Week 7 Journal Assignment

Q: Are you better in front of or behind the camera? How does it feel to be photographed?

Some people hate being photographed. This is a trend I have never been able to understand. Do these people hate mirrors? Reflections? I’m guessing not, so why do they have to hate on cameras? I realize that there are such things as bad pictures, or perhaps more accurately, inaccurate visual depictions. This is because photography captures a split second in time, and it is entirely possible that in this split second you just happened to look like a derranged orangutan experiencing an orgasm. The point is, we all know what we look like, and if this representation is, in fact, inaccurate, that’s just the luck of the draw. But, you know, there is a productive way to deal this situation… Fucking laugh at it! It happens to everyone. Despite what you may believe, the camera is not out to get you (it's not going to add 10 pounds out of spite and malice). Cameras just aren’t that cunning. So let's all just chill out, it’s just a picture. I have seen plenty of unflattering pictures of myself, but I still love getting my picture taken. I love taking pictures. I love getting my picture taken while I’m taking pictures. You can’t hide from the way you look, people can, and will, see you. If you are unable to come to terms with that, I hope you have a nice, spacious closet. You’re going to need it, because I have a camera, and I am looking for you. Pictures are fun, have fun with them.