Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/04/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]David Morton wrote: <SNIP> > Actually, on reflection, I think it's a weird word to use, to describe the > taking of a photograph, in any circumstances. > > Most odd. > Actually, I find the phrase taking of a photograph idiomatically offensive. And I'm not singling out your usage of it, David, so please take no offense. I find the whole concept of taking a photo somewhat like stealing. I prefer to think of it as making a photograph. This way of phrasing it seems to be more inclusive of the creative process and doesn't limit it to just the photographer but the interaction of photographer and subject whoever them may be. (I sound like Oddmund). Whether nature and landscapes, reportage, documentary or street photography you cannot seperate the photographer from the subject. Although various subjects have different degrees of awareness of the photographer's presence. Cartier-Bresson alludes to this in some of his comments in "The Artless Art" where reference is made to Eugen Herrigel's work "Zen in the Art of Archery." Herrigel, through his own experience in studying archery under a zen master, finds much in common with other disciplines in how they reconcile subject and object (or archer and target or photographer and photographee). HCB drew upon, or at least found a common bond, in Herrigel's writings and his own philosophy and methodology. Herrigel wrote his book in 1953. I found HCB's awareness, appreciation and understanding quite insightful to how he "made" photographs. Carl S.