Reply to Notes from Richard Ross

nobody@flickr.com (arktouros.net) — Tue, 05 May 2009 15:50:25 -0700

Would it be possible to have somewhere a list of the links were you posted comments? Maybe gathered up all in a post? I think it will help to start a discussion that would go a bit further than the usual "great shot" comments.
For my part I feel that shooting architecture or a certain place is something that i do not master. Sometimes looking at my shots i get the feeling that some are better than others but I do not always know why. So it would be a great help to be able to read and talk about the different comments that you made on the pictures you choose.

Thank you

Notes from Richard Ross

nobody@flickr.com (richard.ross142) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:24:01 -0700

richard.ross142 posted a new topic:

I thought I would introduce myself as the person that created this body of work, and obviously has an opinion, interest, even compulsion to pursue it. It is great to see others working in a similar vein. But it is also difficult for me to comment with too much pomposity and I HAVE to make sure I don’t look at individual images compared to mine, rather a shared interest.

If you want to mediate and pass on comment....I would welcome it. I think I am part of a discussion here. And will try not to take on nor assume any position as an “authority.” The work is to try and make what is covert, more Overt…and see how by looking at a site, one sees their place in that site as well as society. I think some of the images are abandoned, nostalgic, sentimentalize and romanticized…..and fit visually, but maybe not conceptually. Some are just great and I am totally jealous as to the access and the image.

Many/Most of the images have me longing to have done the images that are posted. Many reflect loss and abandonment of the past, but are more pregnant as we look at an uncertain future. I try to look at these postings and not be jealous or defensive. A difficult task as some are real beauties. But I would offer a somewhat immodest concept. It is not terribly difficult to create an image of abandonment, that is somewhat nostalgic and sentimental. It is a little more taxing to try and create a context for a body of work that speaks to more. I got significantly spanked by an Architectural magazine for not doing enough in terms of architectural theory with the images, so I am used to getting criticism. The writer...looking through the lens of an architectural view didn't seem to see the view that I was present as a political discussion through an architectural lens...and not presenting myself as a scholar of architecture. Not a subtle difference. I hope the projected closing of Guantanamo makes some of these pictures seem "quaint" at some point in the future. Even as I look at a picture shot at Abu Grahib, that I believe was an important piece at that time, may be relegated to an interesting piece of history in light of the comment by President Obama who recently said "Who would have thought a year ago that Iraq would be the least of our problems today." At some point with my work, I thought I would try and create images that were "timeless" and that evolved with my decision to be "of my time" so maybe the biggest difference I see with some of these images posted are the "timelessness" of them. This is neither praise, nor condemnation....it is observation of a point of view.

I look forward to see more of the postings....Feel free to correct my spelling or grammar....

And so I post some comments to the individual images!

And THANK YOU for you time and efforts to participate.

Richard Ross

See more examples of Richard Ross' work

nobody@flickr.com (National Building Museum) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:36:12 -0700

National Building Museum posted a new topic:

To see more examples of Richard Ross' work, click here: www.richardross.net/popup_frame.aspx?menu=image&name=...

Not all of the photos will be included in the exhibition, but this may help give you a better idea of what to expect!

Architecture of Authority

Reply to Notes from Richard Ross

Notes from Richard Ross

See more examples of Richard Ross' work