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Photographic Abuse: Loopholes in the Law
Street photographers who make their living, or pursue their hobby, in search of the perfect spontaneous image out in the wild have enough problems with the law and with the belief in a private sphere for those who could become the subject of their work. That the law is not clear, in many aspects and not just photography, has been accepted for many years, with constant promises from politicians – especially on the hustings – that matters will be addressed, and the law reformed to make it better, precise, workable. Yet, no matter the promises, no matter the varied and various attempts to reform, there are loopholes which the less…
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Criticism In Photography: A Reckoning
It is that time of year, and has been for over a month, when we look back over what has happened, in photography, on television, in politics, world-wide. A rash of programmes come out on the various visual media telling us what we should consider to be the great, the moving, the memorable from the previous twelve months, attempting to shape our minds and influence our memories. Amidst all the bright fanfares and commercial shouting, a few smaller entities voice their opinions, often about the work of others, sometimes with a critical eye on their own production. Rather than letting myself be influenced by those many critics who have opinions…
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It’s Not Always What You Can See
I took the header photograph to this post back in June 2024, at a time when I was more active with my camera, travelling to many cities across the country, and making great plans for the future. Not, I hasten to add, my first great plans for the future, merely the latest ones. In the past I have written books, short stories, magazine articles and other papers for publication. I have acted on the theatre stage, and been in one or two minor films over which it is best to be quiet. I have invested in real estate, in art, in literature, in antique photography. The next great plan for…
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A Time for Thought and Reflection
At what age do we take a step back from life and ask what it is that we are doing, or what have we done, and has it all been worthwhile? Is there just one point in our life, or are there many? Do we just charge headlong into whatever is before us and see what comes and then, when it is all done and through, when we get to the other side, stop and glance back at what has happened? And, what is it that makes us stop and consider, reflect? There is a memory in my mind of sitting in a large classroom, surrounded by other young children,…
