Richard Renaldi -- You may touch a stranger

[David A. Goldfarb]

In today's NYT "Lens" blog. Shot on 8x10"--

http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/05/strangers-in-embrace/?hp

 

[ann]

Thanks sos much David, wonderful images

 

[brucemuir]

very interesting project!

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Fascinating - the range of emotions expressed are considerable. I'm on the fence about the posing - much of it is very unnatural, especially the intertwining gestures like the one with the Yeshiva student and the fish market worker. But I guess that's part of the point- making us consider what is and isn't "natural" about these very intimate pairings of people who would seem to have no other reason to intersect beyond geographic proximity.

 

[cliveh]

To me they look like strangers touching each other.

 

[ann]

To me they look like strangers touching each other.

Which seems to be the point about the project.

I always find it interesting how some folks come up with such unusal projects. This would never have crossed my mind. NIce to see someone thinking out side the box.

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

Which seems to be the point about the project.

Precisely the entire point, yes. The emotional investment by all parties here is severe. These are not about being merely pretty pictures. They're about being meaningful pictures. Photographs that attempt to really say something. With aspirations of wonderful, rather than the merely admirable.

Ken

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I've been thinking about the importance of the big camera in making this happen. It provides a context of formality and seriousness that I think is needed to bring the subjects into contact. There's a performance-art element to it.

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

David, as an 8x10 user I was going to say something similar. In an earlier unrelated thread I touched on the topic of "novelty cameras" as being an excellent way to break the ice with strangers in public.

If I approach someone with an 8x10, or even a 4x5 Crown/Speed Graphic, I'll often get an enthusiastic response that I'm certain would not have otherwise been the case with any other more normal looking cameras.

A huge 8x10 is sufficient enough of a novelty that curiosity almost always overcomes reluctance.

Ken

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I totally agree.

 

[Vaughn]

Good comments...great project.

Thanks, David!

 

[ann]

I've been thinking about the importance of the big camera in making this happen. It provides a context of formality and seriousness that I think is needed to bring the subjects into contact. There's a performance-art element to it.

Great point David, hard to hide from that camera or rather hide the camera from the subject.

 

[clayne]

Yes, for once, an interesting project! Thanks.