Josef Koudelka 

Watched this first thing in the morning instead of my usual coffee and light music in the middle of the McKinney suburbian desert. Great way to start the day! 40 years of looking for something that I found to be strikingly liberating just the other day - high contrast, no concern for the grain, complete freedom of expression. I see the same things in Koudelka's work but he goes even further - no rule of thirds etc. All that is left is the impression. That is what I always looked for. Wow! Thank you so much, Ted!!!

After watching Adams and Strand, and now this... I will watch more. I feel thankful that you make this available and take the time to share. Thank you!

The wristwatch's point is mainly that it is 12 AM or something and the square is COMPLETELY empty.

I can't handle the excellence of his work, so glad I watched this video...

Thanks for sharing this Ted. Your videos have introduced me to so many photographers I never would have know about otherwise. It's a great source of inspiration :)

Amazing. I never thought of photography to a deeper dive, but thanks to my photography class i find myself appreciating work like Koudelka's that is a bridge between fine art and photojournalism. I feel inspired to create art, his compositions are splendid.

Ted, thanks for your dedication to your videos and presentations of great photographers...your obvious passion and enthusiasm are of a benefit to us all.

Beautiful stark pictures. Thanks for introducing me to this photographer.

Thanks for featuring Koudelka. He was one of the people I looked at when I studied art (way too many years ago).

Great idea and good presentation from the "Nationality Doubtful" exhibition and book. A few facts: Koudelka started photography earlier than mentioned. He had his first exhibition of Theater photographs in 1961. The international magazine "Camera" (from Switzerland) published his images of gypsies as early as Nov. 1967 and then again in March 1970.The image of a DOG against a snowy landscape was taken in France in one of the ex-royal parks (maybe Versailles). Koudelka's panoramas also reflect his Czech heritage. He cannot have ignore the work in such a format by Josef Sudek. He picked a Fuji 617 that he had seen on a desk in 1986 during a conversation with Bernard Lartajet, in charge of the DATAR mission project. In fact at the same time he was finally given a French passport (as for his stay in Britain, David Turn, another Magnum photographer, played a key-role that cannot be ignored). The "Rauschenberg"-like photograph was taken with that camera: no window or darkroom manipulation involved just Koudelka's eye, sensitivity and vision (different from his eye that takes care of selecting the subject and frame whereas the "vision" projects his psyche into a photograph). After that he did another body of work, "The Black Triangle" on a vast region of Germany/Czechoslovakia/Poland that had been dedicated to open air coal mining for centuries and had ended up heavily polluted and devastated (not a "desert" though as this was not the result of desertification but of acid rains and human exploitation). Many projects with the panoramic format have followed (Wales, Limestone, En Chantier, The Wall, and the latest, Ruins). Koudelka's compositions are still very balanced and "classical." Even if not obvious, a lot of his composition techniques come from classical ways of organizing space (derived from the theater or painting). Medians, diagonals, intelligent "guidelines" of thirds are at play here too. A very good point that Ted reiterates: the heavy and poignant atmosphere of Koudelka's photograph weaving subdued drama (mostly suggested except for Prague), solitude, and that feeling of alienation (exile). Yes, definitely a unique vision (obviously admired by Cartier-Bresson and Delpire). PS: as for a documentary on him, good luck with that Ted (if you want his presence that is). It would be a major achievement. He is a great guy but does not like to talk about himself and his photography (except with Cartier-Bresson and Delpire probably). I have tried several times to interview him (meeting every morning for a whole week in Arles). Every time he politely postponed with a smile...

Another brilliant photographer, another must have book! Thank you Ted.

Thank you so much for bringing him to my attention. Such an amazing body of work.

Thank You! Děkuji!

Fantastic episode about one of my favourite photographers. Thanks Ted!

You are inspiring me in so many directions. Thank you, I REALLY needed that today!.

At Twelve O'clock there was going to be a demonstration but no one show up due to the consecuenses , He was ready 12 O'clock

So good! 😃 love and miss the artist series!

Finally, a Koudelka Episode! Awesome-tacular!!! Thumbs up Ted!

