Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2010/03/19

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Subject: [Leica] Subject: difference between documentarian and documented
From: amr3 at uwm.edu (Alan Magayne-Roshak)
Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:58:52 -0500 (CDT)

On Fri, 19 Mar 2010 George Lottermoser <imagist3 at mac.com>wrote:

>When I do documentary work,
>whether on the street or in other venues,
>I'm always aware of the disconnect
>between me as a photographer
>and the subject.

>As a photographer I'm looking for
>certain iconic events, light, moments, compositions;
>which ring true to my subjective view of life;
>as well as photographic intentions;
>with not very much concern for
>how the subject may wish to be "seen"
>or their subjective view of life in general.
>(And the subject rarely has any concept of,
>nor desire to understand, my "photographic intentions")

>The subject, of course, would like
>his or her image of themselves maintained;
>or even enhanced beyond their own self-image.

>How often have you heard,
>"that doesn't look like me."
>or
>"do I really look like that?"

>So often these issues of whether or not
>someone feels okay when a camera lens comes their way
>has to do with control;
>not only of how the photograph may be used;
>but also control over their own image of themselves.
>Very few people feel comfortable and confident about their "reality."
===================================================================================
Once again, George, you've gotten to the essence of a subject with eloquence.

Alan

Alan Magayne-Roshak, Senior Photographer
UPAA POY 1978
University Information Technology Services
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
amr3 at uwm.edu
http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Alan+Magayne-Roshak/