Thank you for pairing Shklovsky and Benjamin in such an interesting manner, Alex. Every photographer needs to read “Art as Technique”, as ostranenie is foundational to photography. That is to say, for me, the best photographs are the ones that most forcefully make the familiar strange. And this selection of "the stone[s] on your own street" does a great job of that!
For those who haven't already, I'd suggest watching Dziga Vertov's inspirational MAN WITH A MOVIE CAMERA to see how this principle plays out in documentary film.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Jeremy. Can’t agree with you more. And Diziga Vertov‘s masterpiece should be watched by everyone, not just film students.
Also, the stone is, in some sense, of course, "stony"—whatever that means!—should be, must be, wants to be, but what else might it be? I've lived on the same block for 30 years—thanks for the reminder not to take the stone, or "stones," for granted.
Very interesting perspective, Alex: making the familiar, strange. Thanks, that'll give me something to ponder, today.
Glad you liked it, Darin!
Thank you for pairing Shklovsky and Benjamin in such an interesting manner, Alex. Every photographer needs to read “Art as Technique”, as ostranenie is foundational to photography. That is to say, for me, the best photographs are the ones that most forcefully make the familiar strange. And this selection of "the stone[s] on your own street" does a great job of that!
For those who haven't already, I'd suggest watching Dziga Vertov's inspirational MAN WITH A MOVIE CAMERA to see how this principle plays out in documentary film.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Jeremy. Can’t agree with you more. And Diziga Vertov‘s masterpiece should be watched by everyone, not just film students.
And (corollary?) make the strange familiar.
Also, the stone is, in some sense, of course, "stony"—whatever that means!—should be, must be, wants to be, but what else might it be? I've lived on the same block for 30 years—thanks for the reminder not to take the stone, or "stones," for granted.