From: Fernando
I see lots of arguments here defining "good" or "bad" around the
"viewer". This reminds me of this discussion I read some time ago,
it's a simple thought experiment that got me thinking about why I
shoot what I shoot.
The premise is simple:
"Let's say you just emerged from a cave to find that everyone else was
gone. You're the last person on the planet.
None will ever follow.
You have every camera ever made at your disposal, as well as unlimited
lenses, film, batteries, paper, as well as crates all the world's
remaining Polaroid film. Whatever you would need to shoot whatever you
want for the rest of your life, without consideration of cost or
effort, would be at your disposal. (Your cave is also stocked with
food, water, clothes and all of that other stuff, so you won't need to
expend much time or effort on basic survival.)
Knowing that you will be the only one to ever, ever see your pictures,
would you still bother to make them?"
For me there is a problem with the scenario.
Fist of all, it's a pretty unrealistic, artificial scenario that takes
all the people away but leaves all of their possessions in a pile ready
at hand for my use; all of the technology we take for granted running on
automatic pilot.
I just don't see how it would be possible to accomplish without making
survival impossible for that last man standing. And does this brave new
world have any animals?
But, should I ever find myself operating under the given circumstances I
think I would continue to make photographs if I could. I would, of
course, have to find a new photographic vision ... for however short and
brutal a period of my life remained.
Although I am primarily a nature photographer, I am drawn towards
photojournalism of a sort - travel photography.
While the "exotic" landscape is an important component of what I want to
photograph, part of what I want to do is meet other people and interact
with them; taking their photographs and sharing my vision with others.
--
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