Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/09/07

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Subject: [Leica] I really disagree with this policy
From: philippe.orlent at pandora.be (Philippe Orlent)
Date: Wed Sep 7 01:34:25 2005

I see nothing wrong with documenting it, too. But only if it is done with
respect and permission.


> From: Paul <paul@paulhardycarter.com>
> Reply-To: Leica Users Group <lug@leica-users.org>
> Date: Wed, 7 Sep 2005 10:27:54 +0200
> To: Leica Users Group <lug@leica-users.org>
> Subject: Re: [Leica] I really disagree with this policy
> 
> I disagree with the policy too. I believe that to fail to document this
> human catastrophe would be neglectful.
> 
> Yes, this is those people's home, but I have photographed in peoples
> homes many times. I'm damn sure that if you spoke to them and gained
> their trust most of these folks would be happy to let you work. It's
> what being a documentary photographer is all about.
> 
> This code of privacy is always a major issue, but when you think of the
> effect that pictures from, for instance, refugee camps in Africa have
> on western consciousness, it is not only worth breaching a polite code,
> it is essential.
> 
> I am not, incidentally, taking about the howling packs of "press"
> photographers using their hi-tech cameras like machine guns and their
> flashs like disco lights. Keep them out for God's sake!
> 
> It's all a question of attitude. I remember a conversation in Sarajevo
> - long after the war - when a survivor was telling me how much everyone
> had detested the photographers who, during the siege, would turn up
> with their long lenses and sit in an armoured car and wait to get a
> picture of an old lady getting shot by a sniper on her way to the
> market. They hated them almost as much as the snipers themselves. I
> pointed out that I was a photographer too, and that I'd just been
> taking pictures of him. He said it wasn't the same thing at all.
> 
> P.
> 
> *******
> Paul Hardy Carter
> www.paulhardycarter.com
> *******
> 
> On 7 Sep 2005, at 02:24, Don Dory wrote:
> 
>> All,
>> For all practical purposes, the shelters are these peoples homes,
>> their residences.  Wouldn't you want some privacy?  These people have
>> already lost almost everything they have including family members.
>> Can't we give them some dignity and not poke cameras in their faces?
>> 
>> Don
>> don.dory@gmail.com
> 
> 
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In reply to: Message from paul at paulhardycarter.com (Paul) ([Leica] I really disagree with this policy)