1975 book.....The beginners guide to photographing people by Ralph Hattersley

[ricstew]

So I picked this up in the Vinnies shop......fascinating reading. Totally dated but relevant non the less :) It is divided into chapters starting out with How to shoot candid portraits.
Section one, of chapter one, The Ethical Foundation.......and I quote

" Unless your photography is based on attitudes and behaviour which your inner-self recognises as deeply ethical, you are very unlikely to get any happiness from it. Such happiness as you do achieve will certainly be spurious and fleeting. The truth of this is most obvious when one sets out to make portraits : if you do it for the wrong reasons you will surely pay the price in inner conflict and self condemnation."

" The Technique of the snapshot
1. Stand over there, please
2. Click!
3. Thank you."

Anyone want to comment?

cheers
Jan

[OzzieTraveller]

G'day Jan

Brilliant mate - excellent find, good material as well.
Change the refs to 'photography' to any other topic and the advice is still kosher

Regards, Phil

[ameerat42]

Some say, "O-o-mm! O-o-mm!"
Is this, a case of "Um? Um?"

Any photography hints in the other chapters? (There'd need to be lots after that intro.):D

[ricstew]

hahaha I just thought the quote was relevant after all the discussions on ethics/legalities in photography.........the post on taking phone photos in malls on beach etc. How we have changed as photographers from 30 years ago or not. Yeah I know some were not born then , are the younger ones attitudes different to the older ones? Does your internal happiness direct you on which pictures you take......or can you ignore than little conscious voice and take it anyway?

Yes it does go on and give us useful hints and tips.......every thing from metre stretching to pushing your speeds when developing :) Excellent section on lighting portraits of various kinds including the nude ( with a great explanation of pornography which may not be suitable for here even tho it doesn't use rude words :) Awsome list of the wrong reasons to photograph people :umm: Its all just for fun :)
cheers
Jan

[jjphoto]

That sounds like an interesting book.

I love old photography (and gardening books), but generally from the 40's and earlier. It never ceases to amaze me that they are so cheap, no one wants them! Crazy.

JJ

[fastr1red]

Good find, I've scouted those shops for years for other books too, always a great resource.