Comments on: Drowning in pictures http://alecsothblog.wordpress.com/2006/09/12/drowning-in-pictures/ photographica, miscellanea, etcetera Sun, 13 Apr 2008 09:40:17 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Craig Nelson http://alecsothblog.wordpress.com/2006/09/12/drowning-in-pictures/#comment-149 Craig Nelson Thu, 21 Sep 2006 14:46:46 +0000 http://alecsoth.com/blog/2006/09/12/drowning-in-pictures/#comment-149 I think it is very important that images of these events are made, and made in great numbers, by ordinary people, and by ordinary I mean no sleight. The argument of enough is enough should only apply to those making a profit - media, really - which isn't then to say that professionals should stay clear, just that.... ah, hell, what am I trying to say here? As historical lesson, no matter the politics attached, it is important to have the memory of such incidents fresh in the minds of all. We can't learn from history if it is hushed, buried, sanitized, etc. Frankly, the side that demands sensitivity from photographers, that seeks to do away with the imagery and focus on the healing, is really looking for help in forgetting the horrors, and that, in my opinion is as misguided as those who exploit events like WTC to goad the nation into a fight it neither needs nor can justify. I think it is very important that images of these events are made, and made in great numbers, by ordinary people, and by ordinary I mean no sleight. The argument of enough is enough should only apply to those making a profit – media, really – which isn’t then to say that professionals should stay clear, just that…. ah, hell, what am I trying to say here?

As historical lesson, no matter the politics attached, it is important to have the memory of such incidents fresh in the minds of all. We can’t learn from history if it is hushed, buried, sanitized, etc. Frankly, the side that demands sensitivity from photographers, that seeks to do away with the imagery and focus on the healing, is really looking for help in forgetting the horrors, and that, in my opinion is as misguided as those who exploit events like WTC to goad the nation into a fight it neither needs nor can justify.

]]> By: Alec Soth http://alecsothblog.wordpress.com/2006/09/12/drowning-in-pictures/#comment-148 Alec Soth Wed, 13 Sep 2006 13:10:01 +0000 http://alecsoth.com/blog/2006/09/12/drowning-in-pictures/#comment-148 Absolutely Todd. And in cases like Katrina, I think the local amateur pictures are more significant than the outsider professional pictures. I know I didn't want to descend on New Orleans to make some more well-framed but uninformed pictures. 9/11 was a special case because all of the pros live there. Absolutely Todd. And in cases like Katrina, I think the local amateur pictures are more significant than the outsider professional pictures. I know I didn’t want to descend on New Orleans to make some more well-framed but uninformed pictures. 9/11 was a special case because all of the pros live there.

]]> By: Todd W. http://alecsothblog.wordpress.com/2006/09/12/drowning-in-pictures/#comment-147 Todd W. Wed, 13 Sep 2006 13:00:50 +0000 http://alecsoth.com/blog/2006/09/12/drowning-in-pictures/#comment-147 It occured to me after reading your post on the subject that this is a "tragedy of the commons" problem. The individual impulse of each photographer to record the event, a worthy impulse, is out of balance with the group need to minimize image saturation. It's a lot to ask an individual to refrain their own picture making, or, worse, leave it to the "professionals". It occured to me after reading your post on the subject that this is a “tragedy of the commons” problem. The individual impulse of each photographer to record the event, a worthy impulse, is out of balance with the group need to minimize image saturation. It’s a lot to ask an individual to refrain their own picture making, or, worse, leave it to the “professionals”.

]]> By: Dan Sumption http://alecsothblog.wordpress.com/2006/09/12/drowning-in-pictures/#comment-146 Dan Sumption Wed, 13 Sep 2006 11:24:32 +0000 http://alecsoth.com/blog/2006/09/12/drowning-in-pictures/#comment-146 Interesting article <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,1867405,00.html" rel="nofollow">here</a> on how constantly revisiting 9/11 is "doing Osama's work for him". Interesting article here on how constantly revisiting 9/11 is “doing Osama’s work for him”.

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