This week’s subject is one that has come up a few times on previous topics, and I was reminded of these ideas when asked to look at the work of Gabriele Basilico’s photographs of worn-torn Beirut. I’m talking about the siren song that has seduced many a photographer, myself included, “The Call of the Derelict, Timeworn, & Weather-Beaten”.

What draws us to these subjects? The urge to memorialize the past; the undeniable photogenic quality of a well-used textured surface; hoping to address loss, tragedy, and memory? And where does the “ruin porn” of photo-tourists being lead through old factory buildings in Detroit fit into this? I don’t think it’s as simple, or as easily dismissible as we might first think.

Worthy of a discussion.

Shameless Plugs
I’ll be hosting a conversation with the photographer Eileen Quinlan as part of StudelMediaLive’s Photo Talks. These are live on Zoom and have a suggested donation which goes towards the charity Migrant Kitchen. Friday June 5th at 2pm Eastern. Details on the series can be found here.

Speaking of StrudelMediaLive, I am teaching a class Photobook Intensive: Structure and Meaning there that begins June 11th and runs for 4 weeks. Click the link for details.

Links to related content:

• David Allan Coe’s You Never Even Call Me By My Name
• Tourists going to Detroit to photograph Ruin Porn

Photographer’s work shown in the presentation:

• Joel Peter Witkin
• Helen Levitt
• Dorothea Lange
• Walker Evans
• William Eggleston
• Mark Ruwedel
• Aaron Siskind
• Sebastian Selgado
• Simon Larbalastier
• Robert Polidori
• Bruce Gilden
• Anne Geddes (yes, really)
• John Divola
• William Christenberry
• Gabriele Basilico
• Bernd and Hilla Becher
• Diane Arbus
• Manuel Alvarez Bravo
• Uncredited photojournalism
• Uncredited Pictorialist examples
• Uncredited Baby and Dog photographers