This SlideShowPro photo gallery requires the Flash Player plugin and a web browser with JavaScript enabled.
Sakhalin
Photographed predominantly in the broken, rusted, skeletons of communities around Sakhalin Island, Russia, these images explore the enigmatic spirit of a place and its people, long scarred from the Soviet era and left behind in modern times.
Photographs: Michael Christopher Brown
Website: www.mcbphotos.com
was there ever a song that truly educated us? moved us ‘yes’, but allowed us to say we ‘know’ more important facts now, know them now so much more than before we experienced the song?
even if the lyrics were filled with words that described real things? even if the song was ‘we didn’t start the fire’; do we ever feel educated?
do songwriters ever set out on this fact-based enlightenment intention? why don’t song writers give us an artist statement or song objective before we hear it?
it seems long ago that song writers came to grips with the communication medium they chose, they figured out its strengths and its weaknesses. creators of photographic messages are long over due to be woken by this same reality.
a photograph is simply never going to offer the degree of education that is delivered by other forms of media and will never supplant a real-life experience. to hold the medium to that level of regard is just absurd and truly unfair to a beautiful effective messaging device that is a still photograph.
the sooner the creators of photographic songs come to grips with this, the sooner their audience can stop getting snagged by the fish hooks of ‘success’ or ‘failure’, fishhooks set entirely because the creators dangled bait by passing the essay off as an education, even if that bait was as benign as:
“broken, rusted, skeletons of communities around Sakhalin Island, Russia, these images explore the enigmatic spirit of a place and its people, long scarred from the Soviet era and left behind in modern times”
Michael’s essay is the most beautiful essay i’ve experienced here on Burn. much like a moving song, it makes me wonder not only about this place, it also makes me wonder about my own space in this world, it make me wonder this by pure, stark, contrast; it also makes me wonder about my own options and my own activities based on the images i experienced through this essay.
this wonder has already kicked-off a deeper exploration of this place for me via google and a deeper appreciation of my own space as i gaze out the window right now. i don’t really know if this was the desired result Michael had for this essay, but i think to be moved to action and personal reflection on any level establishes an effort as a work of art and i feel richer for experiencing it.
But when will we stop looking for educations in photographic essays? Has there been an educational essay on Burn yet?
Mike, thank you for answering and offering an insight in your work.
I like to stress what Joe, Bob and Joel have just pointed out. This essay offers a taste. A taste of what Sachalin might be like.
Even with time, good will and many more images so much has to be left out. We are a little doomed here. We can only sratch the surface. But we can try and scratch it real good! And I feel Mike did!
Reimar
Sense of a place, very nicely done!
Splendid.
This is the mutt’s nuts.
Bob,
I read about Jason’s story and the making off the book. Which I think is a precious piece of work (and I am glad I bought a copy before its price inflation), therefore I do acknowledge that he had time… Sometimes comparisons can be “badly” interpreted… And first impressions and thoughts are quite spontaneous, no? Whether you voice them or not, in my case I couldn’t help myself, maybe it was the subject itself… Russia; however I do like Mr. Brown’s photographs though… As I said before, they are beautiful. Thanks for taking the time to stress the part which I left behind when my comment was made.
Spasibo!
thankyou Joe, well said
Veba, I agree. There is life everywhere and just being at such a remote place does not automatically mean that series has to be interesting. I see some very beautiful photographs in his essay, but i have a feeling it hardly scratches the surface. It looks to me like a one time trip photo report – result of several days (again it might not be so, but it look like it) of shooting – whatever was around. Can hardly call this exploration of enigmatic spirit, but may be that just me.
This is what I love about Burn. Here we have an essay that everyone seems to agree contains excellent photographs and we still find points upon which to disagree, points that trigger a discussion of the broader issues confronting photography. Fantastic!
