Influences - Gabriele Basilico

Having had my appetite for documentary landscape photography wetted by my study of Fay Godwin's work I have continued to explore other directions landscape photography has taken outside of the romantic depiction of the landscape. In previous posts I have mentioned a few other influences - John Davies, John Kippin are two whose work has shown me how landscape photography can take on a more influential even political role. I have also been studying the work of Italian photographer Gabriele Basilico. Basilico is one of the best-known 'documentary' photographers in Europe. 


His work, like that of John Davies is directed at the city and industrialised landscapes. He photographs mostly in black and white using a large format 5x4 camera. In his pictures modest buildings and unlikely cityscapes seem to me to become works of art. Basilico trained as an architect and this seems to have  influenced the discipline with which he composes his photographs. His work rarely includes any human presence so one is left to ponder the buildings themselves - how they relate to one another and how they come together to create a sense of place. The image below is a picture of an apartment block in Milan. For me this representation of the building seems to give it far more grandeur and status than one my offer it when casually walking by in the street. Basilico himself likens the image to a stage set which has just been vacated by the actors - I like this interpretation. The eye is not diverted from the buildings by the presence of human interest. 

His industrial landscapes invoke a similar sense of awe. His work is rarely romantic but this image of the port of Dunkirk is perhaps an exception - at its heart though this image is documentary in nature.

His technique is impeccable and the large format movements enable him to straighten the verticals and keep all elements in focus. 

The work of John Davies and Gabriele Basilico has lead me to consider a future photographic project in which I would document how the post industrial economy has impacted on the landscape of Doncaster  - the old mining town where I was born. With the closure of the mines the town is now dependent on shopping malls, call centres, warehouses etc....I would like to capture images showing how this has changed the town by capturing images with both the old industrial and the new post industrial architecture....now sure how feasible this is but it is certainly an idea for me to pursue. Here are a couple of my exploratory images of the old Doncaster....