Attitude toward photographers in deep south

[daveleo]

a kid innocently taking pictures of other people is some seriously small time exploitation, John. In my mind exploitation has to with the balance of power and wealth, who has it and who doesn't. Levis manufacturing their jeans in third world sweatshops where the workers don't earn a living wage--now that's some exploitation worth writing about.

I am going to inject myslf into this, because the weather is bad and I have not much else to do.
If you look at John Wolf's work (esp "alone in the city") you will realize that he applies "exploitation" to what he does as well. I think he is simply making a cold observation about street work in general (even his own), and is not level a criticism at you.
If I am wrong, John can correct me and I can go upstairs finish off the Brussel sprouts. 🙂

 

[fireblade]

I thought all this would change when they stopped us from marrying our sisters.

In England they just don't do the paper work, not necessary.....she stills makes the breakfast. 😀

 

[cz23]

I am going to inject myslf into this, because the weather is bad and I have not much else to do.
If you look at John Wolf's work (esp "alone in the city") you will realize that he applies "exploitation" to what he does as well. I think he is simply making a cold observation about street work in general (even his own), and is not level a criticism at you.
If I am wrong, John can correct me and I can go upstairs finish off the Brussel sprouts. 🙂

Thank you, Dave. No, jojoman2, it's not a criticism of you. Sorry if it came across that way. It was more of an observation about street photography in general. And a personal concern for me and my photography.

When you think about it, most street photography involves taking from people and giving nothing back. So no matter how you measure it, the karmic scale is out of balance. That actually does trouble me sometimes.

John

 

[jojoman2]

I understand... It's an ongoing question every photographer deals with in their own way.

 

[Dave Jenkins]

Exploitation is as exploitation does. As I wrote in a Rangefinder Magazine article some years ago, "[FONT=&quot]When someone is portrayed in all his or her humanity, dignity, and individuality, both the subject and those who view the photograph are served. As the great Edward Steichen, creator of the landmark [FONT=&quot]'[/FONT]Family of Man[FONT=&quot]'[/FONT] exhibit said, [FONT=&quot]'[/FONT]The function of photography is to explain man to man.'"[/FONT]

 

[jojoman2]

Exploitation is as exploitation does. As I wrote in a Rangefinder Magazine article some years ago, "[FONT=&quot]When someone is portrayed in all his or her humanity, dignity, and individuality, both the subject and those who view the photograph are served. As the great Edward Steichen, creator of the landmark [FONT=&quot]'[/FONT]Family of Man[FONT=&quot]'[/FONT] exhibit said, [FONT=&quot]'[/FONT]The function of photography is to explain man to man.'"[/FONT]

Eloquently put--thanks for weighing in!

 

[rhl-oregon]

Speaking as a southerner long since relocated to the left coast, God bless the southern folks who were gracious, humorous, stern, admonitory, helpful, kind in their responses to the OP.

Maybe this thread has fulfilled its educational purpose. Maybe it no longer needs promotion for reasons unrelated to the original query.

Alternatively, could someone start a thread about what photographers should beware in the Midwest.. the Deep North...the Deep East LA...the Idaho Panhandle... anywhere in Texas that isn't Austin... South Boston... the Pine Ridge Rez.... Burns, Oregon (the Malheur Bird Refuge)....

 

[emraphoto]

No matter how many times that is posted by you and others, I just do not see photographs or paintings of public places in that way. Nothing could convince me that the photographer is taking and giving nothing back.

you would have to possess some sort of magic ball to know the photographers intent. i know many photographers that work in the streets and most of them would also disagree with the sentiment.

 

[Mephiloco]

I get the feeling some people in this thread haven't been to the South much. We're just a bunch of slack jawed rednecks down here, somehow responsible for the bulk of this country's cultural cachet. But please, do continue.

It's the same country, the food's just better down South.

 

[Larry Cloetta]

I get the feeling some people in this thread haven't been to the South much.

Ya think?

It's the same country, the food's just better down South.

Fried catfish in Mississippi is better than salmon ever dreamed of being.
Hush puppies!

 

[bohdan]

Be very very careful when carrying a camera in public anywhere south of Manassas to north of Jacksonville. I recommend wearing a buckshot-proof vest under Camo, and keep a duck commander call round your neck to obscure your camera - and for Jack Daniel's sake, leave all your vintage hipster clothes up north.

When walking the street, be sure to have a small stun gun or a tranquilizer pistol at the ready; and keep a pack of Redman to quickly toss as a distractor ( they can't resist that stuff), it may buy you enough time to scurry away to safety. But for the ultimate protection, I would recommend a shark cage modified with wheels on the bottom corners , though it can be unwieldy and may prove useless against a pickup with a hemi.

If you approach a crowd of natives, particularly a bachelor pack, pay close attention to non-verbal queues as well as vocalizations that make indicate rising kevels of agitation. Calmly and quickly move away while avoiding direct eye contact should you observe the alpha spitting on the ground, cracking his knuckles or neck, or passing his beer to the Southerner to his right. The same goes for vocalizations such as addressing you as 'Boy' in any context, disparging your mother, or simply uttering the words " Free Bird".

Follow all this advice and you could come away with some great photos, good luck!


(IOW, sheesh...)

And, what ever you do...in Texas do NOT yell out anything negative about ZZ Top.

 

[farlymac]

you know what's worse than new yorkers? Canadians... they're everywhere

And just what do you have against geese?

PF

 

[farlymac]

If anything, jojoman2, you may get asked a lot if you work for the county.

PF

 

[nikonosguy]

And just what do you have against geese?

PF

they're noisy and *** everywhere...

good eating though

 

[MrFujicaman]

JoJoman2, carry a TLR....I had 4 cute young ladies stop me the last time I was at the flea market and either tell me "cool camera" or ask me questions about it.

 

[rogue_designer]

I think Chicago now has the highest murder rate....

Not even close. Not even in the top 10. High raw numbers, but on a per-capita basis, many other places (Memphis for instance) are much worse.

If you are going to spend some time in Chicago, let us know - we could do a meet up here too.