A celebration of life

[PolaroidSky]

Keith I totally agree with you description of the word assume.

The fact is, in this instance, Karen did take time to frame her work, the shots evident involvement with the individuals within clearly presented a scene that was considered and a collaboration between photographer and subject not to mention the fact that she stated her intention to go back and do more for the hospice... it's evident she has an empathy and a care not only in the shots, the way there are presented and in the fact that she cared enough to document it. You'd need to be a sociopath to make shots in a situation like this if you were not doing it for the right reasons.

As for most people being touched by this sickness or any other, of course, you're sadly right. It's a fact of life and I spend most of my life caring for a close family member, in great and constant violent physical and mental pain who will in time succumb and die as a result of the illness and resulting complications, not to mention watching all it has done to my family members.

This would not however cause me to judge another person, on the internet and try to assess their motivations and intentions, their character or their own sense of morality. To have to feel pressure to make private issues public in order to redress the balance or to defend accusations of intent, empathy, understanding and the very causation of making photographs should not in any way be something that needs to be done.

I mean no harm nor foul with my comments as I can speak from constant experience that being close to a severe disease is terrifically, awesomely, omnipresently hard.

I do think everyone is entitled to their own opinion, perspective and voice... but to voice that opinion with a modicum of respect should always be a given. To judge or disable photographers for and from making work about elements of life that are not the pretty and safe elements of life would be such a foolish thing to do.

Photographs enable the documenting of life, all facets of life. Are we only to focus on the situations that fill us with joy? Surely a world with only that reality would be the greatest waste of photography imaginable as we would collectively endorse a recorded version of social or personal history that would be a lie.

Cameras are about truth. Sometimes that truth is beautiful, sometimes that truth is despairing.

I, like Karen don't make a living from photography so money is not the essence of why we might choose our respective subjects and I have to applaud Karen wholeheartedly and have nothing but respect for her not only battling (and beating... every day is a victory Karen) her own personal demons but to turning her lens to areas of life she is passionate about, has an empathy for and has a desire to illuminate through her photographic works.

[karenoliver]

Thanks very much Mr Bump for your kind words :-) As for the downbeat photo, the person with their head bowed was actually the nutrionist and I think she was looknig at something but I can see why it comes across a downbeat! :-)

Phil, thanks for your kind words too and for the feedback on the photographs.

Jim, as always thanks very much and your support is very much appreciated :-) You above all I feel can empathise and see where I am coming from :-) And I agree the forum needs to stop snidey comments, backbiting and personal attacks. I love posting here and love giving feedback and sharing my work. Last night I was really upset and did consider not bothering anymore. My husband took me out today, away from the computer and helped me to reconsider. I know you attract adverse comments and had that silly little game played on you about the reasons behind your photos etc by the same person who attacked me! I have no idea what is going there, and the reasons behind it but I feel neither of us should be the focal point for other people's issues and frustratiions.

Thanks for your feedback on the matter, Keith. Its a weird situtation really because the past month or so people have been criticised for providing " too much copy" with their shots and yet when you don't you are attacked because the whole reasoning behind the work has not been made clear. To be honest I felt the shots spoke for themselves, the people were obviously co-operating with me and were willing participants.

Its difficult to photograph and please everyone and not all photographs will be to everyone's tastes either. Like Jim said do we censor photography and only publish happy work?

Abers I wish you had asked me the reasons for the shots before attacking me. Of course I am sorry for your wife's situation but it didn't justify a personal attack. You said my shots were " feeble" yet never even offered some advice on how to improve them. I do however accept your apology.

Karen

[KeithT]

Karen, I think how much copy is given to an image depends on the image. I just tried to see both sides of the coin. Some images will always disturb people however innocent they may seem. A simple image of a man living on the streets may upset someone who has had a hard time surviving a similar experience for instance. What we have to ask ourselves is will our work be seen by someone as offensive? If the answer is yes, then we have to decide whether to risk it, or accept some flack if it comes. However it is handled, I still think it is best to graciously accept that if that is the way of things then we should move on without resentment or retaliation. I am not saying that Alan was right to snap that way, but knowing that is how he felt at the time we should respect his obvious hurt. Good luck with your images by the way.

[PolaroidSky]

Thanks Karen and you're welcome. I've been following your work for a long time now and as well a huge evolution in both skill and technique - I'm always struck by your always kind, human and amiable ways online

RE too much copy... that's a really great point you make and I needed no copy at all to understand either what your shots were about or what your intentions are and I would say that anyone that knows you and your conduct here in the forums should know that without demanding you defend your actions in taking a photo... of anything!

[karenoliver]

Thanks, Jim :-)

Karen

[Cathus]

I think it's rather ironic that Abers previosuly posted this:

The picture is interesting, but all the copy attached to it spoils it for me. I like to wonder why it was taken, what is the message that it tries to convey. I don't have to use any imagination or thought because you have told me all about it'
A one word title would have been sufficient to whet my appetite. 'Hope', 'Despair' something like that would have made look and wonder.

But then when some shots didn't have any copy or explanation, flew off the handle & completely misconstrued Karen's photos.

Abers: If the facts had been put before us in the original post I would have reacted differently. There was no indication of the purpose of the photographs. My assumption was that the pictures were taken to satisfy the photographer and that made me very very angry I'm afraid.

[karenoliver]

Gary, that was one of the main reasons for me not giving much info but never mind :-)

I will try not to post anything controversial in the future :-)

I don't bear any resentment to Abers and I intend to just move one really. Its been an interesting thread, if not stressful but I can't see any good in prolonging it as I don't wish to make Abers uncomfortable either and accept everyone has their own issues to deal with.
Unless anyone has any tips on shooting promotional material I'd rather leave it here now, if thats okay.

Karen

[PolaroidSky]

Have you tried using off camera flash Karen?... I'm getting pretty addicted to it at the moment!

[karenoliver]

Originally Posted by PolaroidSky

Have you tried using off camera flash Karen?... I'm getting pretty addicted to it at the moment!

I don't have a lead for the flash and not tried it but its a good idea :-)
I did find I was using ISO 3200 mostly and it does add noise which is a pain really. I was thinking of getting a flash kit for the future but just am not sure how much I would use it. There is a portable system but Gary gave me an idea about speedlights tonight.

Karen

[ABERS]

Originally Posted by karenoliver

I don't bear any resentment to Abers ....

That's very generous of you Karen. More than perhaps I deserve, thank you.