The HypoCheck. Nine Movies About Photography That Are Worth Watching Brandon Bowman

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1 Volume 75, Issue 2 August 2018 Nine Movies About Photography That Are Worth Watching Brandon Bowman Summertime is movie time. What better way to spend those hot summer mid-days than inside, in cool air conditioned comfort, enjoying a movie? I know, I know, a lot of you have studio space inside and harsh noon-time sunlight is not a concern, but you've got to take a break some time. And movies can be a surprisingly deep well of photographic inspiration - both from studying how a film was shot to learning from a documentary about a legendary or world famous photographer. O k l a h o m a C a m e r a C l u b, I n c. F o u n d e d The HypoCheck In this spirit, please enjoy my list of nine movies about photography that are worth a watch. Some are about photographers; others use photography as a theme or plot device. But all are excellent and most have won numerous awards. So, without further preamble, and presented in no particular order, here are my picks for movies that can have a positive influence on your photography. Rear Window (1954) An oldie but a goodie, Rear Window is a drama that follows a newspaper photographer who passes the time recuperating from a broken leg by observing his neighbors. When he sees what appears to be a murder, he sets out to solve the crime himself, with the help of his nurse and girlfriend. Rear Window is from a time when suspense trumped surprise in the making of a thriller, and Director Alfred Hitchcock s clever use of perspective and point-of-view are good lessons on their use in Inside this issue: Nine Movies About Photography Worth Watching 1 President's Corner 6 Member Recognition 6 Visitors and New Members 7 Meeting Highlights 7 Competition Highlights Upcoming Photo Opportunities 8 12

2 Nine Movies About Photography That Are Worth Watching photography and make this film useful as a teaching tool. Not to mention that the main character is a photographer like us. Watch for the most creative use of flash photography as a weapon ever featured in film. War Photographer (2001) This documentary reports on the work of photojournalist James Nachtwey and his work in war-torn countries such as Kosovo and Rwanda, capturing destruction and conflict on film. Director Christian Frei attaches a micro-camera to Nachtwey s SLR to get a view of the events from the photographer s perspective, which gives immediacy to the film and a real view of the work of a photojournalist in a war zone. The documentary also covers ethical issues of war journalism, primarily the level to which a journalist should become involved in the events they are there to document. The Quest for Inspiration (2014) The Quest for Inspiration is a breathtakingly beautiful immersion into the world of landscape/ nature photographer Alexandra Deschaumes. Deschaumes successfully uses light, colors, shapes, and contrasts to create wilderness landscapes of evocative beauty. The filmmaker Mathieu Le Lay follows Deschaumes as he prepares for and completes a photo expedition to Patagonia, battling through extreme conditions and life-threatening danger to get the shots he wants. Deschaumes work is ethereal and dream-like, and it is a wonder to step back behind the camera to see the hard work it took to make them. 2

3 Nine Movies About Photography That Are Worth Watching Finding Vivian Maier (2013) An amateur historian purchases an old box of film negatives from a charity auction for an art project and accidentally discovers one of the greatest street photographers of all time. Finding Vivian Maier is a captivating documentary about a fascinating, poignant, and mysterious woman: an unknown master street photographer who never exhibited her work. Vivian Maier spent her life working as a nanny for several New England families, and was always making photographs. She died an unknown, never having published any of her work, and the chance discovery of her negatives demonstrates the importance of getting your images out there for the world to see. The Salt of the Earth (2014) This documentary about the Brazilian photographer Sebastiao Salgado, produced by his son Juliano Salgado and fellow photographer Wim Wenders, chronicles Salgado s career pursuing landscape, wildlife, and photojournalism photography across several continents. His monochrome images focusing on international conflicts, starvation, exodus, and natural landscapes in decline are both stunning and loaded with meaning, and his work has brought international attention on the issues documented. Watch this one for a true-to-life testament on the power of photography to direct public attention. 3

4 Nine Movies About Photography That Are Worth Watching One Hour Photo (2002) There is a reason why Robin Williams was an academy award winner, and watching this movie will show you why. Williams showed amazing depth playing a photo lab clerk that becomes obsessed with a family after years of processing and developing their photos. If you re used to seeing Williams play likable, funny, or sweet characters, this one is going to be a shock. One Hour Photo was one of the best thrillers of the 1990s, and while we don t use photo labs as much now as we did in the 1990s, there is an object lesson here about the dangers of strangers using your photos to learn details about your family (and, for current times, why we need to pay attention to Facebook privacy and sharing settings). Born Into Brothels (2004) Documentary photographer Zana Briski s original plan was to go into Calcutta s red light district in order to photograph the prostitutes working there. But when she met the children of the workers there, she offered to teach them the basics of photography so the kids could document their life on the streets of one of the world s poorest cities. The images the children produced were astonishing and were exhibited around the world; proceeds from the sales of their images went to fund their future education. This film also documents the creation of the non-profit organization Kids With Cameras which teaches photography skills to children in underprivileged communities. 4

