Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/08/15
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Dominique, It was with some interest that I read your critique of my photo "Charleston Sweetgrass Basket Ladies", which appeared on the back cover of Viewfinder Vol.31, number 2. I took the picture while walking through the Old Market in Charleston. I happened to have my 24/2.8 M on the camera and I was looking for suitable subjects to shoot with it. I happened to see these two women with their baskets spread out in front of them, with the baskets extending from their feet all the way to the curb on the street. Perfect subject for a super wide lens I thought. I then composed and took the picture. I was quite pleased with the result and so was the Viewfinder editor, Roy Moss. Your comments on what would have made a better picture are interesting, but frankly not realistic. Though these women do not like to have their picture taken, they normally react by covering their face to the photographer. This would not have helped the composition in my opinion. The fact that they have not covered their face means they have not noticed me taking their picture. I did take a second picture after this first one, and one of the women was covering her face! I prefer to work this way on the street, not being intrusive while making the picture. The Leica M is the perfect camera for this. The women also will make comments such as, "I hope all your pictures are out of focus!" They would not pick up their baskets and run away as they consider the sidewalk their place of business. Your other suggestion of showing a black child buying a basket is also not practical. If you look closely at the baskets in the photo, you can read the price tags on the baskets. The prices range from $45 to $70. Clearly out of reach of the average person, let alone a child. This would also have been manipulative and intrusive to the scene. You might also suggest that I waited to take the photo until something "dynamic" happened, but given the basket ladies attitude towards photographers, I doubt a good photo would have been the result. As it is I am very pleased with the photograph. In my opinion, street photography should be "found", without the photographer imposing on the subject and interfering in the subject's life. Some people like this confrontational style, but I personally do not practice this in my photography. I prefer to take a more passive role and photograph life as I found it, without imposing myself. This is my style of photography, which may be different from yours. And differences are what makes life interesting. Thank you again for noticing my photo and taking the time to comment on it. Bill Rosauer QTY 1 1