Customer Reviews

McClellan Street

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Inspired by some of our great street photographers in the 1960s, especially by Bruce Davidson's classic work, the Turnley brothers chose to turn their photographic lenses on their neighbors in their Midwestern town when they were in their late teens. "McClellan Street" was such an impressive body of work, that it quickly caught the attention of Magnum Photo photographers. Since then both brothers have become renowned documentary and studio photographers, covering everything from the Olympics to riots in Europe and Asia. But here, in their first photo essay - now the subject of a superbly printed book - David and Peter Turnley demonstrate not only a fine eye for detail but ample compassion for their subjects, in the best tradition of a W. Eugene Smith (Incidentally, an exhibition of this work is currently on display at New York City's Leica Gallery. It was there a few weeks ago, that I had the pleasure of meeting both photographers and have them autograph my copy of their book.). Through their lenses and film, the brothers Turnley have depicted the inhabitants of McClellan Street not only with ample compassion, but a superb sense of dignity too, with photographic skills that were truly far more advanced than their then youthful years.

I was lucky enough to get to hear Peter speak last night at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. During my high school years, I was so excited about photography. I chose to not follow through with studies in Photojournalism; and at times I can't help but think back and ponder "what if... ." Last night was one of those evenings... . Hearing about the life of the two brothers was not only an informative, but a highly motivational experience. The focus and inginuity the two possessed during their high school years was intense; and this book is testament to that fact. Not only is the technical aspect of the printing intensely beautiful, but the design aspects of the images in terms of perspective and framing are absolutely incredible. Attention to aspects of subject choice, composition, and mood are a reflection of what they must have felt in their hearts and minds. The chance to hear about their friends, school, and societal aspects helped create a real cohesiveness when viewing the images at the FWMoA. Happiness, moroseness, uncertainty, and contemplation describe some of the moods in the environment. It is quite obvious that the members of the McClellan neighborhood looked at these boys as familiar and welcome fixtures, rather than intruders. Thank you to the Turnleys and the members of the neighborhood for an exciting visual journal.

As an Art teacher, I think it would be fantastic for high school students interested in photography to take a loook at this collection. Purchase this one for your budding photographer!

McCellan Street is a photo essay of the people who lived in this working class neighborhood in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Fortunately, two high school students, David and Peter Turnley, captured the life and vitality of the people of McCellan Street before it before it fell victim to one of the city's urban renewal projects. Following this project in the early 1970s, the Turnley brothers would go on to become two of the most respected photojournalists in their profession. Their black and white photographs are powerful. Each photograph tells a story. Everytime I look at the photographs in McClellan Street, I see something new. People familiar with the Turnleys will recognize the themes of hope and optomism that appear in much of their work. This book should be required reading for all serious students of photography.

See where it all began. Get a look at this street through the eyes of two very young men who would become world class photo journalist. Beautiful, amusing and interesting.