A Photographic Archive
A little something you might like
Until now, in this fledgling newsletter, it’s been a bit me, me, me—look at me! The Substack equivalent of one of those high, waving, inflatable tube men at a car dealership. So, this week, I want to shift the spotlight and share a fantastic website that I believe you’ll find both enjoyable and valuable.
One of the most valuable resources I've stumbled upon in recent years is The Darkroom Rumour, an extensive film archive that specialises in long-form and short documentary films about the art of photography and its various processes. I'm uncertain whether this website has gained wide recognition, as I have yet to encounter it in any listicles or recommendations—at least, none that I can recall. Its rich collection deserves more visibility within the photography community and among documentary film enthusiasts.
It’s important to note, at this point, before I jump in, that I am not affiliated in any way with The Darkroom Rumour, and this is not a sponsored post. Psst: I don’t actually have any affiliations or sponsors whatsoever, but if some lovely soul at Fujifilm wishes to replace my battered X100V with a VI, please DM me.
Alright, What Is It Then?
The Darkroom Rumour say the following about themselves:
The Darkroom Rumour grew out of a passion for photography and a desire to fill the glaring gap in its representation on television and streaming platforms. The brainchild of a director working with a team made up of a film historian, a producer, a web professional, graphic designers and teachers - all photography enthusiasts with very different sensibilities - The Darkroom Rumour aims to be a sanctuary for all photography lovers.
Each film is carefully selected and each creation reflects a vision. Every month, we add one or two new films to our collection, offering even more food for thought and inspiration.
For me, this platform is an outstanding collection of films that delve into the fascinating lives of photographers—some of whom are renowned figures in the field, while others may be lesser-known but are equally brilliant. Okay, there is a subscription fee (it offers a 7-day free trial for new users), but I firmly believe the value is justified.
The curated selection features a range of documentaries, biopics, and narratives that showcase the unique journeys and artistic processes. Each film offers a glimpse into personal experiences and creative struggles and is a source of inspiration. Below, I’ve listed the films that I frequently return to, whether to spark my creativity, gain new insights, or simply enjoy a change of pace from photobooks and reading.
Harry Gruyaert - Photographer
Harry Gruyaert has a rare ability to compose colour. He avoids the pitfalls of the genre by creating nuanced images, with a feeling of loneliness, of tender irony, of the “beauty of ugliness”. A form of “Belgitude”, to echo the words of Aimé Césaire. But Harry Gruyaert is not “just” Belgian-Flemish; here we understand that his life abroad afforded him a clearer view of Belgium. We also understand that this silent hypersensitive is inhabited by photography.
Saul Leiter - In No Great Hurry
In his studio, at home in the Lower East Side, Saul Leiter talks to director Tomas Leach about his family history, his first camera, his beginnings in fashion, and what drives him. A master of colour, he begins taking slides when everyone else is focused on monochrome. His painter's eye leads him towards photographic abstraction, an eye that conveyed an incomparable sense of colour and composition.
Robert Frank - Leaving Home, Coming Home
More than just America, Robert Frank is a life of experimentation, of travel, of sensitivity. American by adoption, he returns to his roots in Europe, his apprenticeship and his first photos. Guided by intuition, he gravitates towards the cinema in the early 1960s, won over by the Beat Generation and its poetry. He revisits his career highlights while strolling through New York, Coney Island, places that shaped his work. He also invites us to his studio where he works "on life” with June Leaf, his wife. His photos and his films show how much his life and his work draw upon the same material.
Dolorès Marat - Dolorès
Against all odds, Dolorès Marat quietly built a personal body of work on the fringes of fashion and the world of contemporary art. Timeless images, evanescent but persistent, like so many interior landscapes bathed in solitude. Working through an alphabet primer from Avignon (at the blue hour) to Ventoux, from the apartment-studio to hanging the "Cascades" exhibition, the director follows in the footsteps of the frugal Dolorès, shy yet bold, always sincere.
Josef Koudelka - Shooting Holy Land
Josef Koudelka is a fiercely independent artist. Branded an exile, stateless for many years after the end of the Prague Spring, photography is for him a powerful act that shows both humanity and its unsettling strangeness. His images are imbued with bohemian freedom and a dull, inhospitable promise. So when he was asked to go and photograph in Israel, the fear of being politically exploited, the fact of having to accept his designated young guide (to control him? he wondered)... mistrust almost won out. It was overcome by a mixture of rejection of "the wall" and attraction for this symbolic land. He simply insisted on paying for his own plane ticket, so as not to owe anything to anyone. What happened next, between him and his young guide Gilad Baram, is a truly romantic story. A friendship was born between the old photographer and the young filmmaker. Gilad Baram had the intelligence to turn these moments into a magnificent film, adopting the right distance and documenting the work of this demanding photographer.
Josef Is My Guy!
All the films mentioned above are exceptional in their own right, but the one I find myself returning to time and again is Gilad Baram’s Koudelka - Shooting Holy Land. Koudelka’s unwavering commitment to documenting everything that captures his attention—whether it’s a striking landscape, a fleeting moment, or the complex interplay of human emotions—is nothing short of remarkable. Koudelka’s quiet indignation over the construction of barriers and walls, both physical and metaphorical, deeply resonates with me (we still have our own here in Belfast). His willingness to voice his perspective reflects a profound understanding of the human condition, undoubtedly shaped by his formative years as a photographer in Czechoslovakia, where he witnessed the firsthand impact of division and conflict.
What stands out is his compelling need to revisit the same scenes multiple times, each time seeking to produce an even more powerful image. Unlike a snap-and-go photographer (think Eggleston’s democratic process of image making), Koudelka approaches his craft with meticulous intention and dedication, immersing himself in the environment and striving to unearth deeper truths before he moves on. This methodical exploration of a subject, combined with his innate ability to capture the essence of a moment, makes his work visually striking and rich in meaning. His approach is a testament to the artistry of photography and serves as an inspiration for anyone striving to push the boundaries.
And There’s More
Alongside documentaries that explore the lives and works of photographers—Jane Evelyn Atwood, Joel Meyerowitz, Tom Wood, and Harold Feinstein, to name a few more—there exists a fascinating array of films that delve into darkroom techniques and specialised photographic processes. One film that profoundly impacted me centred on the Fresson Process, a technique renowned for its intricate methods of producing prints. As someone who has never set foot in a darkroom, I was utterly captivated by the extraordinary levels of patience, skill, and precision required to master this process. The meticulous attention to detail and the careful manipulation of materials showcased the artistry involved in creating stunning prints, leaving me with a deep appreciation for the craft.
In the secrecy of their workshop, a real time capsule that takes us back to the 19th century, the Fresson grandson and great-grandson are at work. Guardians of a legendary photographic process, they can spend up to two weeks on a single print. An intimate film that offers insight into a technique, but also into a family of craftsmen who have been part of the history of photography for more than a century. A rare documentary that reveals the difficulty of preserving an art that is slow and fragile in a world addicted to speed, where digital and inkjet printers reign.
Enjoy It!
Anyway, I hope this resource is new to you and that you can eagerly dive into it. It's always rewarding to share tools and insights that can enhance our understanding and experiences, and I trust that you will benefit from this as much as I have. When I first discovered this website, it felt like uncovering a hidden treasure. The wealth of insight into creativity and storytelling in this archive is immense, and I truly hope it brings you as much joy and inspiration as it has brought me.
I have a subscription to the Rumour and have been greatly enjoying it! Good of you to spread the word.
thanks for the share. a great resource!