Your pick for most underrated and most overrated photographer

[MattKing]

As i said earlier, it is up to The Forum Owner to decide what lives or dies here.

Sean may have the final say, but I believe that it is the members who actually give Photrio its life and energy and character and tone and purpose.

 

[JensH]

Hi,

two german guys:
underrated: Andreas Weidner for his well balanced compositions and sensible/subtle bw images. His "Küstenklänge" work for example.

overrated: Andreas Gursky. Pictures don't speek to me... (and I visited his retrospective exhibition in Kleve in person)

Best
Jens

 

[Dali]

Jnantz (post #10) got the appropriate answer. Everything else is irrelevant as the original questions don't make sense (who are we to judge if a work is appreciated as it should or not? God?).

And yes, CMoore, this thread is a bad idea indeed.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Winogrand is right there with Meyerowitz for overrated. But then there are hundreds of overrated photographers in my opinion. It's a matter of taste.

I think a lot has to do with who did it first. They come on the scene and are praised for their new style and thinking. Fifty years later, it doesn't look so special as millions of others have copied their work, often doing a better job. Did the Wright Brothers design the F35?

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Over rated by auction houses, collectors and speculators: Richard Prince.

Most under rated by collectors, my work, of course.

How would we know? You don't show it to us.

 

[eddie]

I doubt very much any of the photographers mentioned participate in this forum.

Over the years I've been here, I've been introduced to the work of some members who, I think, have shared work worthy of wider exposure.

 

[Arthurwg]

Overrated: Cindy Sherman. I guess she goes back to "The Art Is The Idea" era. OK, the Film Stills are amusing, but much of her other work is truly ugly.

 

[removedacct1]

I wondered how long it would take for someone like Cindy Sherman to take a hit. Threads like this are useless. Shall we take a swipe at Joel Peter Witkin next? Or maybe Larry Clark?

 

[Pieter12]

Over the years I've been here, I've been introduced to the work of some members who, I think, have shared work worthy of wider exposure.

So, will please let us know who of those is the most underrated photographer you know of?

 

[wyofilm]

Why would anyone be personally offended by someone else's personal opinion about any artist?

Good question. Insecurity is my guess. Many artists wouldn't be where they are today without the boost of controversy. So one can say that questions raised in this thread only serve to elevate artists. I can't imagine a healthy art world without criticism, positive and negative.

 

[Craig75]

George Davison - 19th century millionaire head of Kodak UK, marxist, and pinhole photographer - very interesting life, very interesting attitude to photography.

 

[leicaliker]

i find ansel adams to be overrated, especially his dated method of shooting. could be a hot take, but it's mine.

 

[logan2z]

i find ansel adams to be overrated, especially his dated method of shooting. could be a hot take, but it's mine.

I don't know that I'd call him overrated, although I'm not really a fan of his work - just a bit too romantic for my taste. I prefer the landscape photographs of the other Adams, Robert (who isn't over or underrated IMHO )

 

[logan2z]

Why would anyone be personally offended by someone else's personal opinion about any artist?

I have to admit that I'm puzzled by it as well. Critque/opinion is inextricably related to art. And if, as someone else mentioned, an artist placed in the overrated column in this thread were a member of Photrio, I doubt they'd be bothered by it one bit. Most professional artists are subjected to criticism in one form or another all the time.

 

[wyofilm]

I don't know that I'd call him overrated, although I'm not really a fan of his work - just a bit too romantic for my taste. I prefer the landscape photographs of the other Adams, Robert (who isn't over or underrated IMHO )

Nice choice, I was unfamiliar with before your post.

 

[Helge]

Overrated: Annie Leibovitz. I don’t see anything special about her portraits at all. And the whole entourage and cult around her is sickening and unjustified.

Underrated: Brian Griffin. Apart from the album covers everyone knows. He was absolutely trailblazing in corporate creative photography, and photography in general in the late 70s and 80s and continues to be a force.

He’s underrated in the sense that not many people know much of his huge and diverse portfolio and assume that he only did covers and publicity photos for rock and pop-stars.

 

[removed account4]

Of course it is. So is "which is the best Leica film camera?" or "which is the most rugged Nikon F?", but that doesn't stop us from discussing those topics. Just nice to discuss something other than hardware for a change. Or not...

well if it has to do with ruggedness or best Leica its not taste but durability and ease of use/bright RF...

overrated? who knows
most underrated? NADAR

 

[Wayne]

I wondered how long it would take for someone like Cindy Sherman to take a hit. Threads like this are useless. Shall we take a swipe at Joel Peter Witkin next? Or maybe Larry Clark?

Yes, JPW would be my vote for most worthless. You brought it up though, not me.

 

[ic-racer]

There was only one rule!

OOps.

In that case for underrated, I'd pick Duane Michals. I have seen him talk, and he gives a great presentation. Very intelligent and witty. I don't always see him mentioned with some of 'the Greats.'

 

[removed account4]

Peter Lik

not sure how this could be so,
his work is sublime and only a few years ago
sold for millions.

 

[wyofilm]

not sure how this could be so,
his work is sublime and only a few years ago
sold for millions.

Truly, the Thomas Kincaid of the photography world.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Peter Lik isn't a photographer. And there's no evidence he ever sold anything for a million bucks, or anything remotely close to that amount. The only source of that unsubstantiated rumor was his own website, along with the disclaimer the buyer wanted to remain secret. Well, I'd be darn ashamed to own anything he did too! But no need for a camera; just get a bunch cans of fluorescent spray paint and make oversized reproductions of sticky sweet little old lady mortuary calendar pictures.
Yeah, I could mention a number of sacred cows that I think are overrated; but this is one dude way too far below zero on a scale of ten to even make that list.

 

[MattKing]

When your house lacks the wall space - there is always Craigslist: https://vancouver.craigslist.org/nvn/pho/d/north-vancouver-northwest-peter-lik/7231634923.html

"We are unfortunately needing to sell one of our original, "limited edition" Peter Lik art prints as our new home does not have the wall space to fit it.

It's called "Shadowland" and includes original wood painted frame and black bevel cut liner / matting. More info on its background (and current USD pricing) can be found at: https://lik.com/products/shadowland?variant=5256719433759

It measures 73" wide by 33" high including the frame, is number 555 of 950 and includes certificate of authenticity.

Has to be seen to truly appreciate the colours and effect in lighting.

Professional, crated delivery can be arranged at buyer's cost.

Serious enquiries and offers. only please."

 

[Helge]

not sure how this could be so,
his work is sublime and only a few years ago
sold for millions.

When you’re doing short form sarcasm, a smiley or two would make it translate better.
Otherwise some people would find it mighty hard to take your opinion on anything seriously in the future.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

Overrated = Ansel Adams
Underrated = Ansel Adams

All depends on who you talk to, which photographs you've seen, and not the least of which ... how many.