This N' That: 1/25/21
© Tibor de Nagy Gallery Installation shot – Rudy Burckhardt – New York Hello! Photographs and Films from the 1970s and 1980s
Rudy Burckhardt - New York Hello!
Rudy Burckhardt’s street photography, which was featured in an exhibition at Tibor de Nagy Gallery through January 23rd, put the idea of carefree fun above all. In the 1970s and 80s in New York, the photographer returned from a ten-year hiatus he’d spent raising his family and teaching painting and filmmaking at the University of Pennsylvania. The result of the following work, which was built on the foundation of an already fruitful career, was a glimpse of New York City that remains both accurate and wondrous.
Bringing a refreshing technique to a genre most often thought of as candid, Burckhardt did not typically hide his camera from view in an effort to be discreet. Instead, many of his subjects were aware that they were being photographed, creating a vastly different dynamic from the images of Walker Evans, Robert Frank, and others whose work shares a similar sentiment but does not usually inform subjects of their role. By involving those around him in a more direct way, Burckhardt let go of the illusion of control he may have otherwise felt. Rather than being viewed in a detached, voyeuristic way, Burckhardt’s subjects are active participants, giving his photographs a sense of connectedness.
Adam Schultz is named official White House photographer
After serving as President Biden’s campaign photographer, Adam Schultz has been formally named as official White House photographer. From presidency to presidency, the role and style of each White House photographer has varied, sometimes dramatically. During the Obama administration, photographer Pete Souza often highlighted the aspects of government not typically seen by most people. The Trump White House photographer Shealah Craighead, on the other hand, often made more formal, posed group portraits. Based on Schultz’ photographs from the Biden campaign, many believe his appointment as White House photographer will mark a return to Souza’s more unfiltered approach.
Canon and Nikon production may be slowed due to covid-19
As Japan puts new Coronavirus safety measures in place, many anticipate a slowdown in production from Nikon. Japan’s Prime Minister issued a state of emergency on January 7th for some parts of the country, including Tokyo, in response to a significant surge in daily infection rates. On January 12th, Nikon issued a statement on the matter expressing condolences to those impacted by covid-19, going on to say that while the manufacturing of its products will continue, new guidelines meant to minimize infection rates will require the workforce to be reduced by 30 percent. Because of this, it has been rumoured that an interruption in the availability of Nikon products is probable.
As a majority of Canon cameras are also manufactured in Japan, their production capacity will likely be similarly affected. Canon has promised a great deal of new products in coming months, announcing that five new RF mirrorless cameras will become available within the next year. Given evolving circumstances, however, this has begun to appear to be an overly-optimistic timeline. As covid-19 cases continue to grow, many are already coming to accept that these expectations for 2021 may not be met.
© Grace Robertson, 'Mothers' Pub Outing', National Galleries of Scotland. Purchased from the Zelda Cheatle Gallery, 1989
British photographer Grace Robertson passes at 90
Grace Robertson gained recognition for her photographs of postwar Britain, many of which focused on the lives of working-class women of the era. In the 1950s, she worked as a freelance photojournalist for the publication Picture Post. Throughout her career, Robertson faced resistance for her inclination toward what would have been referred to at the time as “women’s subjects,” as illustrated in her stories entitled “Mother’s Day Off” and “Childbirth.”
Despite the prejudice she often faced, Robertson continued to submit her work to Picture Post, eventually becoming a widely respected contributor. With what many described as quiet determination, she became a pioneer in the field of documentary photography. Robertson passed away at 90 years old on January 8, 2021 of a stroke. As a woman who made great strides in photography, her legacy and the progress she made will continue to shape the future of the medium.
