Mary Ellen Mark on the Portrait and the Moment

In the fourth installment of The Photography Workshop Series, Mary Ellen Mark (1940-2015)—well known for the emotional power of her pictures, be they of people or animals—offers her insight on observing the world and capturing dramatic moments that reveal more than the reality at hand. Aperture Foundation works with the world‘s top photographers to distill their creative approaches to, teachings on, and insights into photography-offering the workshop experience in a book. Our goal is to inspire photographers at all levels who wish to improve their work, as well as readers interested in deepening their understanding of the art of photography. Through words and pictures, in this volume Mark shares her own creative process and discusses a wide range of issues, from gaining the trust of the subject and taking pictures that are controlled but unforced, to organizing the frame so that every part contributes toward telling the story.