I`m with Bob. If you`re in public, you take your chances. Steve Larson Redondo Beach, California
----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert Gonzalez" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2003 10:10 PM Subject: Re: The morality of taking a photograph > > > Bob Blakely wrote: > > 1. It is never immoral and should never be illegal to freeze an instant (any > > instant) in time of any one or thing seen in a public place. There is > > clearly no expectation of privacy in the public arena. > > > Don't you think there have to be exceptions to this? I'm sure everyone > has seen the wedding picture of the bouquet being thrown at some women > and one of the women's top comes off when she jumps up to catch the > bouquet, exposing her top a little more than she would like in public. > While this was seen by a small number of the public, do you think that > she had the expectation of this being plastered all over the internet? > Similarly, I don't believe that *every* public situation, esp > embarrassing ones come with any expectation of mass publication. I can > name a few "instances" that can have massive consequences: > a) a pic of a teen walking into an abortion clinic > b) pics of people leaving a gay bar or a brothel or adult bookstore > c) inebriated folks using the great outdoors for a bathroom > > > > 2. The presentation of truth clearly available to the public is never > > immoral. It is simply the truth. > > > An individual looking at something or even a few individuals seeing > something does not mean that a subject gives permission to the whole > world to see them, esp if its in an unflattering manner. People can't > live in a cave to avoid others looking at them or judging them. But if > they expect a certain level of privacy when going out in public, for > whatever reason, this should be respected. > > > 3. Because something is unflattering, even unsympathetic doesn't mean it's > > unkind or inappropriate. Some folks need to know the truth, whether to do > > something about whatever it is or learn to live with it with grace. > > > They may know the truth, but may not be prepared for the whole world to > know as well. > > > 4. Avoiding the elephant in the middle of the living room does no one any > > good and can actually cause harm. > > > The opposite can cause just as much harm also. Is it ok for an > overweight child to be taunted by his classmates? > > > 5. You are not denigrating the subject. If denigration is involved (and I > > don't believe it is) she is doing it to herself. > > > Shouldn't that be her opinion? > > > 6. Not all things that cause (or could cause) pain are unkind. > > > > 7. Your job is to depict the truth. Period. > > > > 8. She looks like three pigs fighting under a blanket. > > > See, judgement, denigration... > > > 9. I bet that's a diet drink she has there - or perhaps a new prescription > > for her glasses. > > > more judgement... more denigration... > > > Regards, > > Bob... > > > > > >>From: Shel Belinkoff [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >> > >>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 > > > > > > > >
