Re: [Leica] photojournalist

[Mark Rabiner <mrabiner@concentric.net>]

Dave Yoder wrote:
> 
> So many tough-guys on this LUG! The verbs you employ suggest to me
> you've never seen a good photojournalist at work, but that you judge
> everyone by what you've seen in the media (lewinsky-gate, OJ, "blow-up,"
> whatever). There are right ways to do it that don't leave the subject
> feeling used or intruded upon, and there are of course many wrong ways
> (in my opinion, standing further back with a long lens is just as bad or worse).
> 
> Relax. Just about everyone else does.
> 
> Yoder
> 
> > Date: Mon, 12 Jul 1999 11:32:51 -0700
> > From: "793582" <793582@idmail.com>
> > Subject: Re: [Leica] David Turnley pt 2
> >
> (snip)
> > How many people would react kindly to having a complete stranger come up
> > close into one's personal space, touch you on the arm or shoulder, and then
> > push a camera into one's face? Do it to me, and the young puppy would find
> > his camera pushed into his face or tossed onto the ground.
> >

Here in Portland Oregon where I've lived for 25 years we  have the
Oregonian and their photographers will appear on the scene if it is
newsworthy. They all carry a large camera bag and don't try to pass
themselves off as elegant, it's obvious who they are. Though as
unobtrusive as possible they don't try to blend in they are there to do
a job (get the shot, write down a name) and then they are gone. They
don't seem to be in a threatening position but they don't walk right up
to somebodies face and put their hand on their shoulder smile cosmicly
and take their picture. I have mixed feelings about that approach but
will admit to some slight envy. But I am sometimes put off my people who
are just too charming and cosmic and non threnening. I'm not like that
and I like to think these hippy type charmers have secret horrible
obsessions. Like invading peoples personal space on a mass level. Give
me someone with a twitch, a glare and a bad haircut anytime and I feel
instantly comfortable.
Mark Rabiner