Our focus is the personal, subjective, and humanistic. This group is about people, but it can have photos that show evidence of their presence or relate poetically. These photographs should transport you with a genuine feeling of a moment. Let's explore what it means to create documentary work in today's world.
This group is looking for work with beautiful craftsmanship in the decisive moment tradition of Henri Cartier-Bresson, but which can also explore themes more deeply as seen in the work of Bruce Davidson or in the Family of Man (exhibit and book curated by Edward Steichen). The name of this group comes from the title of Jon T. Hill's book, Walker Evans: Lyric Documentary.
"He [Evans] said that he did not know when he first connected the two words—lyric, which suggest the subjective and personal emotions, attached to documentary which denotes the objective recording of fact. In linking the two, Evans cleverly devised a phrase with a fascinating tension of hot and cold that perfectly suited his work." (Hill, 2006)
One of the definitions for lyric is "relating to a category of poetry that expresses subjective thoughts and feelings, often in a songlike style or form." Photography has the wonderful ability to instantly capture a description, but some photographers understand it can also offer something more.
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Please do not be offended if a submission is not accepted. It is not a reflection on your work but an attempt to curate a vision for the collection (and that's a work in progess). Suggestions and discussions are welcome. Help this group evolve into a collection you enjoy and a place where we can learn from each other.
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Hill, John. Walker Evans: Lyric Documentary. Göttingen, Germany. Steidl, 2006.
