7 decades of Observer photography

[Peter B]

Obviously a big variety of subject matter, but a fascinating reminder of the past and well worth a look.

https://www.theguardian.com/theobse...ades-of-classic-photography-from-the-observer

 

[stevewestern]

Fantastic. So many excellent pictures.
Thanks Peter !

 

[PenelopeB]

Thank you for that. Some amazing pictures in there.

 

[viewfromthenorth]

Excellent, loved that! It's a while since I've been on the Guardian website, the quality of their photography is, and always has been, excellent.

 

[Stumpy]

Has anything changed apart from the Tri-X grain?
If one doesn't recognise the C-leb, then it's all just a snapshot of Human misery in an effort to sell newspapers isn't it?

 

[Phil V]

Some excellent work there, I recognised all the Jane Bown stuff and a couple of others, but I'm now going back to click some of the links.

 

[gramps]

it's all just a snapshot of Human misery in an effort to sell newspapers isn't it?

I know Tony Benn wasn't everyone's cup of tea but I think you are over-stating the case here.

 

[viewfromthenorth]

Has anything changed apart from the Tri-X grain?
If one doesn't recognise the C-leb, then it's all just a snapshot of Human misery in an effort to sell newspapers isn't it?

Disagree, there's a variety of different work shown in there beyond the celebs and the disasters / suffering.

Once you've got the distance of time between the hard news event, you can start to appreciate the photographs in a different light.

 

[Peter B]

Has anything changed apart from the Tri-X grain?
If one doesn't recognise the C-leb, then it's all just a snapshot of Human misery in an effort to sell newspapers isn't it?

Reportage photography has been used down the years to highlight both the privileged and the underprivileged, and I'd say it has a pretty honourable reputation for assisting social change. As far as selling newspapers is concerned, the Sunday Times magazine was once renowned for photography by the likes of Don McCullin, but I guess that was before Murdoch took it over. I think you'll find the decision was made that it didn't sell newspapers and may even have upset the advertisers who were desperate to sell you tat, but everyone's views are valid.

 

[Ed Sutton]

For anyone interested in documentary photography (or someone who thinks it's just snapshots of suffering) this book is a good read. There's a lot more to it than selling newsprint.

 

[viewfromthenorth]

For anyone interested in documentary photography (or someone who thinks it's just snapshots of suffering) this book is a good read. There's a lot more to it than selling newsprint.

I'll second that, I'm about a third of the way through it currently.

 

[Ed Sutton]

I'll second that, I'm about a third of the way through it currently.

I'm about two thirds through. It's one I'll read again.

 

[Norkie]

Thanks for the link, excellent