Henry Wessel’s Candid California Photos Underscore the Art of Noticing
“There is the world, and there is the photograph. The photograph is not the world, it’s a completely different thing." Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Henry Wessel’s Candid California Photos Underscore the Art of Noticing appeared first on Colossal .
Henry Wessel, a New Jersey native and Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer, showcased his candid California photos in an exhibition titled "Henry Wessel — Photographs and Books" at The Grolier Club in New York. The show included over 65 prints, including Wessel's iconic Incidents, Traffic, Real Estate, and Night Walks series.
Born in 1942, Wessel initially borrowed a Leica camera during his studies at Pennsylvania State University, which sparked his passion for photography. He gained prominence in the early 1970s with his black-and-white compositions, capturing the essence of landscape and documentary imagery.
After receiving a Guggenheim grant, Wessel relocated to the Bay Area, where he taught photography at the San Francisco Art Institute from 1973 to 2014. His work focused on the unique characteristics of the region, such as its historic neighborhoods, individualistic residents, and characteristic lighting.
Wessel's approach to photography was unique. While traditional techniques involved stopping the car, getting out, and capturing the scene, Wessel believed that attempting to translate his experience while on the move often yielded different results. He began to capture images directly from the driver's seat, working quickly to ensure the image more closely aligned with his perception.
In an interview with SFMOMA, Wessel emphasized the unpredictability of luck in photography, stating, "You have just as much bad luck as you have good luck. But you can do things to prepare yourself to receive the good luck." This philosophy played a significant role in his artistic process.
The exhibition, which opened today and continues through November 14, includes some of Wessel's earliest work, such as "Untitled" from 1968, as well as his more recent series. As a photographer who truly saw and captured the essence of California, Wessel's candid images continue to underscore the art of noticing, leaving a lasting impact on those who view his work.
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