p.3 #1 · Does a [street] photographers background matter? > Phil Penman
Oh boy, I regret starting this thread ;-)
First of all, I never said PP wasn't a legit photographer. If you read his interviews, his father was a photographer, he learned the skills of photography and darkroom at an early age. He did study photography (to be accurate, UK 'college' is not the same as a university college, it is a "further education" school you attend from age 16-18, i.e. high school level, to pursue a trade or vocational training), and then started working full-time as a professional photographer. There is no doubts or shade that he made his living as a professional photographer for his entire career.
As it seems like I was throwing him under the buss due to his paparazzi background, I decided to go back and watch some earlier interviews, e.g.
I can understand and relate to his choices. He came from the UK and wanted to work as a photographer in the US. The job and visa available included working as a paparazzi - that is how bills were paid, both for the agency and the photographers. As he said in this interview, he was working nonstop in the UK as a photographer making $18K/year, now as a paparazzi, it was north of $100K. I understand where he is coming from. I haven't walked in his shoes and I guess I shouldn't be quick to judge. Sorry for that, that is on me.
It is just that the paparazzi profession and media/society fascination with celebrities irks me so much!
At any rate, street photography isn't really my bag either, so fair to say, I won't sign up for any of PP's workshop. An Alan Schaller one would be interesting though.
