For anyone looking for something truly unique in photography, you must get to know Fan Ho. Shooting in China throughout the 1950’s, Fan Ho has an incredibly unique take on light, shadow, and line. His subjects, almost always candid, are caught in the mundane actions of life amid the lines and shadows of China’s seductive background. Visually his work is subtle yet stark, making no excuses for its bold strokes and contrasts, the kind of vision that requires the utmost patience. It simply makes a little fluttery knot of admiration in my chest that makes me want to run right outside with my camera. The above is a shot taken of the Seine river bank steps in Paris inspired by Ho’s use of line, asymmetry, and shadow with figures. The only gallery featuring his photography is located in Palo Alto California on University Avenue; though his works are also published in a series of books, the newest of which is called The Living Theatre, which can be seen at http://www.modernbook.com/static.html under publications.
Inspiring shot, very nice. Black and white photography makes me want to head to the darkroom. My brother and father were good photographers and we had a darkroom in our home growing up. I loved the ritual of developing your own film and making prints. I have my dad's old nikon, it is in perfect condition, circa 1940's. My dad took many candid shots during a trip to China right after World War II. I love what I have seen of Fan Ho's work. Keep shooting your talented.
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