Fascinating. I was obsessed by Hockney's photo montages at the same sort of time of my life that you were (I would have been starting a two-year BTEC at Bournville School of Art!). I loved them so much that I really didn't care one jot for his painting and drawing work at the time! I adored them, but confess to not really thinking so much about what he was trying to do with them.
Proof further that our favourite photos change over time (and our memories fail to remember past favourites) as I would possibly have slipped one of these into my Desert Island Choices with @twophotographers a couple of weeks ago. Indeed, @joannamaclennan, maybe you visited the same exhibition in Bath all those years ago...?
After every issue of Life magazine, the Pearblossom montage was my very first approach to photography at an early age. In primary school there was this massive print on the wall above the piano. I'd spend the whole class looking at it trying to figure out what was going on. The blue of the sky and the textures in the tarmac and soil stuck with me forever.
I saw Hockney explaining his photography recently at Lightbox and it was like a magician revealing his tricks, I kind of loved hearing this from him but a part of me was disappointed to know how it was done.
Still, it is a fascinating approach to photography and trying to replicate what you see.
Yes, indeed! David Hockney was one of those photographers who made me see differently. I worked as a TA in the library and remembered spotting one of his book while shelving. I had to stop what I was doing and flipped through the pages. Thank you for sharing his work!
Great post, Andrew. Love Hockney's idea of painting with a camera, though I don't agree with his view of photography in general. I think what what one sees in a photograph is whatever one chooses to bring to it.
Also, you might have already seen it, but if you haven't, I found an interesting 50 min. doc on Hockney on YouTube, produced by BBC. https://youtu.be/bf7Gu5xG1Vw?si=TFzQLCMP9QwnqLsm. Worth watching.
It shows the artistry of Hockney. He wasn’t using expensive equipment or Photoshop. His own vision set him apart, boldly creating something new and interesting.
Thanks! I may have seen one or two of these once but had not thought about them in a long time and more importantly never thought about them other than ‘neat, he made a collage of a lot of photos to make one photo! You gave me a lot more to think about and made me think about my photography differently.
Thanks for the Hockney polaroid refresher Andrew, it's been a while since I looked at these. I always enjoyed them. I have an SX-70 and one very expired pack of film left and had visions of making a Hockney-inspired collage with those precious final shots. I should flush out that idea...
Fascinating. I was obsessed by Hockney's photo montages at the same sort of time of my life that you were (I would have been starting a two-year BTEC at Bournville School of Art!). I loved them so much that I really didn't care one jot for his painting and drawing work at the time! I adored them, but confess to not really thinking so much about what he was trying to do with them.
Proof further that our favourite photos change over time (and our memories fail to remember past favourites) as I would possibly have slipped one of these into my Desert Island Choices with @twophotographers a couple of weeks ago. Indeed, @joannamaclennan, maybe you visited the same exhibition in Bath all those years ago...?
I really enjoyed this one. Thank you for sharing! I am leaving extremely inspired to consider a new perspective and delivery with my photography.
A great read — thanks Andrew!
Thanks for reminding me what a true original Hockney is.
After every issue of Life magazine, the Pearblossom montage was my very first approach to photography at an early age. In primary school there was this massive print on the wall above the piano. I'd spend the whole class looking at it trying to figure out what was going on. The blue of the sky and the textures in the tarmac and soil stuck with me forever.
I saw Hockney explaining his photography recently at Lightbox and it was like a magician revealing his tricks, I kind of loved hearing this from him but a part of me was disappointed to know how it was done.
Still, it is a fascinating approach to photography and trying to replicate what you see.
Thanks for sharing!
Extraordinary! That composite of the Pearblossom Highway is a particular favourite as we used to drive it
Yes, indeed! David Hockney was one of those photographers who made me see differently. I worked as a TA in the library and remembered spotting one of his book while shelving. I had to stop what I was doing and flipped through the pages. Thank you for sharing his work!
That said, this is the first time I've seen Hockney's work with photos. I love the part about flattening perspective. Very inspiring. Thank you. -k
Picasso used photography in his work, once that technology became available.
Great post, Andrew. Love Hockney's idea of painting with a camera, though I don't agree with his view of photography in general. I think what what one sees in a photograph is whatever one chooses to bring to it.
Also, you might have already seen it, but if you haven't, I found an interesting 50 min. doc on Hockney on YouTube, produced by BBC. https://youtu.be/bf7Gu5xG1Vw?si=TFzQLCMP9QwnqLsm. Worth watching.
Very intriguing.
It shows the artistry of Hockney. He wasn’t using expensive equipment or Photoshop. His own vision set him apart, boldly creating something new and interesting.
Thanks! I may have seen one or two of these once but had not thought about them in a long time and more importantly never thought about them other than ‘neat, he made a collage of a lot of photos to make one photo! You gave me a lot more to think about and made me think about my photography differently.
This is fascinating Andrew. Just catching up with my reading and I came across this piece of yours. Looking forward to seeing the YT link you shared.
Thanks for the Hockney polaroid refresher Andrew, it's been a while since I looked at these. I always enjoyed them. I have an SX-70 and one very expired pack of film left and had visions of making a Hockney-inspired collage with those precious final shots. I should flush out that idea...