Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/05/13
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]On the PLUG 10 Commandments of Leica Photography (http://www.asc.upenn.edu/usr/cassidy/leicaslacker/plug/10/index.html) we find that the 7th commandment is "Thou Shalt Not Photograph Homeless People" - -- which, I've been thinking lately isn't really what I meant. It probably should be changed to "thou shalt not photograph homeless people you've not slept under a bridge with." Photographing the homeless can be a noble endeavor, but it's one which must be taken on very carefully and with great concern. It trivializes their plight and is really a photography hack to shoot someone down and out from across the street, or asleep on a bench and try and pass it off as social documentary. Last summer you (and I mean the LUG here) raised money to send a young photojournalist to Bucharest to live with and photograph some of the 5,000 homeless children who live in the sewers there. The project was more daunting than Scott Squire or any of us imagined and he went missing after nine brief dispatches. Well, he's surfaced again. About three months ago I received in the mail an absolutely stunning portfolio of about sixty 11x14 images in color and black and white which far exceeded my wildest expectations. With time to print and reflect, Scott's got a show now at the the Berkeley Graduate School of Journalistm: http://www.asc.upenn.edu/usr/cassidy/temp/invite.jpg I hope luggers on the west coast can make it and give the rest of us an update. I also hope we can read Scott's narrative soon. You all did something rare and wonderful -- you helped to create an important body of work which would not have existed without your help and support. These photos would not exist were it not for each of you who donated money, time, and server space to this amazing project. I'm glad to know every one of you. Show details follow. kc DOWNSTAIRS: At Home with Romania's Underclass Photographs by Scott Squire May 7 - September 1, 2003 The Center for Photography UCBerkeley Graduate School of Journalism (Corner or Hearst and Euclid, Berkeley, CA) Opening Reception Friday, May 16, 7:00pm (Prints are for sale; proceeds will benefit the subjects) Please feel free to forward this invitation to anyone who might be interested. Give me a call if you need directions (510) 526-1792 - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html