rj__ Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 This is video that Joel Meyerowitz did for Hewlett Packard: http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv_qE_J_mHg&mode=related&search= At the 1:16 mark there is a sequence of him shooting on the street, during which he talks about the virtue of being invisible. He certainly gives new meaning to the term :) How many people here have that much chutzpah? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj__ Posted July 29, 2007 Author Share Posted July 29, 2007 The link without a separation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv_qE_J_mHg&mode=related&search= Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtdnyc Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 I think his definition of invisibility is having people wish they didn't see you. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael s. Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 That footage of him "invisible" on the street looked familiar. <p> There's a longer video featuring him explaining his street photography technique while "in action" <a href=http://www.joelmeyerowitz.com/photography/interview_06.html>here</a>. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamkatia Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 <i>How many people here have that much chutzpah? </i> <br> <br> I do. I don't even consider it 'chutzpah' as it's merely <br> a relaxed way of being in the world. <br> I don't think you can be a street photographer without it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orvillerobertson Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 I've seen the video and wonder how much of it was real and how much was a performance for benefit of the camera. I think it's kind of hilarious his running around like that since I've never seen any street photographer do this. Then again, I don't know him very well other than one or two quick hellos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobatkins Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 "I think it's kind of hilarious his running around like that since I've never seen any street photographer do this" There you go. Proof that he really is invisible and his tactics work... I'm surprised be doen't get assaulted doing that. There has to be at least one person who takes offense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orvillerobertson Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 This invisibility thing is really a matter of speed and preparation. As an example, Sylvia Plachy is extremely fast and decisive in her approach and walks away quickly, so you sometimes see people look the wrong way when they hear her shutter click. It's an old school strategy that works effectively for them. I'm very much visible but also shoot quickly and decisively. The common characteristic is to be prepared and decisive as you approach a subject. Set your focus and exposure and decide what you will photograph as well as knowing how to react to sudden changes. This takes experience and some measure of luck since human behavior is so unredictably fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_gallo Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 From the start I took Oscar Wilde's dictum to heart, "It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission." I try to get away with as much as I can and sometimes I find myself trying to get away with too much. If you don't have the nerve, the humor, the awareness that this is all a game (no matter how serious you play it) you're better off shooting flowers. I admit some flowers are pretty quick, but people tend to be more elusive... Anyhow, when people ask me why I took their picture I usually stop and tell them why. I'll carry some snapshots with me and show them what I'm up to, get them talking and most people eventually understand. All they want is an explanation. Often they don't even look at my pictures but look at me like I'm deranged. But in a nice way. A few answers to common objections: "That's illegal!" "No it's not. It might be unethical, but it's not illegal." "Why'd you take my picture!" "You know, you look just like my Aunt when she sees this picture she's gonna flip!" "You just take my picture!" "Don't worry there's no film in the camera!" Because the public is our palette (so to speak) I think we owe to them to explain or at least chat or joke around. I've met some great people and a few of them have turned out to be friends. One thing to keep in mind is that we daily exhibit antisocial behavior and what we do really is kind of strange. Even so, I love every minute of it. Really enjoyed reading everyone's comments and I'll echo Orville's statement that "human behavior is so unpredictably fun." I'll just add the word "bizarre"... and having done so... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john falkenstine Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 Thanks for the posting. An interesting video. His images are great, he's a driven person, and not everybody hangs their images at the Jeu de paume... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamkatia Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 Yes, John, carrying some photos is a great idea. In fact, I almost always carry <br> my portfolio in my bag and many people I've met on the street have looked <br> through and immediately understood more about what I'm doing. <br> They can see my passion. <br> And who knows? You never know who you'll run into and show photos too. <br> Might be a way to get your 'big break'. ;) <br> (I've also sold prints on the spot this way! nice..) <br> <br> One thing though, I never lie about what I'm doing. <br> Not even for a joke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamkatia Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 <br> Oops, I meant Joe.. <br> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_gallo Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 Conversation, as with street shooting, is all in the timing. A joke here, a short jolly conversation there, some philosophical inquiry when it's called for... The response is in accord with the situation. By nature I'm never malicious nor am I angry at the public. This old guy once told me, "Never let the truth get in the way of a good story..." I wouldn't go that far but this guy told some great stories... But this is all post-photography. We should each ask ourselves WWJMD? (What Would Joel Meyerowitz Do?