family and loved ones are OK.
[1] https://www.magnumphotos.com/arts-culture/society-arts-cultu...
I have mixed feelings about Mr Parr's work. I should mention that I was born and grew up in New Brighton[1]. He did seem to have a specific view of people and the world that is not one that I think I share.
On the other hand, his use of large format cameras with colour film and wide-angle lenses and on-camera flash fill in was a breath of fresh air back in the day. 73 isn't that old so hope is family and loved ones are OK.
[1] https://www.magnumphotos.com/arts-culture/society-arts-cultu...
I find the photos great, but I won't take them for an objective view of New Brighton, of course. They are an artist's view, highly filtered and selective, and this is what makes them interesting. It's finding the expressive sides of mundane, even bleak parts of life. I bet most ladies visiting the resort did not sunbathe topless in the shade of a heavy excavator. But again, that's what makes that shot more interesting than a shot of simply an excavator, or simply a sunbathing lady; it adds an (imagined) story and emotion.
At the time I couldn’t wrap my head around why his work was controversial. I just really liked it.
I was lucky enough to meet him at one of his talks about 10 years ago.
I guess it’s all opinion ut I think he was one of all time greats of photography. As good as Cartier-Bresson or Eggleston.
At the same time he was completely down to earth and approachable. He happily signed my copy of Last Resort and had a chat.
Later when someone else wanted a photo with him he suggested I should take it because I “looked like a photographer”.
It was just a throw away comment but… well, it meant a lot to me.
I heard someone say "He made the ordinary look extraordinary" that seems to be a good epitarph.