Re: [Leica] Squares and sabotage

[Ruralmopics@aol.com]

Not to step into the middle of a pissing match but I will offer this: I have 
often found myself knocking off a quick environmental portrait to illustrate 
a story when I didn't have time to do something more substantial. Documentary 
photojournalism takes time. It takes time to establish a rapport with your 
subject so they will relax and let down their guard. It also takes times to 
just BE THERE when the moments happen. The environmental portrait -- as E.W. 
and I seem to understand the term -- is a quick and dirty shot. In the worst 
case it's 5-10 minutes and you're done -- wham, bam, thank you mamam. Of 
course, this is the worst case -- in other words, the very thing that I 
called a cliche. I've done it. I suspect Eric has done it. I imagine you can 
ask any newspaper photographer and they've done it. That's not to say there 
aren't very good examples of the style -- I've even made a few of those -- 
but so often it's a crutch for a photographer in a hurry (or there at the 
wrong time).

Bob (photographic confession is good for the soul) McEowen



In a message dated 11/22/99 10:32:45 PM, ewelch@neteze.com writes:

>Environmental portraits are easier 
>to do, because you can say to the person "Sit over there." You can take
>
>your time. You can think about it. You don't need to react fast, and you
>
>have plenty of time to do it right. Photojournalists do it all the time
>as 
>well (portraits).