Garry Winogrand

Denver Art Museum Photographer of Choice

Garry Winogrand: Capturing a Moment

Although stylistically different, photographs by artist Garry Winogrand are significantly reminiscent of photographer Henri Cartier Bresson, a photographer previously discussed in this blog. I chose Winogrand as my artist of choice from the Denver Art Museum because I connected with the spirit captured within his photographs. My favorite photograph is the one titled “New York City, New York (Laughing Woman with Ice Cream Cone)” because Winogrand was able to encapsulate this beautiful moment in just one snapshot. This photo radiates pure joy and happiness, and makes the viewer feel as if they are there. Most importantly he allows the viewer of the photograph relate to the subjects within the photograph, making his work even more meaningful and relatable.

 Garry Winogrand is best known for his depiction of the American lifestyle of the 1960’s. His photographs are all black and white, something I have been experimenting with in my photographs. My favorite quote from Winogrand is “I like to think of photographing as a two-way act of respect. Respect for the medium, by letting it do what it does best, describe. And respect for the subject, by describing as it is. A photograph must be responsible to both.” This statement reveals the true essence of Winogrand’s philosophy about taking photos; he believes in capturing a moment in a photograph as it is in real life, showing the true beauty within the moment. This philosophy is why he was able to show his world through images. Winogrand has inspired me to try and capture the world around me through my art, try new things, and work to achieve my goals as a photographer.