Walker Evans

Walker Evans, born in Missouri 1903, origionally wanted to be a writer but discovered photography in his late 20s. He began taking images of victorian architecture. He had a highly detail conscious outlook, which earned him his fame. He himself discribed his photographs as 'documentary in style' and wanted to maintain the purity of the art of photography. Joined the FSA (Farm Security Administation) in 1935, documenting the poverty of the rural population. Information from 20th century photography, museum ludwig cologne.

Although much of Evans more famous work was that of the poor and the work he did for the FSA, I am looking at the places in which he photographed mainly as it fits in with me 'places' brief. Many of Evans images have a strange composition and a snapshot style as there are crops with things such as signs, lampposts, telephone poles etc. His composition is very broken up although still very effective. I often feel quite inspired by this style of photography and its a technique that I would like to discover, although it wouldn't have the same effect now, as its all been done before. That doesn't mean to say I won't try in the future though (: Often his images have quite a humourous and alien feel, as its a different world that we live in today, and most of the subjects wouldn't be found now.