RXA

RANT WARNING

In a recent post I said I was confused why some of my shots made it to explore on flickr.

Let me first state that I know how explore works … I wish it didn’t work that way but I know how quickly people comment and “favourite” your work has a bearing on what makes it.

I was merely stating that some of my images that are in explore, supposedly the top 500 photos of the day, should not be there as I don’t feel they are good enough.

That’s all I was saying. I wasn’t saying I’m better than all of you or that you all suck because we all know that in both cases that is not true. I was merely using my assigned space on the tubes to vent about how I feel my recent popularity on flickr is not always reflected in my work.

Let me also say that yes, I am trying to get into this photography thing full time. Please do NOT think for a minute that I think I am better than any of my friends or family at wielding a camera. If we line up all our photos together we all have very different styles. I am just fortunate that some people like my style enough to pay me to turn up and point a camera at them. And after paying me to do that some of them even like me enough to pay for the photos.

Take it from me, there is nothing more humbling then being able to charge a shooters fee that covers your time on the shoot but does not include any photographs or images. That’s the best compliment a client can give you.

Rant over. Go back to what you were doing.

A fellow member of the defense force saw my photo for the day and was offended by it. Having given their reasons (no I’m not going to say whom it is as everyone has the right not to appreciate something) we embarked on a longish discussion via email.

Let me say in writing that I have much respect for this person for speaking up directly to me.

My email reads as follows (edited to protect the identity) :

“I doubt you feel any more strongly about the slouch hat than I do.

I own two of them, paid for them myself … all fully kitted out because they mean something to me. I respect every single person who has ever donned one and whom ever will. Being a digger means a lot to me and no one will ever take that from me.

The photo was taken as part of my 365 day self portrait project that I am doing on flickr. It is all about self discovery and and improvement, both photographically and personally. You might want to look through my photos one day. I can see a growth in artistic interpretation and photographic skill. I seriously encourage you to take a look (use the link below) you might learn something about me … I have.

That shot was planned very carefully, exactly how much skin do I show? the angle of the hat? It was not a ‘Click, yeah that will do’ kind of shot. I ummed and ahhhed before posting it to flickr going through the pros and the cons but decided that people would understand where I was coming from and my intentions.

If you in anyway thought I meant to be disrespectful then you really have no clue who I am and maybe we shouldn’t communicate in any way from here on in.

I meant no disrespect to the uniform or to those who have served in the past, and I have seen similar shots before ENDORSED by the army in calendars used to raise funds for veterans affairs.

In short I am damn proud of the shot and my own bravery it took to post it.

But to respect your views it has been removed from Facebook. It will remain on flickr as it is part of my project and others appreciate it for what it is. A very respectful photo.”

The given reasons were that it could be seen as disrespectful for those who have died wearing the slouch hat. Disrespectful to the uniform.

Let me continue my venting when I say that I am a lousy soldier. Sure I can put on the uniform and do the discipline stuff when I have to … but I am a lousy soldier. But you will be hard pressed to find someone who respects the army, it’s uniform and it’s values more than me. I am damn proud to be in the defense force and will remain there until they kick me out.

My photo and accompanying text was in no way meant to offend or disrespect our veterans. I do not see it as pornographic (I mean come on, have you seen my body??? Not pretty!) or offensive. The subject matter is the hat and the respect I have for those who have, do and will continue to wear it. I just happen to be holding it. In my mind there is no difference to the photo of me wearing the hat I took days earlier. One could argue my unshaven face was more disrespectful.

It would have been much worse if I wasn’t using my hand to hold it.

Vent over … go on back to what you were doing.

I feel better now.