5 Nine Movies About Photography That Are Worth Watching Guest of Cindy Sherman (2008) At once a fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse, bittersweet autobiography, and witty trip down artworld memory lane, Guest of Cindy Sherman is a travelogue into the work and world of photographer Cindy Sherman. Sherman is famous for her photographic work examining images of women in the media, primarily via self-portraits of herself in creative costumes and makeup. Sherman has been dubbed the master of disguise both for her photographic work and for her penchant for avoiding the media. This film is an interesting glimpse into the world of art photography and the effect of fame and stardom on a photographer s creative work. Marwencol (2010) Marwencol is a documentary film that details the life and work of artist and photographer Mark Hogancamp. Hogencamp, a talented artist focusing on World War II images, was beaten into a brain-damaging coma by five men outside a bar. Unable to afford conventional therapy, he constructs a 1/16th scale World War II-era town in his backyard as is own form of home-made therapy. Playing in the town and photographing the action there helps Hogancamp recover hand-eye coordination and deal with the psychic trauma of the attack. When he and is photographs are discovered, a prestigious New York Art Gallery sets up a show and Hogancamp must choose between the safety of his fantasy world in Marwencol and the real world that he s avoided since the attack. Marwencol, and the upcoming adaption Welcome to Marwen starring Steve Carrell, both are testament to the healing power present in photography. Well folks, those are nine of what I consider some of the best movies about photography ever made. I'm not saying they are the best, but they are pretty amazing, inspirational, and worth a watch. Give 'em a watch and look me up sometime at a club meeting and let me know what you think! 5

6 President's Corner Jaci Finch (APSA) We re off to a great year thanks to an active Board and all who have volunteered to help coordinate areas of interest for our club: Ward Conaway Gulf States Camera Council Print Exhibitions Darrell Dover field trips Jennifer D Agostino social media, grants Mary Horn name tags Lyuda Cameron help where is needed Wally Lee contacting the public radio stations If you have any ideas to share or want to help, please contact these awesome volunteers. We are also looking for venues to display our prints, if you have an idea, please let us know. Also, the website has recently been updated, if you find any links not working, please contact me. Member Recognition Congrats to J. D. McClung and Randy Carr (MPSA) on their recent wins at Gulf States! Score of 15 Outstanding work! Randy Carr (MPSA) achieved a perfect score of "15" for his image Fresh Kill during July's print competition. Inge Vautrin received an award from the Oklahoma Interational Exhibition. Excellent work! 6

7 Visitors and New Members at July Meetings Steve Barnett and Bill McCoy joined us at the July 10th meeting; both were guests of Randy Carr (MPSA). Kathleen Tucker is the newest member to join the OCC - welcome! Mike Burke found us via Baker's Photo and video, and stopped by on July 10th Jessica Rice came by to visit during our July 24th meeting from PSA Headquarters. Meeting Highlights On July 24th, Tom McCreary (MPSA) gave a presentation on his collection of vintage cameras. It was facinating to see how far photography has come. 7

8 July Print Competition Highlights Jack's First Fiesta Stephanie Bowman Sizzling Stare Jennifer D'Agostino Approaching Storm Doug Finch (APSA) Roller Brothers Randy Carr (MPSA) Peacocking Jackie Mesarick 8

9 July Print Competition Highlights Portland Head Lighthouse Tom McCreary (MPSA) Desert Train Bernard Fern Club Member's Print on Display Ain't It Grand by Charles Taylor (APSA) Currently Representing OCC at: Bedford Camera and Video - OKC Baker Photo and Video - Yukon Club Affiliation with Red River Paper The Oklahoma Camera Club is part of Red River s affiliate program. The club receives a 5% commission on orders placed with Red River via the URL located on the Club s website, ww.oklahomacameraclub.com. Many of us make a large number of prints using a significant amount of photographic paper, please do not forget to place your orders through this URL. 9

10 July Projected Image Competition Highlights Passau Impression Brad Smith Blowin' Up a Storm Charles Taylor (APSA) Immature June Grasshopper Susan Combs Sunrise Over Africa Randy Carr (MPSA) Sunset Tropical Hibiscus Troy Taylor Fly Fishing Jennifer D'Agostino Painted Bunting Kathleen Tucker 10

11 July Projected Image Competition Highlights St. Elmo Post Office Sandy Carr Downtown Patio Wally Lee (PPSA) On the Purple Jackie Mesarick Take It Up the Field Randy Carr (MPSA) The Misty Mountain Jennifer D'Agonstino 11

12 Upcoming Photographic Opportunities These and many more events can be found in the Oklahoma Dept. of Tourism Events Calendar, located at 12

13 Oklahoma Camera Club, Inc. 50th and N. May Ave. Central Presbyterian Church Oklahoma City, OK Meetings: 7:30 pm 2nd and 4th Tuesdays For club information, contact HypoCheck Editor Brandon Bowman Webmaster Jaci Finch, APSA OCC Board of Directors President: Jaci Finch, APSA 1st Vice President: Bernard Fern - Programs 2nd Vice President: Randy Carr, APSA, MPSA - Judges Treasurer: Ward Conaway, EPSA Secretary: Wally Lee, FPSA, PPSA Directors: 1 yr. Frank Mesarick 1 yr. Inge Vautrin 2 yr. Jennifer D'Agostino 2 yr. Brad Sliger Club Photographer: Jackie Mesarick The Club Board meets on Wednesday, 7:00 pm, between the club meetings at Church of the Servant, N MacArthur Blvd, OKC; all are welcome. Please contact Jaci Finch (APSA) for further information and location. For more information: We are on the web Oklahomacameraclub.com Visit us on Facebook Club Meetings and Workshops Monthly Meetings: August 14 Print and Digital Competition Night - all categories Judges: Bob Bozarth, Brandon Bowman, Lyuda Cameron Refreshments: Mike and Karen Bunch August 28 Program Night - Composites: Theory and Application - Bernard Fern Refreshments: Debbie Devonshire Meetings: 7:30 pm 2nd & 4th Tuesdays 50th and N. May Ave. Central Presbyterian Church For Club Dues Contact fotoward@outlook.com Workshops: Beginning Image Workshop: 7:30 pm, on the Friday following the first monthly club meeting, at Jan & Wally Lee s home, (405) Bring your questions and digital images and we will discuss them. We will see if we can make the images better using Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. Nonmembers are always welcome! 13