low resolution photography by davin risk

This was taken at the CHIN Picnic at the beginning of this month. If you’ve been to my site with even minor regularity, you’ll know that I rarely take photos of people and even more rarely post them when I do.

The guy on the left here was one of the ride operators — carnies — working for Conklin at the CHIN picnic and I asked him if I could take his photo. But the process and, I’d say, the result here underline some of my problems with taking photos of people.

First off, I find it a very awkward interaction. It’s extremely rare that I would have the modest courage to go up and ask to take someone’s picture and so even after he said he was okay with it I was too quick to take the photo and I think it shows. I also had a hard time articulating to him why I wanted to take his picture and that brings me to a further discomfort.

In taking this guy’s photo what was I saying about him? And about myself? In rationalizing why I had chosen him as a subject I realized that it was mostly a surface-level choice. I was drawn to him because he’s an interesting character. And the character I saw him playing was a classic “carny.” I feel like I presented him as a caricature and not a person with depth. It also makes me feel like I was making a somewhat classist distinction between him and myself.

I’m having a rather slow time in general as far as photography is concerned lately. I haven’t been taking too many photos and those I have had processed have left me fairly cold. But I do hope that once I get back in the swing again I can continue to think about how to present people properly. I don’t know if it’s really something I want to do regularly but I want to know why I’m doing it when I do and I think that will help me feel more comfortable with the process.

flesh gordon

Sorry to hear you’re in a bit of a low with your photography. I find that these things go in cycles, and things will soon pick up again. You could try taking pictures of stuff that you really like - regardless of whether you think anyone else will enjoy the results. This may (or may not!) help, but it worked for me.

As for this one, I know what you mean when you describe how difficult you find it to photograph strangers. It’s not something that I find particularly easy, and like you, I am trying to improve. I’m attempting to only photograph strangers if I’ve had a decent conversation with them first. At least then, I don’t feel like I’m taking advantage. So far I’ve only plucked up the courage to do this twice, and neither time has produced a satisfactory image, but we shall persevere …!

” I feel like I presented him as a caricature and not a person with depth. It also makes me feel like I was making a somewhat classist distinction between him and myself.”

I was very interested in this comment about your picture of “Flesh Gordon”. Like you, I don’t feel at ease photographing strangers. Your comment gives me a clue : sometimes I daren’t take a picture because I would feel intrusive or I would emphasize the difference between the photographer and the subject, as if the subject were an animal in a zoo. Maybe, too, we are conscious that we are cheating with the picture : as you but it, the picture is a caricature, it only shows a very little part of a person’s personality.
But isn’t it the very interest of art to select only a part of reality and share it with people ? I think the photographer’s motivations are often noble and artistic. Maybe you felt attracted (in some way) or impressed by your character, and you wanted to communicate this feeling to other people. Maybe you were wondering about the type of “relationship” that existed between the “carny” and his machine. It could also be an esthaetic choice : the brightness of the colours (blue, yellow). Maybe you wouldn’t have taken the picture weren’t it “flesh gordon” written on the carny’s T-shirt…
I think the most important thing is your respect towards your subject. Your picture is respectful, and I like it.

Hi Davin.

I can totally relate to what you say about photographing people. I’m exactly the same way, and I mentioned as much in response to Gayla’s post on the same topic.

While I can see what you mean about this picture, I also think you’re being too hard on yourself. In fact, this picture does not strike me in the least bit charicature-ish.

You’re right: it’s not your best work by a long shot. But it doesn’t feel out of place (in terms of “quality” — whatever that means) amongst the rest of your work.

The whole thing reminds me of something a highly esteemed colleague of mine (and my former boss) once said. In the midst of a particularly stressful project, I told him that I was feeling a bit terrified. I wasn’t sure if we or I would be able to do it all because what we were doing was so different from what I had ever done before. He said that was good. It meant that I was out of my comfort zone. And it’s when you’re out of your comfort zone that you grow and learn.

For my own part, I intend to try and do more of what you’ve done here. I intend to get out of my comfort zone and do some “street photography.” I don’t know whether it’ll be something I take to or not. That may just not be in my personality. But I do know that I will learn something by doing it, even for a short time.

Just from what you’re writing, it sounds like you’re already learning something from what you’ve done. Even if it’s mostly what you think *doesn’t* work.

Good work.

Interesting comments with todays image, which is pretty damn good, btw. I think we all project our ingrained stereotypes onto people in our daily interactions, and I dont see why that wouldnt also be the case when photographing someone. What pose do we put them in, where do we make them stand in relation to the background/foreground?

Im curious, was it a coincedence that he posed in very close proximity to the 48″ or taller sign? When I see this image, I think he is being associated more with the sign than the ride, which suprises me. The 48″ sign is, on the surface, as suggestive of limited education and personal care skills as the Carnie’s appearance, and i think it reinforces the message being sent about the subject by the photographer.

I think this is really interesting social commentary and not as shallow, and certainly not as negative/classist as you might think.

I’m also in the process of taking more people photos, and it’s coming along. The most important thing, for me, is learning how not to put the camera “between” me and the subject. To try and not pause the conversation while the shutter clicks. I have a tendency to jerk my camera to my eye and shoot. With people, you can’t do that. It’s too jarring. Most of the time, anyway.

I love the photo you concerned about. However awkward the situation might have been, he doesn’t seem fazed a bit. Great colors, and the composition points directly to his eyes.

I like the portrait. Maybe a little closer would be better, but I know what you mean about taking them. I believe portraiture is one of the toughest styles of photography that you can do. Maybe that’s why we all like to look at them. Yes, we all run hot and cold with our pictures. Next week is cold for me. Good composition and the subject looks very captivating. Go back next year and see if he’s there again and take him a print, then try again.

I like it. I don’t think it looks rushed…