Michael Reichmann - San Miguel de Allende

[Christopher Sanderson]

I will post from time to time on this Forum section some images that I particularly like from Michael's catalog from San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Some will be familiar, others not

Chris

[RSL]

Both, of course, are first class. Thanks Chris.

I'm probably going to drag out some of the stuff I've posted before too. I don't get over to places like St. Augustine often enough any more.

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

I look forward to more from Michael's archive and from Russ.

[Rob C]

I will post from time to time on this Forum section some images that I particularly like from Michael's catalog from San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Some will be familiar, others not

Chris

And there you are: I feel No.2 instantly demands colour, despite all of my reservations about it; but yes, it's the bold graphics that would be much less powerful if black/white. So much for the value of any dogmatic rule!

Thanks for posting the shots; RIP Michael, we enjoy you still.

Rob

[Christopher Sanderson]

Interestingly, as I go through Michael's Catalog, I often find both a B&W version and a colour (often selective) version, each with the appropriate rating that tells me that he thought it publishable.

I'll look for a pair of equally rated images next time. My preference is almost invariably the colour version but I have no way of knowing his preference for unpublished images where the rating is identical - as it often is.

[fredjeang2]

Interestingly, as I go through Michael's Catalog, I often find both a B&W version and a colour (often selective) version, each with the appropriate rating that tells me that he thought it publishable.

I'll look for a pair of equally rated images next time. My preference is almost invariably the colour version but I have no way of knowing his preference for unpublished images where the rating is identical - as it often is.

Nice initiative Chris. Thanks for sharing.

It would also be historical if you could find some motion material
Or why not doing a video reportage with the motion archive takes?

[Rob C]

Nice initiative Chris. Thanks for sharing.

It would also be historical if you could find some motion material
Or why not doing a video reportage with the motion archive takes?

Good concept!

Rob

[Christopher Sanderson]

Another two from Michael.

The first will be unfamiliar to most, the second is better known since it appears on the cover of his LensWork-published monograph "Mexico: The Light and The Warmth".

I post this second image for two reasons. First, the monograph book of Michael's Mexico images is sold out at LensWork, but is still available as a 'thank-you' for donations to the Luminous Endowment. I would like to remind readers that The Luminous Endowment actively seeks financial contributions for its efforts to give financial aid to photographers' projects.

Posting here also allows me to relate part of the story of the image. Michael's true delight in the photograph was to have found a discarded sweet or candy wrapper on the ground with colours that echo the main graphic. The confluence of colours, textures and shadows are naturally what first attracted him to the shot but it was his delighted discovery of the discarded wrapper that made the shot truly special for him and perhaps for some, qualifies this shot as 'street' photography. I believe that if the wrapper had not been there, Michael would have patiently waited—for at least seven minutes (maybe four)—for some being to enter the frame. As Michael often said, "If it's not here, it may be over there." On street walkabouts, Michael covered a lot of ground.

[Rob C]

Again, wonderful images that, were they to be submitted to my earlier set of personal definitions of street, would find both firmly within box #Street Art.

:-)

[Christopher Sanderson]

On the second anniversary of Michael's death, this little gem of his

[petermfiore]

On the second anniversary of Michael's death, this little gem of his

Wonderful wonderment...

Peter

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

That is a fine memento of Michael's humane vision.
Thanks for sharing it at this time.

[RSL]

Wonderful wonderment...

Peter

Absolutely. Look at the composition in that picture. He knew how to frame it.

[Christopher Sanderson]

Two more from Michael where the first also shows the B&W version

[Rob C]

Two more from Michael where the first also shows the B&W version

I'd say the colour version of #1 is the one that works. The third is great, too.

I'd also venture that Michael had absolutely no problems understanding genres!

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

...I'd also venture that Michael had absolutely no problems understanding genres!

I’d venture to say he didn’t shoot it to satisfy someone’s penchant for genre classification or to prove his own understanding of genres. Genre classifications are best left to curators. Photographers shoot because they HAVE TO capture something interesting they see. The only time they worry about genres and can’t sleep at night, trembling in fear of rejection, is when they think of posting it on LuLa’s segregated forums 

[Rob C]

I’d venture to say he didn’t shoot it to satisfy someone’s penchant for genre classification or to prove his own understanding of genres. Genre classifications are best left to curators. Photographers shoot because they HAVE TO capture something interesting they see. The only time they worry about genres and can’t sleep at night, trembling in fear of rejection, is when they think of posting it on LuLa’s segregated forums 

Really? Such stress!

I'm sure he didn't pre-classify; why would he? Like most people he'd shoot first and think about it afterwards, unless working to commission.

I suspect I know all there is to know about the drive, the need to make photographs: it's configured my life both professionally, and as pastime, now.

;-)

[Christopher Sanderson]

A couple more from Michael's catalog

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Thanks for these, Chris.
More lessons in how to see!

[francois]

…
More lessons in how to see!

My thought, exactly!