Who can possibly write anything profound about the prestigious Magnum agency that hasn't already been said?
On Tuesday 28th April we debarked on a great adventure, me and a group of creative students visited the infamous Magnum Agency in London. An eclectic mix of Central Saint Martins ‘cool kids’, contour tutors and a kaleidoscope of images made by some of the greatest photographers in the world. There's something to marvel at being in the company of so many great images as well as being in the company of potentially some fantastic emerging talent. Sitting with like-minded image makers, under the roof of the godfather of archival photography, brought me great hope in the battle for the longevity of the photographic media.
The essence of the meeting conjured up the current question about digital vs film. The general consensus was that digital photography, at the rate it is increasing in quality, would eventually filter into the likes of agencies like Magnum and the other photographic societies. The big debate is still the question, will it over take the usage of film photography all together?
One thing that was mentioned by the archival manager was that the over usage of digital imagery will make specialized film and film cameras become more and more expensive with the reduction of the amount of films being made in the future, resulting in the amount of digital image makers increasing. Those who will stay faithful to film photography will find it harder in terms of cost and availability. Whether this will deter people from using film is a matter of time.
My personal view is that the organic nature of the process of film images will triumph over the ease of the digital device. It’s the ease of taking a digital image that makes the image somehow venerable to disposability. There seems to be nothing precious about archiving a digital Pixel. Not like storing away an old negative. A product that proves that the image displayed on its transparent film is a documentation of a lived moment or a documented event. I struggle to fall in love with on screen pixels. It’s this totality of evident proof through holding a product like a negative that makes the process of film images so rewarding.
The visit to Magnum showed me that the beauty of image making is still appreciated within its widest context. It brings hope to areas of photographic practice that are still supported by company’s like Magnum. It is evident that ‘Art’ and photography can live side by side in 21st century image making. After seeing a selection of contemporary photographers from Magnum, it is evident that the rich tapestry of non-commercial photography is still as great as it ever was. I would like to think that Photography & Mash has a part to play in the next century and beyond in harboring young image makers who want to be part of this rich tapestry.
The grandeur of the images at Magnum shows the power that Photography can still conjure in the 21st century. Magnum must remain a beacon for all photographers, young and old. It is a reminder of how far photography has come and the exciting journey that lay ahead.
Brendan Olley
Co-Founder of Photography & Mash
Visit Magnum In Motion http://inmotion.magnumphotos.com/