Behind or In Front of the Camera

[wlotus]

Writers' Block asks if we prefer being behind the camera or in front of it. I prefer being behind it...unless I am operating the camera. It's because I don't trust how people view me through the lens. But when I am operating the camera, I have complete control over how I look in the final draft...and no one ever need see the outtakes, if I don't want that.

That's a surface commentary on how little trust I have in how society at large portrays me and how much I resent their justifications for the less-than-flattering presentations. But those thoughts are too deep to put here.

Comments

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

I like being behind the camera too.

One of the assignments for one of my photojournalism classes was to submit a picture of yourself, at work as a photographer, but taken by someone else. It had to be a candid shot, and had to be good. And it was the person who took the photograph who would select it.

The teacher said the reason he included this assignment was so we would understand the effect we had on people when we pointed a camera at them.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

I bet that gave folks pause. That was a good one.

In that regard I was fortunate: I grew up in a snap-happy family. I remember being a child and *loving* to pose for pictures. I lost my love for posing around the age most girls suffer tremendous decreases in their self-esteem. So I am very aware of the intimidating effect a camera lens has on people. That's why I prefer unposed shots, too. I'm more likely to capture the person's natural, relaxed expression when they don't know I'm photographing them.

That's another nice thing about taking my own portraits: I know the photographer is eyeing me with love and respect and will do everything in her power to get exactly the shot of me *I* want.

Which reminds me...I did The Child's annual portrait on Saturday. He has a mole he doesn't like. I need to give him a print with the mole edited out. Just like knowing my photographer will do everything to get the shot I want, I need to do the same for him.