[Leica] sneak thief photographers!

[tedgrant@islandnet.com (Ted Grant)]

Arturo wrote:
<<<<a new technique (for street photography) I've been considering; hang
the M6 and winder around my neck (bottom of the camera secured with a body
strap to prevent flopping) with the 24mm lens attached and a long cable
release threaded through my sleeve to my hand.  With the exposure and focus
pre-set, just fire away!!  How's that for being unobtrusive??  Virtually
invisible!!!

Carl Socolow wrote: in answer to Arturo:

>Put on your flak jacket, your stealth approach is bound to be rebuked by
>Mr. Grant who is a devout advocate of the viewfinder to the eye. I'm
>sure he will explain his rationale and philosophy about involvement with
>the subject and you have no business taking photos if you're not an
>active participant instead of stealing images.>>>>>>

gee Carl,

I guess I've got the message out to some! :)

Arturo do not take this personally!:)  ted

I guess Arturo has an idea he wants to try, however it is completely
against what I call being a "gentleman of honour with a camera."

If one doesn't have the guts to stand and be counted when they take their
pictures, then they shouldn't be taking pictures!  Certainly not calling
themselves "photojournalist nor photographer!"

I've read alot of this "street photographer/photography" thing over the
past couple years and I always thought these guys were "cool shooters" with
lots of guts. That was, until I discovered they walked around with their
cameras hanging by their ass with wide angle lens attached and clicking the
shutter hopefully at capturing something or other.

Or putting a wide angle lens on and walking about, sort of bodily aiming
the camera in a sneaky fashion towards unsuspecting subjects. Then some of
them having the audacity of raving about their "street pictures!"

Hell that's not being a photographer, that's just being an out and out
iamge thief by gutless wonders!

I know I've made this point before, but if you are taking pictures on the
street of people doing things, there are all kinds of ways to "making
oneself invisble" and still capturing satisfying photographs of huamn
nature at play or work.

But to go around and jury rig Leica's to expose film, please note I said
"expose film," I didn't say "take photographs," Photographers take
photographs. These others are merely manipulators of a box with light
sensitive material!

It doesn't take any talent to walk about clicking in the general direction
of a subject on the premise they'll have a great "street photograph" due to
their talent as a photographer.  Heck we can train monkeys to walk about
doing that!

You are either a straight shooting photographer with the balls to stand and
be counted or you're a "sneak picture thief!"

Take your pick!  Me? I'm a straight shooter!

ted

Ted Grant
This is Our Work. The Legacy of Sir William Osler.
http://www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant