[Leica] NPR comments on photography

[kididdoc at cox.net (Steve Barbour)]

On Apr 21, 2007, at 7:17 AM, Ted Grant wrote:

> I realize this topic is beginning to beat on a dead horse, but it's  
> some
> troubling, because I haven't seen the anger I expected about lying and
> cheating by a photographer who was looked up to by many for his photo
> talent.

sadly Ted, this may be a reflection of a new perception... at least  
here in the USA, that deceit, corruption, and fabrication have  
replaced integrity in those we should respect and trust...


I can't imagine why... !


Steve



>
> Those of you who've never "worked as a professional news  
> photographer or
> photojournalist on assignment" where getting the picture was  
> paramount to
> keeping our jobs, may not understand what the meaning of "making  
> contact
> with the subject" is all about. Truth & trust make it work.
>
> The one thing that allows us to connect with the subject is trust,  
> period.
> We the carriers of the equipment create the trust human to human,  
> not camera
> to human. Break the trust and we are dead in the water!
>
> It was tough enough in the good old days to gain the trust of the  
> subject or
> subjects in the simplest of terms. But we did, in many cases it was  
> trust
> that allowed us entrance to their world or life moments of tragedy.
>
> Today when one of the members is caught cheating and lying with  
> their camera
> and ancillary electronic modifying equipment, it illustrates we're  
> no more
> trustworthy than lying cheating politicians. And it doesn't get  
> much lower
> than that!
>
> If people feel we'll take their picture, then build "other stuff"  
> around
> them to enhance a news moment, we'll make it almost impossible to have
> cooperation whether CEO or peasant!
>
> As I said about the basket ball insertion, no body died because of  
> it so it
> seemed "no big deal." But most readers would automatically think,  
> "cool
> picture, great shot that guy is good!" However, when they learn  
> they've been
> hoodwinked? Then what do they think about the great picture  
> photographer?
>
> "Hey he cheated, the ball wasn't even there! What about the rest of  
> those
> news photographers? Do they cheat as well?"
>
> Right at that moment every one of us are blackballed about telling  
> the truth
> with our Leica trustworthy camera's.
>
> This subject maybe of little interest to many of you, but to people  
> like
> some of our crew who make their living from recording life as we  
> see it,
> it's a major item. Certainly how our photography is accepted in  
> being an
> honest representation of life at 1/250th of a second! Or whatever  
> shutter
> speed!
>
> ted
>
>
>
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