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Webb, Alex, circa 1983 Jun 6-10

 File — Box: Mixed pav_9, cassette: 2.11 A-B; 2.12 A

Scope and Contents

In the first of three segments, Alex Webb offers his thoughts on black and white photography and his preference for camera magazines over commercial magazines. He presents a slideshow of his work, discussing recent assignments across the United States and Mexico, the amount of time he spends in the field, and how he organizes his photographs. After a question from a workshop participant, Webb returns to the discussion of color versus black and white photography. In the second segment, the sound quality is noisy and the volume is very low. The beginning of the second segment duplicates the end of the first. Webb continues discussing his travels outside the United States. Responding to a question from the audience, he states that he prefers to remain "invisible" to his subjects. Webb then speaks extensively about his experiences at the Mexico-United States border, spending time with border patrol, and crossing the border with undocumented immigrants. In the third segment, Webb discusses his work in Beirut. The sound quality varies throughout--occasionally the speaker is inaudible. Workshop participants ask questions throughout.

Dates

  • circa 1983 Jun 6-10

Extent

2 1/4 inch Audio Cassette (01:56:10 total duration)

Biographical / Historical

Alex Webb was born in San Francisco in 1952. In 1976, he joined the staff of Magnum photo agency and became one of the first staff photographers to work in color. His photographs appeared in The New York Times magazine and National Geographic, and his work has been exhibited in the Whitney Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, among other institutions.