Wonderful Photojournalism From 1970s and 1980s Boston

Arthur Pollock is a master of photojournalism. Arthur’s son Jesse Pollock (see his work at Hamburger Eyes) has brought his father’s work to a new audience. Photographs focused on Boston and New England form stories of 1970s and 80s life.

Much journalism today is the antithesis of the ‘show and don’t tell’ mantra, taking the reader towards the emotive writer’s literal airbrushing. At its best photojournalism is in-depth, looking at the subjects in their environment – the camera an extension of the journalist’s objective gaze.

Says Jesse:

“Photojournalists don’t really like to talk about their work as art because it’s more of a group dynamic; you’re on a team. It’s blue collar, like a firefighter. And you don’t say, ‘I’m the best firefighter.’ It’s hard for him to put his work out there like that. He doesn’t think of it as art. He’ll think of it as a photojournalism exhibition. The nearest art category you could throw it into is street photography, but I don’t think of it like that. It has a hard, journalistic viewpoint at heart.”

 

Incinerator Fire - E. Chicago, 1975.

Incinerator Fire – E. Chicago, 1975.

Mill Worker - Lowell, 1977.

Mill Worker – Lowell, 1977.

Abe’s Donut Shop - Syracuse, 1975.

Abe’s Donut Shop – Syracuse, 1975.

Pawtucket Boulevard Midway - Lowell, 1980.

Pawtucket Boulevard Midway – Lowell, 1980.

arhur pollock

1984 photograph of a life-size brontosaurus being transported by helicopter to the Boston Museum of Science

Downtown - Hammond, 1975.

Downtown – Hammond, 1975.

Pizza Shop - Chelmsford, 1978.

Pizza Shop – Chelmsford, 1978.

Barbershop - Lynn, 1985.

Barbershop – Lynn, 1985.

City Hall Biker Protest - Lowell, 1977.

City Hall Biker Protest – Lowell, 1977.

City Hall Biker Protest - Lowell, 1977.

City Hall Biker Protest – Lowell, 1977.

Prisoner Transport - Leominster, 1980.

Prisoner Transport – Leominster, 1980.

Lotte’s Flower Shop - Madison, 1971.

Lotte’s Flower Shop – Madison, 1971.

Construction Workers – Lowell, 1978.

Construction Workers – Lowell, 1978.

Fall - Lowell, 1978.

Fall – Lowell, 1978.

Construction Workers - Hammond, 1975.

Construction Workers – Hammond, 1975.

Bar Room - Lowell, 1978.

Bar Room – Lowell, 1978.

Art’s Drive-In - Whiting, 1975.

Art’s Drive-In – Whiting, 1975.

Truck Driver - Hammond, 1975.

Truck Driver – Hammond, 1975.

Downtown - Lowell, 1977.

Downtown – Lowell, 1977.

Democratic National Convention - Miami, 1972.

Democratic National Convention – Miami, 1972.

Mill Worker - Lowell, 1977.

Mill Worker – Lowell, 1977.

Miss Nude America - Roselawn, 1975.

Miss Nude America – Roselawn, 1975.

Teacher Strike - W. Siville, 1975.

Teacher Strike – W. Siville, 1975.

Kennedy Avenue - Highland, 1976.

Kennedy Avenue – Highland, 1976.

Watermelon Championships - Pardeeville, 1971.

Watermelon Championships – Pardeeville, 1971.

Pride's Crossing - Beverly, 1980.

Pride’s Crossing – Beverly, 1980.

image tumblr_kyp5eqypzT1qb8e2bo1_1280 siteart41 AP 36 130 100

 

A great book of Arthur Pollock’s work  is available at unpiano.com.

Would you like to support Flashbak?

Please consider making a donation to our site. We don't want to rely on ads to bring you the best of visual culture. You can also support us by signing up to our Mailing List. And you can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For great art and culture delivered to your door, visit our shop.