Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/02/12
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]By now, George, I certainly think I know where you're "coming from," but I fear that I worry about where you're going. Yes, propaganda is by definition propaganda. But being a propagdist practitioner for Adolph Hitler hardly equates with being a propagandist for, say UNESCO or UNICEF. I would argue that Salgado is not a propagandist, but a documentarian who chooses his particular subjects because he wants to effect change, and believes that by making others aware of the plight of those whose lives he documents, he may eventually help to bring about that change. There is simply no way to equate that with the work of a Leni Riefenstal, who was not documenting anything, but was gathering images of carefully constructed scenes to mold into propaganda designed to portray an evil as a good. B.D. - -----Original Message----- From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of George Lottermoser Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2002 6:50 PM To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us Subject: Re: [Leica] Re: Salgado Revisted mlpowell@directvinternet.com (Matthew Powell)2/12/025:12 PM > Well, in an individual work, that can be possible. But even > then, if it's > one of Riefenstahl's photos of Nazi Germany... I will not comment on, and certainly will not defend her ethics, morality, politics, etc.. But, alas she created some powerful, artistically grand, and technically fine photographic images. Propaganda? Of course. I have a nagging feeling that every image has a propaganda aspect to it. The systematic propagation of a doctrine or cause or of information reflecting the views and interests of those people advocating such a doctrine or cause. Some propaganda has a benign (or even positive) effect, while other propaganda has a malignant effect. Does the photographer have a responsibility in this regard? I believe absolutely yes. The issues that these threads touch on can expand to: What is the propaganda effect of advertising? Benign or malignant? And on and on. George - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html