Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/06/02

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Powerful image
From: Five Senses Productions <fls@5senses.com>
Date: Tue, 02 Jun 1998 17:19:52 -0700

Wow!  Excellent explanation.  I wholeheartedly agree.

At 04:16 PM 6/2/98 , Carl Socolow wrote:
>Five Senses Productions wrote:
>> 
>> So are you implying that a powerful image can only be of a serious,
>> dramatic, or emotional life experience?  Does this mean landscapes,
>> nudes, or photos of children at play cannot be powerful?
>> 
>> Francesco
>> 
>SNIP
>
>Francesco,
>
>I think that some of Jock Sturges nudes of families and/or adolescents
>as well as those of Sally Mann and her family also evidence
>"powerfulness". Part of that power comes from the ambiguity that is
>inherent in the photos. Some of that ambiguity stems from arousal, some
>from the sense of innocence of the subjects, some from the sheer
>technical mastery and control as well as a consistent body of work. Some
>of the power of these nudes also comes from the sheer ease of the
>subjects and how they relate to the camera; that it is not exploitative
>but interactive; that they are outside mainstream culture and societal
>impositions and values. But much of their power comes from the sheer
>beauty, ease and feeling of knowing the subjects.
>
>Carl Socolow
>
>Sometimes the wrong thing is exactly the thing you should do.
>