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!
I think so. Though we were driving this stretch of Highway 138 well over 25 years after Hockney took this composite, it hadn’t changed much. Desert highways tend not to (unless there near Vegas)!
Funnily enough we have the beginnings of a story about these drives that’s been languishing in our ‘drafts’ for ages. Time to dig it out!
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.
Thank you Alex. I’m not sure I entirely agree with Hockney either, but it’s an interesting viewpoint and it’s resulted in some great work. Thanks for the Imagine link. I don’t think I’ve seen that episode so I look forward to watching it.
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...
Thank you very much Tom. You should definitely flush out that idea - I'd be interested in seeing the results. I also have an SX70 and put some very old Impossible Project film through a few months ago. Nothing came out... I have since bought some of the newer Polaroid film and it is so much better than previous iterations.
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...?
Thanks Matt. I'm very pleased we share a love for Hockney's photographs. I'd love to see your eight Desert Island Photos.
They are over at the Two Photographers feed: https://twophotographers.substack.com/p/desert-island-pics-03
It's a paid article, albeit you can sign up for a free trial week should you wish to explore their very rich vaults!
I really enjoyed this one. Thank you for sharing! I am leaving extremely inspired to consider a new perspective and delivery with my photography.
Thank you very much. I’m glad the post has inspired you.
A great read — thanks Andrew!
Thanks for reading Paddy!
Thanks for reminding me what a true original Hockney is.
Thank you for reading!
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!
Thank you Xavi. Did having the print in such a prominent place at primary school influence your choice of career?
Not directly, maybe more unconsciously or subconsciously but having art hanging everywhere in the classroom definitely did.
Extraordinary! That composite of the Pearblossom Highway is a particular favourite as we used to drive it
Wow! Do you recognise which part of the highway he photographed 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!
Pleased that you are a fellow admirer!
I think so. Though we were driving this stretch of Highway 138 well over 25 years after Hockney took this composite, it hadn’t changed much. Desert highways tend not to (unless there near Vegas)!
Funnily enough we have the beginnings of a story about these drives that’s been languishing in our ‘drafts’ for ages. Time to dig it out!
Yes, dig it out from drafts!
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
Thank your for reading. Glad you found it inspiring
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.
Thank you Alex. I’m not sure I entirely agree with Hockney either, but it’s an interesting viewpoint and it’s resulted in some great work. Thanks for the Imagine link. I don’t think I’ve seen that episode so I look forward to watching it.
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.
He’s a true original. I love the idea of him going to the equivalent of Truprint to create these wonderful works of art.
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.
Thank you Josh. Glad the post made you think 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.
Thank you Shital. I hope you enjoy the short film.
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...
Thank you very much Tom. You should definitely flush out that idea - I'd be interested in seeing the results. I also have an SX70 and put some very old Impossible Project film through a few months ago. Nothing came out... I have since bought some of the newer Polaroid film and it is so much better than previous iterations.