Quite honestly Shel, as much as I've respected you over the years, I am repulsed by this photograph. Not by the subject, framing, or technical details, but by the very fact that this sort of photography is akin to voyeurism.
If you told us that she gave you permission to photograph her, I wouldn't have reacted the way I did. But because you took the picture without her consent (not to mention in a very unflattering manner) I see it as spying and an invasion of privacy. I can't imagine her reaction if she saw herself displayed, without her consent, in this way. I really don't like this type of photography. Christian ----- Original Message ----- From: "Shel Belinkoff" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "PDML" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, November 21, 2003 11:10 AM Subject: The morality of taking a photograph > Hi gang, > > Notice I said "taking," for this photo wasn't offered, and the shutter > was tripped surreptitiously. The woman had no idea that I was going to > take this picture of her. > > I have mixed feelings about this shot. On the one hand it seemingly > reflects an aspect of American culture, yet, on the other hand, it's not > a very complimentary portrait, and one could argue that it in some ways > denigrates the subject. Is food the problem, or perhaps a medical > condition? Am I being judgmental or just recording a scene? Having > battled weight problems throughout my life, I'm somewhat sensitive to > this woman's situation. Still, the photo does, IMO, tell a story ... > and perhaps asks a question or two. > > My question to the list: Should this photo have been taken? Do you > think it is overly critical of the subject or sympathetic, or perhaps > judgmental? Maybe I'm being critical of myself, using the photo to work > through or better understand my own situation and problems. > > See for yourself, and share your thoughts: > http://home.earthlink.net/~scbelinkoff/bigeater.html > > > shel >
