Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

Does anyone here regularly (or even occasionally) attend the Rencontres Photographiques in Arles in the South of France? It's the biggest gathering of fine art photographers in the world, held in the first week or so of July every year.

For a flavour of 2008, 2009, 2010, take a look at

http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/arles%202008.html

http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/arles%202009.html

http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/arles%202010.html

Ignore the worrying word 'subscription' in the links as they date from a previous generation of the site, before it was all free. No ads, either.

Cheers,

R.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

thanks for the links - as for going to the South of France....sure thing right after the banks forgive my debt too

Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

I have the advantage of you there -- I live a day's drive away from Arles...

Cheers,

R.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

I viewed all 3 links. Interesting!!
Pat

ggttc Loc: TN

wonderful...but given the right lights and the 5 techs to help and the right staging...and the right lighting...I am sure half of the men and women on this site could take those pics...

but they are wonderful..in their simplicity and thought...I am in awe...but give it up to the amateurs who shoot on the fly...who get great pictures in their backyard.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

you don't sound like you are in awe. You sound as though great image making is all about the technical aspects....good lighting....five techs....right staging etc. News flash great photography starts in the mind or heart and the simplier it is the better - simplicity and elegance go hand in hand......it is the thought that counts. Just a thought

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

then by all means GO

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Pass!

ggttc Loc: TN

you don't sound like you are in awe. You sound as though great image making is all about the technical aspects....good lighting....five techs....right staging etc. News flash great photography starts in the mind or heart and the simplier it is the better - simplicity and elegance go hand in hand......it is the thought that counts. Just a thought


thought well taken...will you show us some of your pictures?

ziastars Loc: Colorado & New Mexico

Grew up there, have family still living there. Played in that square with the fountain sans purple Rhino..ha. Thanks for sharing the photos. Went to your site, could not load, said not available?

EricLPT Loc: Jonesborough TN

Roger,

Thanks for that, it looks very interesting, if I didn't live across the pond in the US, I think I would check it out. It looks like the exhibits runs the gamut between flagrantly ostentatious to just the basics.

The cameras used in the exhibits and by patrons appears to range from Leicas to disposable cardboard.

When you tire of photography the people in Arles make good visuals as well.

I am envious of your proximity and your ability to attend every year. In the meantime I'll continue to sample others photographic works here on UH.

Thanks again for sharing,

Eric

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Please use the "Reply Quote" button, so we know to whom your remark is addressed.

Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

Try again -- worked OK for me from Firefox. The webmaster (my brother in law in California) is currently revising the site so there may be the occasional glitch.

Must have been a wonderful place to grow up (even without magenta rhinos -- or maybe, especially without magenta rhinos).

Cheers,

R.

Dria Loc: Ohio

Looks ... interesting ?

Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

Sorry: which pictures were you talking about? There were quite a few exhibitions mentioned in those three links, after all.

As for '5 techs to help and the right staging...and the right lighting...', I can't help suspecting that your experience of some kinds of photography, or of working with assistants, may be limited. Very few fine art photographers can afford (or need) large production teams. Or even, in most cases, an assistant other than perhaps a spouse. They're just very good at working with what they've got.

Remember, too, that it's the photographer who's responsible for directing any assistants, rather than vice versa. Even faux naif photographers such as Beaton had to know when the picture looked right in the viewfinder, and that ain't going to happen by chance.

Finally, why should 'amateurs who shoot on the fly...who get great pictures in their backyard' be any more worth of praise than anyone else who gets great pictures? The more so, given that most exhibitions at Arles do not, in fact, rely on '5 techs to help and the right staging...and the right lighting...'

Cheers,

R.