Garry Winogrand: All Things Are Photographable

Garry Winogrand: All Things Are Photographable is a biographical documentary film that premiered in 2018. Compelling and cinematically rich, it finely captures the life and works of Garry Winogrand, an acclaimed and influential American street photographer who turned spontaneous snapshots of everyday life into high art. With unrivaled access to his archives, this intimate film offers a deep examination of the photographer’s unique oeuvre and ardent love for the medium. It delves into his evolution as an artist and his ultimate goal—capturing ordinary moments to significant epochs in mid- to late-20th-century American society through his lens.

Directed by Sasha Waters Freyer, the film features interviews with renowned writers and art curators, including Geoff Dyer, Jeffrey Fraenkel, and Susan Kismaric, all providing their engaging insights into the genius of Winogrand's work. These interviews are not mere narrations but a conversation with the audience, underlining Winogrand's remarkable contribution to street photography and art at large. They weave a rich tapestry of reminiscences of the prodigious talent, painting a potent picture of a man who brought a new rhythm and approach to photography.

Equal parts captivating and insightful, Garry Winogrand: All Things are Photographable does not just tap on the chronological elements of his life and work but explores the themes that came to denote his photo essays—crime, middle-class rituals, urban life, and prominent social events of his time. Winogrand's perspectives on America, reflected through rapid-fire, seemingly off-the-cuff but brilliantly composed images—whether of airport crowds, zebras in a zoo, or glitzy Beverly Hills parties—are highlighted in the film, offering an eccentric but undeniably resonant social critique.

Utterly vibrant, the film also dives into Winogrand’s philosophies and convictions about the role of art and his place in it; that he saw no need for images to entertain or please, but rather wanted photos to question and challenge. It is a recognition of the different dichotomies he bared in his work—the rational and irrational, the public and private, the absurd and profound, the staged and spontaneous.

Masterfully designed, the documentary blends Winogrand’s thousands of remarkable black-and-white and color photographs shot during the course of his career, along with these insightful interviews, archived footage, home movies, recorded audio, and personal family photos. The result is a captivating visual narrative that transports viewers to Winogrand’s times and his unbridled quest for the transformational moment, the quintessence of street photography.

While honoring the great photographer, the film doesn’t shy away from exploring his personal life, which was often fraught with struggle and turmoil—from his three marriages to his profound obsession with work that shaped his relationships, and his struggles with an aggressive form of cancer that ultimately led to his untimely demise.

Garry Winogrand: All Things Are Photographable isn't just a homage to a legend but also a valuable reference for photographers and art enthusiasts alike, a keen exploration into the mind of an artist. It offers a compelling introspection into the realm of street photography, challenging the definition of art itself, and enticing viewers to consider their perspectives of the mundane and everyday life.

The movie illuminates the passion, dedication, and unflagging fascination that Winogrand had for capturing the essence of American life. It presents both the spectacular and controversial triumphs of an artist who, in the face of personal and professional challenges, steadfastly sought to redefine his craft. It is a testament that truly exemplifies the mantra, "All things are photographable."

In conclusion, Garry Winogrand: All Things Are Photographable is a deeply absorbing, aesthetically pleasing, and thought-provoking visual essay that provides a nuanced portrait of an enigmatic artist—a man of complex talents and singular dedication. This poetically insightful biographical film celebrates not just the man, but his impressionistic style—a style that continues to influence photographers, admirers, and critics long after his premature passing.