It was not long after I saw Brian Ulrich’s photo essay American Happiness and the Need to Consume (selection from Copia*) on Mother Jones Magazine that I watched this solid and honest presentation by him in the PhotoShelter podcast. He addresses various issues in his presentation, from candid photograph making in public spaces to coming-of-age years of art photographers to flickr pictures. It’s a timely call for I did find myself curious about his way of working with media/large format cameras in public venues like big shopping malls and food marts where timing and lighting can definitely be tricky. Throughout the speech, Brian Ulrich explains his know-how to cope with the niche he choses. Highly recommended to everyone who is interested in this matter.

Black River Falls, WI 2006 by Brian Ulrich

Chicago, IL 2003 by Brian Ulrich

Smithhaven, NY 2003 by Brian Ulrich

Me and my friends recently have had some inspiring conversations on myth of consumerism as well as American patriotism, social spectacle, totalitarian machinery and so on, in similar discourses that Brian Ulrich does, not necessarily on photography though. Ulrich clearly has a social critical way of thinking on photography and shows both his earnestness and capacity to talk on these things. He seems to me a guy with attitude instead of pretentiousness. And, in the first place, he takes good photographs. Thumbs up!

Flushing, NY 2004 by Brian Ulrich

Kenosha, WI 2003 by Brian Ulrich

Some quotes from the presentation

1. everything being commodified in our culture…

2. early on right after graduate school…you know,
frightened to death of the ideal of being an artist….

3. it’s dangerous to think that mediocrity sells.

*Copia (Latin) means abundant, in a large number.