Lee Friedlander is an American photographer who primarily uses 35mm cameras as well as black and white film. Probably some of the most notable of Friedlander’s works are his 1960’s Self Portraits. Even before the popular term “selfie” was coined, he took photos of himself in inventive and experimental ways. With the use of everyday lighting, shadows, and reflective surfaces, Friedlander managed to take some outside of the box photos.
What’s great about his works is that even if his own person is the subject and the main focal point, he still incorporates the American social landscape of his generation in his photos. He even accomplishes to include other people in these self-portraits, which is hard to do especially if you want the viewers to know that it is in fact, a portrait of yourself. Because of this, we somehow get to view what the contemporary American culture was like back in the day as well as live Friedlander’s everyday life through his “eyes” (or camera lens for that matter).
What’s great about his works is that even if his own person is the subject and the main focal point, he still incorporates the American social landscape of his generation in his photos. He even accomplishes to include other people in these self-portraits, which is hard to do especially if you want the viewers to know that it is in fact, a portrait of yourself. Because of this, we somehow get to view what the contemporary American culture was like back in the day as well as live Friedlander’s everyday life through his “eyes” (or camera lens for that matter).
His photos are not only innovative, but they also give us interesting stories. When you look at these self-portraits not only are you seeing him in the 60’s, but you are also being given a sense of how people and Friedlander himself lived. This is one of the most important aspects of a good photograph: viewers have to be able to feel and really think about what is going on in the photo. And in this case, you might get a feeling of nostalgia even if you were never around to experience that generation. That’s because he gives us his own personal interpretation on things, places, and people that encapsulated what it was like living in that era.
Personally, I feel like Lee Friedlander is one of the pioneers who brought “experimental self portraits” into the photography scene with his creative framing and composition. And for that, more people should know of this brilliant photographer.
- Reign Gonzales
all photos and other information are from fraenkelgallery.com
Personally, I feel like Lee Friedlander is one of the pioneers who brought “experimental self portraits” into the photography scene with his creative framing and composition. And for that, more people should know of this brilliant photographer.
- Reign Gonzales
all photos and other information are from fraenkelgallery.com