In terms of whether or not photographs have the capacity and/or obligation to educate their viewers, I’m reminded of the discussion that swirled around Anton’s “Sugar,” the first-ever essay published on Burn. Ben, for one, wrote in part,
“Many of the photographs have a simple innocence to them that is alluring; however I found the repetition frustrating, and crucially (for me anyway) i didn’t feel like I learnt a single thing about diabetes from the images…”
And now some are asking if we have been misled by Mike’s introduction into expecting something he didn’t deliver, and that is a body of work that educates us in depth about the place and people of Sakhalin. Others posit that 1) Mike did not make such a promise, and 2) such in-depth education is not the responsibility nor province of photography.
I take a both/and approach to the question.
Have I ever been educated by a photograph? Yes. One that comes immediately to mind is Eddie Adams’ “Execution of a Viet Cong Guerrilla.” What I learned from that photo taken at the same time that my brother-in-law was fighting in that far-off land, was the utter callousness of war. There was something about the body language of General Nguyeyen Ngoc Loan that said killing was no more important to him than lighting up a cigarette. It shocked me into seeing what my brother-in-law was part of.
But do I EXPECT photographs to educate me? No. If I did, would I have dared take on the topic I chose for my own photo essay? Does anyone learn more about multiple sclerosis by seeing that essay? I think not. Did I expect to learn all about Sakhalin by seeing Mike’s essay or about Korea’s “love hotels” by seeing Grace Kim’s essay? No. In both cases, I expected to see/feel the spirit of a place and its present or absent people as evoked through the medium of photography. In both cases, my expectations were more than satisfied.
Photography is no more than a reflection of reality as seen through the eyes of the photographer. The intent of each photographer as she/he pushes the shutter release button will color what the viewers see, think and feel about the image. But the viewer’s own life experience, world view and capacity to feel/think will also influence how they see the image. It’s just as dangerous to generalize about the impact of any one photograph or essay as it is to generalize about any one individual or place. But the fact that we do it anyway, certainly keeps things hopping here on Burn!
Patricia
felt like a mix between simon roberts “motherland” and bendiksen’s “sattelites”.
enjoyable.
felt like some of the shots of kids were a bit whimsical.
yeah. good work.
Joe. it all depends on how you classify ‘education’.
Im pretty sure a lot of people have learned a lot of things here already.
How they see vs how others see.
Subtelty as a form of expression, and how it might be read.
The art vs documentary approach debate.
The art of essay editing.
….and the importance of personal visions and dream chasing.
each of these and quite a few more have been well explored in the work presented and the many varied responses to them. that IS education if we care to utilise it.
But no, an essay ,on homelessness say, will not teach us how to end homelessness, but it MIGHT teach us how to understand OUR part in it.
Good to see you back
john
Really excellent.
Many have asked for more photos to be included. I think it’s the perfect length for a web slideshow like this. I’d want more images in a book or exhibition – things that I could browse more at leisure but in this setting i found it concise and held my attention (the span of which is shortened when applied to a computer screen).
Sense of place and spirit is beautifully conveyed…
Dan…said.
Many have asked for more photos to be included…
Dan… its the same ones that asked from the longer essays to have
photos excluded…
Laughing….:))))))))))))))))))))))))))…
For some, its either TOO LONG , or TOO SHORT…..
but never enough…
pessimists…
( laughing )
Hey Michael,
We met at the Kibbutz once. This is one of my favorite essays on Burn now – I like the delicate compositions, etc, etc. But what I really like is that I’m not seeing desperation in such a desolate place (am I supposed to?) I see health and education, sustenance, sexuality, history, technology, and families. The only thing I really see as depressing is the cold, with all things considered makes Michigan one of the most depressing places on earth!
I think you painted a very “as is” picture. Thank you for not patronizing them – I’m sure they wouldn’t have it any other way.
I just looked at the series on your site – that person on the slab of ice is really freaking me out!
That was a beautiful essay. The image of the dog through the window, atop the snow bank, took my breath away. Lovely.
