American Photographs

by Walker Evans is the title of perhaps the most significant photography volume printed in America in the twentieth century. More about this volume which we offer for sale later.

First lets take this effort lower case to america photographs. Stepped out for a short spin about an artsy gathering earlier this evening , and once again became a little less than thrilled by the new American passion for copious photographic documentation of every last moment of an event by a multitude of amateur photographers.

Since the advent of the digital camera, and the cell phone camera every dog and pony show , art opening, sporting event, or any public event seems to be a sea of rude flash mania by the legion of wannabe artists clicking away on their cheap digital devices.

Yuk!


Tonight the space was fairly cramped and not one but two videots were lugging about their shoulder held "jerk magnets" aka video cameras , to add to the melee of narcissism being played out by the visitors to this art event.

Not a hard-bodied thirty five millimeter camera in sight among the amatuers, further adding to the transitory nature of this vernacular circus. Having racked up in excess of ten thousand 35mm negatives in the pursuit of a few hundred photographic images of note, I understand the desire of the photographer, though the digital age versus the exposed negative is where this conundrum of aesthetics versus voyearism is headed.

It is increasingly more difficult to experience a social event of any nature with this modern photomania hazzard occuring constantly.

Check 'em at the door folks.

Control yourselves in public, and when you grow up attempt the same artistic photographic aims via real live film and a trip to the darkroom.

Now time to sell a book department. AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHS is the title of the Walker Evans photography exhibition held at The Museum Of Modern Art in 1938, and is significant due to the fact that the exhibit , comprised of 87 images, was the first in America deicated entirely to one photographer's work.

The influence of this volume helped move photography forward from a science to an art form , and a diverse number of photographers were influenced by Evans as well , among them Robert Frank, Mary Ellen Mark, Robert Klein, and Helen Levitt.

We have many other rare and desirable photography titles in stock at Old Erie Street Bookstore and will be cataloguing them and placing them online in the near future.

In the meantime please feel free to send us your wants in this area. Promise to respond quickly, and provide whatever help we can in locating an elusive photographic title in our inventory.

Good wishes to all , and do not forget to help out those less fortunate in these rough fiscal times.

Walker Evans portraits of America contained many transients and less fortunate depression era types and served as illustrations in James Agee's LET US NOW PRAISE FAMOUS MEN, which addressed this never ending problem of the face of poverty in America. Best wishes to John and Kim, and all of our fortunate families tucked in for a good nights sleep in America this evening.

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