Welcome to Website Wednesday!
The Magnum Photo Agency was started in 1947 by Robert Capa, David "Chim" Seymour, George Rodger, William Vandivert, Rita Vandivert, Maria Eisner, and Henri Cartier-Bresson. You may recognize the name "Cartier-Bresson" as he has been the featured photographer in the last four "Pho·tog Friday" posts. In Cartier-Bresson's honor, I would like to show you a website based on this agency: MagnumPhotos.com.
Known as an international photographic cooperative, the Magnum Photo Agency's members photographed many different historical events that took place during the 20th century. As Cartier-Bresson said, "Magnum is a community of thought, a shared human quality, a curiosity about what is going on in the world, a respect for what is going on and a desire to transcribe it visually". Naturally, the agency has grown in numbers since 1947 and now has eight-five photographers affiliated with it.
What makes this website unique is that it serves as an online archive of all the works of each photographer. It also allows viewers the option to purchase prints by some of these photographers! If you click on the word "Licensing" at the top of the Magnum Photo page, you can search their archive to see what prints might be available. Use the "Search" box to type in one of the Magnum Photographer's names, like "Robert Capa".
If click on the word "Photographers" at the top of their page and want to see more works by Robert Capa (or another Magnum Photographer), you'll be taken to a link that has his or her portfolio. Below is an example of what Robert Capa's Profile and Portfolio look like. At the top, you can see where and when he was born and died. You can also scroll through some of Capa's most well known images. Further below there is a portrait of Capa and many of his selected Photo Essays:
A good photo website would not be complete without an "Events" page. If you're interested in scoping out the next exhibition or checking out the next workshop, you would click "Events" at the top of the Magnum Photo webpage. Currently, there is an exhibition titled Magnum Contact Sheets, which is hosted in collaboration with Forte di Bard. The exhibition is currently being held at Forte di Bard in Valle d'Aosta, Italy until November 10, 2013. Afterwards, the exhibition will go on tour around the world!
What I like best about the Magnum Photo website is that it is a fantastic resource where I can explore the works by some of the best photojournalists of our time. In my opinion, the best way to become a better photographer is simply to look and study the works of the 'masters'. By opening your eye up to different photographer's work, you will be able to better shape your own vision!
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"Magnum Photos." Magnum Photos. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Oct. 2013.