Hey Joe,
as always, you made me think…
:)))))))))))))))))))))
Bob…
same as Joe, you made me think & rethink and think again…
thank you guys…
still thinking…
hmmm
David McG..;-)
i might agree with you too here..
although usually the opposite is the given,
coz you prefer the clean cut natgeo look and…
i’m still thinking about it.. hmmm
:)))))))))))))
peace y’all…
who says I like the clean? well, maybe. actually I’m a big fan of the ordinary.
Ordinary???
hey… i like it too!!!
;-)
mike.. you are one of the few, at least for me, whose consistently solid work i thoroughly respect and admire and i feel compelled to push on when i see your work.. call it inspiration, motivation, whatever… great stuff amigo.. i’m always looking forward to more from you. best, lance
Michael, stunning work – both here and on your website. I see you’ve been classified by several sources as ‘emerging’ — with your body of work so far as a preview, I can’t wait to see what you’ll do when you’re all the way out!
Im pretty sure a lot of people have learned a lot of things here already
you couldn’t be more correct. this place leaves me deeply satisfied in this respect. cheers for the warm words John.
Gordon and Panos, cheers ;-)
Excellent. Feels like the right number of photographs for a web essay.
Yes, Abele; I thought of Koudelka too! Or maybe Erwitt?
Hello Mickael,
I really like your essay. I’ve just went to your website and I admire your work.
Julien (from france).
dear bob… never ever i was addressing you in my comment, I hope you would know me as much. we discussed this same issue in my living room, I know where you stand, nothing to argue about it with you… it never crossed my mind that you assume you got all the knowledge of the place by reading Imperium. i used you reference to Imperium to say that even after reading such a great reporting book one can not assume all the knowledge, bla, bla (just as you don’t)… what got me is the comment by buzz luzz biteyear liteyear and partialy (and supprisingly) Patricia’s about even animals looking depressed… all I wanted to do is to bring a point to try to prevent many others coming in and labeling whole communities with the mood they get from looking at a photo essay… i guess, as it has been proven million times so far, the points do not come accross on online forums… being my secong language i probably can’t express myself well either.
also, i never questioned the photographers intentions in my comment. i believe it is clear i am not judging him and i never assumed he wanted to educate us. in fact, i found nothing depressing in this essay, it is beautiful photography about life in a certain place as seen by the photographer, just like we all do every time we photograph… man, my pictures of montreal sometimes look like it is the ugliest place while in fact it is the most beautiful city…
again, sorry for upsetting you, never ever thought that would happen.. oh, i can’t believe we are discussing this here… cheers, veba.
interesting. didn’t know that sakhalin and life in there looks like this, this good. thought that its something else. anyway i think its great that life is at least beautiful in there. beautiful colors, crisp snow, compositions and great, wild dogs. and i think its also really cheap in there. great advertisement for sakhalin, the place full of enigma and secrets or whatever in hell you wrote. have to think about it as my next home. any good beaches, bungalows there during the summer that you could recommend?
in my opinion, we’re looking at the work of a photographer who will be heard from for a long time. you’ll see his work in the world’s top publication… i belive he’s got the chops to succeed at the highest levels — go through his website — can you imagine the body of work he’ll have after another 10 or 20 years? MCB — you are a true talent !
dh
MICHAEL,
You have done a very fine essay and I actually even prefered the longer version of the essay that you have on your website. I maybe would have kept images 21, 27, 31 and 37 and even possibly 24 (all on your website esit) into your final edit…. In any case, nicely done. It reminded be a bit of a book that I recently purchased “Satellites” from Jonas Bendiksen that I love. Not exactly the same location but some similar inspiration and mood. I thionk that Jonas has some even more impactful photographs but you are right up there….
