Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/08/29
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]George Lottermoser offered: Subject: Re: [Leica] ...now PJ > Same thoughts and questions came to my mind. > "The Concerned Photographer" > <http://www.artic.edu/aic/exhibitions/concerned.html> > and the book from 1968 > <http://www.amazon.com/Concerned-Photographer-Photographs- > Bischof- > Kertesz/dp/B000BYG608/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251579457&sr=1-1> > certainly attempt to answer the question. > > I suspect that the answer rests in how much real and quality time > the photographer spends with their subject(s). > > Whether one captures only the "horror" > or the humanity and story within the situation > will depend on the depth of one's "concern" > and the time devoted to the subject. > The difference between the isolated grab shot > of a homeless person on the street > and the photo essay about that same person, > photographed over weeks or months, > including discussions with them, > will appear in the photographs. George, Time is the answer and funds to be able to spend the time to do the in-depth photo essay. That is unless the photographer has the economic background to be able to afford the time and costs required to do it correctly! These days magazines have no interest in publishing in-depth 12 -16 pages of space that the general public have little or no interest in the subject. Nor do book publishers have any interest either! That is unless it's a Hollywood drug addict or dipstick going into or coming out of rehab! Today the world is filled with digital snappers who are interested in making money from the horrors than a potential subject that might be helped through intelligent and? positive use of a camera illustrating their plight. Today it's the celebrity nonsense that makes up the pages of worthless garbage when it could be used to help the unfortunates of the world. And that is never going to happen! By the same token there is a great deal of positive imagery out there of nice warm fuzzy pictures, great feel good life elements sometimes we see it well illustrated right here on the LUG by extremely talented photographers. But neither is this of interest to the rag mags as it doesn't sell their crap productions simply because "humanity...... not all of it," isn't interested simply because they want blood and guts despite what we hear about people wanting good news stories... Sure some do, the majority want the dipstick garbage of celebrities and their ilk! If the case were different, LIFE and other photo documentary magazines might well be still in production. I fear not ever seeing this type of magazine again in our lifetime. Yes there is some activity in BLOGS and web sights, but the right in your face hold it in your hands and read it??? Never going to happen because the electronic industry is moving faster than the development of digital cameras that left so many "every day manufactures out of business!" Think Leica!!!!!!!!! :-( Plus the bigger list! ted