You're an amazing person, thank you for thinking of such simple and thorough explanations.

Beautiful and very inspiring. Thank you for this great video.

Great episode! My favorite photographer! :)

Really enjoyed the show at the Getty. Thank you for the video!

koudelka is a freakin master of his craft. thanks so much for doing this video.

I'm glad I have this show to catch up on photography history as I completely ignored photography class.

Awesome photographer, thanks Ted!

Another great over view of a unique artist his images are so inspiring , thank you for bringing this to us

Thanks for another great video Ted! I checked out his landscape book "Wall" and I'm so inspired :D

The Art Institute of Chicago recently had an exhibit of his work, "Nationality Doubtful" which I saw twice. I was not familiar with his work prior to that but I instantly fell in love. I've since purchased several of his books. Simply amazing and talented artist.

Quality video. Going to try and purchase this Kadelka book later in the month.

Absolutely love Koudelka! And I enjoy your videos more when you're flipping through a book rather than Pinterest.

love your channel Ted, great stuff, thank you for the effort!

I had the pleasure to go at one of his exhibition about Prague '68. Great prints, great works. I just hoped he will come too.

fantastic work. Just discovered your chanel, thanks for making videos.

Wonderful work and a great presentation of it.

Thanks Ted for making these amazing videos and allowing me to become a better photographer!

"People with their back to you" @ 15:43 is actually a scene from a urinal, very typical at an Irish Gaelic football or hurling match at half time. once experienced, never forgotten.

I loved this, Ted. Great show!

Hey TED please do more of these videos!! thank you very very much!!

I do like the direction the show is going to. Really well done and I've always found the episodes when you talk about work of various photographers being the best. Happy to watch stuff about Koudelka :) Any chance for Michael Kenna at some point in the future?

Koudelka is one of my favorite photographer!!

Thanks for your great vids. Lots of history and inspiration. Just a small point, @ 04:20 the name of the book is actually Nationality Doubtful, not Nationally Doubtful, as is spoken.

Thank you!

I realize this video is several years old, but "not very expensive" translates to $499 for a hard cover and $154.99 for a paperback (from Amazon by your link). Wow! Thanks for sharing his work, but I think I'm gonna have to hold off on buying the book. LOL!

Great video about one of the greatest photographers of all times (in my opinion). Thanks!

This was a great intro to this legendary photographer, thank you. PS: Israel and Palestine you mean, not Pakistan, I believe.

Where has this channel been all my life???

Such an amazing video! Even more fascinating since he is still alive :)

Great look at Koudelka. I would love to see you do one on Andrei Kertesz. Such an observant photographer. Anyway, love your channel. Cheers.

Thank you for this video

Perfect presentation! Keep going!

Great piece, Ted. I would actually go out on a limb and say Koudelka is the best photographer that has lived. I don't feel his unique compositional precision and vision, combined with his sensitivity for the decisive moment, has been matched by anyone else.

Binge watching your channel. I LOVE these videos!

Hi Ted, great video, just asking does lynda has enlargers Tutorial or films related stuff?

amazing work!

amazing work.

Great video as always :) Were you able to get hold of Koudelka?

really enjoy it! thanks!

Hi Ted, Im pretty sure I read a interview with Koudelka, where he tells it is not his own arm and watch, but just a random man he stopped when he taught of taking the picture. Please do not quote me on this, since I can't find the interview, but thought it was worth mentioning. Thanks for a great show, would love to see one on Trent Parke. Cheers

Went you describe the artist, it would be good to see some of their work. It sends the tone of the subject, plus it keeps the views interest.

I love Josef Koudelka's work.

Interesting video. Koudelka is one of my favourite photographers. The watch on the photo taken in Prague is not his though, and he did not fear for his life after he left Czechoslovakia, he feared for his parents and only after their death, he started publishing under his name.

would love to see one of these videos on William Klein

Hi ted a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year

Great! Thanks

Thank you for bringing up this great photographer, some of his images - i don't understand. 5:00 - his best known image, 1 min on explanations but nothing said, what makes this image so good? I did not understand

Very instructive show! BTW, although he was born in the Czech Republic Koudelka has actually become a French citizen.

