Movies about Photography

[MicWayWal]

What movie, documentary or TV show have you seen about photography that inspired you?

I have just finished watching "Annie Liebovitz: Life Through the Lens" AND a TV show called "The Genius of Photography" last week. There have got to be a lot of movies or documentaries out there. Just wondering what you have seen and liked to recommend.

The TV show "The Genius of Photography" is on another run on the Ovation channel. I have never seen the show or the channel before. But it is well worth recording and watching over and over.

[Tom]

Natchwey's War Photographer

Absolutely brilliant

[dryicerx]

I have "National Geographic - Through the Lens (2003)", pretty good stuff.

Going behind the camera and on assignment with veteran photographers for National Geographic, this documentary answers the eternal question asked by the magazine's readers: "How in the world did they get that shot?" The photographers recount the grueling preparation that shooting for the magazine entails, from mundane details such as obtaining visas to preparing oneself for dangers such as severe climates, deep-sea dives, raging beasts, and local bandits. And don't forget insects, lots and lots of insects, a point made pellucid as photographers in a fast montage rattle off how many times they've battled malaria. Besides the physical ordeals, there is also discussion of the emotional toll involved in shooting in brutal conditions, such as one photographer's recounting of how distressing it was to continue shooting pictures in the famine zone of the Horn of Africa. Beyond all the hardships, the travel to the world's farthest flung places involves considerable loneliness, but the photographers interviewed speak of having the "best job in the world," and their enthusiasm for the work is abundant. It goes without saying that this video is a visual delight, as many examples of noteworthy National Geographic photographs, and entertaining explanations of how the shot was set up and snapped, appear throughout. --Robert J. McNamara

[jeffkohn]

I currently have "Strand: Under the Dark Cloth" and "Ansel Adams: American Experience" in my Netflix queue based on recommendations in another forum, but haven't watched them yet.

[andyz]

I've used Netflix to get a lot of these type shows. Thanks Jeff, I never searched on Ansel before. I'm going to update my queue.

[A.J. Simpson]

must love netflix!

[Some Idiot]

Originally Posted by A.J. Simpson

must love netflix!

x2 million for netflix, it's the best


there is a doc on tierney gearon, that is really good, and another one was naked states, the Annie Liebovitz flick was awesome too

[Valerie]

Sally Mann "What Remains", all the Ovation "Genius" series are quite good ( I upgraded my DTV programming just to get Ovation). "Eloquent Nude" about E. Weston. Contacts 1, 2, and 3 look at photographers thru thier contact sheets-- really fascinating.

[brad]

Naked States and Naked World about that crazy guy who shoots masses of nudes laying about in public places (Spencer Tunick)... both available on Netflix.

[MicWayWal]

I am glad I have Blockbuster. They have all these titles and more. Your recommendations will help me to prioritize what I see first.

Keep the suggestions coming if you have more.

[texxter]

I have enjoyed a series from the BBC Four called "The Genius of Photography" - it's partially available on YouTube. Truly wonderful. The same YouTube member also has a documentary on Helmut Newton, quite interesting.

Here is a sampler, which includes some work by Nadar, one of my favorite portrait photographers.

[venchka]

Blowup

[jgrindal]

Rear Window.

[srwatters]

"One Hour Photo" - Robin Williams

[venchka]

For locational inspiration.........

Jeremiah Johnson
The Searchers
All of the John Ford westerns shot in Monument Valley
Mother Lode
The Stalking Moon

There are tons more.