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Nick Karagiaouroglou
{K:127263} 10/17/2007
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Thank you very much for the info about the movie, Andre! I didn't see it yet, but after some search on the web I think that I should do that, since the story sounds very interesting. A real problem!
Nick
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Andre Denis
{K:66407} 10/17/2007
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This subject reminds me Nick.. There is a good little movie made in the early 80's I believe with James Woods in the lead role of a photojournalist / war correspondent. The film is called "Salvador" I remember it being very intense. You might have seen it?
Andre
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Nick Karagiaouroglou
{K:127263} 10/16/2007
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Indeed, a photo can be reason for such strong influences and even manipulations of perception, that it can be called propaganda. If we add the fact that the very same scene can be captured this or the other way according to the will/thoughts of the photographer then we can easily see that it can be real power to form opinions.
The reporters in Vietnam did a great job in my opinion simply because they manage the "awakening". But of course this power can be also misused.
So, as the power in the hands of the photographer is so big, there has to be the sense of sincerity, much thinking, and responsibility.
I also remember watching on TV about the daily life of photographers in journalism. most of the time they spent thinking about what and how to capture it in order to give us a view that is as unbiased as possible. One of them said, that since a photo is not reality itself but a depiction of reality, there will be always some amount of "mediation" that perhaps is enough for causing interpretations that make somebody see something completely different than the captured reality. It is then against the ethic journalism to misuse the own skills for leading minds to some certain direction, but even a ohotographer is a human being with the own perception/thoughts/ideals, and so it is hard to take a neutral position and "deliver pure reality".
One can only admire such conscious and critical minds, I think.
Nick
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Andre Denis
{K:66407} 10/16/2007
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Hi Nick,
You are absolutely right about one image being able to turn the tide.
Quite often the photographers no exactly what they are doing. I suppose you can call it propoganda in many instances.
I remember reading an article on how photojournalism played a huge part in the minds of the American publics lack of support for the Vietnam war. There are a few images that are etched forever in most of our minds from most wars. But the Vietnam conflict images are particularly effective.
Andre
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Nick Karagiaouroglou
{K:127263} 10/15/2007
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I guess, you're completely right about turning any photo student with a bit of imagination into a social activist, Andre! So the work of a single photographer may also cause some thousands of people marching with posters through the streets. If the poor photographer only knew... ;-)
But this might as well be considered as an additional result of strong photographic work. It can awake the social conscience, raise the sensitiveness toward problems that perhaps could remain unnoticed otherwise. I think that photography played a main (and perhaps also very underhyped) role in forming the social mind against for example the war of Vietnam. It influenced very strongly the movement of pacifism, didn't it?
Nick
Nick
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Andre Denis
{K:66407} 10/13/2007
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Hi Nick,
I'm glad you found that image by Margaret Bourke White. That kind of image has been very inspirational over the years. It can turn any photo student with some imagination into a social activist. ;)
Andre
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Nick Karagiaouroglou
{K:127263} 10/12/2007
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Of course such conditions have to be shown, Andre! if not by photographers then by whom? It is like holding the mirror in front of an imperfect society that is still able in the year 2007 to produce such scenes. And also perhaps a question for those that are too convinced - is that a perfect world?
I found the image you wrote me about and thanks a lot for telling that to me. Well, it blew me down! It says so much but not the way some politician might ever say it. It's direct and sincere. I'll have to search for more of her work!
Best wishes,
Nick
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Andre Denis
{K:66407} 10/11/2007
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Hi Nick,
Yes, some street photographers can be very heavy handed to try and get a point across. Others are more subtle. We continuously see the cliche image of the big city buisnessmen walking around the homeless person lying in the street. But, the fact is this is a condition that exists in many big cities. It might be an easy comment on society, but I think it still must be shown.
One image comes to my mind that is very effective. The image is by Margaret Bourke-white.
The image was taken in 1937 The image consists of a long line of out of work African Americans lining up for food in a bread line. The background for this depressing scene is a large billboard advertisement that shows a happy middle class "white" family in their new car smiling while driving down the highway. The text on the billboard says "World's Highest Standard of Living" "There's Now Way Like The American Way"
Like I said, a very effective street image. You might be able to search for it in Google images under Margaret Bourke-White.
Andre
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Nick Karagiaouroglou
{K:127263} 10/10/2007
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Exactly, Andre! But if one wishes too much to make a moral statement, I think, then the image suffers. Perhaps this is a big dilemma too. How to put as much real content and statement into an image but without making it "preaching"? And of course without taking away the last remaining pride of, say, some homeless people - without making them feel like "objects"? I think great street photographers have spent a lot of time with such questions. Perhaps not necessarily only the conscious way, but one way or the other I guess they did.
Nick
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Andre Denis
{K:66407} 10/9/2007
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Hi Nick,
I'm pretty sure a lot of "street" photographers will take images that have an agenda. For instance the portrayal of homeless people in a well to do area can have a lot to say about the huge gap in the standard of living within modern society.
Andre
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Nick Karagiaouroglou
{K:127263} 10/9/2007
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Hi Andre!