Another Czech photograph :) I'm so proud that you like our photographs. Btw, about 2 miles from where I live was born Karel Schinzel :) He has something to do with colour photography :)

Excellent 👍👍👍

One thing I love about photography and this reminds me of, is that I've seen artists on instagram and other platforms that have work better than Koudelka, and yet no one knows who they are! They have stunning photos, absolutely breathtaking works. Some have documented historical events. Some, just everyday life. But the creative eye is definitely there, the exposure just isn't. But they don't seem to mind. That's what I love. That...through creativity, we can be as good or as bad as we want to be, and no one else can set limits on us. A nobody can shoot a roll of film, and produce work as great as has ever been created. You don't need credentials. You just need a camera and a love for the art.

Sometimes, desire to become master photographer cuts reasons only on desire to hear opinion and analysis from this guy...

Talk about impactful images,) nice job T

16:21 Israel and *Palestine*. The segregation wall particularly.

Did buy the book "Nationality Doubtfull" because of this great video. The work on pages 30-35 can be an interesting subject for a "in depth analysis" video.

Koudelka is one of my favorite.

In reading history or background of the famous ones, I find some common characteristics and that is sacrifice , hard work and an inside emotion

Hey!! I'm learning..as always!! and i have a question if you dont mind. Did Josef, Gordon ,Cartier ,Maier, Eugene, Taro or Robert used colored filters? What do you think about them?..the filters hahaha!!! I know how good are the photographers mentioned. Thanks. Great Channel!!. PS: How about all time photography books orrecomended one video. Again Thanks.

Exiles book is mind blowing.

I just love how people nitpick at the most inane of mistakes...

Does anyone know what black and white film he was using?

thanks

I enjoyed the story of Josef Kudelka and the history surrounding the not so Cold War episode of the invasion of Czechoslovakia thoroughly! It seems that displaced people's without nationalities like gypsies, related to his feeling of loosing his country during the invasion of the Soviet Union, however, his stage in the UK is perhaps not covered as thoroughly in the book, one more reason to investigate!

Loving these videos! You should make a video about Alex Webb

Great vid

Great video ...just one thing ..it´s pronouced Koudelka "K(ow)delka"

My favourite series by him are Gypsies.

Just kind of an aside on the subject of his work. It is very interesting and powerful I think that after his images from Prague in 1968 made it out and was published the USSR never dared rolling in tanks like they did afterward. I think this was one of the first times the USSR was truly forced to re evaluate how it responded to political unrest and calls for reform within it's territory and ultimately made what happened later under Gorby possible. They could no longer just ignore and crush dissent without risking world outrage and what is now called a "PR nightmare". I don't think it is too much of a stretch to say that perhaps unintentionally he helped shape the course of history.

The book that is featured in this video, I searched for it on Amazon, and couldn’t find a copy under $265, . It is now feb 2021.

I miss these

5:54 that boy with a target on his back appears on a cover of a significant anti-comunist folk singer Karel Kryl, the song Bratříčku, zavírej vrátka (Close the gate, little brother) describes the violent nature of soviet invasion through an analogy comparing soviet union to a wolf, czechia being a lamb and a prey to the wolf. check out Koudelka's new book "INVASION 68", it is dedicated solely to the events of 68. also there's this interesting project going on that encourages people to identify themselves in those photos. anything that keeps the memories of such events fresh is very important, hopefully we'll learn once and for all and never forget

The OU in the name is pronounced "OH" :) Otherwise perfect video!

That book is over $200 on Amazon now. Maybe someday I'll find it in an actual bookstore for a reasonable amount... *sigh*

14:55 thats a great dane. he was very fond of dogs.

That wasn't his wristwatch.

👏👏👏👏👏👏

* Nationality Doubtful

I've never understood why the fuss about Kudelka.

who else is here because of a photography class

Hey guys, as a Czech I am making an art project. I am making a model of this famous photo 2:25. Does anybody know about this tank more? Help is highly appreciated.

I looked on amazon (Australia) and they want Au$1.958!

at 4:30 - *nationality* doubtful, not "nationally doubtful"