Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2008/01/13

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Subject: [Leica] Re: When in doubt ask photographer
From: bd at bdcolenphoto.com (bd@bdcolenphoto.com)
Date: Sun Jan 13 12:02:58 2008
References: <200801131809.m0DI43l8036379@server1.waverley.reid.org><C3AFD540.19F1%manolito@videotron.ca>

Actually, Emanuel, I think it's truer the closer we are to our subjects in 
race, socioeconomic status, etc., because then at least we don't stand out 
as "others," but only as photographers.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From: EPL <manolito@videotron.ca>

Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 14:48:32 
To:lug@leica-users.org
Subject: [Leica] Re: When in doubt ask photographer


Everybody following this discussion here should ask him/herself: if a
photographer moved into your house for a week, then was positioned here and
there at various times taking photos of your daily routine and activities,
would the photographer ever disappear into the background of your lives
(except, of course, when you are asleep, passed out drunk or otherwise
insentient)?

Not a chance! We flatter ourselves by thinking our subjects are clueless to
our presence, that our camera-pointing purpose is forgettable. We especially
prefer to believe this about our subjects the more "different" their lives
are from our own.

What we have really done is struck a sort of bargain with them, an agreement
to suspend disbelief, a pact not unlike the implied consent given mutually
by audience and actors when the third wall is removed and the curtain is
raised.

Emanuel Lowi
Montreal

 


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In reply to: Message from manolito at videotron.ca (EPL) ([Leica] Re: When in doubt ask photographer)