Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/04/07
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Barney: I am going to save your post and re-read it from time to time. There are,as I mentioned to my wife this morning, some of the finest people online one could want to meet. You are certainly one yourself. It is a very moving assessment of this era and it could be you are absolutely right. Don't misunderstand what I said about doing that type of shooting. If it weren't for people still doing it we'd only have information funneled to us though the White House Press Corps. How about that for a frightening thought? As far as giving up, that's out of the question. The lure of a self-imposed project keeps haunting me. We don't have subways in Florida so I can't follow in B.D.'s footsteps. but still, there are many images left unmade. Walt Barney Quinn wrote: >Walt, > >I have been reading, but not commenting on, the exchange between you, Tina >and several other members of the LUG about the state of the world and the >power of images ( and words ) to change it. I am not a photojournalist like >you and Ted and Tina. I haven't seen the things which all of you have seen, >and I certainly haven't photographed it. I very much doubt that I could. I >don't have that kind of strength. > >The other day Ted made some comments about "pre visualization," whatever >that >means precisely. If I remember his words properly they went something to the >effect that he didn't "pre visualize," he worked on the "Holy Cow Look at >that. Click" system. I was tempted to reply, but, as usual didn't. What I >wanted to say was that perhaps for a photojournalist "pre visualization" >isn't seeing the image in your head, it is seeing the situation for the >photographic possibilities it offers, exposing yourself to that situation, >and then capturing what you can of it on film. As BD said the other day, >the >"decisive moment" is when you see the situation for its photographic >possibilities, get out your camera, and start making images. > >The history of the twentieth century is horrific, by any known standard. If >there is a God ( I believe there is ) then he, she, or it must have tears >running down their face. I can understand how someone who shot what you shot >in Haiti would never want to go back. I understand how covering such horror >could totally burn out a person. I can certainly understand how someone who >has covered the last century (and I have been in the news business myself) >could be discouraged by it. In fact, if you weren't, I would have to say >that >there is something quite wrong with you. I can see how someone would want to >give up. I've been there. Depression is sometimes a very rational response. > >But, having said all that, I also have to say that I don't agree with the >negative comments about the power of images to change and motivate people. >There are lots of instances where images and words have motivated people to >act. this threat reminded me of what my Doctor says that he tells his cancer >patients. "Fighting will not guarantee that you will live, but giving up may >very well guarantee that you will die." It's true that far too little has >been done to help New Orleans, but I don't think that it follows from that >the reason is because images no longer work to move people. Many, many >citizens have been motivated to help the victims. This may well start a >flame >war, but if images had lost their power to effect things then the approval >rating of the boys in DC would be a whole lot higher than it is. > >Barney > > > >Walt Johnson wrote: > > > >>Barney >> >>I try to remember a few of the things I've photographed over the years >>and how fortunate many of us are. Were I a religious person I'd ask God >>to forgive me. Not for doing bad things (like wanting to photo hooters >>:-P ) which are run of the mill, but for ever feeling sorry for myself. >>When I think of the shooters I've know who fall into "world class" >>category I wonder how they feel about it all. Maybe things are better >>now than when we burned people at the stake or put millions in gas >>chambers. It could be that the trek toward universal humanitarianism >>requires more time than we each have but will come. >> >>Walt >> >>Barney Quinn wrote: >> >> >> >>>Walt, >>> >>>The shots you posted today and the ones which you posted yesterday are a >>>stunning series of images. The one of the skull is still reverberating in >>>my mind. Your pictures certainly provided me with a jolt and a reminder >>>many of us may need from time to time. >>> >>>Barney >>> >>> >>>Walt Johnson wrote: >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>>>Here are a few more scanned earlier but not posted. >>>> >>>>Thanks >>>> >>>>walt >>>> >>>>http://gallery.leica-users.org/Walts/man_baby >>>> >>>>http://gallery.leica-users.org/Walts/vive >>>> >>>>http://gallery.leica-users.org/Walts/ditch >>>> >>>>The ditch in the last image is one of many open sewers running through >>>>Cite Soleil in Port au Prince. It serves thousands of people who are >>>>crowded into their own version of hell. >>>> >>>>_______________________________________________ >>>>Leica Users Group. >>>>See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>-- >>>Barney Quinn, Jr. >>>(301) 688-1982 (O) >>>(240) 535-3036 (C) >>>(877) 220-0981 (P) >>> >>> >>> >>>_______________________________________________ >>>Leica Users Group. >>>See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>_______________________________________________ >>Leica Users Group. >>See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> >> > >-- >Barney Quinn, Jr. >(301) 688-1982 (O) >(240) 535-3036 (C) >(877) 220-0981 (P) > > > >_______________________________________________ >Leica Users Group. >See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > > >