I just watched all of the pieces, the whole program. It's very neat and inspirational. It gave me an idea for a small project I might do. I hope it doesn't upset anyone that I may be sidetracking this topic slightly, but I would like to get input from those who watched it.
In the video, they showed how Smith had done some photo essays. One was about a country doctor and the other about a mid-wife in a rural town. He spent a few weeks with each, following them around and photographing their life. He found it necessary so that he could get to know them well, and to be able to photograph unexpected moments. I can't dedicate this much time to a project, but I was thinking of photographing someone I already know, but only for a day. Smith also did a day in the life of a soldier during the war with Japan. I would do something like this, but not as exciting.
I work for a computer software company. We have a tech. support department. I was thinking of photograghing one of our tech. support guys. I may ask if I can stay over night at his home, with him and his wife. I'd photograph him when he wakes up, checking his email and eating breakfast at the same time. I'd ride with him to work, dealing with traffic and all. Catch him at his desk, talking with clients on the phone, at meetings. Then back home again in the evening doing whatever he does. Maybe I'll catch him handling a tech. support call late at night--capturing the dedication and stress of the job. That kind of stuff. I would imagine there will be moments with his wife looking irritated by him on the computer. There will also be moments seeing him pursuing his other interests and not just focusing on his job and computers.
It may be a boring life in general, but I think it could be interesting and very different for some people to see. What do y'all think? Any suggestions on how I might pitch this to him, how I might conduct myself, what I might photograph?
