Behind The Lens
A Visual Escape
Section Sponsored By AIPAD photo show is a must see for aficionados.
By
Bob Krasner
Friends
Photo editor Adrienne Aurichio, photographer (and husband) Bill Eppridge with photographer (and friend) Stephen Wilkes. Credit: Bob Krasner
So you like photography? You'll want to go to the AIPAD Photography Show. You love photography? You may not want to leave.
Over 75 photo dealers from all over the world have moved into the Park Avenue Armory in NYC for the weekend. Coming from London, China and numerous U.S. locations, these dealers have brought with them the cream of their collections for the benefit of serious collectors and the window shoppers among us.
The range of work on display is fascinating. Classic works by Brassai and Ansel Adams sit next to Bettie Page's naughty nudes.
Prices range, too. The Halsted Gallery offered original vintage prints which ran from $600 to $130,000. From Franklin, Minn., they are the oldest photography gallery in the country, according to Wendy Halsted-Beard.
One could spend too much time at their space alone, perusing images from Andre Kertesz, Arnold Newman, Irving Penn, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Berenice Abbott and Brett Weston, to name a few.
The show leans to the classic photographers and we were thrilled to be looking at and sometimes holding vintage prints by some of our favorites, such as Robert Frank, Lee Friedlander, Ray Metzker and the aforementioned Cartier-Bresson. There were some surprises too in the form of recently discovered work by Leopoldo Pomes (Michael Hoppen Gallery) and G.P. Fieret (Deborah Bell).
Moving on, we found contemporary work as well. The John Cleary Gallery had many fine examples of Maggie Taylor's work. Her creations were a beautiful example of how one can digitally create an image that is about something more than how to use photoshop. Niniane Kelley, from the gallery, noted that Taylor "leads the pack in digital, surreal work."
If you are lucky, you may have a chance to talk to some of the artists.
Stephen Wilkes took the time to explain how he painstakingly created his images of the
High Line and
Times Square (12 hours in a cherry-picker and a whole lot of post-production).
We were also fortunate to spend time chatting with
Bill Eppridge, whose
40-plus years as a photojournalist have been documented in National Geographic, LIFE magazine and Sports Illustrated. He was in Vietnam and Woodstock and is well known for his
tragic image of Bobby Kennedy moments after being shot. He was having a great time at the show, being "surprised every time you turn around."
If you suffer from visual overload, stay home. But if you go, make sure you give yourself a few hours to visit all the booths. And bring a camera -- you'll probably be inspired to use it when you leave!
A GREAT ESCAPE:
The AIPAD Photography Show New York
March 18 - 21, 2010 Park Avenue Armory at 67th Street
643 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10065-6122
Show Hours
Thursday, March 17 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, March 18 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 19 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, March 20 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tickets are only available for purchase during Show hours.
Each ticket admits one person.
Admission
$40 for run-of-show
Includes exhibition access for Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, plus one show catalogue (as available). Does not include panel discussions.
$25 daily
Only includes exhibition access for Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
$10 daily with valid student ID
Only includes exhibition access for Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
Special Events
$10 per session for Saturday panel discussions
Seating for panel discussions is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Download the panel discussion program.
Related:
THE AIPAD PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW: "Where photojournalism is exhibited alongside artier and more experimental work
