Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/09/01

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Photo scandal at National Geographic!!!
From: Eric Welch <eric@jphotog.com>
Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2003 20:51:04 -0700

Tim,

That's an old argument. First of all, I never claimed objectivity is 
possible. But any expression of the truth coming out of a human being 
other than maybe mathematical equations is not going to be objective.

A true professional is going to do his/her best to make a photograph of 
that protest that tells the story the most accurately they can. That's 
their job. Figure out what the story is and get it. It is NEVER the 
whole truth. But nothing that has ever been written down, spoken or 
even thought has ever been the whole truth in the whole history of 
humanity! Why would you ask that of a photographer before he can say 
his photo tells the truth? Any more than you would allow a witness in a 
trial swear to tell the truth. And they even ASK for the whole truth, 
which is a canard, but we know what they mean - they mean don't hold 
back anything you know that might help.

Either photos can show the truth in a realistic sense, and readers with 
brains understand that, or no truth has even been expressed in any 
forum or medium or human perception other than possibly math.

On Monday, September 1, 2003, at 12:49  PM, Tim Atherton wrote:

> Even if we've done the improbable in the short time
> allotted and have covered it all, only a few shots get chosen of space
> necessity. The same choices are made all over again by the editor or
> director. What if they believe a different truth and choose only to 
> show
> that?"

Eric Welch
Carlsbad, CA
http://www.jphotog.com

"If we had time for more meetings, we would have made more mistakes." 
Leon Trotsky



Eric Welch
Carlsbad, CA
http://www.jphotog.com

"There exists a limit to the force even the most powerful may apply 
without destroying themselves. Judging this limit is the true artistry 
of government. Misuse of power is the fatal sin. The law cannot be a 
tool of vengeance, never a hostage, nor a mortification against the 
martyrs it has created. You cannot threaten any individual and escape 
the consequences."
- --  Frank Herbert

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