Mary Ellen Mark on the Portrait and the Moment

The Photography Workshop Series

by Mary Ellen Mark

In the fourth installment of The Photography Workshop Series, Mary Ellen Mark (1940-2015)—well known for the emotional power of her pictures, be they of people or animals—offers her insight on observing the world and capturing dramatic moments that reveal more than the reality at hand.

Aperture Foundation works with the world’s top photographers to distill their creative approaches to, teachings on, and insights into photography—offering the workshop experience in a book. Our goal is to inspire photographers at all levels who wish to improve their work, as well as readers interested in deepening their understanding of the art of photography.

Through words and pictures, in this volume Mark shares her own creative process and discusses a wide range of issues, from gaining the trust of the subject and taking pictures that are controlled but unforced, to organizing the frame so that every part contributes toward telling the story.

Genres: Photography, Art, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2015

About the author

Mary Ellen Mark, born 1940, has achieved worldwide visibility through her numerous books, exhibitions and editorial magazine work. She is a contributing photographer to The New Yorker and has published photo-essays and portraits in such publications as Life, New York Times Magazine, Rolling Stone, and Vanity Fair. For over four decades, she has travelled extensively to make pictures that reflect a high degree of humanism. Today, she is recognized as one of our most respected and influential photographers. Her images of our world's diverse cultures have become landmarks in the field of documentary photography. Her portrayals of Mother Teresa, Indian circuses, and brothels in Bombay were the product of many years of work in India. A photo essay on runaway children in Seattle became the basis of the academy award nominated film STREETWISE, directed and photographed by her husband, Martin Bell.

Reviews

[swag moment · Rating 3 out of 5]

so so interesting. very interesting to think of her thoughts on layering in a photograph…. plus to get a sort of behind the scenes look into the process of some of these images. photos that i’d always thought were just impromptu, for example, actually took 45 minutes to compose, light, & shoot, whoa…. makes me realize how little i know about the world of photography

very interesting too to hear about how she’s always looking for mystery, a moment of tension, something that feels a little bit off-putting in her photos…. reading her thoughts on her photographs reminds me a lot of how i used to feel about writing poetry, which is maybe why i like her pieces so much

finally it’s all just interesting how much of the workshop “advice” in here does just boil down to like, you’ve got to just have a gut intuition & do this over & over again until you just naturally know how to stage your subjects, how much to push them… & even when you think you’ve got that down, you don’t & you always have to wait just that extra moment more cuz something might surprise you at the end. it makes me think of how difficult it has always been imo to explain or even teach any type of artistic craft; i feel like the entire process is usually just so mystical, just a…… well you’ll feel it & you’ll know it moment. & about developing instinct. it has always made me wonder how much a 1-1 teaching of artistic craft is possible. you’re sharpening instinct, which is definitely a more nebulous realm

[Jeremy Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books about making photos that I have ever read. I got this from the library, but I am going to buy a copy. Nearly every page is an inspiration, either the image or the words that go with it. Stellar.

[Brian Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

MARY ELLEN MARK ON THE PORTRAIT AND THE MOMENT is a strange little book. It’s part of a workshop series from Aperture rather than a look at Mark’s work per se. In fact, the last 30-some pages are photos from Mark’s students. Coming from Aperture, I had expected less technique and more philosophy; and, granted, there is some of that; but there’s also advice such as not placing the subject in the middle of the frame. It hardly seems that anyone interest in MEM, or in an Aperture publication, would need advice of that sort.

Each photograph is accompanied by commentary that quite often seems a little forced. For instance, “Sometimes you get the graphics of the frame right, but miss the moment – the content – and sometimes the opposite happens. Either way, the content is the most important.” (p. 12) Nothing in her work reflects this maxim. Indeed, the advice on page 91 is the opposite: “To be a great editor, you need to be ruthless about cutting pictures that almost work, pictures that are not quite good enough because the expression is off or the moment isn’t there.” MEM was (and it really hurts to use the past tense) master of the moment. That, above all else, makes this book a treasure. It is a must-have book. The printing quality is excellent and the descriptive commentary about the photographs is revealing.

[R.J.W · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this less than I had hoped. I’ve been a big fan of MEM, until now, when re-evaluating her approach. I feel that she brushes off too many questions of authorship and entitlement, perhaps representing much of the ‘old guard’ of attitudes to photographing humans.

The latter half of the book felt rambling and disjointed - it doesn’t fully do her work or her place in the photographic world justice. Her assessments of her students’ sample images felt fluffy and lacking in the kind of critical theory that can dissemble an image on a deeper level.

Ultimately, a valuable read when assessing the critical question of ‘the other’ and how we as photographers relate to the question of authority and subject.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first 91 pages where a photo is paired with insights on how the work was made are very insightful and inspirational. The work is amazing, and you can tell she was a great teacher. The remaining 30 pages feature this same format with student photos. I would have preferred to just see Mary Ellen's work for the entire book, as some of the student work isn't that strong. The last section may be helpful for photo instructors who need some good examples about how to speak positively about student work though.

[Karl Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Mary Ellen Mark and this book feels super personal. Every page reads like you're sitting down with the iconic documentary photographer and the pages are filled with insight gleaned from a lifetime dedicated to polishing her craft.

It's a quick read but if you're a fan then you owe it to yourself to get this book. Like all the Aperture workshop series of books the reproductions are superb. Top shelf all the way!

Get it.

[Patrik Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Ellen Mark is the reason I bought a camera after seeing a documentary about her years ago, life changing moment in ways. This book is as down to earth in its approach to photography as she seemed to be as a photographer. It’s what you’d expect from a book by her, no technical talk, just how to be a human with a camera and bringing out the best human story out of your subjects. Highly recommended.

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

The text is directed at those interested in Mark's creative approach. She offers many erudite insights on interacting with people before and during making photos, having a point of view, seeing with a graphical eye, being persistent, taking control, letting things happen, and so on. I craved more details, but unfortunately Mark leaves out many in these brief notes. Beautiful paper and printing makes this a keeper. Inspirational, as always.

[Barry Stoch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book!

Mary Ellen's images are full of magic.

The book printing is of high quality, with wonderful tonal qualities, really accentuating these beautiful images.

I also really enjoyed the concise write ups on each image. Interesting quick behind the image stories.

[Bastian Greshake Tzovaras · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this must be one of my favorite entry in this book series so far. A nice mixture of philosophical musings on photography and practical tips for both the technical as well as social aspects of the craft.

[Tynan Brooks]

Wonderful insight here, especially on what it takes, socially, to achieve truly beautiful and sublime photography of human subjects.

[Ariel Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this is like sitting down with Mary Ellen Mark as she reviews her work and tells stories. I would have liked to know more about what she thought of her students' photographs (also included), but instead I learned about them as people. I will probably read this book again in the future.

[Scott Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic self reflection of her work. Lots of great tips too. But all in an accessible format.

[andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

every time I read this book, I learn something. every time.