Contacts, Vol. 3: Conceptual Photography

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Starring: John Baldessari
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Type: DVD
Studio: Arte
Release Date: 2005-10-25
Running Time: 130 minutes
Studio: Facets Multimedia Release Date: 10/25/2005

Vaguely interesting
This DVD is reviews the works of several photographers. As a commercial photographer, I'm too deeply aware of the limitations of trying to show photographs on a TV screen to be able to complement the effort. However, the voice-over narrations are interesting to listen to. You'd be better off reading a photography book for the same amount of time, but if you're looking for a DVD on photography, you could do worse than this one.

Photographers include...
Covers the following photographers: John Baldessari, Bernd & Hilla Becher, Christian Boltanski, Alain Fleischer, John Hilliard, Roni Horn, Martin Parr, Georges Rousse, Thomas Struth, Wolfgang Tillmans.

Educator Recommended
I teach at the college level, and find this series of DVD's to be helpful in introducing the students to a wide range of photographer-artists. This third DVD in the series is a strong introduction to the photography of several of the most important contemporary conceptual photographers.

Is this a guide to photography (how-to book)--most definitely not. Is it an introduction to contemporary fine-art photographers--most definitely. Also, one reviewer thinks these photographers are all French--yikes!--there are actually many contemporary photographers from several nationalities...

Not what I expected

I purchase a lot of educational videos on photography and Photoshop, but this one was not at all what I expected. It has little, if any, educational value. Instead, the video shows photos taken by French photographers with commentary (in French). Don't buy this as an educational video.

Conceptual Photography!
In contrast to a lot of American productions on art/artists, this stands out for being tasteful, informational, and interesting. For relying on the strength of the actual photographs, instead of irritating editing or distractions related to the process or a heavy biography on the creator's personal life.

It's also willing to rely on the artist's narration of their own work, so you'll get to hear them explain their thoughts in-depth and you'll view their work entirely differently than if you'd just seen it in a book or a gallery. The first few minutes will be boring if you make quick judgements about their work, soon after though, you'll see the depth of their interests and the way their mind operates. Plenty of reason to pay attention!

You'll be turned out to a lot of new photographers, this is way better than any modern photography book you can get your hands on.