Street photography of poor people is exploitative?

1 year 8 months ago #740913 by KENT MELTON
I'm going to throw this out there.  A couple weeks ago in a photography Meetup group, we had this discussion that generated some back and forth opinions.  I'm finding myself still processing this one and want to post this for further opinion.  

If you are in poor country, or heck even here in the states and you are doing street photography and come onto poor people, do you continue to take photos or would you considering this exploiting them?  


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1 year 8 months ago #740915 by TCav
In '73, I was in the Navy. My ship was moored in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and I would often go exploring with my SRT-101. I was wandering around a part of town I'd never seen before, and in the middle of a crowded market area, I saw a family living in a cardboard box, begging for change. I gave them the change and a few small bills I had in my pocket and the parents were quite thankful. I raised my camera to my eye, and they all turned away. I immediately lowered my camera, and apologized profusely, even though they couldn't understand a word I was saying.

That made a profound impression on me.


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1 year 8 months ago #741123 by Gump
If you ask permission, why wouldn't it be?  


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1 year 8 months ago #741126 by Razky
I think it would depend on what you do with the images.


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1 year 8 months ago #741231 by KENT MELTON
So you see this as photo journalisism?  


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1 year 8 months ago #741232 by TCav
Taking an unflattering photograph of someone exploits them, however altruistic your intentions might be.


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1 year 8 months ago #741240 by Shadowfixer1
If no one is brave enough to make these images, the world wouldn't know of their situation. It's a double edged sword but maybe their story as a whole needs to be told. Images from the Ukraine may be exploitive but I feel necessary to bring attention to the situation. Somebody has to bring attention to these situations whether half way across the world or in our own backyard. I'm very choosy when it comes to these images. Some I will take and some I won't. It's a tough question and answer.  
The following user(s) said Thank You: lightcapture
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1 year 8 months ago - 1 year 8 months ago #741320 by TCav
Exploiting someone else is always bad, but if exploiting them serves the greater good then fine, even if the subject doesn't immediately appreciate it.

Case in point:



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1 year 8 months ago #741325 by TCav
FYI, street photography is always exploitative.


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1 year 8 months ago #741329 by Razky

TCav wrote: Exploiting someone else is always bad, but if exploiting them serves the greater good then fine, even if the subject doesn't immediately appreciate it.

Case in point:


This is NOT street photography!!


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1 year 8 months ago #741408 by Kenta
I think it all depends on presentation


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1 year 8 months ago #741442 by TCav

Razky wrote: This is NOT street photography!!


I didn't say it was street photography. I used it as an example of an exploitative photo.

But, hey, there's a street. ;)


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1 year 8 months ago #741444 by Razky

TCav wrote:

Razky wrote: This is NOT street photography!!


I didn't say it was street photography. I used it as an example of an exploitative photo.

But, hey, there's a street. ;)

Well, we all have our opinion of what is and is not exploitative, and one is as valid as the other.


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1 year 8 months ago - 1 year 8 months ago #741456 by lightcapture
I can't see how someones economic status has anything to exploiting them with a photo in a public location. Out of respect if someone doesn't want their photo taken, I'd refrain from taking it.


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1 year 8 months ago #741731 by Thomas S
Yep, I'm with you on that one.  100% agree.  


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