Comments on: michael c. brown – sakhalin

By: Photo Essays/Podcasts « Strong Photography

Photo Essays/Podcasts « Strong Photography — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 05:08:51 +0000

[...] http://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2009/02/michael-christopher-brown-sakhalin [...]

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:32:32 +0000

absolutely stunning. It made me want to see more.

By: David Robertson

David Robertson — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:51:03 +0000

Fine work; I love #2 & #12. DR

By: Jason Hobbs

Jason Hobbs — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 11:31:14 +0000

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.

By: Davin Ellicson

Davin Ellicson — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 11:18:09 +0000

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

By: bobblack

bobblack — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 11:14:08 +0000

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

By: bobblack

bobblack — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 11:11:41 +0000

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

By: bobblack

bobblack — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 11:07:29 +0000

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

By: bobblack

bobblack — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 11:04:15 +0000

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

By: mike

mike — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 04:00:06 +0000

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!

By: Eric Espinosa

Eric Espinosa — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 03:32:23 +0000

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

By: lrkr2

lrkr2 — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 03:18:58 +0000

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 !

By: lrkr

lrkr — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 02:13:38 +0000

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?

By: Velibor Bozovic

Velibor Bozovic — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:03:54 +0000

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.

By: Julien Lambert

Julien Lambert — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:27:22 +0000

Hello Mickael,

I really like your essay. I’ve just went to your website and I admire your work.

Julien (from france).

By: Mike R

Mike R — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:00:16 +0000

Yes, Abele; I thought of Koudelka too! Or maybe Erwitt?

By: bryanF.

bryanF. — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:08:59 +0000

Excellent. Feels like the right number of photographs for a web essay.

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 19:22:33 +0000

Gordon and Panos, cheers ;-)

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 19:20:20 +0000

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.

By: Kerry Payne

Kerry Payne — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 19:19:16 +0000

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!