So I guess that this kind of... let's call it "devotion to reality" with all its "goods" and "bads" might be a key element to street photography? Or perhaps even going further than separating between "good" and "bad" and simply depicting.. I have the impression that the big street photographers never wanted to tell us anything about some assumed "morals" of a scene.
Just thoughts...
Nick
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Andre Denis
{K:66407} 10/8/2007
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Hi Nick,
I think you have described the whole concept of "Street Image." A moment, frozen in time from a city street usually tells some story. And as you say, there is usually no attempt to embelish.
Andre
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Nick Karagiaouroglou
{K:127263} 10/4/2007
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Andre, I have a vague impression considering older images. Could it be that many times they are more direct and sincere? I think I notice some tendency of them to only display a real scene but without so much wish to somehow "idealize" it. Perhaps this contributes to that timeless look, since they seem to be "real moments" frozen in time.
Nick
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Andre Denis
{K:66407} 10/3/2007
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I agree Nick,
Sometimes old images are strong because they are timeless. Sometimes they are strong because of the recording of the era. For me Sixties era images are very interesting right now.
Andre
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Nick Karagiaouroglou
{K:127263} 10/3/2007
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Wishing you the best possible revitalisation of your images then, Andre! And don't through them away. Many of them exhibit a strange kind of development - they get very strong with time.
Nick
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Andre Denis
{K:66407} 10/3/2007
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Thanks Nick,
I can't expect more than that!
I'm glad that I've kept so many of my old images.
With today's scanners and even frowned upon Photoshop, a lot of my old images find a new life.
I do try to stay true to the original as much as possible though. :)
Andre
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Nick Karagiaouroglou
{K:127263} 9/27/2007
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Indeed I like it and I still I discover more and more in it, Andre!
Nick
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Andre Denis
{K:66407} 9/25/2007
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Thanks Nick,
I thought you might like this one for the semi chaos portrayed. I liked the mosaic of text that is all throughout the image.
You are right, a city never stands still for anyone.
Andre
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Nick Karagiaouroglou
{K:127263} 9/23/2007
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It's a very live one, Andre! All that text snippets somehow get mapped in my mind to the many different messages that reach me in a city. The fundament of interaction, you know, messaging!
The guy standing there acts like the protagonist, the producer of a part of that heavy load of messaging, but not in an exclusive way. It could have been everybody of "us" too. And this fits very well another thing about that messaging in the city. Many times there seem to be no originator of the message. But still it is received, contributing thus to new fashions, tendencies and trends.
I find the sharp focus everywhere and the tilt adds that kind of fast feeling like that in a city. Perhaps the person at the left should be wholy visible? (But OK, the city unfortunately doesn't stop just for a photographer! ;-))
All the best,
Nick
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Andre Denis
{K:66407} 12/6/2005
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Hi Thilo,
I think you are right. It does have a timeless quality to it. It could be a street corner in London, Paris, NY, or Berlin. The language on the signs could change or the cabbie could be replaced with a horse drawn cart, if in the 1800's. But the street person vending is a constant. Even today, it would not look a lot different.
Andre
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Thilo Bayer
{K:50358} 12/5/2005
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Hi Andre,
this could well be a street scene nowadays - So I like the image even more as it has a timeless sense and quality. The tilt makes the image IMHO. Plus the triangle communication between the guy in the car, the guy on the left and the man with the paper.
best wishes,
Thilo
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Andre Denis
{K:66407} 12/4/2005
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Thanks for all your support Ray,
I have a few more of these to post yet.
Andre
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Andre Denis
{K:66407} 12/4/2005
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Mark,
I suppose it works either way. Thanks for looking so closely.
Andre
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stingRay pt.4 .
{K:250401} 12/4/2005
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I am enjoying these shots from your past and I love the angle on this one. It adds to the mood of a busy street corner. Nice one Andre... Best wishes to you....Ray
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Mark Beltran
{K:32612} 12/4/2005
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In a way, it's just as well. I was looking carefully at each window, trying to pick out some little thing...a shadow, a flower...
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Andre Denis
{K:66407} 12/4/2005
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Thanks as always Rashed.
Andre
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Andre Denis
{K:66407} 12/4/2005
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Hi Mark,
The cabbie is nice, but what would really have been the icing on the cake would have been if there was some character leaning out that top window across the street. We will have to let our imaginations fill in the window sill with a street character of choice :)
Andre
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Rashed Abdulla
{K:163889} 12/4/2005
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very impresive,great composition and perfect expouser,i did enjoy alot viewing this image,very best regards my friend
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Mark Beltran
{K:32612} 12/4/2005
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That cabbie looking right at the camera is the clincher!
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Andre Denis
{K:66407} 12/4/2005
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Thanks Darlene,
I'm just glad that I've finally gotten round to doing something with some of these older shots. Many have never been printed. I used to shoot a lot of film and only develop the negatives. Or, make a contact sheet and work on one or two images from the roll.
Andre
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Andre Denis
{K:66407} 12/4/2005
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Hi Endre,
The funny thing is, I could probably go back to that same steet corner tomorrow and shoot a similar image. Street vendor, and all!
Andre
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Darlene Boucher
{K:15739} 12/4/2005
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Wonderful! Darlene
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Endre Novak
{K:12666} 12/3/2005
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A nice piece of time travel again dear Andre :-)
Endre
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