Your photos of the pilgrims being fed are very powerful, and I have looked at them over and over again. They convey an incredible sense of the respect and ethical approach that you have taken with your subjects, and I don’t feel like I am invading someone’s privacy in viewing them. I’m particularly drawn to the focus on the people’s hands in the images as they give and receive the food. To me, they evoke a heartwarming sense of compassion, care and nurture which is a welcomed feeling during these stressful times. Your images remind me of Dorothea Lange’s work which I have been recently studying—especially her ‘White Angel Bread Line’ image. I wondered what you thought of the ethics of her images and if you thought that they crossed a line into exploiting her subjects? I know that Florence Thompson (aka Migrant Mother) took exceptional offence to her image being distributed around the world and she felt as though she had been exploited for Lange’s professional gain. I think it can be a difficult balancing act, but you have negotiated and portrayed this really well. Thanks for sharing!
dorothea_fan wrote:
Your photos of the pilgrims being fed are very powerful, and I have looked at them over and over again. They convey an incredible sense of the respect and ethical approach that you have taken with your subjects, and I don’t feel like I am invading someone’s privacy in viewing them. I’m particularly drawn to the focus on the people’s hands in the images as they give and receive the food. To me, they evoke a heartwarming sense of compassion, care and nurture which is a welcomed feeling during these stressful times. Your images remind me of Dorothea Lange’s work which I have been recently studying—especially her ‘White Angel Bread Line’ image. I wondered what you thought of the ethics of her images and if you thought that they crossed a line into exploiting her subjects? I know that Florence Thompson (aka Migrant Mother) took exceptional offence to her image being distributed around the world and she felt as though she had been exploited for Lange’s professional gain. I think it can be a difficult balancing act, but you have negotiated and portrayed this really well. Thanks for sharing!...Show more →
There are many variables at play that cannot be seen just from a photo. Different countries view being photographed totally differently. People in India love being photographed, quite often asking for more whereas people in Morocco just don't appreciate it if you take their photo. And don't even try taking photos of women with their faces covered. So it really depends on the country to some extent.
The other part you don't understand by just looking at the photo is was the photo taken as a grab and run image...sneakily or did the photographer spend time with their subject, indicate his/her intentions and only when there is mutual respect between photographer and subject...then take the photo.
I feel I get better more in-depth images if I spend time with the subject, we get to know each other even if we cannot speak each other's language. Then once everyone is comfortable, you can shoot away as the subject goes about doing their business. Quite often I'll let the subject look through the images on rear LCD and this has always brought smiles to their faces.
This series all being in black in white goes together really well. I also enjoyed reading some of the conversation about candid ethics, especially considering the different culture present. A busy New York street would definitely have me consider a different approach to the concern of an interesting subject in transit compared to something here which seems much more intimate and mundane.
imbenstaudt wrote:
This series all being in black in white goes together really well. I also enjoyed reading some of the conversation about candid ethics, especially considering the different culture present. A busy New York street would definitely have me consider a different approach to the concern of an interesting subject in transit compared to something here which seems much more intimate and mundane.
You nailed how I like to shoot my travel images...intimate. I like to get right into the image so the people viewing the image get a real experience of what it's like being there. I find taking an image of a subject from a distance just doesn't give you that experience of being right in the there when viewing the photo.
chez wrote:
You nailed how I like to shoot my travel images...intimate. I like to get right into the image so the people viewing the image get a real experience of what it's like being there. I find taking an image of a subject from a distance just doesn't give you that experience of being right in the there when viewing the photo.
I think what I value the most when I shoot events is watching how the heat of the moment, big or small, can make someone's nervousness or external social veneer slip off and you can see genuine passion; anger, frustration, jubilation, excitement, laughter. They forget their fears of judgement and simply express themselves, and that is really natural and easy to pull in others with.
Harry, once again you have delivered a splendid set of images that convey a story. A powerful set of images. Thanks for sharing. keep on traveling so that I can see people and places thru your lens. 👍🏻
