Photo History: Wedgwood Beyond the Porcelain

Photo History: Wedgwood Beyond the Porcelain

So. I just discovered that I share a birthday with a relatively major historical figure. I’m not talking about Che (born May 14th, not June, at least according to his mother). No. Imma talk ’bout Thomas Wedgwood. And before you go off on one, no …

Photo History: Mass Observation, May 12th, and Humphrey Spender

Photo History: Mass Observation, May 12th, and Humphrey Spender

It occurred to me last week that since today is May 12th, which is Mass Observation day, I should probably coincide it with another issue. Fortunately, for the sake of this blog’s integrity, Mass Observation can be partially viewed through its contact with photography, and …

Photo History: Talking About Diane Arbus

Photo History: Talking About Diane Arbus

I thought that talking about Diane Arbus would be difficult, for the obvious reason that everyone talks about her. But after having used the Hayward Gallery exhibition to open up the subject a bit in my previous post, I’m finding it less arduous to find …

Photo History: Diane Arbus’s Early Years

Photo History: Diane Arbus’s Early Years

Last week I made a rare London excursion to visit a close friend and see an exhibition together, which is our thing. We try to see photography exhibitions, but sometimes slum it with art. Anyway, this time we met up at the Hayward Gallery to …

Photo History: Auguste Salzmann, Frenchman in Jerusalem

Photo History: Auguste Salzmann, Frenchman in Jerusalem

This issue is a bit about a French photographer, Auguste Salzmann, but mostly about how my emotional reactions to a specific print he made, and the history behind the print. The History Bit Auguste Salzmann was an artist and archaeologist who waded into the scholarly …