sharpness overrated
Here's a dirty little jab to what I do on a daily basis =)
What use having a great depth of field,
if there is not an adequate depth of feeling?
- W.Eugene Smith
What use having a great depth of field,
if there is not an adequate depth of feeling?
- W.Eugene Smith
random notes
Excerpt from 'On Being A Photographer' by David Hurn & Bill Jay
Bill Jay: When we were discussing some definitions, you remarked that photography's core characteristic was to show what something looked like. I think this is an important point because many photographers seem fascinated with the medium yet have no idea what to photograph.
David Hurn: That's true. The fundamental issue is one of emphasis; you are not a photographer because you are interested in photography.
Many people are interested in photography in some nebulous way; they might be interested in the seemingly glamorous lives of top fashion or war photographers; or in the acquisition and admiration of beautiful, functional machines, the cameras, or in the arcane ritual of darkroom processes or in the persona which they could adopt if only they took pictures like... whoever. But these interests, no matter how personally enjoyable they might be, never lead to the person becoming a photographer. The reason is that photography is only a tool, a vehicle, for expressing or transmitting a passion in something else. It is not the end result. An analogy would be to buy a car for its status appeal, for the idea that it will improve your sex life, for the smell of the new upholstery, for the fascination of its beautiful engineering, and so on. But it is useless, unless it actually takes you somewhere.
Bill Jay: When we were discussing some definitions, you remarked that photography's core characteristic was to show what something looked like. I think this is an important point because many photographers seem fascinated with the medium yet have no idea what to photograph.
David Hurn: That's true. The fundamental issue is one of emphasis; you are not a photographer because you are interested in photography.
Many people are interested in photography in some nebulous way; they might be interested in the seemingly glamorous lives of top fashion or war photographers; or in the acquisition and admiration of beautiful, functional machines, the cameras, or in the arcane ritual of darkroom processes or in the persona which they could adopt if only they took pictures like... whoever. But these interests, no matter how personally enjoyable they might be, never lead to the person becoming a photographer. The reason is that photography is only a tool, a vehicle, for expressing or transmitting a passion in something else. It is not the end result. An analogy would be to buy a car for its status appeal, for the idea that it will improve your sex life, for the smell of the new upholstery, for the fascination of its beautiful engineering, and so on. But it is useless, unless it actually takes you somewhere.
concerned photography
"For me, photography has become a way of attempting to make sense of the very strange world that I see around me. I don't ever expect to achieve that understanding, but the fact that I am trying comforts me"
- Mikhael Subotzky
Besides, photographing for others' sakes, I enjoy the fact that photography brings an understanding to issues around me, and sometimes, just sometimes, allow me to accept certain things better. For this and that, I think I've found what I've been looking for.
It does sound like huge words with high moral standings, but it isn't. I believe we are just curious people concerned with things happening around us, and with photography, we wish to understand, inform and hopefully bring a change to our present world.
- Mikhael Subotzky
Besides, photographing for others' sakes, I enjoy the fact that photography brings an understanding to issues around me, and sometimes, just sometimes, allow me to accept certain things better. For this and that, I think I've found what I've been looking for.
It does sound like huge words with high moral standings, but it isn't. I believe we are just curious people concerned with things happening around us, and with photography, we wish to understand, inform and hopefully bring a change to our present world.
the meaning of
"The world today has been conditioned, overwhelmingly, to visualize. The picture has almost replaced the word as a means of communication. Tabloids, educational and documentary films, popular movies, magazines, and television surround us. It almost seems that the existence of the world is threatened. The picture is one of the principal mediums of interpretation, and its importance is thus growing ever vaster.
Today the challenge to photographers is great, because we are living in a momentous period. History is pushing us to the brink of a realistic age as never before. I believe there is no more creative medium than photography to recreate the living world of our time.
Photography gladly accepts the challenge because it is at home and in its element: namely, realism - real life - the now. In fact, the photographic medium is standing at its own crossroads of history, possibly at the end of its first major cycle. A decision as to which direction it shall take is necessary, and a new chapter in photographer is being made - as indeed many chapters are now taking the place of many older ones." - Berenice Abbott, 1951.
The momentous period is all but over, and the photographic medium has already taken a new direction, that of big-dollar advertisements and marketing. Nevertheless, I'm not completely convinced, and I find a need to question my own purpose for photography and the meaning it generates.
