Luminous Landscape Forum

Site & Board Matters => About This Site => Topic started by: David Sutton on August 09, 2013, 10:03:25 pm

Title: Edward S. Curtis: The Man Who Never Slept
Post by: David Sutton on August 09, 2013, 10:03:25 pm

Splendid and thoughtful review Eric.
I was recently given a copy of the 1972 edition of "Portraits from North American Indian Life" and refer to it regularly for inspiration. The 15 x 12 images in there give some sense of  how extraordinary Curtis' work was. Using roll film cameras from that period has given me nothing but admiration for those who lugged around large format plate cameras. 
I'm putting my order in for Egan's book.

Title: Re: Edward S. Curtis: The Man Who Never Slept
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on August 10, 2013, 12:35:56 am

I agree. I have always found Curtis's photographs deeply moving. His passion certainly shows through. This review was fascinating, and I'm looking forward to reading the book, too.

Title: Re: Edward S. Curtis: The Man Who Never Slept
Post by: MHMG on August 10, 2013, 05:20:43 pm

A very thoughtful and scholarly effort went into this article on LL. Very rare in this day and age of instant internet/social media fodder.  Heaps of high praise to Eric Meola and to LL for raising the bar significantly with this article.

cheers,
Mark
http://www.aardenburg-imaging.com

Title: Re: Edward S. Curtis: The Man Who Never Slept
Post by: JohnBrew on August 10, 2013, 05:28:07 pm

Good job, Eric.

A little note: many years ago a neighbor of mine found four original Curtis prints at a garage sale and paid a pittance for them! My memory is not too good on this, but I think it was around $20!

Title: Re: Edward S. Curtis: The Man Who Never Slept
Post by: Alan Smallbone on August 11, 2013, 01:18:15 am

Great review Eric, made me go and order the book. Always found the photographs to be very moving. thanks a lot.

Alan

Title: Re: Edward S. Curtis: The Man Who Never Slept
Post by: tim wolcott on August 13, 2013, 12:12:47 am

Although a great review, I wish someone would do The Wanamaker/Dixon Expedition.  If you want to a truly great Native American Photographer look at this work.  The work was GREAT it was featured as the Highlight of the Pan Pacific.  The greatest collection of Indian photography.  The Dixon held the massive center hall and Curtis was to be in Hall two with Reed in hall three. 

The Dixon exhibition toured thru out the States and nearly 16 million saw the collection in 1915-1916.  It traveled by private train across the States. 

I have collected these photographs for most of my life.  I have nearly 400 different original images from every great indian photographer who passed thru the frontier. 

It is a bit disturbing to me that Curtis like Brady gets all the fame when Dixon images are far better as well as Gardner who was far better than Brady.  I'm not saying Curtis was not a very good photographer.  But until you see the Dixon originals.  I can only say WOW, Goldtone Bromide photographs.  Tim