A conversation: Friedlander on Avedon, then bicycles, then Bill Cunningham

More a regurgitation of a conversation, but after all, it’s a blog: so: while having lunch in Tompkins Sq. yesterday with photo-friend, Aaron Binaco he gave me some, how should I put it, neat shit. My first sun-drunk-enthusiasm was for that by now well known moment when Avedon went to take Freidlander‘s portrait at his home, and how Freidlander, being a really real photographer (see note), also took Avedon’s portrait. I said I could find the Avedon picture, but have yet to be able to find the Friedlander. Well, Aaron found it and sent it to me. I imagine a sort of stand-off of great personalities, great wills face to face, and even if they were cordial and kind on some level it must have been profound-intense. Either as a matter of attrition of neither ever giving in, or maybe rather of two old masters being able to wink and nod, knowingly.

friedlander_and_avedon
photo: from Aperture #188, Lee Friedlander by Richard Avedon (left) and Richard Avedon by Lee Friedlander (right)

Both Aaron and I grew up racing bicycles, so then he started on about this Scottish trials rider, saying, “he’d ride up that tree over there and just chill out,” while pointing at this giant bloody elm that a cat could maybe climb. I called, hyperbole!, but then he emailed me this link and jesusmurphy…if you’ve ever ridden a bike you should be able to appreciate this video:

And, yes, I am in fact posting on extreme sports youtube video…sigh, probably a slippery slope, so I’ll post this to balance it out:

t_top_corvette
photo: Corvette I saw in soho which I voted best possible prop of the day and sent it to a fashion editor with a synopsis of a story involving Death Valley, Bottega heels, and a Camio by Dennis Hopper (as eminence grise, naturally). Fashion editor responded, I weep.

Note: “real photograher”: I was shooting on 5th ave by Tiffany’s on Saturday morning, and I saw this old timer shooting people fast with an old Nikon. I guessed maybe he was part of the old-Magnum-guard. I said, hello, asked his name, he said, Bill Cunningham, didn’t ring a bell. I asked him if shot there much, if he’d seen Bruce Gilden out, he’s always shooting on this corner. He said, I have seen him in the afternoon; how is Bruce? I said, I’ve no idea, I just see him, can’t catch him. He said, now that’s a real photographer. I liked that. Since there was truth in it. We chatted a bit more, then he took off after this super chic blonde to photograph. I thought, huh, mildly-licentious, but, yeah! It wasn’t until I mentioned it later in the day in passing that someone explained to me who Bill is. Love it. Before he ran of he waved and said, keep snapping kid. I offer the same good-bye, keep snapping, Bill!

Comments
4 Responses to “A conversation: Friedlander on Avedon, then bicycles, then Bill Cunningham”
  1. Marrz says:

    Hi Graeme, Must admit I was suprised to see an “Xtreme Sportz Video” on your website! but it was a pleasant suprise. Danny MacAskill is a bit of a local hero here in Edinburgh and a day doesn’t go by where I dont see him blasting round Edinburgh on the way to the studio. He’s a super nice guy but never stays in one place long enough for me to get a shot on him…
    And in the immortal words of Bruce Gilden, Graeme “Keep Snapping Kid!”

  2. admin says:

    Marrz, yeah, the xstreme sports video was debated for a few seconds in my head, but it’s too amazing

  3. audi says:

    Graeme,
    This video was great it really brought me back to when I was young and fearless.

  4. Olga says:

    Hello. While I was doing reaserch, searching for some inspirations I’ve found ur photos.And I have to say their are amazing, they can speak words. Really really nice.
    And I got inspired. Thank you