In the following mini-documentary; the photographers Bernd and Hilla Becher,
Almost half a century the German photographers Bernd and Hilla Becher photographed furnaces, water towers, ovens, factory halls and mineshafts, not exactly very attractive subjects for most people. However, the influence of the Bechers should not be underestimated when it comes to architectural photography. In addition, they made a priceless document of the heavy industry of the era. It is thanks to them that we still have an image of all these industrial buildings.
The set-up of all black and white photos is about the same. The buildings are photographed frontally (mostly with telephoto lens so no distortions would occur) and are as much as possible in isolation. The collection of photos is so gigantic and because the photos are taken under strict rules it will allow the viewer to see all the similarities and differences between the various industrial components to. It is because they have left no room for chance and subjectivity (for most artists it is just this subjectivity which make their work count) that the result is a truly fascinating document.
Download the documentary here. In Divx
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=509Z9G9B
Some shots:
