Update: The full talk is no longer available. Access was only available for a few weeks. I have linked part of the video.
bill cunningham He passed away recently. He was 87 years old (he said he never thought about his age or anyone else’s age). I know his work and the fact that he was one of the pioneers of street style photography (he’s based in New York and contributed to the New York Times’ style column), but I don’t know much about him as a person. I’ve read stories of other photographers of my generation meeting him during fashion week to shoot street style, and most of the stories portray Mr. Cunningham as reclusive and focused on his work, with countless mentions of him always giving up his front row seat to someone else.
It was really nice to be able to listen to a long interview that lasted 105 minutes. He talks a bit about his family, his first gig as a paper boy, his experiences as a hat maker, and gives a beautiful insight into the life and mind of one of the most popular street style photographers I know. I also find him so emotionally open without any pretense at all about anything. He was recognized by his blue jacket and traveled on a bicycle. He has been seen using Nikon cameras and regularly submits images for articles. (We can’t forget that he was still working at age 86. He said in an interview that he loved what he did.)
Some quotes about him are:
“The best fashion shows definitely take place on the streets. It always has been and it always will be.” (I admit I’m skeptical about applying this to all parts of the world. It doesn’t apply to New Delhi. It’s not 2016 yet. But I know where he’s coming from. When I was in New York last year, the best fashion shows actually took place on the streets! )
“I go out every day. When I’m feeling down at the office, going out and seeing people on the street makes me feel better. But I never go out with any preconceptions. I let the streets speak to me.“(I really wish I could do this. In India, fashion week is still the most popular for street style photography. The streets of Delhi are deserted. )
“I started taking pictures of people on the streets during World War II. I used small box brownies. Nothing is too expensive.” (I agree, equipment isn’t everything. It’s much better to take pictures with any camera than to wait for the perfect camera and miss the perfect moment. )
“The wider world perceives fashion as a frivolity that needs to go. The point is that fashion is armor for surviving the realities of everyday life. I don’t think you can get rid of it. It would be like wiping out civilization.“( I love the quote “…fashion is armor for survival in the realities of everyday life…” especially because he didn’t apply it to his wardrobe and was fully aware of that fact. There’s always humor in irony. )
“You need to do three things. You have to take pictures of collections, you have to take pictures of women who buy things on the street and how they wear them, and you have to go to evening events.” (Perhaps I will take his advice for the next fashion week here in Delhi.)
“Money is the cheapest thing. Freedom is the most expensive thing.” (I would love to talk about this, but this blog post is not about Bill Cunningham, it is about monetization and photography techniques and their value. For now, I just want to stick to the point.)
“Who on earth wants a kitchen and bathroom? There are more rooms to clean.” ( LOL! That’s totally me. When the boy comes back this time, he’s going to argue with me about it. I’m glad to get rid of 75% of the “stuff” in my current apartment and I also hope we can move to a smaller apartment. I don’t think he’s ready either. )
“He who seeks beauty will find it.”
Read more about him on Wikipedia. Bill Cunningham (American photographer).
There is also a documentary, Bill Cunningham New York, from Zeitgeist Films, available for purchase on iTunes. (Available only in US stores. I haven’t watched it yet.)
“It’s not work, it’s fun. That’s why I feel guilty. Everyone else works. I have so much fun.”
touch!
