Skip to main content

Nan Goldin

 

Nan Goldin (b. 1953) is an American photographer whose raw, diaristic imagery in The Ballad of Sexual Dependency became a benchmark of confessional street photography. Her visual diary chronicles love, gender, addiction, grief, and intimacy within the underground scenes of 1970s–80s Boston and New York.

Aesthetic Ethos & Emotional Vision

Photography became Goldin’s voice after her teenage years, marked by family tragedy and immersion in Boston’s drag and LGBT communities. Her lens reflects empathy over voyeurism—always capturing subjects she shared life with.

Her breakthrough work, The Ballad, premiered as a slideshow of nearly 700 images paired with music—an immersive, cinematic storytelling medium.

Gear Journey: Modest Tools, Monumental Impact

Instant Film Beginnings

  • Goldin received a Polaroid camera in high school, which she credits with giving her the confidence to engage people and document her inner circle. Shooting Polaroid forced immediacy and direct connection.

Olympus OM-2: Lean and Personal

  • In early New York and Boston years, Goldin used an Olympus OM-2—a small-bodied 35 mm film camera without interchangeable lenses. She purchased many of her early cameras secondhand, often from people at her Boston bar job.

Olympus OM-2

Flash + Color Slide Film ("Goldin Look")

  • Goldin shifted to Kodachrome slide film (often developed in Cibachrome), prized for intense, saturated color and archival quality—key to her signature palette.

  • She used on-camera flash extensively, even in daylight, to heighten contrast and texture—a technique that neonates the image's immediacy and drama.

The Work’s Legacy & Continued Influence

Goldin’s work, especially The Ballad, is emblematic of real-life storytelling—unpolished, emotional, honest. Her candid flash portraits of friends, lovers, and events presaged an entire generation of photographers embracing vulnerability and authenticity.

Her images influenced contemporary cinema aesthetics, resonating with the visual palettes of Wong Kar-wai, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, and others.

Goldin in Her Own Words

I wanted to make a record of real life. That included having a camera with me at all times.
— Nan Goldin, reflecting on the influence of her Polaroid camera. 

Why This Gear Works

  • Camera as companion: small, unobtrusive tools let her slip into scenes organically.

  • Flash + slide film = flash-forward truth: the combination gives her images visceral energy and unmatched color depth.

  • Slideshow storytelling: using slides to structure narrative emotionally elevated her work beyond still photography. 

Final Reflection

Nan Goldin transformed the personal into universal by weaving intimate moments with color and force. Her minimal gear—a Polaroid and an Olympus OM-2 paired with flash and Kodachrome—crafted a seismic shift in how photography could feel. Her approach reminds us that emotional truth, not technical sophistication, makes a photograph endure.

Books featuring Nan Goldin's work

The Ballad ...  : see it on Amazon


The Other Side : see it Amazon



Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Saul Leiter

  Saul Leiter, renowned for his pioneering work in color street photography, utilized a diverse array of camera gear throughout his career, adapting his equipment choices to his evolving artistic vision.   Here's an overview of the cameras and lenses he employed: Film Cameras Leica M4 : During the 1970s and beyond, Leiter frequently used the Leica M4 for his commercial and fashion photography assignments. Leica M4 Leica CL : For street photography, he often opted for the compact Leica CL, appreciating its portability and discreet profile. Leica CL Canon A-1 and AE-1 : Leiter incorporated these Canon models into his street photography repertoire, valuing their versatility and the availability of quality FD lenses. Canon A1 Canon AE-1 Minox 35 EL : Known for its ultra-compact design, the Minox 35 EL was another camera Leiter used, aligning with his preference for unobtrusive equipment. Minix 35 EL Rolleiflex 6x6 : In his early career, particularly during the 1950s, L...
Read more

Alex Webb

Alex Webb, renowned for his vibrant and intricately layered street photography, has consistently favored compact, unobtrusive gear that allows him to blend seamlessly into his environment and capture spontaneous moments. Primary Camera Gear Leica M Rangefinder Cameras : Webb has predominantly used Leica M-series rangefinder cameras throughout his career. Notably, he employed the Leica M6 during his film photography days and transitioned to the digital Leica M (Typ 240) following the discontinuation of Kodachrome film. Leica M6 see it on Amazon Leica M240 35mm Lens : His lens of choice is typically a 35mm, which he considers the ideal balance between wide-angle and standard perspectives. This focal length complements his style of capturing complex, multi-layered scenes. Kodachrome Film : For over three decades, Webb exclusively used Kodachrome color slide film, celebrated for its rich color rendition and fine grain. The film's discontinuation in 2009 prompted his shift to di...
Read more

Matt Black

Matt Black, a renowned Magnum photographer, is celebrated for his stark black-and-white imagery that delves into themes of poverty, migration, and environmental issues, particularly in California's Central Valley.   His approach to photography is characterized by a minimalist setup, allowing him to focus on storytelling without the distraction of extensive gear. Camera Equipment Olympus Digital Camera : During his extensive travels for the American Geography project, Black utilized an Olympus digital camera (Olympus OM-D-E-M5 II). This choice provided him with a lightweight and reliable tool suitable for long journeys and varied shooting conditions.  Olympus OM-D-E-M5 II Find it on Amazon Sony RX100 II : for some of his work including his "Geography of Poverty" series and for images posted on Instagram, Black used a Sony RX100 II.  Sony RX100 II Find it on Amazon Hasselblad XPan (Panoramic Film Camera) : Complementing his digital work, Black employed a Hasselblad ...
Read more