I began collecting photographs in the mid 1970s to show to my students, as well as for my own pleasure. I couldn’t afford prints by most of the “name” photographers (even though they were inexpensive by today’s standards), so I learned to rely on an ever-growing knowledge of photographic history, a well developed aesthetic sense, a highly discerning eye, and pure instinct, searching out remarkable photographs that, often as not, others weren't yet ready to see as even worth having.
From the very beginning these photographs answered far fewer questions than they raised. Without the associations and validation that accompanied prints by well-known photographers, I ventured into new territory every time I bought an anonymous photograph. Anyone with money could buy a Cameron or a Weston, but acquiring a great unknown image was much riskier (and ultimately far more satisfying).
Forgotten Photographs consists of over four thousand original images encompassing the entire history of photography, from the jewel-like Daguerreotypes of the 1840s, through the wet- and dry-plate variations of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, to the modern snapshots in their multitudes. Unlike the master images in the history books, these photographs bring little with them in the way of context; they exist primarily as isolated photographic statements. Devoid of the associations and provenance provided by famous names, they are open to fresh new meanings and relationships within the overall context of the collection itself, thus raising the act of collecting to the level of creation, and not incidentally, demonstrating that a collection may profitably be seen as an artistic act of assemblage.
Comments and factual corrections are welcome. Leave a comment here (button below the thumbnails), or email me at rpkphoto@gmail.com.
Also, try the Slideshow feature (button at the upper right).
I will add more photographs from the collection as I get them scanned, so check back for images that will delight your eye as well as stimulate your mind.
From the very beginning these photographs answered far fewer questions than they raised. Without the associations and validation that accompanied prints by well-known photographers, I ventured into new territory every time I bought an anonymous photograph. Anyone with money could buy a Cameron or a Weston, but acquiring a great unknown image was much riskier (and ultimately far more satisfying).
Forgotten Photographs consists of over four thousand original images encompassing the entire history of photography, from the jewel-like Daguerreotypes of the 1840s, through the wet- and dry-plate variations of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, to the modern snapshots in their multitudes. Unlike the master images in the history books, these photographs bring little with them in the way of context; they exist primarily as isolated photographic statements. Devoid of the associations and provenance provided by famous names, they are open to fresh new meanings and relationships within the overall context of the collection itself, thus raising the act of collecting to the level of creation, and not incidentally, demonstrating that a collection may profitably be seen as an artistic act of assemblage.
Comments and factual corrections are welcome. Leave a comment here (button below the thumbnails), or email me at rpkphoto@gmail.com.
Also, try the Slideshow feature (button at the upper right).
I will add more photographs from the collection as I get them scanned, so check back for images that will delight your eye as well as stimulate your mind.
