[Leica] When in doubt ask photographer

[robertmeier at usjet.net (Robert Meier)]

Ted,

You might have said something like, 'after many years of shooting in these 
situations I am convinved that the people I'm photographing  forget I'm 
there and are not affected by my presence.  But I am a participant in these 
situations and am not an objective observer.  Perhaps, consciously or 
unconciously, their behavior is affected -- how can I possibly know?  I 
cannot go into their minds.'

Instead, insisting that your years of experience must dominate and that your 
adversaries must accept what you say, therefore, as the sole truth, or get 
stuffed, is not the way to win an argument.

Robert

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ted Grant" <tedgrant@shaw.ca>
To: "'Leica Users Group'" <lug@leica-users.org>
Sent: Sunday, January 13, 2008 8:42 AM
Subject: RE: [Leica] When in doubt ask photographer


> Tarek Charara offered quite unmistakenly!
> Subject: Re: [Leica] When in doubt ask photographer
>
>
>
>>>Ted,I think we are thinking this the other way around: it's not about the
> photographer, it's about wether the subject is concentrated or not on what
> he's doing. Believing the subject could "forget" that the photographer is 
> in
> the room or around him taking pictures, is just wrong.<<<
>
> Excuse me?
>
> I don't know what the hell is wrong with some of you people when you are
> dealing with a photojournalist with over half century experience of 
> working
> in the fashion we're discussing. Then have the audacity to tell me I'm
> WRONG!! :-( Get stuffed!
>
> I have nothing to gain by explaining to you exactly what these experiences
> are, but you people are the ones who are wrong! Damn it if I sound angry I
> bloody well am!
>
> When I explain to you of daily experience with published books to back it 
> up
> not to mention the assignments, do not tell me I'm wrong!
>
>>>>The photographer can be ignored, but that doesn't mean that the 
>>>>subject's
> unconscious mind isn't aware of his presence and/or that the photographer
> isn't altering the scene by his presence.<<<
>
> Look if you walk into a room and have 2 minutes to get some quick hit and
> miss snap you maybe right.
>
> But what appears to be happening here is, you are not listening nor do you
> understand the difference between a 2 minute hit and run compared to a 5 
> day
> or 5 weeks day after day shooting in the environment of the subject or
> subjects you're documenting.
>
> Your lack of understanding that it's possible to be there and not have
> absolutely any influence on the subject or subjects is in direct ratio to
> your inexperience! Certainly compared to a photojournalist of some merit 
> in
> this field regardless of the subject and time.
>
> Thank you all for listening, but for crying out loud get with the program
> and listen to experience!
>
> Have a nice day!
>
> ted
>
>
>
>
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