Recently I became slightly enamored with the photojournalism cum fine art works of Nan Goldin and especially Mary Ellen Mark. Mark has a knack for portraiture that makes it seem as though the subject is so at ease with her there isn't even a camera present. People in her photos seem to be just sitting with her and not posing for a picture.
She takes exquisite photos of celebrities. From Cloris Leachman to David Bowie to Al Gore to please please go to her website (www.maryellenmark.com) and look at William H. Macy. Because of the way her website is configured, I can't link to specific pieces/photos in it.
Mary Ellen Mark, however, also capture the darker side of humanity, the pieces that are difficult to look at and some of her images can be very chilling. "Ward 81" documents the 36 days in 1976 Mark spent in the women's locked ward at Oregon State Hospital, a state-run mental facility. It's very much out of print, but all of her books are available on her website, complete with the accompanying text. "A Cry For Help: Stories of Homelessness and Hope" will break your heart.
