I'm researching/planning a long blog entry soon, these 2 sites [photographers] will form a part of my musings.
Firstly Frederick Sommer, who I first learnt about in Art School in the late 80's
Then there's good 'ol Uncle Ansel Adams, who I probably 1st learnt about before returning to study sometime in the early to late 80's
I am very familiar with the Frederick Sommer site, but for some reason I think this was my first visit to the Ansel Adams one. Boy Oh Boy! The differences speak volumes, and from what I'd heard about Ansel Adams, perfectly fitting. Both great photographers whose contribution to the history of art photography is immeasurable, but worlds apart Philosophically.
I think some of the better books shops will have it on their shelves Barb?
yup, will put an order in for it tomorrow when I'm in the city.
Sommer, is great, Gary, you need to read some of his writings, at the very least buy his book, "The Art of Frederick Sommer: Photography, Drawing, Collage" ISBN 0300107838, and if you are ever in Arizona, checks his prints at the CCP.
I didn't know much about Sommer apart from doing desert landscape in the black and white 8 x10 contact print style. looking a the Sommer Foundation website is interesting. Sommer was much more plugged into the art institution than Ansel Adams, who was a photographer in the American transcendental tradition not an artist.
Sommer's chicken images are dam interesting. So are the abstractions.
The Adams site appears to have, "sell, sell, sell" written all over it, and very little else. The Sommer site is a simple memorial to the man and his work, allowing some more research into his ideas and work if you are so inclined. I gotta confess though barb, I have a bit of inside knowledge on Frederick Sommer as he formed part of my Masters Project in 2000/2002. As a consequence I've read his philosophical musing extensively, I've also seen some of his prints at the CCP in Arizona, and had the good fortune to study under someone who spent time with both men in the 70's. Still, skimming my eye over Adam's front page it seems to me that it the site's only function is to sell. Which is ok, but not very interesting if I'm trying to get more of an insight into who or what or why Ansel Adams did what he did.
To put it another way, my old Uni Lecturer, who came to Sommer through his writings primarily suggests that these 4 questions, "What is it? Is it true? Is it right? And Is it art? " were answered by Frederick, but only two by Adams. I'm happy to lend yo some of my Frederick Sommer Books, if you like Barb, if y only ever buy one book of his it's this one, "The Art of Frederick Sommer: Photography, Drawing, Collage" http://www.amazon.com/Art-Frederick-Sommer-Photography-Drawing/dp/0300107838/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231098785&sr=1-1
They both seem very concerned about careful exposure and correct tonality. Their subject matter is different but they share the same passion for craftsmanship in darkroom and printing technique. And both share a love for music!
Where do you see their main differences in philosophy?