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hank bresson Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 Chutzpah? Oui, un bon nombre de chutzpah. Photographiant une poussette de bébé avec un homme d'appareil-photo, un homme sain et chutzpah de producteur un vrai. Freaking Américains. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack_lo_..._t_o Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 It's a commercial for the HP printer. His street shooting style is a lot like Winogrand's. He gives credit to his Leica for his "invisibility". What happened to his hair? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamkatia Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 <br> Jack - that's exactly who I thought of when I saw the video - Garry Winogrand. :) <br> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad_ Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 >>> How many people here have that much chutzpah? Don't think I'd call it chutzpah. More feeling comfortable about what you do and being around people on the street. "Being invisible" is projecting you're part of the environment. It's about being open - not hiding. As an aside, I've shot with Jeff a bunch of times and with maybe another 5-7 photogs from this forum. Photogs who ***enjoy*** doing this easily blend in - whther you're hanging around on a corner or moving. Sneak around and you stand out. Am hooking up with Barry next Saturday in SF - should be fun and a similar no-problem experience... www.citysnaps.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orvillerobertson Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 I get a tremendous number of great shots by being in the right place at the right time. Street corners are some of the best locations. The only thing I balk at shooting are people who secretly want to be photographed. Most New Yorkers are too busy to care. I never interact, just shoot and wait for the next interesting scene. For me it's perfectly natural after about 10 minutes of weirdness. Some days I can't get comfortable, so I shoot scenes with people rather than people. Either way I get good shots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilambrose Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 <p><em>I'm surprised be doesn't get assaulted doing that. There has to be at least one person who takes offense.</em></p> <p>Assaulted would be getting off lightly. I can think of plenty of places where using that technique will get you stabbed. Each to their own. You have to adapt to the environment and make choices that work. Clearly behaving like an awe-struck tourist works successfully in certain areas.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj__ Posted July 30, 2007 Author Share Posted July 30, 2007 I thought that the discrepancy between the in-your-face behaviour on the screen and the narration was hilarious. I think that the discrepancy is intentional and a bit of a put-on. It gets your attention, which is what a commercial is supposed to do. This is a Hewlett Packard advertisement. I expect that there was a director present, and probably a producer and assistants. Obviously there was a cameraman. Given that there is some sync sound in the sequence, suggesting that Meyerowitz was wearing a lavalier mic, there was probably also a sound man running a wireless rig. Because of who the client is, there's a very high probability that there was somebody getting releases, in exchange for payment, from every person who appeared in the sequence - assuming that they weren't all paid actors in the first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj__ Posted July 30, 2007 Author Share Posted July 30, 2007 I especially got a kick out of Meyerowitz swooping down to photograph a baby in a stroller, and the brief sequence in which two young women are caught between Meyerowitz and his Leica stalking them from behind and a cameraman with a motion picture camera right in their face on the other. This is funny stuff. Reminds me of John Mayer's recent video in which he apologizes for holding pitbull dogfights backstage at his concerts: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sanford Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 It seems to be a very good HP printer ad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanky Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 I used to think it sucked being invisible. It's always a drag when one hits a club or bar with friends and you're the only one in the group who doesn't hook up. So what's one to do? Why get into SP of course! Hey, ya gotta work with what ya got. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m_. Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 regardless, he has some good photos to show. that's plenty for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj__ Posted July 30, 2007 Author Share Posted July 30, 2007 How they would have made this commercial if Joel Meyerowitz was on a night shoot :) <center><img src=http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/6254384-md.jpg></center> <center>The shooter of the shooter</center> <center><img src=http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/6254208-md.jpg></centre> <center>The gear</center> <center>The National Arts Club, Gramercy Park, July 2005</center> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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