Street Photography in Vancouver Inspired by Fred Herzog
Fred Herzog Exhibit at Equinox Gallery
Street Photography on Commercial Drive
We visited the Equinox Gallery in Vancouver this past weekend for a Fred Herzog photography exhibition. Although I'd heard of Herzog and seen his work online, this was the first time I saw his work up close. I loved it.
We walked out of there inspired by his work, and it was as if we were rewarded for visiting the gallery. The colors and scenes dropped into my lap while we walked up and down Commercial Drive in Vancouver on a beautiful spring day.
Fred Herzog grew up near Stuttgart in Germany and moved to Vancouver as a young man. He is mainly known for his Kodachrome color street photography from the early sixties. His work has historic significance in Vancouver and has inspired many photographers since.
Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Inspiration
I have lived in Vancouver for eight years, and I moved to Canada from Denmark when I was twenty-eight (we lived in Okanagan for 22 years). I have an extensive library of street photography from Vancouver that I have captured during my time here.
Before moving to Vancouver, I did not know of Herzog, but I feel there are similarities in our journey. Our street photography, however, is approximately sixty years apart.
I wonder if Herzog knew the significance his work would have later on, and I often find myself in this predicament now. Will the photos I take today have meaning in the future? I am sceptical, as the world is flooded with photos today, but I would like to think so.
Prado Cafe, Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Although Vancouver has changed dramatically since Herzog roamed the streets with his Leica, I still recognize colors, architecture, street fixtures, and other resemblances, but finding the older buildings is getting harder.
Herzog is especially famous for his photos from Chinatown, and in this part of town, you can still explore with the camera and come home with photos you may never have thought possible.
Much like Herzog was, I am often drawn to derelict or heritage buildings in my photography pursuits. It is as if these places have a story to tell, and when captured in a combination with life unfolding today, it creates a new stamp, be it sixty years after Herzog.
I picked up a copy of Fred Herzog’s book “Modern Color” and have already dug in. It’s an interesting read with beautiful photography, and I highly recommend it.
The photos in this post were all captured on the same day along Commercial Drive in Vancouver. Please keep scrolling.
Commercial Street, Vancouver
Bus Stop, Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Commercial Drive restaurant., Vancouver
Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Get Your Greens, Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Shopping on Commercial Drive
Moja Coffee on Commercial Drive
Lady Lunch, Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Getting my copy of Fred Herzog’s book “Modern Color”
The photos in this post were made using the following photographic gear.
Links to my reviews:
