Aperture Magazine article

[Shadowman]

I started this thread in part to find out if anyone is familiar with the photographer Paul Trevor and also to find out more about Victor Burgin. There are links available for Burgin but none seem to discuss the topic where theorists challenged the entitlement of any photographer to describe the lives of others. While this debate of the 80s is partially dependent on the captions used with photos or titles of books by the photographers of that period, I wonder how much those debates reflect on today's street photography and its limited appeal.

http://www.aperture.org/blog/paul-trevor/

[William W]

. . . none seem to discuss the topic where theorists challenged the entitlement of any photographer to describe the lives of others. While this debate of the 80s is partially dependent on the captions used with photos or titles of books by the photographers of that period, I wonder how much those debates reflect on today's street photography and its limited appeal.

I think street photography that documents, depicts and comments upon more than just the person and personality in the shot, will (and should be) intrinsically confrontational.

In such cases, there will always be limited general societal appeal and acceptance.

And also there will be extreme advocates, who wish to shut the practice down, completely: that's what censorship is basically all about for the maker of any work - forced conformity and keeping everyone in their little, allocated boxes.


WW

[Shadowman]

I think street photography that documents, depicts and comments upon more than just the person and personality in the shot, will (and should be) intrinsically confrontational.

In such cases, there will always be limited general societal appeal and acceptance.

And also there will be extreme advocates, who wish to shut the practice down, completely: that's what censorship is basically all about for the maker of any work - forced conformity and keeping everyone in their little, allocated boxes.


WW

William,

Part of the unwritten code of conduct with today's street or candid photography is that you are not to depict someone or thing in a manner that would cause ridicule. Ridicule could be in the form of a caption or in the capture of embarrasing behavior. The code isn't enforceable and unfortunately websites and television videos create such scenarios and this form of entertainment gets categorized with all candid or street photography.

[William W]

William,

Part of the unwritten code of conduct with today's street or candid photography is that you are not to depict someone or thing in a manner that would cause ridicule. Ridicule could be in the form of a caption or in the capture of embarrasing behavior. The code isn't enforceable and unfortunately websites and television videos create such scenarios and this form of entertainment gets categorized with all candid or street photography.

John,

Is that a statement of your opinion; or a question; or a dictate that you addressed to me?

What are your source and your reference of this “unwritten code”?

Is this a USA “unwritten code”?

Who are the arbiters of what would cause "ridicule"?

The topic of television "entertainment" being categorised as "Street Photography", is a different topic of conversation.

WW

[Shadowman]

John,

Is that a statement of your opinion; or a question; or a dictate that you addressed to me?

What are your source and your reference of this “unwritten code”?

Is this a USA “unwritten code”?

Who are the arbiters of what would cause "ridicule"?

The topic of television "entertainment" being categorised as "Street Photography", is a different topic of conversation.

WW

William,

The code is proposed by practitioners of the genre, usually photographers who conduct workshops, no one person claims responsibility for the code, but you will usually find a list of dos and donts when you frequent the websites. Also, I don't think the code is a U.S. based rule. I could provide you with more links but unfortunately many tend to break the rule they propose following.

http://www.forwardthinkingmuseum.com...oughton_00.php

[William W]

The code is proposed by practitioners of the genre, usually photographers who conduct workshops, no one person claims responsibility for the code, but you will usually find a list of dos and donts when you frequent the websites. Also, I don't think the code is a U.S. based rule. I could provide you with more links but unfortunately many tend to break the rule they propose following.

Thanks for the link.

I believe that I now understand the meaning of post #3.

The opening two paragraphs by Danielle Houghton in that link, is in part a formal Artists' Statement, (in which she defines her limit to not "exploit"). And also in part, it is her opinion, about how other Street Photographers do conduct themselves; and/or how she would like them so to do.

Personally, I find the content of those two paragraphs quite soft and lacklustre; very wishy washy and non-definite, it occurs that she is not wishing to offend; nor take a stance, but that she wants to appeal to everyone.

Based only on those two introductory paragraphs I would NOT be encouraged to progress to view that Photographer's work.

*

I have attended quite a few workshops.

Perhaps the workshops that I have attended are less constrictive, constricted or just more open minded than the workshops given by the other folks you have mentioned in passing.

WW

[Shadowman]

The link in post #5 contained other photographer's thoughts on their (street or candid photographer)unwritten code and examples of their images if anyone else is interested.

[William W]

I didn't realize that there was a collection of Photographers. Thanks for mentioning that.

I am reading through them all now . . . I'll pre-emptively guess that, being on the one site, that they're a like mined consortium.

Interesting, thanks again.

WW

[Shadowman]

I didn't realize that there was a collection of Photographers. Thanks for mentioning that.

I am reading through them all now . . . I'll pre-emptively guess that, being on the one site, that they're a like mined consortium.

Interesting, thanks again.

WW

It took me awhile to see the other pages.