Michael Gordon ~ Windblown Grass
Mr. Hobson: my name is Michael Gordon (you may have heard of me). I photograph primarily in b/w, but always in 4x5. I'm no fan either of comments such as "I like the BW effect" and "This would be a good photograph to convert to BW", so I submit to you a genuine made-on-film-and developed-in-pyro photograph of mine for The Landscapist. I believe that good b/w photography is a way of seeing BEFORE the shutter is clicked (or sensor sensed?). I'll submit that *it's too late* if the b/w idea comes as an afterthought to the exposure.
publisher's comment: Who is this guy? Anybody heard of him? Mr. Gordon claims that this photograph along with 3 others of his will be published in the Jan/Feb issue of View Camera magazine. He also stated that the photograph was "scheimflugged for your pleasure" - an obvious attempt to influence the selection committee. It worked.
See more of Mr. Gordon's BW photography
FEATURED COMMENT: Jim Jirka wrote: "Welcome to the Landscapist, Michael..... Wow, you really still use 4x5 film? Your camera must be really big."
posted by gravitas et nugalis at 12/21/2006 01:10:00 PM
6 Comments:
MG,
Looks good! Congrats on the VC Mag photos too! BTW, stay on them for payment, I never received a payment when they printed my story and photos.
Welcome to the Landscapist, Michael. What a refreshing change to the converted B&W images. Wow, you really still use 4x5 film? Your camera must be really big. ;-)
Michael,
It is so good to see your work here! I have always loved your B&Ws. Is this a new piece? It makes me want to lay down in that grass that looks so soft, yet textured at the same time. Your photo of some trees in Scotland, I believe it was, still haunts me. It was so mysterious.
I too believe you have to see the scene in B&W before you click the shutter. I started off in B&W, although it was 35mm. It is still holds a place in my heart.
Looks like your shout out worked Mark. You got a guy who definitely knows his black and white. This is so tactile Michael. I want to jump right in there, sit and listen and (for lack of a better word) pet the grass.
I like what you say too; "that good black and white photography is a way of seeing BEFORE the shutter is clicked (or sensor sensed.)" I don't think B&W conversion can be done well on a whim. The qualities that make it effective go much deeper, in my opinion, than the stroke of a few keys. The recent photographs of Scott Schroeder on NPN come to mind. It seems to be a way of thinking, seeing and feeling for him. He shoots with a 5D but it appears to go beyond simple conversion. It must be his way of seeing and conveying, at least of late.
This has always been my favorite of yours, Michael. Thanks for sharing it again.
Oh, and I love your website upgrade. Nice job.
Michael,
Have you considered converting this to color? J/K.
Seriously, I have long admired your work (as I have told you other places on the web), including this image. It's a peaceful scene...but in the back of my mind I know something violent caused it to look the way it does. Perhaps that juxtaposition is why I like it so much? (not to stray from photography into psychology).
Anyway.
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