William Eggleston
William Eggleston
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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William Eggleston's full name is William Henry Eggleston III.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on July 27, 1939 (still alive)
Died: Not applicable
Nationality and Profession(s)
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American photographer and artist
Early Life and Background
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William Eggleston was born in Memphis, Tennessee, to a family of modest means. His father was an accountant, and his mother was a socialite who encouraged her children's creative pursuits. Growing up, Eggleston developed a passion for music, photography, and art. He began taking photographs at the age of 10 using his parents' camera.
Eggleston attended the University of Memphis, where he studied engineering, but soon switched to photography. In 1959, he married Rosa 'Louise' Bell and moved to Nashville, Tennessee. During this period, Eggleston began developing his unique style, experimenting with color photographs that captured everyday life in the American South.
Major Accomplishments
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First artist to have a solo retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City in 1976.
Published several influential books on photography, including "Photographs" and "Los Alamos."
Recipient of numerous awards, including the Hasselblad Award and the National Medal of Arts.Notable Works or Actions
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Eggleston's most notable works include:
"Memphis" (1969): A collection of photographs that showcased his unique color palette and everyday life in Memphis.
"Los Alamos" (1965-1966): A series of photographs capturing the beauty of the New Mexico desert.
"17th Street, Memphis" (1973): A photograph that exemplifies Eggleston's ability to capture vibrant colors in everyday scenes.
Eggleston's work has been exhibited globally and is held in high regard by collectors and museums. His legacy extends beyond his own photographs, inspiring generations of photographers to experiment with color and everyday subjects.
Impact and Legacy
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Eggleston's impact on photography cannot be overstated. He broke the mold for photographic documentation, encouraging artists to explore new styles and techniques. By focusing on everyday life in vibrant colors, Eggleston pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in fine art photography.
"The camera makes you notice things that would otherwise have gone unnoticed."
— William Eggleston
Eggleston's influence can be seen in the work of artists such as Martin Parr and Alex Webb. His photographs continue to inspire new generations of photographers, encouraging them to experiment with color and everyday subjects.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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William Eggleston is widely quoted and remembered for his innovative approach to photography. By capturing everyday life in vibrant colors, he redefined the boundaries of fine art photography. His photographs continue to inspire artists and photographers around the world, cementing his legacy as one of the most influential photographers of all time.
As a photographer and artist, Eggleston's work is a testament to the power of creativity and experimentation. His influence extends beyond the art world, inspiring people to see beauty in everyday life.
Quotes by William Eggleston
William Eggleston's insights on:
I had this notion of what I called a democratic way of looking around, that nothing was more important or less important.
I don’t think that has ever changed. I don’t think I see any more or any less than I did years ago. Let’s say I have the print of a photo taken in the 1960s and one I took a month ago. I think it’s pretty difficult to tell any difference, personally.
I have some that I have become a well-known-even infamous-client of, mostly in Memphis. But a great deal of that is legend and doesn’t have anything to do with truth.
Many people one meets in life somehow think they know you simply because they’re hanging out at the same counter-but they really don’t know a thing about you.
Unfortunately they’re practically all dead. And many were my closest associates: friends, co-directors, whatever you want to say-my partners in crime.
And what we called photojournalism, the photos seen in places like Life magazine, didn’t interest me either. They were just not good-there was no art there. The first person who I respected immensely was Henri Cartier-Bresson. I still do.
I want to make a picture that could stand on its own, regardless of what it was a picture of. I’ve never been a bit interested in the fact that this was a picture of a blues musician or a street corner or something.
There’s plenty of film out there, and quadrillions of cameras that use film-I don’t think it makes much sense not to use it. The thing that’s going out is the manufacturing of the paper. Incidentally, all these years my wife has told me that I’m color-blind.
Only the few times I’ve been to so-called treatment centers, which were a complete waste of money and useless. I didn’t know what I was doing at the time, because I was always drunk when I checked in.
The immediate reviews were very hostile, but they didn’t bother me-I had the attitude that I was right. The poor guys who were critics just didn’t understand the works at all. I was sorry about that, but it didn’t weigh on my mind a bit.