Today the challenge to photographers is great, because we are living in a momentous period. History is pushing us to the brink of a realistic age as never before. I believe there is no more creative medium than photography to recreate the living world of our time.
Photography gladly accepts the challenge because it is at home and in its element: namely, realism - real life - the now. In fact, the photographic medium is standing at its own crossroads of history, possibly at the end of its first major cycle. A decision as to which direction it shall take is necessary, and a new chapter in photographer is being made - as indeed many chapters are now taking the place of many older ones." - Berenice Abbott, 1951.
The momentous period is all but over, and the photographic medium has already taken a new direction, that of big-dollar advertisements and marketing. Nevertheless, I'm not completely convinced, and I find a need to question my own purpose for photography and the meaning it generates.
whimsically amusing
I like the sweaty shirt and the way she peeks into the camera over the his shoulder.
And I notice I shoot in dutch angles way too often, its starting to get boring.
depth charge
I was browsing through old issues of Communication Arts when I came across this wonderful article by Carol McCusker. Sadly, I can no longer find an online version of the entire length of writing, but I've provided excerpts below.
Carol McCusker - Depth Charge
"Like other art forms, photography can help us make sense of the world. I recently read a passage by author Rebecca Solnit that made me think of the power of photography. Addressing English majors at their graduation ceremony, Solnit asserted that studying English Literature (and here I substitute with photography) can "enable you to analyze, to see patterns, to acquire a personal philosophy rather than a jumble of unexamined hand-me-down notions, that enable you not to make a living but maybe to live. This least utilitarian of educations prepares you to make sense of the world and maybe make meaning... to become a producer of meanings rather than a consumer of them in an age when meaning as advertising and marketing is daily forced down our throats."'
"Instead of perpetuating today's climate where the main photo trends are choked with irony or superficial references to pop culture, photography should better the world, not hinder it. I want to affirm what is inherently valuable in life. I am sticking my neck out here asking that photography be "life affirming," opening myself to accusation of being old-fashioned or close minded. But for me, photography (as with all art making) has a moral dimension. It is not a trivial act, and comes with responsibility. It is nothing less than a privilege to make art, and responsibility goes with privilege."
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One can easily notice that the author questions the shifting roles of photography with a heavy hand. I too, can't help but to occasionally wonder about the direction of photography's evolution in the future. I will not be judgmental and question the other forms of photographic practices, but personally, I believe I have already found my own brand of "life-affirming" photography.
lost & found II
Barangay Payatas is one of the largest open dumpsites in Philippines. Everyday, 3000 tonnes of garbage collected from all parts of Metro Manila arrive by truck and are permanently deposited here. A majority of the community in Payatas depend on this daily shipment of garbage for survival. With their faces covered in t-shirts, guerrilla style, they rummage through the daily garbage to find scraps of recyclable metal, plastics and occasionally, food.
3 years ago, I went to Payatas to work on a documentary for my final thesis paper. I left 3 weeks later, with experiences that I'll never forget for the rest of my life. Below are some of the offtakes, shot in 35mm film.
Daisuke, an aspiring photojournalist from Japan revisits Payatas. He came here years ago on
a community service program, but now he wishes to bring a greater change for Payatas.
My project wouldn't be possible without the help of Paaralang Pantao, a NGO-funded
school in Payatas. Here are some of the kids who study in the school.
3 years ago, I went to Payatas to work on a documentary for my final thesis paper. I left 3 weeks later, with experiences that I'll never forget for the rest of my life. Below are some of the offtakes, shot in 35mm film.
Daisuke, an aspiring photojournalist from Japan revisits Payatas. He came here years ago on
a community service program, but now he wishes to bring a greater change for Payatas.
My project wouldn't be possible without the help of Paaralang Pantao, a NGO-funded
school in Payatas. Here are some of the kids who study in the school.
lost & found
savepolaroid.com
Another fine example of something beautiful that has to succumb
to our blinding charge towards the blazing future. Nice work, guys.
Goodbye Polaroid, and thank you for all the quirky nostalgia.
I do hope film will never have to go... at least not before i die.
to our blinding charge towards the blazing future. Nice work, guys.
Goodbye Polaroid, and thank you for all the quirky nostalgia.
I do hope film will never have to go... at least not before i die.
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