RE: [Leica] Photographic people

[chaz <cchoy@pacbell.net>]

There was a period when HCB was contradicting his philosophies...I think it
happened, when he got older...

chaz

- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
[mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of Tim
Atherton
Sent: Friday, July 13, 2001 12:43 PM
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: RE: [Leica] Photographic people


and in some of HCB's photographs, there is a coldness and remoteness that to
me does seem to lack sensitivity and that reflects his own self descriptor
as a hunter looking for prey, and of taking the picture and running.

Much of his work is marvellous and an inspiration, but his arrogance
sometimes does seem to violate the subject in the sense described.

Tim A

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of Bob Walkden
> Sent: Friday, July 13, 2001 12:54 PM
> To: Adam Bridge
> Subject: Re: [Leica] Photographic people
>
>
> Hi,
>
> He's saying that we should be sensitive when we photograph
> people. That's all.
>
> ---
>
>  Bob
>
> mailto:bob@web-options.com
>
> Friday, July 13, 2001, 6:08:06 PM, you wrote:
>
> > on 7/13/01 8:42 AM, Leica Users digest at
> > owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us thoughtfully wrote:
>
> >> "There is something appalling about photographing people. It
> is certainly
> >> some form of violation. So if sensitivity is lacking, there can be
> >> something barbaric about it."
>
> > I suppose the same can be said about inept writers.
>
> > Creating any portrait is as much about the photographer as the subject.
> > After all, you have to SEE. Better, you have to SEE and have a form of
> > communication with the subject, perhaps that communication is a certain
> > empathy, perhaps from a spoken dialog, perhaps subliminal.
>
> > Is observing humankind a violation?
>
> > I don't think so. I think it's a reaching out, a search to
> understand, to
> > reveal.
>
> > Sure, some revelations can be unkind and even cruel. And some
> can be kind
> > and be total lies.
>
> > But the act of looking, of seeking to bond in that moment, and
> to express
> > the human condition is what art is all about.
>
> > So I think Henri Cartier-Bresson was diminishing photography from other
> > portrait art forms. Of course I didn't read the whole quote.
>
> > Adam Bridge
> > Split Second Films
>
>