The .7 Meter Challenge

[Damaso]

An interesting interview with one of my students!

erickimphotography.com/blog/2013/02/the-7-meter-challenge/#more-9968

"
One of the questions I asked Satoki was regarding his Cabrini–Green project, a documentary he did with people in the Cabrini–Green area of Chicago (known to be a dangerous area full of gang-activity with low-income housing). Satoki was drawn to the area, and he was able to take some incredible portraits of the people in the community. My biggest question for him was: “How did you conquer your fear of photographing strangers you didn’t know, especially in a dangerous area?”

"His answer was that he photographed a month shooting at his Leica’s minimum focusing distance: .7 meters (2.3 feet).

Satoki said that by shooting for .7 meters for an entire month, it forced him not only get physically close to people, but also emotionally close to them. He often spoke to the people he photographed and got to know them more personally."

 

[shimokita]

it's not SP 101... and I would not challange students to try this approach... but as a concept it makes sense to understand what other photographers are doing. Given the maturity level, situation, project, etc it's a valid approach.

Casey

 

[robklurfield]

Well done tutelage. You should be proud. He does nice work. Cabrini Green is very nasty and has been for decades. It should join the Robert Taylor Homes in oblivion. But America is a first-world country that contains a lot of third-world countries.

 

[thegman]

I'm not really into street photography, but I found the photos very interesting. It's a very ballsy approach, and makes a great change from the usual street photography of people's backs.

 

[Damaso]

I'm not really into street photography, but I found the photos very interesting. It's a very ballsy approach, and makes a great change from the usual street photography of people's backs.

What makes this interesting is that it's more than street photography or portraiture but it's long form photography...