Just after publishing yesterday’s post, I rounded up the kids and went to the library. After chasing the three year old around the kid’s section, and before we checked out, I dragged them all over to the four shelves of photography books. Sometimes there are new and interesting titles so I always try to check when I’m there.

Immediately, my eyes were drawn to TWO books about Imogen Cunningham. Of course I took it as a sign and took one of them home. I read through it in one afternoon and was just amazed at her life, her contemporaries and her photos. I had only ever known the quote but had never seen her work.

What amazed me most, is that she was relatively isolated in Oregon at the beginning of her work, but she knew Stieglitz, and Ansel Adams, Weston, and the other big “pioneers” back in the 1910s and 1920s. No Internet, just magazines and books, and yet the work spread and was known by others. So, the Internet has brought us more volume but is the inspiration bigger? Are the connections closer? Are the collaborations tighter?

Speaking of that, I spent a few minutes this morning following a couple of links from the G+ group “On Taking Pictures” (a private group based around the 5by5 podcast “On Taking Pictures.”)

And the first one led to Chris Friel. I love his landscapes and still lifes — they are dark and foreboding but evocative at the same time. I’m less inclined to his portraits. I find the processing very interesting but the effect on the people is a bit too ugly for me, to be frank.

The second link lead to Patrick LaRoque. I love his pictures of family and home life.

From there I found his group photo essay website: Kage Collective. I love the concept, I love the resulting stories, I love the look, everything! Check it out…