Very simplistic man in his outlook on life and his philosophy is quite unique and different his perspective on human nature is truly insightful and touching.
What I admire about these photographers, as well as their obvious talent, is that they often had one, maybe two or three chances to get their photos just right. They had no instant review or delete button. Of course they didn't get every photo right, but when they did they left a great legacy.
Since my earliest interests in Photography, Andre Kertesz works for me most admired. I admire the sense of humor conveyed in his work, true decisive moments of story telling and the amazing ability to anticipate life happenings. Architecturaly he had mastered line and form. Planning a picture by waiting for the subject to happen and then the pounce. His pictures convey sweetness in life despite the times that were hard and cold. To think that he among only a few, did what they did first. Many of us have just been trying to catch up. Proof that the technically obsessed of today intern have nothing to show compared to the tremendous content of pictures like these. I hope that someone will re-master the BBC Master Photographer series digitally to enhance and preserve the sound and the imagery.
A truly brilliant photographer and the photographers of today have a lot to live up to! Andre Kertesz way a master of photography!!! Long may his spirit reign!!!
Everything Kertesz says is very understandable to my ears. I have no problem hearing him, and quite clearly. His taste for the extraordinary and his commitment and discipline are huge, as he quite often went back to the same place for months to get what he termed, 'the right light' and always expected to find the unexpected. Part of his genius lay in his ability to get consistently solid exposures in very contrasty light situations as well as his keen sense of timing and heartfelt approach. This is the mark of an original, an artist who is expressing himself honestly. If you have it in you to become a great photographer you must also realize how much work and sacrifice it can be. It's not about becoming a big star, or rich and famous or anything. It's about feeling that if only two or three people ever see your work at the end of your life you don't even care, because you felt compelled to do it, to express yourself, honestly, for the sake of what you saw and felt. The rest is superficiality.
Such a remarkably likable, humble Gentleman. Such a Remarkable documentary of A True Photographer!! Is it Any wonder why H.C.Bresson said of him ,and I quote " We All owe something to Kertsz " Unquote. Brilliant!! Many thanks and Kind regards Colyn.
These were startling images when I first saw this as a teenager. I'm aware of having seen so much since, and have to agree that his street photography is rather sentimental, even if this is stated here as a criticism and an American one, which is an amusing and surprising thing given the way Hollywood developed. We don't see Kertész's relationship with American figures like we see with his fellow Europeans. It gives him something of an isolated appearance as an émigré. There is a classical formality that made Kertész (perhaps literally) at home with Mondrian. I wonder if this was what was at odds in a country known for its informality? Still, it's hard not to admire his commitment to his way of working despite the limits that this imposed on his professional life. Interestingly, the search for things to commit to is often spoken about by art and photography students. Kertész's life seems an illustration of a romantic ideal. Thanks for putting this video up. A great programme then, and it's just as great now.
