It is mostly this yes, but sometimes I try to capture the other end of the spectrum...but feel rather heartless doing so. In this case, they were kinda bratty crocodile tears, which made it easier.
I definitely don't capture "happy" or "pretty"...personally, while I admire all those beautiful shots of flowers, birds and rainbows (and the ability/talent of those who post them), I'm definitely way down the other end of the spectrum
Since we don't get to hear what his conclusion is, I'll assume that he realizes there are many types of photos out there and "sad" ones do exist, but if it's not to illustrate a point, then I'm not sure I agree with him- some people do have albums filled with what he calls happy shots, but I have seen pictures on here of dr. visits by cancer patients and posts which pay tribute to missed loved-ones. I've seen street scenes with the homeless and poor. I've seen angry crowds and angry people. I have seen tears and sorrow as well. The types of photos on 365 are as rich and varied as the many people who post them. True for every "sad" photo there are far more "happy" ones, but they are all here. Some of those "sad" photos cause us to pay more attention to the hurting people in this world. They move us to action. Some of them help us to deal with our own hurt and some of them make us realize we are not alone. And while it is far more pleasant to shoot a child holding a balloon and smiling at a birthday cake, none of us are afraid to hold a camera up to the opposite if we can do it respectfully. At least that's what I see across the screen here.
@Very well stated, Ann. The "sad" ones I've seen here - or those that are deeper in that emotion - have all been so respectfully done. I guess that's the problem I have with shooting those - I'm afraid of intruding on a too personal level. I would like to be able to record that side, too I guess at a more removed distance than the little flowers and birds I usually shoot. All are certainly a part of our daily life.
Ha. I had my surgeon take a photo of a giant tumor I had removed from my back and text it to me so I could Warhol it. Then I took a selfie with the suction accordian thing that was an appendage for 2 days because I was depressed. I find photos grab me when there's a narrative; that includes the full range of emotions. Honestly, I like everything. It's life after all.
@darylo I think the Monk would smile at you. (Well, he smiles at everyone actually...) His point was that life is made up of all kinds of things, and we sort them into good/bad, special/common, pretty/ugly...but isn't it interesting how we have a tendency to record, share, "hang on the wall" only some of those things.
@olivetreeann I agree that we have to be respectful when photographing others...at all times, but especially when they are in pain. The post was just meant to encourage a little reflection. I find my family/friends often flinch a little at the few pictures of death or illness that I've taken. And I find that, though I have a truly messy house, I am embarrassed to let that get captured and shared. Just exploring why that might be...
To answer the examples that he gives, from my own perspective -
I am so taking a dentist shot next check-up, I think that would be cool but I forgot my camera last time;
I'm itching to get a chance to photograph a tip or landfill site, as pollution/waste/environmental issues are very close to my heart;
And they won't let me into the morgue :P
So lack of opportunity to an extent - but also, I would be quite uncomfortable taking photos at a sad occasion, or of someone who was going through something painful, not necessarily because I don't think it's photo worthy, but just the respect thing.
@houser934 I'm with you on the messy house thing lol... maybe I'll take an arty shot of my bins before they get collected :)
@pixiemac I get that, too. That is why there are so many holes in my calendar. But if I were willing to document the sadness or the messiness, would that make me see it differently? Don't know.
@houser934 My daughter, Heather, used to challenge me that I'd only capture happy moments on film. If that was the case (as she saw it), I suppose I had my reasons. Interestingly, as an adult now, she's an artist and creates volumes of art journals/artist's books (with a great deal of photography) that delve into all emotional aspects of (her) life. @m2016 I took my camera to the dentist's office on several occasions and posted the photos here (one aimed back at the dentist as he worked on my teeth). In Nova Scotia, a best friend is the funeral director in town, and, while I would be allowed into the embalming room, I've taken many photos in the funeral parlor and one of him and two ministers in front of the herse where I found them setting up for a funeral! (We've taken the grandsons to the recycling center at the "tip/dump" and I've photographed there as well as a record of the day's event. I also have (too many!) hospital pictures, but, of me, I want the affirmation that I'm getting better!
Speaking for myself, I like to capture things which appeal to me - mainly happy and positive things but I like to think that at times I have photos poignant of the side that we don't always like to remember when appropriate because it is indeed a part of our lives. That being said, I honestly appreciate all of the photos here for the little revelations which they show us inside the day-to-day of everyone here.
@graemestevens naturally occupy your territory too Graeme. If I photographed what's in my head all I would shoot is low key images of melancholy, pain and suffering. The most positive would probably be endurance. However, I tend to override that with opportunity - finding the opportunity to photograph 'something' that I can then turn into an image with some level of appeal. So I embrace flowers and cats as well as gothic churches and dragan selfies.
@olivetreeann Thanks Ann for saying exactly what I would say! Just yesterday I thought - no pretty things and John suggested ugly! I've just got to pluck up enough courage! Perhaps the hairs on my chinny chin chin?
@maggiemae Thanks Maggie- the closest I got to an ugly selfie was WAY back in the early days of my project I too a picture of my arthritic hands. That was a hard one to post (word of the day) because I think they look so ugly!
@houser934 (o: Thank you Kathryn- I have come to accept them a little more than I used to. They are less swollen and more pain-free thanks to modifying my diet and some herbal treatments. And yes, I'm thankful that even at its worst, the arthritis never stopped me from taking pictures!
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@olivetreeann I agree that we have to be respectful when photographing others...at all times, but especially when they are in pain. The post was just meant to encourage a little reflection. I find my family/friends often flinch a little at the few pictures of death or illness that I've taken. And I find that, though I have a truly messy house, I am embarrassed to let that get captured and shared. Just exploring why that might be...
I am so taking a dentist shot next check-up, I think that would be cool but I forgot my camera last time;
I'm itching to get a chance to photograph a tip or landfill site, as pollution/waste/environmental issues are very close to my heart;
And they won't let me into the morgue :P
So lack of opportunity to an extent - but also, I would be quite uncomfortable taking photos at a sad occasion, or of someone who was going through something painful, not necessarily because I don't think it's photo worthy, but just the respect thing.
@houser934 I'm with you on the messy house thing lol... maybe I'll take an arty shot of my bins before they get collected :)
@m2016 I took my camera to the dentist's office on several occasions and posted the photos here (one aimed back at the dentist as he worked on my teeth). In Nova Scotia, a best friend is the funeral director in town, and, while I would be allowed into the embalming room, I've taken many photos in the funeral parlor and one of him and two ministers in front of the herse where I found them setting up for a funeral! (We've taken the grandsons to the recycling center at the "tip/dump" and I've photographed there as well as a record of the day's event. I also have (too many!) hospital pictures, but, of me, I want the affirmation that I'm getting better!
@maggiemae We'll just have to see about that!