Joaquim Carvalho wrote:
On Mon, 2005-06-27 at 15:22, Shel Belinkoff wrote:
I wasn't going to comment on the photos, but since a discussion of sorts
has opened up around them maybe I can add a thought or two. One of the
biggest problems I see when using long lenses is that the photographer
loses contact - or never even establishes contact - with the people s/he's
photographing. I don't mean that you have to become intimate with the
subjects, although getting close enough to establish some intimacy, even
for only a portion of a moment, can only improve one's photographs. By
being physically closer the photographer is better able to "feel" the
scene, to see small details that may enhance a photograph, and to get a
greater sense of what's taking place between subjects (if there's more than
one in a scene) or the subject and his/her environment.
Yes but don't you think that when people feel the presence of a
photographer they immediately change the way they behave?
[...]
Yes. Especially kids.
Most adults, too, unless they have significantly better things to think
about at the moment. But usually, I do think it has an effect on their
behavior. They stiffen up, or change position, or frown, or otherwise
lose the looseness and spontaneity they had before they noticed
you...which is what we wanted in the first place!
99% of all my photos never see print or public exposure, so I don't feel
at all bad with 'snoop' photography. A frozen segment in time, and never
disrespectful...so if it had been ME in the frame, I wouldn't be
embarrassed.
The demeanor of the photog makes a tremendous difference, as we all know
and have experienced.
Our appearance and demeanor instantly charges the subject...to the good
or the bad. Depends, doesn't it.
keith