Cheers,
Eric
Again, thanks for the comments and an interesting discussion….Will respond to several and sorry if I miss some people:
Joel, I like these words: ‘…the ghost of truth.’ I agree, it is important to follow the response/curiosity of your particular your eye/gut, wherever they lead you. This is something that inspires me about photography – that if we try and do this we can, at least attempt to, communicate, express what we feel in a given experience. I think of the poet Fernando Pessoa and how ‘…what we see is not made up of what we are seeing but rather from what we are.’
Bob, really enjoy the analysis….Yes, when Chekhov went (and my flying from NY to Moscow then across Russia on an uncomfortable Aeroflot flight was nothing compared to his lengthy journey just getting to/from there, which I believe included a rough ride on a coach and buggy…) he was given, officially, total access to wander wherever….He spent time in people’s homes, secretly interviewing them (as in-depth interviews were unofficial) and learning the stories of their past lives….But however detailed the stories were, Chekhov just began to discover the ‘depths of (their) experience’…..and he was there working everyday all day for four months!
Joe, love the analysis of what I believe was Bob’s initial suggestion of a ‘winter’s song.’ There are definitely strengths and weaknesses and photographs often are most thought-provoking on an emotional level….And when we feel something, as photographers, then maybe others, viewers, will as well. ‘The taste,’ right Reimar?!
And David, of course another important point: ‘…I’m not seeing desperation….am I supposed to?’ I cannot speak in general but in this particular case I think you should see/feel what YOU see/feel. And BTW we had tons of fun jumping from iceberg to iceberg on our way home that day, after climbing some waterfalls along the coast!
Mike :)))
you are one brilliant magician and it’s was such such a pleasure to see this essay (i’d seen some of your other work in NG)…particularly since Russia holds such a personal place in my familiy’s life…and just last summer i discovered Chekhov’s book after reading Good Night Mister Lenin….
though you and i are totally different photographers, i must tell you after watching your essay i said to myself “fuck, fuck, that’s IT!” :)))))….and you know i had a dream 2 nights about the photo (on your website) of the dog looking into the window…..now, to get into my head dream-space means you are doing something right! ;))))….
wicked beauty :))
cheers
bob
ludmilla :)))
no worries…i gotta tease jason about the inflation ;)))…and yes, he’s been to this site too :))…totally agree, 1st impressions are like breath, the stuff of who we are, …and i was trilled to see u mention Wonderland…what a pleasure to know it’s read everywhere :))))…cheers, bob
veba :))
no worries V…that’s why i wrote that 2nd PS, cause the ‘tone’ of my response sounded much much harsher or angry or whatever than what i was feeling…i dont get upset that often and certaintly wouldnt be upset with you, i mean if there’s one photographer and friend i can talk late into the night about the duplicity of photography or the bullshit of ‘knowing’ it’s you :))……maybe it’s cool we dont live in montreal, othewise what work would we get done ;)))…..totally totally understand…and your question and concern as ludmilla’s and haiks and panos and my friend Kirill’s above are important…and necessary…so, i was just offering another way to see around this dilemma, call it Lazarus’ response ;)))….and since when the hell did you EVER make a city ugly with your pics???…..ok, maybe Chicago ;)))…hugs…love from both of us to u….summer approaches, soon chats in person… :))))))
your
b
p.s. this cover image is just sublime…and one of the few few times i’ve been totally jealous of another photographer…that’s embryonic beauty, the star-child in 2001, the heart of the daguerretype, the rosetta stone, the icon of the story and all that…god damned ;))))))….b
Mike,
how come your video interview is the one missing here?:
http://www.worldpressphoto.org/index.php?option=com_media_gallery&area=showGallery&task=view&id=14&Itemid=72&bandwidth=high
Michael,
Beautiful work! It reminds me of the work of one of my all time favorite photographers: Winterreise by Luc Delahaye. I don’t why, but images from Russia really grab my attention. I do have a Russian grandma, perhaps its that?
Gotta go know, might write more later after I’ve looked at your site.
Jason.
Fine work; I love #2 & #12. DR
absolutely stunning. It made me want to see more.