Robert Capa Exhibition
I went with my wife yesterday to see a photo exhibition at the Yokohama Museums of Art. It was two solo shows of Magnum Photographer Andre Friedman, aka Robert Capa, and his girlfriend Gerta Pohorylee, aka Gerda Taro. Robert Capa was one of the founding members of Magnum Photos cooperative along with Henri Cartier-Bresson, George Rodger and David "Chim" Seymour. I have always wanted to go to a Robert Capa Exhibition. Capa's images of World War II are breathtaking. They completely draw you in. His shots of the landing on Omaha Beach on D-Day are awe inspiring. I can't imagine the bravery, or insanity it took, to land on Omaha Beach with the first wave of troops from Company E as a War Correspondent I keep thinking of that opening scene in Saving Private Ryan when as soon as they land on the beach they are pinned down and turn Tom Hank's character and ask him where the rally point is and he responds 'Any where but here'... I can't image trying to make sure you have the right aperture, shutter speed and manually focusing your camera. You see soldiers running for cover and it is easy to forget while they were running he was standing there.
Capa shot 145 photographs that day but only 11 survived. His darkroom assistant destroyed the 134 by mistake.
"If your photographs aren't good enough, you're not close enough." - Robert Capa
Photography by Gerda Taro
I do not get to enough photography exhibits as much as I like but I was really glad we had time for this one. You can learn so much by viewing the work of other photographers. I think we all see and oversee images on the internet. There is a lot to be learned just standing in front of a print and taking it all in. This is something that I am going to do more of.
Details:
Yokohama Museum of Art
3-4-1 Minatomirai, Yokohama
10:00-18:00, closed on Thursdays.
1.26-3.24.2013
Today's configuration: Leica M-Monochrom, Summilux 35mm f/1.4 with a yellow filter and Ricoh GR Digital IV
The exhibition costs 1,100 yen person.
It wasn't too crowed so we were able to stand and enjoy each print...
We stopped to look in the bookstore on the way out. While I was looking at the Robert Capa books this guy walked up to my wife and asked if I was 'Powell'. She said I was and he came up and say that he reads my blog all the time. Japanese people can be very shy so I love when people stop to let me know they enjoy ShootTokyo. Bumping into him reminded me that I am out of ShootTokyo pins and stickers so I placed an order for more when I got home. If you see me stop me and I might give you some...
He asked my wife to take a photo of us with his iPhone. She also took a photo with my M Monochrom. She is a great shot!
Photo Credit: Mayumi Powell
They also sold a set of books from the exhibition. I am picking up more and more books as I continue my journey as a student of photography.
If you are not able to get to see the show. Check out his portfolio on the Magnum site. You can also check out Robert Capa in Love and War on YouTube.
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Thanks for stopping by today...
