street photography

Jack, I fight the same feelings as you espoused here in this thread. But as I learn more and more from the many photographers here, I am reminded that HCB, Winograd, Evans and even Bourke-White, ect. had people who questioned the validity of their images. I take pictures of many things. But few of people because I haven't found them exciting. I just don't see the same way as Jeff. I've even put up threads on different forums regarding this very subject. But as I've grown, I have begun to realize what photography is and can be. For me it is about expression. This image of a girl walking down the sidewalk is just as valid as my 1000th image of Half-dome. Jeff is explaining what he sees through his eyes with this image. It needn't tell any certain story because the story changes with the experiences of the viewer. Jeff's imagery doesn't mean as much to me as John Sexton's or Ray McSaveny's work because that is the environment which I spent most of my middle-life in. But that doesn't negate the images that Jeff makes, even for me. I feel all images have validity to whom ever they touch. Some like kids, some like sports, and some like naked girls. From our collective creations come tomorrows images. There are photographers here who disdain Anne Geddes' work with babies and children. They dismiss it as too contrived and commercial. They feel the only work worthy of their plaudits are avante garde works. But I happen to feel she is extremely creative. She puts enormous effort into each piece she creates. But neither my admirations nor the disdain of the avate gardists determine if her work is good or not. It is the viewer who determines if it is good to "them." And that is what matters. Lumberjack

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