Eve Arnold quote

Here is a quote that helped me understand why I wasnt happy with some recent "documentary" work I made of market workers, and my thoughts at the time when I was starting to dissuade myself from documentary work:

“If a photographer cares about the people before the lens and is compassionate, much is given. It is the photographer, not the camera, that is the instrument. ”

Eve Arnold

 Heres a problem, I often don’t care about the people I'm photographing! Is that bad? Its not my fault. I can't just feel for someone because I want to. Thats the point of feeling. Its natural.

 It probably makes my work suffer. Partly because I don’t want to make the work when i dont care about the subjects. Sometimes I have ideas, but I don’t have the desire to make the images. So maybe documentary isn’t for me. Perhaps I could still do something with reportage, because I have the ability to make images and speak to people and learn things. But perhaps I should focus my efforts on other areas of photography and art.

USA. Long Island. Port Jefferson. Migratory potato pickers. 1951.© Eve Arnold/Magnum Photos

 However, I have recently found work and quotes which have reignited some passion for documentary work! which shall soon follow. 

References

• Arnold, E. (2012). Eve Arnold. Available: http://www.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&VF=MAGO31_9_VForm&ERID=24KL53ZGM6. Last accessed 28th March 2013

Pictures
© Eve Arnold/Magnum Photos, (1951), USA. Long Island. Port Jefferson. Migratory potato pickers [ONLINE]. Available at: http://mediastore2.magnumphotos.com/CoreXDoc/MAG/Media/TR2/3/b/9/a/LON63001.jpg [Accessed 02 April 13]