please see note at bottom of post.

First posted this in May, 2009, Wyatt Neumann, photographer, has recently become a cause célèbre for his photographs of his children posted online. A loving, devoted,father, this series has become a polarizing discussion of artist rights.
But he’s a good photographer. Have a look at some of his work before the controversy.The Flickr link is working. Forget the madness.

We met this guy over cocktails in the south of France and knew from his incredible energy, he had a definite point of view of the world. A very intense one.
In the night heat of the June coast of the Riviera, you could easily sense that this photographer/director, was just about to burst out of his skin, in a good way. He was going to tell you things you may not have heard. Or wanted to hear. Some random, Hunter Thompson moment was probably not that far off in the future.

© Wyatt Neumann
And now, he’s told us about his intense love of life, and that perspective, through his first time exhibit of photographs called “Elephants and Boa Constrictors”.
Some of you may know the reference to “The Little Prince” from the first page of that classic childrens book by Antoine de Saint-Exupry.

© Wyatt Neumann

Now here is the thing about this show: it consisted of 427 photos printed 3.5″x3.5″ and hung linearly in random order. It was up for one night, only.
We missed it.
But now it lives on Flickr

We watched it in a slide show version from Flickr, which is what we recommend .

Darn it, got ahead of ourselves for a second. Where were we…..?

Oh right. The images.

© Wyatt Neumann

The imagery is of a world that Wyatt has traveled, seen, experienced, and shares with us, not in a Robert Frank way, but in what we imagine a Jack Keroac way would be. It’s a bit more personal, more poetic, and in your face, as the artist himself is.
There is no denying the intensity of the images, or the original. The people in his path across the US, and the constants in his life appear periodically through the random stream of images, which together, get you on a journey, very hand crafted by Mr. Neumann.

© Wyatt Neumann

The vignetting of each image, focuses your eye to the main story, and frames the subjects with a certain respect. Not a raw, harsh, reality yet still authentic and true.
And there are tender moments. The lighting belies those, as they become a respite, and help the viewer move through the series with a balanced life.
© Wyatt Neumann

Wyatt has brought his emotions to the surface here, and there is little between you and the image to buffer it.

Did the small print images get the viewer closer to review the images in person, to make it more intimate ?
Or does the slide show on Flickr give you time to breath in and experience each image on it’s own?
Your call, but it was a great use of our time to watch the random linear tales unfold on the screen.

It’s a rich trip you can take right from your desktop. Enjoy the ride.
And safe travels.

© Wyatt Neumann

Last week we lost a friend, Wyatt Neumann.
While riding his motorcycle he suffered a brain aneurysm, and lost control of his bike. He tragically died on Friday, leaving his wife, and 2 very young children.
He lived life to the fullest, and doted on his children.
This is a guy who set up a gallery sale and auction of photographs, to help out out the victims of Hurricane Sandy. Maybe we can return the generosity he showed.
If you feel you can, please donate to this fund for his family.