William Eggleston: The Life and Works
During the beginning days of photography, pictures rarely came in a color other than
black and white. These images seemed the norm for serious photographers. However, one
photographer happened to think different. This photographer, William Eggleston, grew into a
pioneer of realistic photography since the late 20 th century. Throughout his life, both young and
adult, William Eggleston broke all the rules. Eggleston chose a new format for his art and
changed the photography world, instead of following the expected path paved from both his
parents and his colleagues.
Eggleston was born to plantation owning parents on July 27, 1939- the end of the Great
Depression. Throughout his childhood, Eggleston …show more content…
In receiving this suggestion, Eggleston discovered his true passion for
Lee 2
photography. After discovering photography, Eggleston transferring to Delta State College
(Delta State University) and the University of Mississippi at which neither would he get a
degree. Here Eggleston saw the art of two major influencers of his work: Walker Evans and
Henri Cartier-Bresson. From there, Eggleston blossomed into his own new style of photography,
as well as a whole new concept.
Before Eggleston’s works, serious photographers shot in only black and white, as well as
of very concrete objects. New York Times once called his gallery at the Museum of Modern Art
“the most hated show of the year (Lacayo 2008).” According to himself, art critics generally “a
[are a] sorry thing (Helipern 2015).” It for the best that he does not see critics as an issue; he
seems to take it quite lightly. Eggleston continued to do colored works on everyday items.
Eggleston developed his own unique style with several defining characteristics. One particularly
mentionable aspect: Eggleston takes only a single shot of his subject. He did not always start out
taking one shot. As to how he got to one shot? Well: “I would always notice it was
During the beginning days of photography, pictures rarely came in a color other than
black and white. These images seemed the norm for serious photographers. However, one
photographer happened to think different. This photographer, William Eggleston, grew into a
pioneer of realistic photography since the late 20 th century. Throughout his life, both young and
adult, William Eggleston broke all the rules. Eggleston chose a new format for his art and
changed the photography world, instead of following the expected path paved from both his
parents and his colleagues.
Eggleston was born to plantation owning parents on July 27, 1939- the end of the Great
Depression. Throughout his childhood, Eggleston …show more content…
In receiving this suggestion, Eggleston discovered his true passion for
Lee 2
photography. After discovering photography, Eggleston transferring to Delta State College
(Delta State University) and the University of Mississippi at which neither would he get a
degree. Here Eggleston saw the art of two major influencers of his work: Walker Evans and
Henri Cartier-Bresson. From there, Eggleston blossomed into his own new style of photography,
as well as a whole new concept.
Before Eggleston’s works, serious photographers shot in only black and white, as well as
of very concrete objects. New York Times once called his gallery at the Museum of Modern Art
“the most hated show of the year (Lacayo 2008).” According to himself, art critics generally “a
[are a] sorry thing (Helipern 2015).” It for the best that he does not see critics as an issue; he
seems to take it quite lightly. Eggleston continued to do colored works on everyday items.
Eggleston developed his own unique style with several defining characteristics. One particularly
mentionable aspect: Eggleston takes only a single shot of his subject. He did not always start out
taking one shot. As to how he got to one shot? Well: “I would always notice it was