Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/06/26
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>> From: Ted Grant >> >> "Unobtrusive" is the in thing! As one doesn't want to appear as part of the >> event, but a quiet recorder for the bride to enjoy images later>>>>> >------------------------------ Alan Hull wrote: >Sorry Ted, I must disagree with your statement above. > >How can you inject your personality or style into a picture when you >are unobrusive? How can you influence the scene by being invisible? Alan, I guess I have to ask a few questions. "What don't you understand in the work of a photojournalist?" Or the word "unobtrusive?" Or "working quietly like a fly on the wall, capturing the "personalities of those you are observing and recording?" I don't need to inject "my personallity" it isn't relevant to the scene, unless I'm shooting a pound of butter for an advertising agency. Then I don't have to worry about my "personality" either as the A.D. looks after all the personality required for 12 people! Usually. :) A good photojournalist keeps his mouth shut, eyes and ears open and his finger on the shutter release! We, if we are any good, don't set anything up! That's the realm of the commercial photographers, paid to set things in place. Many wouldn't trade a photjournalist a moments time because we do things in "real world time" and don't create the false front of a well laid out studio. Many commercial guys wouldn't touch a photojournalists assignment simply because they wouldn't have "any control nor could they inject there personalities to the scene." How about this: Photojournalist has to shoot birthing without flash, no assistants and captures all the magical feelings of stress, pain and elations of new mother and father . Assignment completed efficiently and successfully without any ""injection of personality or style and completely unobtrusivily invisible?"" <<<< How can you influence the scene by being invisible? >>>>> If you're not invisible in the OR or many other locations, where in effect you are an intruder (even though invited) ..... you are not the intruder very long!" Now how about the above in relation to your percieved idea of: <<inject your personality or style into a picture when you are unobrusive? How can you influence the scene by being invisible?>>>>>>> OK same scene via photograher injecting the elments above: A very visible obtrusive Photographer injecting personality with style: "I know she's having labour pains, damn it turn her over so I can see her agony more!":) Just thought you might like to understand, that some of us who work invisible, unobtrusively and without controlling anything have survived quite successfully as recorders of life for many many years. All over the world and well published! And quite frankly I get asked back to many functions and situations simply because I work the way I do: Quietly, unobtrusive and invisble! This comment from folks I've had the pleasure and honour of working with and for: "We never knew you were around. You truly are the "invisible photographer" compared to most of the assholes who try to get in here!" :) Kind says it all! :) Ted Grant This is Our Work. The Legacy of Sir William Osler. http://www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant