House on fire in Minneapolis. 1966. You can see flames in the window. By Lee Friedlander from his latest book. He says, “I was driving along, and they were burning down the house. It was urban renewal. So they gave them the house to burn down, and then they all stood in front of it. You know, I’m a photographer for Christ’s sakes.” From the New York Times.
California 1961. Lee Friedlander. Typical of his work. NY Times 12/29/23
By Paul Goldfinger, Blogfinger.net
Lee Friedlander is one of the most famous artists who are known for street scenes. I’m not a big fan because he is busy shooting objects more than people. But his work is full of humor and quirky compositions.
His latest book is about real estate images, and I think that is fascinating. It’s called “Real Estate.”
The Times says, “The photographer traveled around the country, shooting the communities we live in, unvarnished and unfiltered.”
If you are used to real estate photos for advertising purposes, they are so boring! They are composed with perfection to try and sell houses, so those ads are set up to make everything look like doll houses and to deceive shoppers.
But Friedlander’s images are full of ideas, raw truth, and emotions. He loves chain link fences, and his work is often funny such as the sign that says. “We Buy Ugly Houses.” Many of his photos are shot out of his car window.
This is my idea of a street scene featuring real estate:
Deal, NJ. Paul Goldfinger photo. “Chance Encounter?”
BILL EVANS TRIO: “A House is Not a Home.”