Martine Franck: ordinary people make poetry

3 min read

Deviation Actions

PatriceChesse's avatar
Published:
10.9K Views

“Martine was one classic Magnum photographer we could all agree with,” said photographer Elliott Erwitt. “Talented, charming, wise, modest and generous, she set a standard of class not often found in our profession. She will be profoundly missed.” She died of cancer in Paris  on Aug. 16, 2012 at the age of 74.



  


Martine Franck was an esteemed Belgian documentary and portrait photographer with a world-wide following. The second wife of the French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson, considered by many to be the father of photojournalism, Martine Franck was determined not to bask in his reflection nor disappear in his shadow.


  


Shooting predominantly in black and white, Martine Franck created and developed a distinctive style, documenting daily life and the intimacies and interactions in the lives of poor, marginalised and elderly people.


  

Modest and self-deprecating, Martine Franck admitted she "didn't have an instant rapport with the camera"; she was a shy young woman who "never really dared to go up to people and talk to them. I started by taking wedding photographs. Then, when I went to parties, I would take my camera with me, just to give myself a sense of composure, or a necessity to be there."



  


This Journal Skin was designed by Night-Beast
© 2014 - 2024 PatriceChesse
Comments2
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
Babou-Shka's avatar
Merci pour cette superbe découverte!!