Photo Journal: Walking in the footsteps of photographer Berenice Abbott

#1 Kornalewski

hopbereniceabbott — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:29:51 +0000

I was very inspired by the way Abbott notice places forms and captures architectural details making such harmonious compositions. Even though she wanted to document it, she has a great sense of aesthetic style.

Originally uploaded by hopbereniceabbott

#1 Abbott

hopbereniceabbott — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:29:17 +0000

“People say they have to express their emotions. I’m sick of that.” Abbott told an Art News magazine writer. “Photography doesn’t teach you how to express your emotions; it teaches you how to see.” (Art News, January 1981)

“Some people are still unaware that reality contains unparalleled beauties. The fantastic and unexpected, the ever-changing and renewing is nowhere so exemplified as in real life itself”.

[Berenice Abbott]

#15 BA

Originally uploaded by hopbereniceabbott

#2 Kornalewski

hopbereniceabbott — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:27:32 +0000

When I arrived in New York, I felt like I was in a movie all the time. Yellow cabs, fire escapes, Times Square, subway stations, snow, Fifth Ave, Central Park, East Village, Strawberry Field, Hot Dogs, Glamour, Weird people, Chinatown, Hip Hop, Madison Square Garden, baseball, football… Everything was so cinematographic, photogenic, interesting… Now, I am part of the picture.

When I passed in front of this restaurant, I suddenly felt I was one of Woody Allen’s characters going for a date with a married guy in that charmed restaurant far from the Upper East Side.

#14 LK

Originally uploaded by hopbereniceabbott

#2 Abbott

hopbereniceabbott — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:26:44 +0000

If it wasn’t because f the vintage vehicles, we couldn’t tell if this photo was taken today or 40 years ago.

The presence of those black cars, the old buildings with fire escapes, the image has such a nostalgic mood… a classic New York. It feels like an old classic movie. Also reminds me the movie “Breathless” by Jean-Luc Godard, where the main character sells New York Herald Square Tribune along the Champs-Elysees. Can feel nostalgic about something that I’ve never had? I would love to walk along this image…

Live in “New York City” once, but leave before it makes you hard. 

Live in “Northern California” once, but leave before it makes you soft.

[Baz Luhrmann]

When I passed in front of this restaurant, I suddenly felt I was one of Woody Allen’s characters going for a date with a married guy in that charmed restaurant far from the Upper East Side.

Originally uploaded by hopbereniceabbott

#3 Kornalewski

hopbereniceabbott — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:25:34 +0000

Both images illustrate the rush, the immediate, the necessity, the accelerated rhythm, and the urgency that moves the city.

People are always so busy… and have to go somewhere… and do not have time… and have a lot of stuff to do…

#13 LK

Originally uploaded by hopbereniceabbott

#3 Abbott

hopbereniceabbott — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:24:58 +0000

“There are roughly three New Yorks. There is, first, the New York of the man or woman who was born there, who takes the city for granted and accepts its size, its turbulence as natural and inevitable. Second, there is the New York of the commuter–the city that is devoured by locusts each day and spat out each night. Third, there is New York of the person who was born somewhere else and came to New York in quest of something. Of these trembling cities the greatest is the last–the city of final destination, the city that is a goal”.

[From "Here is New York" (1948) by E. B. White]

Both images illustrate the rush, the immediate, the necessity, the accelerated rhythm, and the urgency that moves the city.

People are always so busy… and have to go somewhere… and do not have time… and have a lot of stuff to do…

#13 BA

Originally uploaded by hopbereniceabbott

#4 Kornalewski

hopbereniceabbott — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:24:42 +0000

Rectangles everywhere… tRectangles everywhere…

Seems like they are competing to see which one is the the most strong and powerful and will reach the sky.

Is the Sky the limit?

#12 LK

Originally uploaded by hopbereniceabbott

#4 Abbott

hopbereniceabbott — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:24:07 +0000

Seems like Men are playing with Lego on top of an island

The Big Apple is developing fast. Perforating the ground furiously. Growing everywhere.

Rectangles everywhere…

Seems like they are competing to see which one is the the most strong and powerful and will reach the sky.

Is the Sky the limit?

#12 BA

Originally uploaded by hopbereniceabbott

#5 Kornalewski

hopbereniceabbott — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:23:43 +0000

Both images show a real and regular individual, a human being and the potency of the media, effective marketing strategies, powerful brands, persuasive slogans and influential concepts… meaning: brain washing!

I was glad to that I want trough all this and found a kind man behind it. He led me to take his portrait and smiling, he said: “Thank you! I love you!” I was so impressed. It does not happened quite often in NY. Maybe, he was just happy that someone really SAW him.

#11 LK

Originally uploaded by hopbereniceabbott

#5 Abbott

hopbereniceabbott — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:23:17 +0000

Lots of images, colors, information, graphics, symbols, ideas, concept, money, power… they are all fighting for attention… and for our last penny.

I agree that all good photographs are documents, but I also know that all documents are certainly not good photographs. Furthermore, a good photographer does not merely document, he probes the subject, he ‘uncovers’ it …”

[Berenice Abbott]

I was glad to that I want trough all this and found a kind man behind it. He led me to take his portrait and smiling, he said: “Thank you! I love you!” I was so impressed. It does not happen quite often in NY. Maybe, he was just happy that someone really SAW him.

#11 BA

Originally uploaded by hopbereniceabbott