Bernd and Hilla Becher

Bernd and Hilla Becher

The Bechers are most known for their 'Watertowers' typology series. A typology is a series of images that bare a very pronounced resemblance with each other. Water towers aren't the only typologies they produced; they branched out into gas tanks, winding towers and blast furnaces, however the goal always seems to be the same; to explore the differences in architecture throughout a variety of locations and times.

This collaboration began in 1959, and despite Bernd passing away in 2009, Hilla continued with the project until she passed in 2015. Each photograph had the exact same setup in order to keep the continuity between each photograph, of which there were over 200. In a 1959 interview, Bernd explained how once each photograph is laid out you can see what is necessary for each structure; what the similarities are. That's why they're presented in this way, in order to make the audience aware of the differences and what links them together, all over the world. The photographs are grouped into shared characteristics, and so with each 'set' there will be things very similar in each one. (1)
The dull tones are formed by shooting with a lack of shadow, in order to bring out detail and therefore allow the audience to take full advantage of the large format cameras they were taken on; we get to see the images framed so precisely, allowing the subject to take over the image from top to bottom, with a little ground at the very bottom and a little sky at the very top. (1)

I personally very much enjoy the way that the images are made and presented. Something so simple, that hasn't got a message or story that's overwhelmingly in your face. Just pure observation and comparison of place and time. 

Sources:

1. The Tate Modern Website, Bernd Becher and Hilla Becher 'Water Towers', http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/bernd-becher-and-hilla-becher-water-towers-p81238