Re: [Leica] re: The Decisive Moment is gone

["Rob Appleby" <rob@robertappleby.com>]

Quite apart from any comparison between me and Tina, which would be in bad
taste, these are important issues which are seldom addressed. The
cultural/economic motivations for photographing, and for subjects'
participation in being photographed, are powerful and conditioning inputs to
our view of the world.

 Many subjects, even in third world settings, are muych more sophisticated
about this than you might think. For instance, my pictures of the big water
pipes in Dharavi are taken in an area where just about all photographers
visiting Bombay fro a couple of days go to take pictures. It is very hard to
gain any kind of cooperation from people there because they feel oppressed
and exploited by photographers. It was only after many lengthy
conversations, emphasising the fact that I had spent about three months in
Dharavi over several years photographing, that I was able to take the
pictures I did, and people wanted to see me coming back repeatedly before
they would cooperate with me.

- -- Rob

http://www.robertappleby.com
Mobile: (+39) 348 336 7990
Home: (+39) 0536 63001

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- ----- Original Message -----
From: "John Collier" <jbcollier@shaw.ca>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2003 8:55 PM
Subject: Re: [Leica] re: The Decisive Moment is gone


> I am at a bit of a loss here Tina. Rob basically describes polite
> interaction with his subjects and you imply he is dishonest. The fellow
> says he washes his son in the puddle and Rob politely asks permission
> to photograph it happening. Can you please explain what is dishonest
> about this?
>
> Now to your own work where I have a few questions that I feel should be
> answered as you have implied that it is morally purer than Rob's. How
> is the family or families you photograph chosen? Do you look for
> photogenic subjects (the old Afghan girl syndrome)? Are they aware of
> the implications of your photography; in that, your photography
> generates funds for their welfare? Is cooperation rewarded in any way
> however small? Is noncooperation punished in any way however small
> (i.e. not getting the rewards)? Is the religion of the subjects or
> recipients significant in any way however small. These question may be
> taken as crass but you do work for a religious group and the questions
> should be answered within the context of this current debate.
>
> Now I am not attacking your work or the funds your work raises. That is
> all to be admired, greatly admired. I also admire all the work you have
> shown here. If it wasn't good I would not be wasting my time with this.
> However to imply that you, a white (anglo-saxon?) protestant, dressed
> in clothes from Tilly and Banana Republic, bedecked with cameras,
> operating in a culture mostly unfamiliar with such a phenomenon and
> representing otherwise unobtainable aid, do not have an effect on the
> surroundings is to beggar belief.
>
> John Collier
>
> --
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>


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