The Shadow

What a difference a day makes.

There’s probably also a hormonal element. haha

I prefer “forums” to “fora.” :) In any case, you’re right, I’ve never been to a gun forum though I suspect there are a lot of similarities between gun and camera forums.

There are, of course, photographers who take great risks, such as war photographers, photojournalists who document violent events, demonstrations, and other conflicts, documentarians who go to some pretty dangerous places. I do think the adreline of risk for some, doing the not-so-safe, can be a driving force. That being said, for most, a healthy reminder about awareness and safety is a good thing. Of course, photography comes with emotional risks, too, at times, and leaping without a net in the emotional realm can work to great advantage but may come with some dangers, too. I think, in whatever realm, there are times to leap ahead without fear or hesitation and times when more caution may be taken. One size doesn’t fit all people or fit the same person at all times.

Too me, that’s simplistic, not simple. This is not an either/or matter, as most matters aren’t. Its not about taking responsibility or not taking responsibility. It’s about how one goes about living. It’s about how scared of worst-case scenarios I want to be. I live in a big city which can be dangerous in certain places and at certain times, and has the potential of being dangerous any place at any time. I’ve devloped city smarts over the years and, by now, have an instinctual sense of how to be as safe as I can. I’m not going to grab a weapon or even think much of danger every time I go out, even to a dark, remote place in the city . . . or when I walk in forests or fields. That’s being plenty responsible to me, while not living a life full of the negativity that comes with an eye toward necessary violent interactions.

If only he’d had his rifle!

Nothing to be sorry about. It’s just an opinion and you wouldn’t be the first to think so. Me, as I said, I don’t think she’s always on target, but I think “clueless” is not very on target either. I may not always agree with her, but I recognize her astuteness, even when I strongly disagree.

Maybe three reasons? The third being paranoia. I’ve walked through the woods all my life, even in California “growing” country, and have never once thought of bringing or was sorry I didn’t have a rifle. It is true that we do call taking photos shooting. Sontag long ago wrote of some similarities among guns, cars, penises, and cameras. I never found her to be always on “target,” but she did have a point and she knew how to turn a phrase to make one.

It works both ways, though. Obviously, going over the mountain isn’t good, just as backing up into the street to get distance on a shot isn’t good if you get hit by a passing bus. On the other hand, distraction can be a great thing and I do some of my best work when my head is a little askew. Not infrequently will I be thinking of a particular shot and get distracted by something that makes a better one. It’s being open to chance. But best to stay alive while doing it!

No explanation required for me, though that part is up to you. It’s a better story visually.

Contemplating Magritte

I guess we can each judge for ourselves, but it’s worth remembering that others may be involved in looking at our portfolio, if we have one. For some, that may be of no concern and there may be good reason to have thousands of photos in a PN gallery. Others may want people to look at their portfolios. So, I’ll just say, personally, if I come across a portfolio with 5000 images, I skip right past it. I’d rather invest time in a portfolio that at least has been culled with some degree of thought or care. I may miss some gems by avoiding such large portfolios, but I’ve found the trade off in hassle and time worth it. The payoff in looking through 5000 photos by one person on the Internet is usually quite small.

So true! There’s also a history of circular art, dating back to the ancient Greeks, who painted “tondi” in the central parts of vases. So-called tondo art was revived and somewhat popular during the Renaissance, as the following example of Botticelli shows. MADONNA OF THE POMEGRANATE

If we saw that way, perhaps we would. Then again, a photo might be its own reality instead of or at least in addition to being the reflection of another. What if that reflection is metaphorical? Don’t worry, though, at least we’re still not stuck with the inaccuracy and unreality of black and white. Oh ... wait! :)

Good point. On the other hand or at least in addition, historically speaking we’re more used to black and white photos so a case could be made for color photos being more unusual and commanding attention because of that history. I guess this goes along with my seeing photos as much as an artifice as a representation of the world, both aspects being important. So, I tend to see photos as much in relation to other photos and forms of art as I do in relation to the world.