Comments on: The Ethic of Reciprocity or Back to Sunday School. http://www.thedigitaltrekker.com/2009/01/back-to-sunday-school/ Fri, 10 Sep 2010 14:45:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: David duChemin http://www.thedigitaltrekker.com/2009/01/back-to-sunday-school/comment-page-1/#comment-506 David duChemin Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:07:49 +0000 http://www.thedigitaltrekker.com/?p=1099#comment-506 Invasive yes, unkind no. Hey, even a conversation or a look can be invasive in some way, the question is: can we do so in a way that is kind and respectful? I think so. Great article Matt. And great comments all. I think this dialogue is critical. Invasive yes, unkind no. Hey, even a conversation or a look can be invasive in some way, the question is: can we do so in a way that is kind and respectful? I think so. Great article Matt. And great comments all. I think this dialogue is critical.

]]> By: David duChemin http://www.thedigitaltrekker.com/2009/01/back-to-sunday-school/comment-page-1/#comment-6093 David duChemin Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:07:00 +0000 http://www.thedigitaltrekker.com/?p=1099#comment-6093 Invasive yes, unkind no. Hey, even a conversation or a look can be invasive in some way, the question is: can we do so in a way that is kind and respectful? I think so. Great article Matt. And great comments all. I think this dialogue is critical. Invasive yes, unkind no. Hey, even a conversation or a look can be invasive in some way, the question is: can we do so in a way that is kind and respectful? I think so. Great article Matt. And great comments all. I think this dialogue is critical.

]]> By: David duChemin http://www.thedigitaltrekker.com/2009/01/back-to-sunday-school/comment-page-1/#comment-4762 David duChemin Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:07:00 +0000 http://www.thedigitaltrekker.com/?p=1099#comment-4762 Invasive yes, unkind no. Hey, even a conversation or a look can be invasive in some way, the question is: can we do so in a way that is kind and respectful? I think so. Great article Matt. And great comments all. I think this dialogue is critical. Invasive yes, unkind no. Hey, even a conversation or a look can be invasive in some way, the question is: can we do so in a way that is kind and respectful? I think so. Great article Matt. And great comments all. I think this dialogue is critical.

]]> By: Chase http://www.thedigitaltrekker.com/2009/01/back-to-sunday-school/comment-page-1/#comment-507 Chase Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:48:59 +0000 http://www.thedigitaltrekker.com/?p=1099#comment-507 To call myself an amateur photographer would be a compliment. I cannot enter this discussion as a craftsman, only as one who appreciates the art. However, I have travelled some with professionals and observed them as they work. I have seen them photograph people who were happy to have them around and tell important stories with their pictures. In my estimation, both the photographs an artist shoots, and the manner in which he or she shoots them, speak quite a bit aobut the artist's world view To call myself an amateur photographer would be a compliment. I cannot enter this discussion as a craftsman, only as one who appreciates the art. However, I have travelled some with professionals and observed them as they work. I have seen them photograph people who were happy to have them around and tell important stories with their pictures. In my estimation, both the photographs an artist shoots, and the manner in which he or she shoots them, speak quite a bit aobut the artist’s world view

]]> By: Chase http://www.thedigitaltrekker.com/2009/01/back-to-sunday-school/comment-page-1/#comment-6094 Chase Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:48:00 +0000 http://www.thedigitaltrekker.com/?p=1099#comment-6094 To call myself an amateur photographer would be a compliment. I cannot enter this discussion as a craftsman, only as one who appreciates the art. However, I have travelled some with professionals and observed them as they work. I have seen them photograph people who were happy to have them around and tell important stories with their pictures. In my estimation, both the photographs an artist shoots, and the manner in which he or she shoots them, speak quite a bit aobut the artist's world view To call myself an amateur photographer would be a compliment. I cannot enter this discussion as a craftsman, only as one who appreciates the art. However, I have travelled some with professionals and observed them as they work. I have seen them photograph people who were happy to have them around and tell important stories with their pictures. In my estimation, both the photographs an artist shoots, and the manner in which he or she shoots them, speak quite a bit aobut the artist’s world view

]]> By: Chase http://www.thedigitaltrekker.com/2009/01/back-to-sunday-school/comment-page-1/#comment-4761 Chase Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:48:00 +0000 http://www.thedigitaltrekker.com/?p=1099#comment-4761 To call myself an amateur photographer would be a compliment. I cannot enter this discussion as a craftsman, only as one who appreciates the art. However, I have travelled some with professionals and observed them as they work. I have seen them photograph people who were happy to have them around and tell important stories with their pictures. In my estimation, both the photographs an artist shoots, and the manner in which he or she shoots them, speak quite a bit aobut the artist's world view To call myself an amateur photographer would be a compliment. I cannot enter this discussion as a craftsman, only as one who appreciates the art. However, I have travelled some with professionals and observed them as they work. I have seen them photograph people who were happy to have them around and tell important stories with their pictures. In my estimation, both the photographs an artist shoots, and the manner in which he or she shoots them, speak quite a bit aobut the artist’s world view

]]> By: pcb http://www.thedigitaltrekker.com/2009/01/back-to-sunday-school/comment-page-1/#comment-509 pcb Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:50:15 +0000 http://www.thedigitaltrekker.com/?p=1099#comment-509 Matt... good scalpel point... and yes, he makes it worse, not better. I agree, the people over the picture, but I don't always follow my own rule... I often keep shooting after they say "no", or (better idea) hang around until they say "yes". I'd go further and say that ALL documentary photography is invasive... from macro shots of your teeth at the dentist, picture stories of subjects that take days - weeks - months to complete, to the most delicate and sensitive shooting scenarios: hospitals, churches and funerals. Our presence with a camera, by it's very nature, changes things. The goal is to visit long enough so that the camera becomes invisible... not only do the pictures become better, but the relationships we build with the people we photograph become closer... friendships happen... and that is cool.... cheers. Matt… good scalpel point… and yes, he makes it worse, not better. I agree, the people over the picture, but I don’t always follow my own rule… I often keep shooting after they say “no”, or (better idea) hang around until they say “yes”.

