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Continuing our exploration in “Masters of Photography”, we will take a look at another pioneer in early color photography: William Eggleston. This southern gentleman is most notable for his love of bourbon, as well as his contributions in making the color medium a serious affair. In the late 60’s he utilized color transparency film when the art world considered color photographs to be pastiche. By 1969, MoMa had already approached him to buy a photograph and since then he’s continued to blaze the trail, all the while ruffling up a few feathers here and there. His images have a curious nature to them...sure, you can initially write them off as snapshots, but they quickly embed themselves in your mind’s eye. It’s that idea of taking what we see as familiar and understanding it as fiction at the same time. This untitled image from his book Los Alamos is one of those that stays burned in my memory. It has a strange quality of being dated, yet timeless... Perhaps it’s the warm color palette he’s become known for cutting through the vintage styles that come back to haunt us. One can imagine walking into a dive and witnessing this scenario unfold, but with his ornate composition and color control it seems uncanny that this image was not staged. I suppose this is the charm of his photographs...a reality that seems just a bit off. Unfortunately, Kodak has stopped making the film and chemicals for the dye-transfer process (...what else is new). Although he might not be able to replicate the quality of his older prints I've heard stories that he still roams around with his Leica, and if you walk to talk shop, he might invite you in for a drink. This is all according to folklore of course, so don’t come running after me when he shows you his gun collection...
If you would like to become better acquainted with the forefather of color photography, The Eggleston Trust website is a wonderful place to visit.