Danny Lyons

Danny Lyons photographs are beautiful and moving. They stir up unresolved feelings and make you think about things that perhaps you don't want to think about, which is what is so strong about them.This aesthetic definitely translates into his film, "Born to Film." However, I found that similar to his work, his film left me feeling scattered and slightly confused as to the intent.
I had sometrouble finding a connection to Danny Lyons work, something that had yet to happen to me with any of the other photographers we've looked at in this class. I appreciate his photographs and find hisperspective very interesting, however, I found myself putting off this write up until last minute which had not been the case for me. Perhaps it's the timing, or perhaps his work stirred something in methat I'm resisting, but the personal connection isn't quite there for me. Lyons relationship with his subjects is very immersive and involved. He seems to make himself a component in his work moreconsciously than other photographers, but to me this led to some confusion as to his intent and what he is trying to portray or express. He does appear to be very interested in what he is relaying whichis why he in turn becomes a part of his own work. Although "Born to Film" is technically the most personal of the films we've watched, I felt a sort of detachment in Lyon that may not be intentional.I feel like if Lyon's delved a little further into himself as opposed to his family members or his subjects, something truly powerful would come through. That is not to say that his work isn'timpacting or important, but I feel some restraint, conscious or not, on Lyons's part. He seems most comfortable dealing in subject matter separate from himself which I think is true for many filmmakers onphotographers, but what is so strange to me is how he does incorporate himself into his work in a way that seems intentional. It feels to me that Lyons might have wanted to show more of his own...