“Photography is a medium, a language, through which I might come to experience directly, live more closely with, the interaction between myself and nature.” ~ Paul Caponigro
Yesterday I learned that photographer Paul Caponigro died this past November at the age of 91. While not a household name like Ansel Adams, Caponigro is widely considered a groundbreaking and influential photographer. Like Adams, Caponigro was a classically trained pianist, a talent and passion that greatly influenced his photography. Born in 1932, Caponigro was among the second generation of modern photographers, having studied under Minor White for a time before leaving to hone his own vision and approach to his art.
Caponigro is among the photographers who have had the greatest influence on my work. Having lived and photographed in New England for much of his life, I find I can relate better to his work than that of photographers from the West. He photographed a variety of subjects, from landscapes big and small to still life. If you're not familiar with Caponigro, you may find his pictures to be almost anachronistic upon first viewing. If so, I urge you to look again. I own several of his books, among them the iconic The Wise Silence. New England Days and Seasons are also worthy choices, especially the latter as it contains a short autobiography. He also possessed a fine sense of humor, as demonstrated in the presentation he gave before the Center for Photographic Art some years back.
In this era of rampant self-promotion and photography bereft of courage and creativity, Paul Caponigro serves as a reminder of what photography should and can be.
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