Joel Meyerowitz (born March 1938)
As part of my ongoing research into street photographers suggested by my tutor, I’ve recently explored the work of Joel Meyerowitz—someone I must admit I had little knowledge of prior to this.
Meyerowitz was first inspired to take up photography after seeing Robert Frank’s work firsthand on a commercial shoot in 1962. He was also influenced by Henri Cartier-Bresson, and during the 1960s, he was contemporaneous with Garry Winogrand and Diane Arbus, working exclusively in black and white. However, in 1972, Meyerowitz became one of the first street photographers to switch exclusively to colour film, which set his work apart from his peers and the photographers who influenced him.
Watching the 1981 documentary on Meyerowitz provides fascinating insight into the mind and work ethic of a street photographer. Meyerowitz talks about the importance of “paying your dues” and the necessity of shooting every day—a mantra that resonates deeply with any aspiring street photographer.
Primarily shooting in New York, Meyerowitz’s approach to photography is largely unplanned. He uses his powers of observation to capture whatever each day offers. His style, as seen in the photographs from the iN-PUBLIC gallery, is non-confrontational, with an emphasis on shapes and colours in everyday life, in stark contrast to the more direct approach of photographers like Bruce Gilden or his contemporary, Garry Winogrand.
Meyerowitz’s use of colour is another standout feature of his work. He appears to have used high-contrast films, reminiscent of Kodachrome 64, which gives his images sharp shadows. In many of his shots, long shadows enhance the depth and texture of the composition. The role of colour in Meyerowitz’s images is pivotal, as he developed his style around the unique way colour film captures a scene. This is particularly evident in his work.
The photographs featured in the iN-PUBLIC gallery are unmistakably rooted in New York, and the city itself provides a cohesive thread that ties the images together.
I admire Meyerowitz’s approach to street photography, though I find his personality a bit pretentious. However, his use of colour is truly inspiring. His less confrontational style may suit me better, and I will keep it in mind for my upcoming shoots.
Bibliography
WIKIPEDIA. 2015. Joel Meyerowitz. [online]. [Accessed 24 Aug 2015]. Available from World Wide Web: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Meyerowitz
IN-PUBLIC. Joel Meyerowitz Bio. [online]. [Accessed 24 Aug 2015]. Available from World Wide Web: http://www.in-public.com/JoelMeyerowitz
MEYEROWITZ, Joel. Joel Meyerowitz Gallery. [online]. [Accessed 24 Aug 2015]. Available from World Wide Web: http://www.in-public.com/JoelMeyerowitz/gallery/53
WESTERBECK, Colin L Jnr. 1981. Joel Meyerowitz Photographer. [online]. [Accessed 24 Aug 2015]. Available from World Wide Web: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDSGWy1CU78
SWEET, Michael Earnst. 2015. Half a century of making photographs: A conversation with Joel Meyerowitz. [online]. [Accessed 24 Aug 2015]. Available from World Wide Web: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-ernest-sweet/half-a-century-of-making-_b_7844038.html
