Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/05/09
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]As far as I know, it is true - and frankly, looking at the subject, I am inclined to believe it. The 'shooter' comes across like any looney, creative MIT kid. The one thing I don't know, and I've sent the photographer an Email asking him, is whether he set up the trash bin sequence, whether the subject suggested and set it up, or whether it just 'happened.' But, yes, it's an amazing piece of work. The photos themselves vary widely in quality, with most mediocre at best, but a few quite strong. But the text and photos together are a real killer. As I viewed it for the first time, schizophrenia didn't occur to me, but I was certainly going to tell my student to do everything he could to get his subject into MIT mental health for help for depression - and then comes that last section. Wow. As to the running essay, I - obviously - think you guys are being more than a bit harsh. We're talking student here; not photo student; not journalism student; not art student; but science student at MIT taking a liberal arts course to fill out a requirement. Someone who hasn't done any photography before, and someone to whom running a marathon is a new experience. I judge my students based on where they've come from and where they end up - not on the basis of whether they turn out something that's ready for prime time; I expect the best to get better, and the worst to get better. And best or worst, I think that what she produced is something that's fun to look at, and that definitely tells a story, visually and in words. I may be wrong, but I'm going to guess that both of you run, or have been runners, and so to you it's ho-hum. But I may be wrong. :-) B. D. -----Original Message----- From: lug-bounces+bdcolen=earthlink.net@leica-users.org [mailto:lug-bounces+bdcolen=earthlink.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Adam Bridge Sent: Sunday, May 09, 2004 7:54 PM To: Leica Users Group Subject: RE: [Leica] A Runner's eye view of the Boston Marathon On Sunday, May 9, 2004 Don Dory thoughtfully wrote: >B.D., >It's funny how perceptions vary. I found the marathon essay pedantic >and uninspired: nothing revealing to me in the essay about running, >exhaustion, pushing on. Obviously, others have a 180. > >However, http://web.mit.edu/zrich/www/project/index.htm is an >incredible essay. Someone like I have never known is revealed with >words and in images that entirely describe the subject in visual terms. >This student needs to be moved to head of the line. > >0.02 > >Don >dorysrus@mindspring.com WOW - I'm totally in agreement with you, Don. I find myself in a very complex space - is this a true. Is this narrative real. If so I have a tremdous compassion for this young man and hope that he both seeks and receives treatment. If this is not a real story then it is a wonderful work of fiction that made something achingly real for me. I absolutely concur with your assessment, Don. I believe the author of this piece made his own journey and took us along a path of almost fractal complexity. I've gone back through the site and knowing the end it plays differently, and better. If it were an art exhibit I'd find myself wanting to experience it non-linearly after the first linear exposure. I find myself wanting to meet both people. Although I'm wondering if it's just one person both teller and subject. I may well work that way also. I delight in ambiguity. There is much to find delightful here. Next stop: Wonderland. Adam _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information