PICK OF THE WEEK: Some scenes just make you sad

Self Portrait for Two (Melbourne Australia June 2014)

On the face of it you might not think there is much in this image to make me or you or anyone sad. Especially, you might tell me, given the number of images we are seeing everyday of people who are homeless, people who are experiencing trauma or who are in some other way vulnerable or disadvantaged. And of course, on the face of it, you would be totally correct: images of those kinds of things are distressing and make me, and you, and most likely a lot of people, very sad. Hopefully they also serve as a call to action for some of us. Hopefully photography in that context can contribute to change.

Sadly, however, far too many of the photographs I see of homeless and other disadvantaged and vulnerable people have an aura of exploitation about them. Oftentimes for so-called street photographers, these groups provide little more than "easy targets" for a "gritty and real street shot". In reality they provide nothing more than a kind of trophy for the photographer. But that is another story for another day.

Back to this photograph, made on one of the busiest corners in the CBD of Melbourne. These two people are (obviously) making a self portrait of themselves. They are standing diagonally across the road from the beautiful and historic Flinders Street railway station. A must see for tourists to the city. 

So, what is so sad here? Surely this is simply two tourists making a souvenir photo of themselves? And they are smiling aren't they? All good questions. Again, on the face of it, nothing is untoward here. And really even not on the face of it, I can't say there is anything untoward here. 

It's just that I watched them for a while as they were setting up the camera and tripod, and then the guy arranged his partner n just the right place, set the timer and joined her on the other side of the camera, and the photo was made. As they went about this process it was as if they were in a little world of their own. The crowds flowed around them, nobody (except me) even glancing in their direction. And, more poignantly, they didn't look at anyone else either in the whole time I was watching them and then making this photograph. I was about two meters away from them for five minutes and they didn't once look my way. I am quite sure they didn't even see me.  It was if they truly were alone on this busy intersection.

There just seemed to be something sad about the whole scenario. To me anyway. A sense of loneliness took hold of me as I watched them. And, really, that's all I can say. I don't have an explanation for why I felt the way I did. I mean, I often pick up emotions, become affected by what I see and feel on the street. And it's not always possible to pinpoint what causes a feeling or a sense.

Anyway, a good street photograph is one that causes an emotional reaction in the viewer. And it could be added that an even better street photograph is one that causes an emotional reaction in the photographer. One thing I can say is this: if sometimes I do have an emotional reaction to a scene I witness, then it suggests that at least some viewers will also have an emotional response of some kind. And, to me, that is a very good outcome indeed.

Peace

BEING SEEN: Sometimes it Makes the Moment

Smiling for the Camera (Melbourne Australia June 2014)

One feature of my street and documentary work is that I don't go along with a lot of the current "wisdom" about how it's done, how to behave on the street and the rest. Of course, we are all unique beings and each need to learn our own way, all need to find our own way of living and our own vision.

Take this photo for an example. Made on my first outing into the CBD of Melbourne this week. I saw this couple who, when I looked, were in their own little world. I made one image. And, rather than walk quickly away (as per received wisdom) I walked just a couple of steps and I waited with the camera to my eye. Then they both turned and looked at me with these "poses" (sorry another bad word in some circles), and I just instinctively pressed the shutter. And, here you see the result: a lovely portrait of a couple happy with themselves and each other. And, importantly, with being photographed (oops, another myth: people hate being photographed).

The first image I made works too, I think. An unguarded moment that just asked to be preserved. Here it is:

A Loving Couple (Melbourne Australia June 2014)

Now, these photos are very different: in the second one, the couple is completely unaware (at least on a conscious level) of my presence; in the first they have actually seen me. And, yes, it is true to say that my presence and my camera has caused a changed in their behavior. They are in a sense posing for the camera.

So, they are different photos. But, is one better than the other? I don't mean in technical terms; that's an area for someone else to debate. You see, I don't believe for a minute that the first image here is more or less of a valuable human moment than the second, despite the second being the more "candid" one in the accepted sense.

I think candid is a misunderstood, or rather an incompletely understood, concept in today's world of street photography. The common perception is that it means that the subjects of a photograph are completely unaware of the camera's presence. Of course that definition is valid in itself, but, to look at the dictionary definitions of the word, then the meaning is not so black and white (no pun intended. But it is funny though LOL).

