Evolution

A glimpse of the history of American photography and its photographers are far more profound than any photography techniques I've ever learnt. For techniques are useless without a vision. At times, techniques kills the creative mind. Techniques are guilty of all the beautiful images ever created, all in a similar way. Now I understand why one has to break all rules onces it has been learnt.

I do not proclaim to know the photography history well. I can only say that photographers like Diane Arbus and Garry Winogrand who are both dead now (Diane committed suicide in 70s while Garry died of cancer in 80s), had given the world a different photographic view during 1950s to 1970s. Their images so intriguing and controversial that drew much sceptism during their time. But of course their work are used in the photography textbooks now.

Arbus is known for her work in photographing freaks and turning ordinary citizens in poses and settings conveying a disturbing uncanniness. In her own quote "Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats"

Winogrand, on the other hand has been described by Leo Rubenfien as a photographer largely misunderstood by many photographers. His friendship and encounters with Winogrand has shed a different light of Winogrand's work. Winogrand's well-known declaration "I photograph to find out what things look like, photographed" baffled many people.

A glimspe of the works of Winogrand and Arbus has beginning to make me re-think what is a good photograph.