Contemporary Influences

[Alden]

That last thread may have drifted away from a component I was hoping to discuss ( my fault ) so I'll spin it here. Contemporary influences. Let's forget this feeling that we perhaps should keep up with changes, do any of you actually feel strongly a pull from any of them? Most new works that attract me are still in a rather classic traditional bent. The last innovators to literally change my way of thinking came from the New Topographics, way back, of Robert Adams, Joe Deal, etc. I have not since been influenced by anyone, and I feel this is not good. Have any new works really set you to thinking differently?

[rorye]

www.parkeharrison.com/
http://rodneysmith.com/portfolio.php
http://www.nadavkander.com/#

These are a few of my favourite things!

[Alden]

http://www.billcharles.com/kander/nadavkander_1.htm

even more from this prolific photographer

[Mearns]

I know its not a new way of thinking or a new stule of photography but I'm greatly influenced by Matt Stuart's Photographs. Probably because its something I aspire to do one day (overcome shyness...).

[mabman]

Interesting question - one that I've asked myself. I've recently subscribed to Blind Spot magazine to get a better idea of what constitutes "contemporary" photography - I've only received one issue so far, and I'm not sure yet if I actually *like* any of it, but at least it's interesting to challenge oneself with - scratches in chromagenic material, but no actual image, pages of (slightly) different moire patterns, solid colours in different shapes, "drive-by" photos of a burning trailer. Definitely challenges one's perception of what photography is, or can be, and I think that's ultimately a good thing. Will I be doing anything remotely like that? Unlikely at this point, but you never know

So, while I'm personally not inspired by any single "contemporary" photographer, I do think looking at contemporary images and thinking "outside the box", cliche as it is, is important from time to time.

[Shawn Dougherty]

My greatest contemporary influence is undoubtedly Mark Citret.

His essays are also well worth the time.

[dpurdy]

I'm influenced by fufu:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fufusmile/

;-)

I think there is a new aesthetic forming that I am trying not to be influenced by. (not talking about fufu) There is a slickness that reminds me of the music industry in the 80s going on. I am repulsed by most of it. But with the current quality of new lenses and films being so good I find my own work starting to look more high tech. Higher Tech.

[Christopher Walrath]

Galen Rowell is probably my most contemporary influence. William Neill, Dewitt Jones and Clyde Butcher bear mentioning as well.

[Valerie]

http://keithcarterphotographs.com/
Sally Mann

No matter what subject I shoot, they are with me.

[photomc]

Certainly Mark Citret - Thanks Shawn and Keith Carter as well,

Probably greatest influence and those that are always in the back of my mind would be David Plowden and Tillman Crane