The Free Dictionary (which I like to use for obvious reasons) includes this:
Candid as an adjective means:
      1. frank; outspoken; open and sincere
      2. free from reservation, disguise, or subterfuge; straightforward
   

The definition also includes the idea of a candid photo being "unposed". And, it is true that these two struck a kind of pose when they saw me and my camera. So, for many the second image is a candid, while the first is not. Okay, they are posing. But, really, don't you think it's a frank and open one? Do they seem sincere to you? Do they look to you to be acting in an unreserved manner and do they appear to be free of disguise?  Have they taken what you wold think of as a straightforward pose?

The answer to all these questions for me is a big yes.

Also, and as importantly, my approach to this scene (as it usually is) was a candid one. It is I think a matter of one's intention. I mean by this that I don't intend to have people see me or pose or change their behavior.  My attitude and approach is frank and open; I do not hide; I do not engage in "stealthy" behavior or "subterfuge" of any kind. I always try to be straightforward in both my way of being in the street and in my dealings with the people who do see me, and most of the time they are the same with me! The bottom line is that I always endeavor to be frank, outspoken (as in honest and speaking my truth), open and sincere in the way I approach my work and the people I am fortunate enough to photograph.

Of course, this is all just my opinion. But, it is my way of working and it does, well, work pretty much all the time. I think today's two photographs both have something to offer.  Yes, they are different, but they are both candid in their own way. Anyway, isn't it our role as street and social documentary photographers to record the so-called ordinary people going about their so-called ordinary lives?

Well, I think it is.

Peace

PICK OF THE WEEK: Lisbon revisited

Concentrating Couple (Lisbon May 2013)

No, sadly I am not actually back in Lisbon. What I am doing is revisiting my work from my ten weeks there last year. Imagine. A year has gone by since I made this photo. Hard to believe sometimes. But, it's been a good year and the trip goes on!

I was very busy during our stay in Lisbon. I was on the street pretty much most days. Not every day: after all even I have a day off sometimes and there are things to see and do there that didn't involve street photography. But, yes; most days I was out walking with my camera. What a city to be in; what a city for street photography. An interesting aside: my friend John Free the well respected and greatly gifted social documentary and street photographer, is in Lisbon right now conducting workshops. Can't wait to see the photos he makes there.

Anyway, this week's pick is a bit of a favorite. I like this couple for some reason. They seem to engrossed in whatever it is they're reading. I was tempted to leave this one in color; the guy's tattoos are pretty bright and stand out. In the end that's why I converted to black and white. I wanted the eyes of the viewer (that's you!) to be drawn to the two people themselves. I hope it works.

Meanwhile, I will get back to my Lisbon images. See what else I can find.

Peace

Paul's Pictures Lands in Melbourne

Hello friends from Melbourne Australia. We arrived the day before yesterday and are gettng nice and settled into our house and cat sitting assignment. A lovely cat called Freddy, she is starting to come closer and sniff us out a little more. Patience is a virtue, not least with cats.

Of course we've been to Melbourne before, but only for a few days at a time. This will be our first longer term stay (unless you count the year or so after my birth that I spent here. I don't!) and this gig is four weeks. After that we're looking to stay here for a couple more months, but let's wait and see what turns up.

For me the main attraction of this city is the amazing street photography opportunities that one can find here. It's a friendly city with a busy but attractive centre. It has also many vibrant suburbs, many with their own character and unique culture.

I haven't' taken my camera out yet; it usually takes a couple of days to settle in and get various chores and jobs done. I am thinking Tuesday or Wednesday will be day one for my adventures in this wonderful place. Meanwhile, here's a photograph made in Melbourne just before flying to Europe in December 2012.

Peace

The Unbearable Loudness of Body Language (Melbourne December 2012)

TALKING PICTURES: My Ebook. Watch the overview video!!!!

Hello again friends.

As you will have read in my last post, I have along with poet Bina Gupta, released an ebook. People have been very kind with their comments so far and we've been honored and humbled by the response. Thank you to all of you.

I thought I would make a video overview of the ebook, so that you will have a better idea of what it's about and how it came about. So, my friends, here's the video. I hope you enjoy it and it prompts you to take a look at the ebook itself.

Hope you enjoyed the video. If, now that you've seen what a great book this is, you would like to purchase your own copy, it's only $US3, and you can get it here. Oh, by the way, it's a PDF file so you can read it on any device.

Thank you for watching and for all your support.