April 30, 2005
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SATURDAY PHOTO
(see sidebar for others)Down to the Factory
Photographer – Robert Doisneau“I’ve never examined why I make photos. In truth it’s a hopeless struggle against the idea that one will die. It’s something I’m more prepared for, because one shouldn’t think that every action is temporary and momentary. I try obstinately to stop this time that is passing.” Robert Doisneau.
Robert Doisneau was born in 1912 and grew up in the ‘banlieue’, the urban fringe around Paris. This area was a kind of wasteland, the ‘zone’, home to tramps, gypsies, rag pickers and other marginal characters. It was also a great area in which children could explore and play, a wilderness to fire the imagination. In contrast, his family home
was stiflingly polite and respectable, and he hated it. He entered a craft school at 13 that gave him limited art training. His uncle, a Mayor, gave him his first commission at 17, taking pictures for the council bulletin. He borrowed a camera to work with, but when he handed in the pictures, asked for – and was given – exactly the price of a new Rolleiflex camera. It was on this type of camera, a twin lens reflex taking 12 2 1/4 ” square pictures on a roll of 120 film, that Doisneau was to take own pictures almost exclusively for over 20 years. Doisneau worked for Renault as an industrial photographer until he was fired at age 27. He was called into the French army that same year and worked for the “Resistance” until the end of the war. In 1949, he signed with Vogue and worked there for three years until he was 40. After that, he was a freelance photographer until he died in 1994 in Paris at age 82. He was a shy and humble man who lived simply and took photos mostly of common people in the streets. Click here to see more of his work. He is one of the most famous French photographers.
Deep Thought: “I think the most beautiful sunset I ever saw was on page 4 and 5 of The Book of Sunsets.”
Today I am grateful for: Jumping
Guess the Movie: “These things are good: ice cream and cake, a ride on a harley, seeing monkeys in the trees, the rain on my tongue, and the sun shining on my face. These things are a drag: dust in my hair, holes in my shoes, no money in my pocket, and the sun, shining on my face.” Answer: Mask, 1985.
Winner: TheExWifeIAlwaysKnewIdBe.
Open Letter to Howard Dean from Tom Hayden
by Katrina vanden Heuvel
April 26, 2005
Dear Chairman Dean,
Thank you kindly for your call and your expressed willingness to discuss the Democratic Party’s position on the Iraq War. There is growing frustration at the grass roots towards the party leadership’s silent collaboration with the Bush Administration’s policies. Personally, I cannot remember a time in thirty years when I have been more despairing over the party’s moral default. Let me take this opportunity to explain. (Rest of article here.)
End of Day: Oops, forgot to sign out last night.
Comments (12)
There are stories to be told in those photographs. What a brilliant and loving vision he had~
the movie is Mask….Rocky Dennis….that is a tear-jerker. Thanks for sharing that link and the info on Doisneau…i love the photos. ~jacki
Mask is a winner! Good for you!
Wasn’t the banlieue the region kept essentially clear around Paris as a military defense zone? It seems like one of those netherlands in which wishes and creativity mix with despair in fascinating ways. I need to dig deeper into his art, thanks for bringing it to our attention.
Yes, there was that aspect to it. Good detail.
interesting link to his work and backstory…
What he says about preserving images from going into oblivion and using the camera as a preservative to counteract the belief that life is transitory…thanks for providing the link. The more I look at other people’s pictures, the more I learn that there is so much more to learn.
I’m glad someone figured out the quote before I did —I was wondering which movie had it and I had not a clue. RYQuestion as to why my husband is in Virginia–his work is located here, being employed by the government.
I like that picture.
great picture, grateful for jumping? jumping how? on a bed? just to jump? have a great day!
your writing always educates me, makes me think. Thank you
Very interesting information. Thank you for sharing.
Not the usual view of Paris. Fascinating and it does tell quite a story!