Walker Evans – Depth of Field | John T. Hill

The name Walker Evans conjures images of the American everyman. Whether it s his iconic contributions to James Agee s depression-era classic book, Let Us Now Praise Famous Men, his architectural explorations of antebellum plantations, or his subway series, taken with a camera hidden in his coat, Evans s accessible and eloquent photographs speak to us all. This comprehensive book traces the entire arc of Evans s remarkable career, from the 1930 s to the 1970 s. The illustrations in the book range from his earliest images taken with a vest pocket camera, to his final photos using the then new SX-70 because his regular equipment became too heavy to carry around. The book includes commentary from three of Evans s longtime friends, photographers Alan Trachtenberg, Jerry Thompson and John T. Hill. Their insight and first-hand experience give depth to their critical writings on Evans s work. In addition to offering a broad perspective on Evans work, the book also clarifies the photographer s 'anti-art' philosophy. Eschewing aesthetic hyperbole, Evans wanted his pictures to resonate with a wide audience. At the same time, his natural curiosity made him one of the most inventive photographers of all time. What these photographs and writings attest to is a huge and timeless talent, which came not from a camera, but from Evans s uniquely hungry eye.