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Jim McNitt
{K:11246} 2/29/2004
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"Photography's Silent Voice"
I find a special kinship between the art of photography and the hidden emotions, the silent voice and the frozen poses of the mime.
Street mimes can be disturbing in much the same way as powerful photographs. Both are intrusive. Both speak a silent language that relies upon nuanced gesture and suggestion. Both have the potential to arrest the gaze, energize the imagination and hold the viewer spellbound.
Like the mime, photography can be intrusive, even aggressive. Turn your back on a street mime, and she will likely copy your gait, mimic your attitude, and give onlookers a good laugh at your expense. The photographer sometimes does the same, only the result is more permanent. I wonder about the impact of Diane Arbus' photos on her subjects, and if regrets about her work might have contributed to her suicide. Susan Sontag once wrote an entire book dedicated to the proposition that photography is intrusive, aggressive, and that to photograph something is in her words "to appropriate it." Sontag may not know the first thing about how to how to take good photos. But she has a point.
We take photos for many reasons. To establish a factual record. To preserve a moment in time. To capture a memory. To share a vision, feeling or idea. Thanks to mass media, photos have the power to change perceptions, perhaps even convictions. A photograph can redefine and re-establish relationships. And not just visual relationships, but the emotional relationships between subjects, models and viewers. The silent voice of photography has changed peoples' minds, their lives, even the course of history.
In subtle ways, then, to take a photo of someone or something is to alter the delicate fabric of relationships that tie that person or thing to us and to the world at large. "I just think it's important to be direct and honest with people about why you're photographing them and what you're doing," writes Mary Ellen Mark. "After all, you are taking some of their soul, and I think you have to be clear about that."
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Anne Knes
{K:60318} 2/29/2004
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nice capture.
Excellent shot.
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T L
{K:18928} 2/29/2004
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You say: "I find a special kinship between the art of photography and the hidden emotions, the silent voice and the frozen poses of the mime." Isn't that what many of us try to achieve when we try to make a new shot, or do some work on a shot. You said this so well, and i'll keep that line n mind.. As always, impressed by your work and a place to return often too...
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john amore
{K:14015} 2/29/2004
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Jim wonderful shot high interest lever John
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Gabriella Carta
{K:22879} 2/29/2004
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wowwwwwwww.. wonderful!!!! great work, good
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Donna Devine
{K:2885} 2/29/2004
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Interesting perspective, good composition and mood, enhanced by the blue tones. Fine capture! (-:
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Hakan Aker
{K:14146} 2/29/2004
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Hey Jim...such a lovely surprise to see your photos .I Loved this one so much.Regards,H.
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Pedro Libório
{K:53861} 2/29/2004
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absolutly fantastic image!!!
lovely done indeed!
regards.
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Jesper Kristensen
{K:786} 2/29/2004
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Just wonderful - love your work
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Chris Spracklen
{K:32552} 2/29/2004
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Outstanding image, Jim ~ we've come to expect nothing less!
Great to see more of your work.
Kind regards,
Chris
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Roy Vanover
{K:13432} 2/29/2004
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Jim,
Amazing as always.
Roy
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MaryBell
{K:32791} 3/1/2004
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I agree with much of what you say here - I love this image as it connects with more than some of your other stuff (although, your eye is brilliant in every way - people do not always understand each other)...
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Ben Goossens
{K:500} 3/1/2004
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You are as brilliant in making pictures, as telling the story about them ... intriging creative image. Bravo, Jim.
Regards, ben
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B:)liana
{K:30945} 3/1/2004
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oh my dear JimDali. excellent ;-)
Kiss, Biliana
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Stefan Engström
{K:24473} 3/1/2004
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You are writing a book - did you know that? ;-) Actually maybe more than one, but they will all be very nicely illustrated... Thank you.
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sandy c. hopkins
{K:17107} 3/1/2004
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amazing work jim. and yes we are capturing a bit of their soul.
when people ask me why i am taking their photo, i tell them because i like to take pictures,
and i do!
incredible work and insight ...wonderfully said jim, always a pleasure
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Lucas Macedo
{K:12843} 3/2/2004
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..... "We take photos for many reasons. To establish a factual record. To preserve a moment in time. To capture a memory. To share a vision, feeling or idea." .....
Your definition is perfect, Jim! As is your art. Excellent capture and text.
Congrats and best regards! ..... Lucas
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Mari Mar
{K:11417} 3/2/2004
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We all capture the magic instant of joy or sorrow felt in our hearts. With a click, we make that eternal. Great shot, Jim, felicitaciones!!
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Carol Watson
{K:5185} 3/2/2004
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Amazing, Jim!!
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Steve Chong
{K:814} 4/18/2004
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Another Brilliant piece of work Jim!
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Laurie J. Herndon
{K:4848} 6/2/2004
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More,More,More. Outstanding As Usual!
Regards from your bigest fan. Laurie
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Nabil Majid
{K:2073} 6/7/2004
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Excellent.
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Hugo de Wolf
{K:185017} 7/24/2004
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Hi Jim, Chris Spracklen pointed me out to your portfolio in one of his comments to me. Very expressive work in your portfolio. This one caught my eye, as it reminds me of a painting that hung in my room when I was a kid. Apart from the elaborate Photoshop work in this one, I must say I subscribe the message you send. A photograph can be very intrusive, agressive and even confronting. It can also be very misleading and even full of deception.
I'd also like to add that a photo can do more than establishing a factual record or preserve a momint in time or a memory. It can also send a message. And a very strong one at that, too. By making use of the means at our disposal to capture a scene or a mood, a photograper can also manipulate opinions. Even in recent history, there are plenty of examples where a photograph has manipulated the publics' opinion.
But I'm getting carried away here. If that's the case with this image, is up to each individual viewer, as I can't assess what message you intended to get across (apart from the written one, of course) I see a very elaborate Photoshop job, and an excellent one at that. Also, this image has a very strong surreal quality. Very intriguing and inspirational.
Cheers,
Hugo
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Neil Shapiro
{K:2122} 9/11/2004
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You always seem to keep this very fresh! Wonderful work again. One minor crit: I think the hand on the left is a bit too close to the margin.
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Maja Gligoric
{K:13441} 9/23/2004
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Fantastic work Jim!
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Hal Myers
{K:6} 12/6/2004
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Hi Jim,
Very nice shot.
I have reviewed your images. Wow, they're great.
Hope to see you again.
Regrds,
Hal
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Felix Diaz
{K:101} 6/8/2005
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Fantastic image, Jim.
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