Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/08/11
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]In a message dated 8/11/03 8:50:00 AM, steve@streetphoto.net writes: << It is something that I do to try and feel the different moods of people, to show that there are all kinds of flowers in the garden, that life is a rich pageantry. I just prefer to not take advantage of somebody's disadvantage. >> sl, What is interesting is in the shot we're discussing, as I recall, the photographer made what is essentially a portrait. Therefore, he wasn't including the clothing -- other than the hat -- in his portrayal. We only know the subject was a panhandler from the photographer's comment. He was identifying personality, not economic or social condition. What we could read in the face is up to the viewer. So I don't think the photographer was exploiting, in this instance, the disadvantage of the subject. Shooting someone crouching in a cardboard box is a matter of journalism. I recall, when I walked down 34th St in NYC on my way to work some years ago, I encountered a well-coiffed young woman sleeping it off on the sidewalk in front of Macy's, dressed in splendid upper class clothes, with one shoe off and one shoe on. Had I a camera with me, how would you have interpreted that shot? Would I have been exploiting her condition had I made that shot. A woman given into drink and whatever else? A momentary pariah? An embarrassment to her sex? The weakness of the flesh? br - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html