Spicy
Well-known
take shots of anything and everything and let history be the filter/judge
New "Approved" Style of Documentary Photography: HAPPY STYLE
- Thread starter NY_Dan
- Start date
- Latest activity Latest activity:
- Replies 29
- Views 5K
Pablito
coco frío
That's why they call it the waste bin of history...
pwnewport
portable image
This is a really interesting discussion. I may be off base, but in my view, there is a difference between editorial photography which comes with a definite point of view; and documentary photography which leaves room for the viewer to bring their own insights to bear as consumers of visual images. I'm more interested in seeing what I'm looking at than I am in telling others what they're supposed to think about my pictures or how they're supposed to feel.
Just a thought.
Just a thought.
Major Tom
Established
No better demonstrated:
http://www.the.me/just-do-it-photog...korea-and-creates-virtual-360-panoramic-tour/
There's a political naivete that manifests as a "why can't we all just get along" attitude. I don't want to be comforted and reassured that the world isn't so bad by newspapers and magazines, thank you very much. That's not what they're for.
http://www.the.me/just-do-it-photog...korea-and-creates-virtual-360-panoramic-tour/
There's a political naivete that manifests as a "why can't we all just get along" attitude. I don't want to be comforted and reassured that the world isn't so bad by newspapers and magazines, thank you very much. That's not what they're for.
redisburning
Well-known
so what you're saying is you have a negative world view and you want your media to reinforce that rather than present someone else's viewpoint.
oh wait no, that's just what Im reading between the lines. ie that the naivete may be coming from a different source.
there is a lot of beauty in the world. there is a lot of suffering, too. if an organization feels that too much of one is played up, maybe show the other.
if you consider Japan or America, we as cultures tend to see more good than really exists, and negative photographs help bring us back to reality. if you look at Soviet block states, all they ever see is how awful things are, yet they too have storied and amazing cultures and might benefit from seeing what they have.
oh wait no, that's just what Im reading between the lines. ie that the naivete may be coming from a different source.
there is a lot of beauty in the world. there is a lot of suffering, too. if an organization feels that too much of one is played up, maybe show the other.
if you consider Japan or America, we as cultures tend to see more good than really exists, and negative photographs help bring us back to reality. if you look at Soviet block states, all they ever see is how awful things are, yet they too have storied and amazing cultures and might benefit from seeing what they have.
zuiko85
Veteran
I'm sure any trends will only last for a time, then the next fad builds followers.
The tide rolls in.....and the tide rolls out.
The tide rolls in.....and the tide rolls out.
______
Well-known
United Photo Industries is a local arts organization in Brooklyn focusing on photography. They are free to curate whatever shows they want, just like any other arts organization. Just because they are in New York doesn't mean what they say carries any weight. Photojournalism will survive their pronouncements.
mdarnton
Well-known
It sounds like a few people in this thread believe that, for instance, no one is happy in Detroit, and that those who live there who are so ill-informed as to remain happy certainly do NOT deserve any attention. That's a pretty sick view, especially when it's expressed with such indignation.
I'm reminded how the media has distorted our view of the world in other ways, by constantly promoting the idea that we live in a world that's increasingly more scary, more miserable, and more dangerous, in order to sell us their product. http://www.salon.com/2009/05/04/free_range_kids/
Really, it's time to stop swallowing the news media's hate and fear program.
I'm reminded how the media has distorted our view of the world in other ways, by constantly promoting the idea that we live in a world that's increasingly more scary, more miserable, and more dangerous, in order to sell us their product. http://www.salon.com/2009/05/04/free_range_kids/
Really, it's time to stop swallowing the news media's hate and fear program.
NY_Dan
Well-known
Mdarnton -- Of course there are happy people everywhere -- even in Detroit -- find me 10 🙂 I have nothing against photographs of happy people, sad people, or all the varieties in between. I started this thread to point out that to bias what gets published is an example of the pendulum swinging too far in the opposite direction. And in the publisher's own words, they seem pretty biased. If a photographer hopes to get their work published, they're going to have to cater to the buyer's new "happy" style. And even though there are happy people in places like Detroit, the city is after all bankrupt, and this reality, in my opinion is more relevant than lets say some kids in a wading pool. Sure show both sides, show all sides, and publish all of it.
As for the media promoting the sadder side -- I don't think so. At least not in the US -- we no longer have network news, not really. Top headline today: Bieber!
As for the media promoting the sadder side -- I don't think so. At least not in the US -- we no longer have network news, not really. Top headline today: Bieber!
Major Tom
Established
Not really, red. Sorry to blow over your straw man.
It's one thing to look for beauty and find it, quite another to reassure yourself in the eeriest of surroundings under the most suspect of circumstances. Take this counter-example to the first:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25878902
Here is an actual insight into someone's experience within their milieu as opposed to a day spent driving up one stretch of road, never wondering why the rest of the country isn't open to travel and assuming all the happy people are waving because they're so glad to see you.
Similar threads
