[Leica] photographing the homeless

[tedgrant at shaw.ca (Ted Grant)]

>>>larry.k@rcn.com wrote:
>   Bravo Adam! I also found myself wondering why anyone should listen to 
> this guy and his rules! Who made this guy the philosopher king of 
> photography?<<

Subject: Re: [Leica] photographing the homeless

LUG Family member Larry, sir. (and others)

I realize yer just a young lad when it comes to the "LUG Family Life 
Experience." Therefore not understanding of the wordsmithing we run into at 
times triggering a rebuttal not knowing the poster personally and their 
ability to " tongue in cheek" on many subjects.

Not only you, but a few others have no idea how talented Kyle is when it 
comes to motivating a discussion of many types and topics. As well as moving 
the masses of "the family to take pictures and post them."

He requires no defence as a photographer, doer, nor writer. But when he 
posts as he did in this case, he's making a point of treating other human 
beings as one might like to be treated if the role were reversed. We the 
photographer were living on the street while some "over zealous simpleton" 
with a camera takes our picture while we sleep or under the influence of 
whatever.

If one should consider Kyle's writings as you've said, " Who made this guy 
the philosopher king of photography?<<

Well actually you did by asking the question!

None of us took him serious in the writing because we know his writings and 
ability to raise an interesting subject on treating others when it comes to 
taking pictures of, in particular, "down and outers" for whatever reason.

If you are not a professional assigned to photograph the lives of people and 
events on this planet, then it's a major factor in how Kyle, others on list 
and myself learn how to treat others due to our daily contact to visually 
communicate with all levels of humanities. Because that's our job!

And the visual topics are endless! And yes I've puked my guts out at some of 
the scenes! Cried at others!

But the most important thing most of us learn? How we respect others who are 
before our lens! Certainly as we attempt to show their lives, good, bad, 
ugly or beyond your wildest imagination. In many cases it's a hell of life 
to be a photojournalist shooting situations we find ourselves in, sometimes!

How about some that still give nightmares from the stupidity of man and his 
abilities to kill and maim his fellow man? Starve children and women all in 
the name of bettering their lives. But the bottom line of the respect thing 
is........... no matter how gruesome or terrifying the subject situation 
maybe............................. we can go home, or to our warm hotel, be 
well fed when the day or night is done.

And because of the ability to walk away from it, is one of the main reasons 
we give the subject respect! It's the old "Keep it simple, "Treat others as 
you'd like to be treated!"

Give respect when we photograph and we receive respect in return. Be a "take 
advantage of subject" shooter and you'll surely get yours some day the likes 
you never want to happen!

Not sure this means anything on the screen as it might if we were having a 
beer in round table discussion with members of the Family.

ted.