RustyBug Offline Upload & Sell: On
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Nexu wrote:
But haven't we all had enough of average Joe blow photographer trying to go around and shove a camera in the face of a homeless person so they can post it somewhere and get some "likes"?
I'm with you ... I think a litmus test is along the lines of how many times have you given someone money, bought them a meal, given them a ride, put gas in their car ... compared to how many times have you posted their picture on your blog.
When you truly care about the plight of something, you "tend" to do more than just take a picture and get paid for it (glory, accolades, likes, "oohs-ahhs" or $$$).
Personally, I'm wrestling a bit with my desire to photograph the Amish. Am I wanting to do it because A) others will like seeing the pictures, B) I want to do something that few have the opportunity to do, C) exploration and learning through my interface with the camera betters my understanding D) because there is a story that I'd like to share with the world in a respectful & dignified way or E) I want the attention it will bring to me.
Note that in all of the above ... there really isn't anything about doing anything of value for them. In fact, it challenges their belief system. The truth is that I was (slightly) exposed to the Amish as a teenager. I have a bent toward fundamentalism, so I respect them and am intrigued by them.
As it turns out, I finally met a fine young Amish artist (charcoal) yesterday whose work I've admired since I first saw one of his pieces hanging in a veterinary office. We had a brief introductory chat and he may very well serve as a conduit into the Amish community.
But, I'll only do so if I am embraced and welcomed as something that they see value in for themselves that I can provide. Because it is my belief that I can offer insight from the photographing realm of imaging making that will benefit this young man with his continued charcoal realm of image making that I can do so as a shared venture rather than a selfish one (i.e. exploitive).
But, to the question of exploitation. Personally, I try not to shoot when I feel as though I'm being exploitive. Does that mean I've passed on some shots that I really wanted to shoot ... yup. Does that mean I've never taken an exploitive shot ... nope. Does that make me good or bad ... or does it even matter what it makes me. In large regard, the world drums up its own moving target definition / expectation of what constitutes exploitation. While the connotation is perceived very differently for homeless vs. sensuality vs. celebrity vs. atrocity ... a case can be made that all of these are being exploited with regularity by photographers.
I won't pretend to know the definitive answer as a clear cut line carved in stone ... but, it is one of those things that for many folks ... you know it when you see it. Meanwhile, some are blind to it ... while others, just don't care.
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