I found this part funny. Seems to me that they are not proud of what they are doing so why would they want a photo of themselves out on the street as a reminder? I mean, it's a good gesture on his part... but it still seems odd.
mbisc
Silver Halide User
I'm not into street photography etc. (and my Flickr stream proves it -- 400+ images, and not a single human
), but I find his Flickr stream quite interesting, partly because he actually talks to his subjects, and tells us a bit about them (not just the hookers, but the bikers and other characters he finds up and down NYC)...Steveh
Well-known
I completely agree with Roland - don't comment on the guy and his motives until you've clicked through to his Flickr pages and seen the photos and text with them. If you read his comments he clearly does care about the people he's photographing - I actually found the combination of the photos and the descriptions of the lives of the people he photgraphs deeply moving. And the posts implying that because he works in finance he must be a scumbag show far more prejudice and closed-mindedness than anything he does or says.
uhoh7
Veteran
http://www.flickr.com/photos/arnade/
Hard to figure what's behind all the nasty posts here, his day job, the fact there's an article about his shooting, or that he can get these women to let him shoot them without getting beat up.
Some posters need to get out of doors.
His latest "Cynthia" is a striking shot and write up---to this hick anyway.
NeeZee
Well-known
I don't think that work like this is exploitative per se but the thing is that if you do such a project the photos better be bloody good before you publish them and sorry but they are definitely not.
Bob Michaels
nobody special
Someone explain why he is exploiting them. Because he has a higher income than they do?
I see many posters here who make an implicit judgement that since the photographer is like us and his subjects are not, then he is OK and they must be pitied. It is that same old "people like us are OK but those who are not like us cannot be OK."
My question is why does the photographer let someone do a story about him and not about his subjects? Maybe he thinks that is helpful to his photographic endeavors. I question what public disclosure of his daytime occupation, and thus income speculation, does to his personal safety photographing in sketchy neighborhoods.
It does appear the photographer simply treats his subjects at people, different than himself but just people nevertheless. He gives them the respect that all others deserve. I commend him for that. I suggest we extend the same courtesies to him.
I see many posters here who make an implicit judgement that since the photographer is like us and his subjects are not, then he is OK and they must be pitied. It is that same old "people like us are OK but those who are not like us cannot be OK."
My question is why does the photographer let someone do a story about him and not about his subjects? Maybe he thinks that is helpful to his photographic endeavors. I question what public disclosure of his daytime occupation, and thus income speculation, does to his personal safety photographing in sketchy neighborhoods.
It does appear the photographer simply treats his subjects at people, different than himself but just people nevertheless. He gives them the respect that all others deserve. I commend him for that. I suggest we extend the same courtesies to him.
Colin Corneau
Colin Corneau
I'm not sure this project is exploitative, but a better word for it strikes me as "incomplete".
There's a good idea here, and I simply can't believe anyone does this work (and posts it) to get their jollies, nor would they take the time to ask these women their stories.
And that's what catches my thoughts on this guy -- the stories these women are telling him.
My complaint with it isn't some 3rd year Postmodern Feminist Studies bull****, but rather that a good idea isn't being fully pursued.
I'd like to see this multimedia -- audio, so we can hear these womens' voices and environment. Not necessarily video, but the photos are average (currently) and maybe a couple of images for each person.
It's easy to pick on bankers and traders, etc. but this guy is out there, doing work. We're not.
There's a good idea here, and I simply can't believe anyone does this work (and posts it) to get their jollies, nor would they take the time to ask these women their stories.
And that's what catches my thoughts on this guy -- the stories these women are telling him.
My complaint with it isn't some 3rd year Postmodern Feminist Studies bull****, but rather that a good idea isn't being fully pursued.
I'd like to see this multimedia -- audio, so we can hear these womens' voices and environment. Not necessarily video, but the photos are average (currently) and maybe a couple of images for each person.
It's easy to pick on bankers and traders, etc. but this guy is out there, doing work. We're not.
Bob Michaels
nobody special
Colin: you would love Susan Meiselas book "Carnival Strippers" if you can find a copy with the accompanying CD of her audio interviews. She did the photos over several summers in the early 70's while a student at Sarah Lawrence and Harvard grad school. She has some more famous books, but I think this is her best.
Joe AC
Well-known
yes, i agree. +1
Corto
Well-known
Well Said.
andephotographic
Established
The project is what it is, I don't feel offended or affected enough by it to comment on it's intentions but anyone that titles their project "Through a lens" can do one.
Araakii
Well-known
I like how you described it. I was simply raising a question about his motivation, and wasn't convinced that his subjects were willing to cooperate voluntarily without any monetary reason.
I just feel like showing portraits and a short story of each subject doesn't really do much to engage the readers.
