Sixty years of amazing photography

May 30, 2007 12:35 PM

Magnum Photos turns 60 this year. A retrospective of some of their best photos is featured on their site, and over at Wallpaper.
posted by chunking express (15 comments total)

I'm only up to #8 (Holyshitwow) and I need to go to work! Damn you to hell, and thanks!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 1:20 PM on May 30, 2007

Thanks Chunking Express. I've always been fascinated by the mix of awesomeness and messiness that Magnum embodies. Many many genius photographers, very little business sense, some huge egos, a few nuts, a handful of women, Castro, Art v Journalism debates, and a horrendous (thankfully) membership process. I vaguely remember hearing something along the lines of there being two types of photographers, those who want to join Magnum and those who want to leave.

Also, Phillip Jones Griffiths is my hero.
posted by Elmore at 1:56 PM on May 30, 2007

Elmore: "I vaguely remember hearing something along the lines of there being two types of photographers, those who want to join Magnum and those who want to leave."

"It is sometimes claimed, not entirely facetiously, that at any one moment in time there are 500 photographers around the world yearning to get into Magnum and fifty (in other words, the entire membership) yearning to get out."

From MAGNUM: Fifty years at the Front Line of History, a book highly recommended.
posted by klue at 2:07 PM on May 30, 2007

Klue - Thank you, I also vaguely remember reading that book.
posted by Elmore at 2:11 PM on May 30, 2007

nice one.
posted by serazin at 2:28 PM on May 30, 2007

The story behind it.
posted by klue at 2:38 PM on May 30, 2007

Klue - excellent link. I don't want to overdo it, but thanks again.
posted by Elmore at 2:50 PM on May 30, 2007

I love that there is follow up to that picture. Thanks for the links.

Like any other kind of art, photography, when effective, simply conveys a message that the artist wants it to convey, rather than showing 'the truth'. I didn't expect to know the complex story behind the simple one in that picture, and I'm glad I do now, or at least I know more of it, but I still like what that photo has to say about American arrogance.

Even now, middle class people in the US know little about life in a war zone. To me that picture talks about priveldge, and how we have it. And something about fiddling while Rome burns. Etc.

I like the photo, although I certainly wouldn't have liked to be in it, which is why I'm glad that some of those in it have had at least a little opportunity to respond.
posted by serazin at 3:33 PM on May 30, 2007

This one is pretty cool I think.
posted by Eekacat at 4:26 PM on May 30, 2007

This is one post that just got better inside.
Thanks.
posted by acro at 4:35 PM on May 30, 2007

Wow. Great. Thanks!

In my next life i'll be a Magnum photog.

These galleries are Exhibits A and B in the argument that it's not about the camera, it's about the picture. And so many are technically "bad" photos -- but still gorgeous, anyway. Or maybe because.
posted by docgonzo at 5:45 PM on May 30, 2007

I second Eekacat's motion that the rocket scavenger picture is cool.

Dear god, I couldn't have imagied anything so trippy on my own.

Reminds me of this gem: Samorost
posted by garethspor at 5:52 PM on May 30, 2007 [1 favorite]

Eroll Flynn with Princess Irene Ghica? Surprisingly little information about her on the 'net. Not even mentioned on the wikipedia link (gasp!).
posted by lundman at 7:55 PM on May 30, 2007

Glad people liked the photos. There is some great stuff there.
posted by chunking express at 8:06 PM on May 30, 2007

NSFW on the Wallpaper link -- there's a nude duo at #55.
posted by dhartung at 10:26 PM on May 30, 2007