Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/08/11

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Subject: RE: [Leica] The Panhandler...
From: "Phong" <phong@doan-ltd.com>
Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2003 13:25:10 -0400

Steve,

Not that I disagree with you but the question is
more complex.  What differentiate a documentary 
from a hobby ?  Could one do a documentary as a 
hobby ?  Would you feel the same if you were 
writing about the street people as opposed to 
photographing them ?  

Also, where does the taking advantage lie ?
In the taking of the photo (or writing), or
in the publishing (photo or essay) ?  In the act
or in the intent ?

- - Phong

Steve LeHuray wrote:
> Bob Rosen opines:
> > 
> > Maybe the photo is a sign of respect, a recognition that a human 
> > being, no matter how alienated from society is part of it.
> > 
> > br
> 
> Bob -- I need to somewhat disagree As you probably know I am constantly
> on the street photographing strangers. I see a lot of photographic
> fodder; homeless, obese, disabled, crippled and otherwise handicapped.
> There are many, many good photo opportunities for me, but, there is
> something that stops me from taking their picture. I just cannot take
> advantage of some persons disadvantage, I cannot feel the pain that
> their disadvantage has drawn me toward them. If I was shooting some sort
> of documentary that would be different, but, what is my (and most
> others) Street Photography? It is a hobby. 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


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