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David Braham is a 68 years-old American photographer who experiments with as much culturalism as colorful surrealism in his photographs in order to, in his own majestic way, express the American lifestyle of the time.

David Braham is a 69 years-old American photographer who experiments with as much culturalism as colorful surrealism in his photographs in order to, in his own majestic way, express the American lifestyle of the time. He is most recognized because of his picturesque American landscapes, but his work in Cuba is absolutely splendid and represents the culture in a very intimate way (David Graham Photography).

Graham studied under Ray Metzker and Will Larson. He is currently a Professor of Photography at The University of the Arts. There is something about American landscapes that attract photographers in a very friendly but intense way, sort of invitation but scary, magical yet catastrophic. He is attracted to the very soul of America and has been on the road for almost half of his life documenting and closely experiencing the very emotion that he expresses in his photography. One could say that the reason he photographs the way that he does is that he was influenced by some of the most amazing photographers of our time, but the truth is, as he states, “While the majority of folks keep to themselves, there are others who want to share their loves and desires with the world — I take advantage of that. I love the hunt,” he is simply thirsty to photograph and put his artistic ideas out for the world to observe and enjoy.

Graham following his inspiration and mentor Ray Metzker, uses a 35 mm film camera. He stated “We were all trying to be Ray Metzker,” he said. “We had the same kind of camera, the same kind of lens, paper, film, and everything. Developer. The works. It was a real influence. I like to jokingly say, though, he forgot to tell us how to make a living. I got out of there and couldn’t do anything but bartend and wait on tables” (New York Times, 2015). Although he late made the switch to 35 mm, Graham started with an 8 x 10 camera Walker Evans at Yale sold him since he no longer used it. His photography has a very “filmy,” pictorial look as if it was cut out of a magazine (LensCulture).

We are looking at his photography because Graham has been fascinated by American landscapes for more than 30 years. The way in which he approaches a scene, he finds the right angle and composition, he takes the shot, finishes the roll of film, unloads, develops, scans and we get something that seems from a dream you did not want to wake up from. He is one that makes you stare at a photo for 1 hour and you still ask yourself, but did he draw that? His photography is not only interesting but relevant. The late 20th century, the capitalist culture, the early 21-century American economy represented in his pictures in a way so unique that those who do not enjoy the art of photography stop to appreciate the complexity yet simplicity of Graham’s work. One that makes you think and yearn for the times that are now gone due to commercialism and the changes the 21-century and technology brought with them.

Description of one photograph

This photograph shows the very qualities of Graham’s famous work. It’s a soft yet colorful image. It was taken completely parallel to the subjects, and an industrial building can be seen behind wooden shells. Graham works with very uncomplicated images, removing the excessive, unnecessary load of subjects and distractions in the photograph. There is apparent vignetting in the image, as if he, the photographer, was looking through a whole or the eyes of someone. The intent of any creative work is always a challenging task to decipher. Some would say that it is completely impossible to know what went on in someone’s mind the very moment the creative decision was made. Nonetheless, based on the time and the works presented to us by Graham, one could have a good idea of what he is trying to express through this photograph. The photographer puts the wooden sheds in front of the industrial, huge, building in order to juxtapose the two and express the impact of the modern world and industrialization and technology and how everything has changed the landscapes of our cities and the very way that we perceive the world around us. He uses very soft colors as he does in most of his photographs, but they still pop, as a way of expressing that although the ways of the world are changing, the culture and the American spirit are still very much alive.

David Braham's work in Cuba

From all his photographs, those made in Cuba are really what made me such a big fan of his work. The images are intimate, scary, and beautiful in what they portray. These photos truly reveal the circumstances of the Cuban population. The incredible purity of children living under some of the worst conditions imaginable. The representation of how for some people, those who fought in the Cuban Revolution are to be praised like gods. These images reveal the pain and blindness of the Cuban people to their own conditions.