As for his profession, the fact that NY Times editors stress on the word banker (instead of saying like a 40 years old man) in the title of the article suggests the view of the editors and how they want the readers to perceive this project.
emraphoto
Veteran
I think that last line sums it Colin. We both know, you shoot what you love and what you care deeply about. Colin knows this well folks...
The only BS behavior I see is in this thread. Sometimes things get ahold of your head, your heart and you just have to fumble your way through it. Do you make mistakes? Hell ya, there ain't no guidebook to working out there like this guy, I have made colossal blunders but I sleep just fine as I know where my heart is.
The only BS behavior I see is in this thread. Sometimes things get ahold of your head, your heart and you just have to fumble your way through it. Do you make mistakes? Hell ya, there ain't no guidebook to working out there like this guy, I have made colossal blunders but I sleep just fine as I know where my heart is.
emraphoto
Veteran
I will also add that having worked in many similar situations, folks like to talk. They want to talk... To anyone who cares enough to listen. I suspect, from experience that most would talk without any money being on the table.
'experience' being the key word here
'experience' being the key word here
Bob Michaels
nobody special
Very true. People like this tend to be marginalized by society who ignore the fact they are really people just in a different situation. Most seem to welcome someone who treats them with caring and respect.
Let us face reality. Everybody wants to be friends with the Eagle Scout. But the drug addict or lady on the street who really needs some outreach gets none. Talk about "preaching to the choir".
Bob
Let us face reality. Everybody wants to be friends with the Eagle Scout. But the drug addict or lady on the street who really needs some outreach gets none. Talk about "preaching to the choir".
Bob
uinku
Established
Good points. To play Chris' advocate he might be focusing on photography the same way many of us here are--because it's what we like best--instead of branching out into video and sound for storytelling.
I found his other sets on New York just as compelling as his prostitutes work. I think he just wants to capture the most of his experience while still balancing his day job and family (and seems to have done a great job with it).
There were a lot of haters on the first page, but I'm glad to see people have come to their senses.
uhoh7
Veteran
or you could say: gettin attention. We ain't.
there seems to be a contest as to who can be the most jaded and demanding judge of imagery...and gear...and shooting.
It may come from a terror of annonimity in the whirlwind of flickr, tumblr etc.
I'm not sure.
uinku
Established
^ Regardless, it's not healthy or productive.
jamesbf
Established
I think they're great photographs. We may not all like it, but I think somebody needs to tell their story. Can't say I'd do a series like that but I do enjoy reading their stories and the photos themselves are great. Call me an ass if you like.
Disaster_Area
Gadget Monger
For the record, I've done work with people involved with sex-workers rights, so I know a little about the subject.
If he where taking pictures of the prostitutes or homeless without their knowledge or consent, then making some artsy show or book of it (as others have done) that would be exploitive. He's obviously taking the time to not only listen to their story but to communicate that story to others.
The fact that he's rich (or at least more well off than his subjects) means nothing. In fact the reason he's well off is no different than why his subjects are walking the streets, it's mostly just luck of what situation they where born into and what they made of that luck. You can't judge any of them by a snapshot of what they are now, be it investment broker or hooker, without knowing their whole story... at least he's trying to find out what that story is. Being a prostitute or investment banker doesn't make someone a bad person, no matter what the cultural stereotypes might reflect.
As to the fact that he pays them, I don't see a problem with that at all. No matter how much money he gives them, a one shot infusion of cash will do nothing for their situation in the long run, even if it was a million dollars (look at the % of lottery winners that go broke within a few years of winning, most people aren't equipped for a radical change in their financial state, up or down). Nothing short of a long-term plan of rehabilitation would really make a difference, so the amount he gives is a non-issue, the fact that he gave them anything above pocket change is commendable.
Anything that does more to raise the awareness of the problems sex workers face is a good thing.
If he where taking pictures of the prostitutes or homeless without their knowledge or consent, then making some artsy show or book of it (as others have done) that would be exploitive. He's obviously taking the time to not only listen to their story but to communicate that story to others.
The fact that he's rich (or at least more well off than his subjects) means nothing. In fact the reason he's well off is no different than why his subjects are walking the streets, it's mostly just luck of what situation they where born into and what they made of that luck. You can't judge any of them by a snapshot of what they are now, be it investment broker or hooker, without knowing their whole story... at least he's trying to find out what that story is. Being a prostitute or investment banker doesn't make someone a bad person, no matter what the cultural stereotypes might reflect.
As to the fact that he pays them, I don't see a problem with that at all. No matter how much money he gives them, a one shot infusion of cash will do nothing for their situation in the long run, even if it was a million dollars (look at the % of lottery winners that go broke within a few years of winning, most people aren't equipped for a radical change in their financial state, up or down). Nothing short of a long-term plan of rehabilitation would really make a difference, so the amount he gives is a non-issue, the fact that he gave them anything above pocket change is commendable.
Anything that does more to raise the awareness of the problems sex workers face is a good thing.