What do guys think of this body of work?

shadowfox · 08-01-2007

http://www.christianpatterson.com

I have my take on it, but I'll reserve it so it won't cloud the responses. *If* this thread gets any, RFF is pretty unpredictable these days

Edit: The title should read: "What do you guys (and gals) think of this body of work?", sorry, got Enter-happy there...

rogue_designer · 08-01-2007

hmm - well Stephen Shore would be proud.

I liked some images in the Coney Island series, as well as the On Wisconsin... too early to tell with the newest one.

As an overall body though? I feel like it is consistent - which is nice, but boring.

Maybe that's just me.

mhv · 08-01-2007

I like William Eggleston better.

Gary Baigent · 08-01-2007

In New Zealand we have a large number of photographer/artists? attempting this type of work, yours is actually is more interesting and less pretentious than the dreary stuff we see here - but still pretty dull IMO. The NZ copyists usually have asinine, pseudo poetic, ridiculous new age-type captions placed beneath which makes them even worse. In the end you just laugh. But this stuff sells. However I like the derilict car in the long grass and your colour sense is interesting, the gas stove, the flourescent light - similar to Eggleston - nothing wrong with that IMO.

reagan · 08-01-2007

Quote:

I feel like it is consistent - which is nice...

Well said. I kept wanting him to move closer but that's my preference and not his. Overall, enjoyable to skim through, quite colorful with subjects that are both common and a little odd... just odd enough to keep me looking.

gns · 08-01-2007

I don't know exactly what other contributors to the thread did, but it seems a little unfair to click a link, skim through some pictures for a few minutes, then come back and simply dismiss it as not as good as so-and-so.

I think he definitely knows how to make a good picture. The Eggleston influence is obviously strong. Maybe too strong (at least at first viewing). But you know, everything is derivative to some degree, and to some degree, everyone makes their own picture. It's easy to figure out the technical side of photography. It's a lot harder to learn to see. And it's still harder to figure out how to make something really original and good. For me, some of the work is a bit too derivative, but with some of the projects he seems to have found more of his own way. Getting at something more personal or original.

But what do I know?

Cheers,
Gary

35mmdelux · 08-01-2007

His Wisconsin shots have some potential.

ywenz · 08-01-2007

that's strange, the wisconsin shots look the most "snap shot" -ish to me lacking artistic values.. His other stuff look pretty good to me however.

rich815 · 08-01-2007

Pretty good. Quirky with a bit too much kitsch comes to mind. A bit derivative too. I remember a couple years ago a number of people started imitating Michael Kenna, with nobody doing it any bit as good. Lately seems a lot of Eggleston wanna-be's about too. With about the same result.

As a body of work I find it very good but nothing in particular stands out as genius or overly creative and wonderful. Good potential though. With a few more years and some heavy editing could be something very special I imagine.

Roger Vadim · 08-01-2007

of course its eglestonish (idon't see Martin Paar at all...) but which color photographer didn't flirt with eggleston...

Its not bad, its consistent and the guy is serious...

I sort of like it, a bit more editing and different arrangement of the portfolio would help though.

Beeing a good photographer 2007 is definetly a tough thing, so be nice and interested...

Michael (just came out of the darkroom - boy it's damn difficult to decide when a photo is good...)

J J Kapsberger · 08-01-2007

Technically sound, but they don't do anything for me. They don't draw me in at all. I find them boring.

jbf · 08-01-2007

Some are interesting... but others lack the upf that make me want to say wow. I dunno. Maybe its the compositions of some that gets to me. Too many seem too "snapshot" like and more along the lines of pop art. Boring in that sense.

Dont get me wrong some are quite nice and some i like a lot... but i kinda feel like some of these shots could be edited down some and perhaps some other shots added? not sure...

Some of the Coney Island shots are nice.

sam_m · 08-01-2007

i don't know if i'm experienced enough as a photographer to critique <i>anyones</i> work, but i do like it, as body of work that is. i get a feel for the places and spaces he's documented, pieces of life, strung together, although still, it all feels a little isolated and disconnected too - but i think that's part of the message, isn't it?

rich815 · 08-14-2007

Here's another body of work (similar in some ways) that might illicit some similar comments/wonder/befuddlement. And this guy who points it out is really floored by it too (seems the first commenter does not exactly agree):

http://www.notifbutwhen.com/2/2007/0...ewersdorf.html

trittium · 08-14-2007

I like the colors and some of the subjects, but there are some dogs in there.

shadowfox · 08-15-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich815

Here's another body of work (similar in some ways) that might illicit some similar comments/wonder/befuddlement. And this guy who points it out is really floored by it too (seems the first commenter does not exactly agree):

http://www.notifbutwhen.com/2/2007/0...ewersdorf.html

Rich, thanks for the link, who knows this thread could be a directory of suburbia type of "mundane made interesting" galleries

I think this Kevin's photos are a tad bit more interesting than Christian Patterson's. But it's subjective, of course. That may be the whole point.

jan normandale · 08-15-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger Vadim

of course its eglestonish (idon't see Martin Paar at all...)

Beeing a good photographer 2007 is definetly a tough thing, so be nice and interested...

Michael (just came out of the darkroom - boy it's damn difficult to decide when a photo is good...)

Roger... re: 2007: being first and competent makes it hard for everyone that follows...

and when you really know when a photo is good please share it with me. I'll do the same for you. Deal? ;- )

jan normandale · 08-15-2007

I think he's good with a camera. Some of his images get me some don't. That's normal. I don't think this is all he is capable of so I think the small snippet of his work we see here may not be a fair way to assess him. I'd look at his work again.

Here's his client list , these guys think he's okay so I guess thats some level of confirmation. Not many of us can put up credibility props like these.

Blue Note Records
British Airways
Budget Travel
Conde Nast Traveler
Details
Fast Company
House and Garden
Martin Guitars
Men's Journal
Newsweek
The New York Times
Oxford American
PDN
Popular Mechanics
Res
Tokion
Tracks
Wired