Photographer Joel Meyerowitz: The Pleasure of Seeing
Jul 23, 2023
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Legendary photographer Joel Meyerowitz discusses his career, the challenges of the past year, the power of photography and poetry, reflections on love and personal growth, capturing the disjunction between youth and leisure, shifts in perspective, and the philosophy of pleasure and age.
Joel Meyerowitz's photographs capture the energy and presence of people, depicting innocence and exploring the dynamics of American life during significant moments like the Vietnam War.
Meyerowitz's color photography adds depth of description and emotion to his work, creating images that feel alive and full of presence compared to his black-and-white photos.
Through his photography, Meyerowitz found solace, fulfillment, and profound meaning in everyday scenes, capturing a range of emotions and human connections.
Deep dives
The Power of Description and Composition in Color Photography
Joel Meyerowitz, a pioneering color photographer, captured the vibrant and descriptive moments of everyday life in his work. In the late 1960s through the 1980s, Meyerowitz focused on showcasing the energy and presence of people in his photographs. He believed in the power of description and composition, using color and framing to create impactful images. Through his lens, he depicted innocence, captured humor, and explored the dynamics of American life during significant moments such as the Vietnam War. Meyerowitz's photographs reveal his ability to seize fleeting moments, telling stories through vibrant colors and captivating scenes.
The Influence of Robert Frank and Personal Adventures
Meyerowitz was greatly influenced by Robert Frank's work, particularly in his journey through America, capturing the spirit of the country. Inspired by Frank's photographs, Meyerowitz embarked on his own adventure, exploring Europe and America with a focus on leisure time and the juxtaposition with the Vietnam War. His photographs depicted everyday scenes, often from a moving car, capturing brief moments of poignancy and beauty. Despite the risk and challenges, Meyerowitz embraced spontaneous engagement, capturing images that held layers of meaning and described the dynamic and ever-changing world around him.
The Evolution of Photography and the Importance of Color
During a time when color photography wasn't taken seriously in the art world, Meyerowitz was determined to prove its value and potential. He compared his color and black-and-white photographs, seeking to discern where the power of description and meaning lay. Meyerowitz recognized that color photography offered a depth of description and emotion that added another layer to his work. Through thoughtful composition and a keen eye for color, he captured the essence of people and their surroundings, creating photographs that felt alive and full of presence.
Love, Relationships, and the Role of Photography
Meyerowitz reflected on the bittersweet nature of love and relationships, drawing from his own experiences. Despite the challenges and complexities in his personal life, he found solace and fulfillment in his photography. As he poured his devotion into his craft, Meyerowitz discovered that photography became a deeply personal and transformative medium. Through photography, he learned about himself and the world, using his lens to capture a range of emotions and human connections. Today, his photographs continue to evoke a sense of joy, innocence, and the beauty of everyday life.
Rediscovering the Art of Photography
Joel Meyerowitz shares his journey of using a large format camera to photograph ordinary life in New York City. He explains how he used the Empire State Building as his inspiration and lever to explore the capabilities of the camera. Meyerowitz also discusses the shift in his photography from the complexity of the street to more mundane subjects, finding beauty in ordinary moments and the courage it took to embrace simplicity. He emphasizes the importance of being present and open to unexpected moments that can be captured through photography.
The Power of Photography and Embracing Aging
Meyerowitz reflects on his lifelong passion for photography and how it has allowed him to perceive life with awe and excitement. He discusses the transformative moments he has experienced while capturing images, likening them to waking up from a dream and finding profound meaning in everyday scenes. He also shares his thoughts on the fear of death and aging, recounting a powerful acid trip experience that helped him embrace the idea of being part of the cycle of life. Meyerowitz emphasizes the importance of living with curiosity and remaining open to the world, finding pleasure and connection through the art of photography.
Legendary photographer Joel Meyerowitz has been capturing life itself since 1962. Whether on the streets of New York City, the sand dunes of Cape Cod, or in transit across Europe, Meyerowitz has documented what he calls “visions in passing.”
Today, we return to this special, virtual retrospective, spanning six decades of his life in photographs.
Follow the virtual gallery here: https://talkeasypod.com/joel-meyerowitz-replay/