Richard Kalvar
Richard Kalvar (b. 1944) is a prankster in street photography, all his photographs showcase great sense of humour of its creator. They play on the discrepancy between the banality of a real situation and the strangeness of the choice of the moment of shooting and framing. As a result, the viewer sees the tension between the two levels of interpretation, diluted with a touch of humour.
Richard Kalvar
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«The photograph is completely abstracted from life, yet it looks like life. That is what has always excited me about photography».
In the mid-sixties, after studying English and American literature at Cornell University, Richard Kalvar began working in New York as an assistant to French fashion photographer Jerome Ducrot. And after traveling with a camera in Europe in 1966-1967, he finally decided to become a full time photographer.
Describing his approach to creativity, Richard Kalvar says that for him “street genre is more like poetry than photojournalism, since it affects on an emotional level, although poetry creeps through the ear and photography- visually."
Describing his approach to creativity, Richard Kalvar says that for him “street genre is more like poetry than photojournalism, since it affects on an emotional level, although poetry creeps through the ear and photography- visually."
After two years of work in New York, Kalvar left for France. In 1975 he became an associate member of Magnum Photos and two years later- a full member of it. This collaboration turned out not just fruitful, but extremely successful: it lasted 30 years, Richard became vice-president, and then president of one of the most respected photo agencies in the world. Not bad for someone who was going to work as a literature teacher.
«I capture reality, never pose it. But once captured, is it still reality? I've always tried to play with the false impression of reality, with the ambiguity of appearances. Things are what they seem to be, or maybe something else. I use people as unconscous actors in little dramas they don't know they're in. These pictures are about Earthlings, but I'll let you in on a secret: I'm an Earthling myself».
Kalvar was photographing extensively in France, Italy, England, Japan and the United States.
In 1980, a personal exhibition of Kalvar was held in a gallery in Paris, after which his works have participated in many exhibitions. He also published the photo books "Families in France", "The Factory", "Portrait de Conflans-Sainte- Honorine", “Earthlings".
“I think I was born with this ability (to irony). You know I came to photography by accident. I didn't have a job and started as an assistant of photographer. But when I first started shooting myself, I very soon developed the very style that still characterizes me today. I think it correlates with the traits of my character, which by that moment had already been formed - playfulness, a tendency to harmless foolishness, pranks, etc”.
In 1980, a personal exhibition of Kalvar was held in a gallery in Paris, after which his works have participated in many exhibitions. He also published the photo books "Families in France", "The Factory", "Portrait de Conflans-Sainte- Honorine", “Earthlings".
“I think I was born with this ability (to irony). You know I came to photography by accident. I didn't have a job and started as an assistant of photographer. But when I first started shooting myself, I very soon developed the very style that still characterizes me today. I think it correlates with the traits of my character, which by that moment had already been formed - playfulness, a tendency to harmless foolishness, pranks, etc”.
Main rules of photography by Richard Kalvar
Capture funny situations
Lightness and irony combined with drama within the frame. Not all of his photographs have a double bottom, but it is the combination of deeply worked characters with external irony that made Richard Kalvar who he is - one of the most respected photographers of our time.
Look for unusual angles
Practice to capture the right moment and angle so that the resulting image will get a new meaning.
Open up to the world
Looking at the work of Richard Kalvar, one can see the attitude of the photographer himself to the situation and to his characters. It is always ironic and kind, photographer is actively involved in life itself.
Capture funny situations
Lightness and irony combined with drama within the frame. Not all of his photographs have a double bottom, but it is the combination of deeply worked characters with external irony that made Richard Kalvar who he is - one of the most respected photographers of our time.
Look for unusual angles
Practice to capture the right moment and angle so that the resulting image will get a new meaning.
Open up to the world
Looking at the work of Richard Kalvar, one can see the attitude of the photographer himself to the situation and to his characters. It is always ironic and kind, photographer is actively involved in life itself.