On 21/11/03, [EMAIL PROTECTED] disgorged: >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
The picture is documentary in nature, it records the scene as the photographer encountered it. Technically it is very good, considering the bright backlighting. I particularly like the framing, which is, of course, subjective. Socially, it provides a statement on a current topic that many would see as a great problem in today's first world societies. Morally? Not answerable. IMO the morality of taking a photograph rests with the photographer at the time just before the shutter is tripped. An age-old dilemma, the recording of a scene that could be perceived to be morally distasteful, or the *action* of recording that scene, be perceived as morally distasteful, is again totally subjective. Where do you draw the line? Something that offends me will not offend another, and vice versa. The morality of the picture itself does not exist. Upon viewing the shot, the morality of the viewer can be relied upon so that the perception of the shot may differ from person to person. Surely this is a fundamental issue with photography? What makes a photograph evoke a reaction, be it strong or mild? As for the privacy rights of an individual, it varies from country to country. In France, there are strict regulations on photographing and filming in public places. In my country (UK) there is no 'privacy law' as such. I encounter on a daily basis situations where I am recording a scene involving people who do not want to be recorded. I am within the law, and I am comfortable with that. Morally? It is sometimes difficult, and I have to deal with those issues and somehow come to some sort of reasoning within myself. It is not an easy thing. I also record the scene by subterfuge quite often. This involves filming people when they are not aware of it. I have no problem with this. In the UK, if you are out on a public right of way (not necessarily a 'public place') then aside from hiding one's face, there is no recourse to the law. There is recourse morally, and many's the time I have been lambasted! So, going back to your original questions: >Should this photo have been taken? Yes. Why not. Any photo should be taken. Depends how it is used. > Do you >think it is overly critical of the subject or sympathetic, or perhaps >judgmental? None of the above. A photograph cannot be critical or subjective or judgmental. Only the viewer harbours those abilities. HTH Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=====| www.macads.co.uk/snaps _____________________________ Free UK Mac Ads www.macads.co.uk