I’d go further and say that ALL documentary photography is invasive… from macro shots of your teeth at the dentist, picture stories of subjects that take days – weeks – months to complete, to the most delicate and sensitive shooting scenarios: hospitals, churches and funerals. Our presence with a camera, by it’s very nature, changes things. The goal is to visit long enough so that the camera becomes invisible… not only do the pictures become better, but the relationships we build with the people we photograph become closer… friendships happen… and that is cool…. cheers.

]]> By: pcb http://www.thedigitaltrekker.com/2009/01/back-to-sunday-school/comment-page-1/#comment-6096 pcb Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:50:00 +0000 http://www.thedigitaltrekker.com/?p=1099#comment-6096 Matt... good scalpel point... and yes, he makes it worse, not better. I agree, the people over the picture, but I don't always follow my own rule... I often keep shooting after they say "no", or (better idea) hang around until they say "yes". I'd go further and say that ALL documentary photography is invasive... from macro shots of your teeth at the dentist, picture stories of subjects that take days - weeks - months to complete, to the most delicate and sensitive shooting scenarios: hospitals, churches and funerals. Our presence with a camera, by it's very nature, changes things. The goal is to visit long enough so that the camera becomes invisible... not only do the pictures become better, but the relationships we build with the people we photograph become closer... friendships happen... and that is cool.... cheers. Matt… good scalpel point… and yes, he makes it worse, not better. I agree, the people over the picture, but I don’t always follow my own rule… I often keep shooting after they say “no”, or (better idea) hang around until they say “yes”.

I’d go further and say that ALL documentary photography is invasive… from macro shots of your teeth at the dentist, picture stories of subjects that take days – weeks – months to complete, to the most delicate and sensitive shooting scenarios: hospitals, churches and funerals. Our presence with a camera, by it’s very nature, changes things. The goal is to visit long enough so that the camera becomes invisible… not only do the pictures become better, but the relationships we build with the people we photograph become closer… friendships happen… and that is cool…. cheers.

]]> By: pcb http://www.thedigitaltrekker.com/2009/01/back-to-sunday-school/comment-page-1/#comment-4760 pcb Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:50:00 +0000 http://www.thedigitaltrekker.com/?p=1099#comment-4760 Matt... good scalpel point... and yes, he makes it worse, not better. I agree, the people over the picture, but I don't always follow my own rule... I often keep shooting after they say "no", or (better idea) hang around until they say "yes". I'd go further and say that ALL documentary photography is invasive... from macro shots of your teeth at the dentist, picture stories of subjects that take days - weeks - months to complete, to the most delicate and sensitive shooting scenarios: hospitals, churches and funerals. Our presence with a camera, by it's very nature, changes things. The goal is to visit long enough so that the camera becomes invisible... not only do the pictures become better, but the relationships we build with the people we photograph become closer... friendships happen... and that is cool.... cheers. Matt… good scalpel point… and yes, he makes it worse, not better. I agree, the people over the picture, but I don’t always follow my own rule… I often keep shooting after they say “no”, or (better idea) hang around until they say “yes”.

I’d go further and say that ALL documentary photography is invasive… from macro shots of your teeth at the dentist, picture stories of subjects that take days – weeks – months to complete, to the most delicate and sensitive shooting scenarios: hospitals, churches and funerals. Our presence with a camera, by it’s very nature, changes things. The goal is to visit long enough so that the camera becomes invisible… not only do the pictures become better, but the relationships we build with the people we photograph become closer… friendships happen… and that is cool…. cheers.

]]> By: Matt Brandon http://www.thedigitaltrekker.com/2009/01/back-to-sunday-school/comment-page-1/#comment-510 Matt Brandon Mon, 05 Jan 2009 03:37:41 +0000 http://www.thedigitaltrekker.com/?p=1099#comment-510 Erin - I think he likes those images that make people out to be bafoons. Several things he does to help this along, he shoots so close (and for some reason he is proud of this fact)that he gets strange distorted angles and lines and this gives people a comedic look. He also uses that surprise factor and shoves the camera in folks faces to get those looks of astonishment or fear. I don't mind his images, some are really nice. I just am really bothered by his technique and how disrespectful it is to his subject. complete disregard. Patrick - I think you are right, street photography is at the heart invasive. But he makes it worse rather than better. It is the difference between surgery with a sharp scalpel and a rusty butcher knife. Again, this boils down to core values, what is important, your image first then the people or people first and then your image. I have seen your work and my guess is you care about your subject. Erin – I think he likes those images that make people out to be bafoons. Several things he does to help this along, he shoots so close (and for some reason he is proud of this fact)that he gets strange distorted angles and lines and this gives people a comedic look. He also uses that surprise factor and shoves the camera in folks faces to get those looks of astonishment or fear. I don’t mind his images, some are really nice. I just am really bothered by his technique and how disrespectful it is to his subject. complete disregard.

Patrick – I think you are right, street photography is at the heart invasive. But he makes it worse rather than better. It is the difference between surgery with a sharp scalpel and a rusty butcher knife. Again, this boils down to core values, what is important, your image first then the people or people first and then your image. I have seen your work and my guess is you care about your subject.

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