13 December 2006

Invited guest: Richard Gustafsson

Two brothers. One father. Gustaf, the younger brother, was introduced to photography by his older brother, Richard. Richard, in turn, was introduced by his father. A male lineage.

Among male photographers, this seems to be a very common story. What, exactly, is being inherited? The image-worlds of Gustaf and Richard, for example, are far apart, yet they share a common ancestry. Photography is only a method: the means to do something. It seems to be completely different factors shaping the content, the motives, the compositions. Something much more complex than ancestry: life. No less, I would argue.

In Richard's photographs we see lots of life, lots of experience. They are documents we all can relate to. As parents, daughters, sons, relatives, friends, etc, we often wish to have made the thousand-word portraits of the people close to us. Richard, in trying, comes very, very close.

In his own words:

Eight years ago I came across some pictures my father had taken. Pictures of our every day life in the mid-1970s. Apparently he was quite a good photographer, always carrying his camera with him, taking pictures of everyone and everything, documenting his family and friends. But I was horrified to hear how he by mistake threw away all his negatives and most of the prints. Now, I am trying to follow in his footsteps, trying to repeat what he accomplished. I will save my work, though.


Gustav and Richard Gustafsson have their own blog, Ollad av Tengil.

Invited by Joakim Sebring.










10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like this type of portraits: Straightforward and honest. Where can I see more of your work, Richard?

Anonymous said...

Oh thank you Joakim.
Oh bravo Richard, a lot of emotions and love in your portraits.
The tones are also very good for my taste .
I'm very touched by your work, a good way to share, that's a lot !
Merci !

Anonymous said...

and the way the two brothers "exprime" themself so differently !!!
Very interesting, each person is unique and has his own vision of the world indeed, very very interesting ... !

A good way to start my day !
Thank's Joakim ;)

Anonymous said...

A great serie of portraits.
I like them very much.

Rhonda Boocock said...

beautiful and touching work

Anonymous said...

Close and very good, portraits at it´s best!

mats äleklint said...

Very intense portraits! Love it.

F said...

I like these very much. Simple and good!

/Christofer

Anonymous said...

Great having you here, Richard. Very much appreciated!

Anonymous said...

Lovely work.
1,3 and 4 really stand out for me.