RIP: Peter Darren Moyle - Aussie Street Photographer

[bmattock]

OT only because he used a Rolleicord TLR instead of a RF, but a sobering story nonetheless.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national...-to-his-subject/2006/03/06/1141493609780.html

Street photographer who got too close to his subject

By David Braithwaite and Ben Cubby
March 7, 2006

A PHOTOGRAPHER who said he "shot up smack" to get closer to the street people he made portraits of has been found dead in his Woolloomooloo home.

Peter Darren Moyle, 41, was found dead in his Bourke Street Housing Department unit at 5.30pm on Sunday.

Moyle was well known on the streets of Woolloomooloo and Kings Cross for his stunning images of homeless people and characters who drifted around the urban underbelly.

Police described Moyle's unit as untidy but said there were no suspicious circumstances.

It is understood he may have overdosed. Toxicology tests are being done. He had used heroin sporadically for many years.

More on the website linked to above.

 

[akalai]

....wow, just heard about this here...

I knew of this guy as I lived in the same area until not too long ago and through going to school nearby, spoke to him a few times and he was always cool for a chat...

The documentary, "Painting with Light in a Dark World" is worth watching if you can get your hands on it.

Here is a link to the website of the documentary:

http://www.firelight.com.au/painting/paintingwithlight.html

...worth checking out just for the gallery there.

 

[wtl]

No idea what ManGo is saying but that's a sad news. RIP, Darren.

 

[Nikon Bob]

No idea what ManGo is saying but that's a sad news. RIP, Darren.

I think he is saying that you don't have to become a junky to photograph one. Always sad news when a talented artist dies.

Nikon Bob

 

[bmattock]

I think he is saying that you don't have to become a junky to photograph one. Always sad news when a talented artist dies.

Nikon Bob

You know, that's an interesting concept. I have known since starting smoking (at age 31) and quitting a two-pack-a-day habit (at age 43) that only addicts understand addicts. Not that others can't intellectualize the concept of addiction, but that to grok it, you have to feel your skin crawling when you're jonesing for a smoke.

And actors - the 'method' requires getting into your character's skin, and really living their lifestyle, right?

I mentioned Bukowski the other night - a drunk and a brawler, writing from street level in an authentic voice that could not be duplicated (and who would want to).

I am not suggesting that one should become a junky in order to take street photographs of street people, but perhaps by trying to gain an understanding, one can easily slip and fall - 'getting too close' as the title of the story says.

In the end, tragedy, of course. All I can say is that it is a very sad story and a cautionary tale.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[BrianShaw]

... that only addicts understand addicts. Not that others can't intellectualize the concept of addiction, but that to grok it, you have to...

How very true. Same thing with obesity -- skinny people can't possibly understand!