http://www.lightstalkers.org/a-question-on-time-and-photojournalism An entire Lightstalkers thread via RSS/XML. en-us We cannot escape death. The moment we are born, we are destined to die. Each moment in the passage of time marks a step towards ‘the other side’. Does this knowledge impact on your work, your outlook on life or what you aim to achieve today or in your lifetime? Any thoughts? Love and peace, Jenny Sat, 17 May 2008 06:54:00 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/a-question-on-time-and-photojournalism Except for the fact that taking a photograph is a way to transcend death and reach immortality (???), no, the knowledge of my imminent death hasn't affected my life (until now?). Basically I'm not trying to be a good person because I'm going to die but because I think it's better for everyone. "John":http://www.johnvink.com Thu, 15 May 2008 07:05:00 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/a-question-on-time-and-photojournalism#121392 Hi John! How are you? Reaching immortality through photography - I'd give a ??? to too. Learning to live each day in peace alongside others and cherishing each moment (whether with a camera in one's hand or not) is what I give a thumbs up to!!! Wishing you a wonderful day! Jenny Thu, 15 May 2008 07:23:38 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/a-question-on-time-and-photojournalism#121393 i got caught up in a riot in drc, my thoughts on death at the time were hopes of a painless passing but fear of death strangely not... i hope that my wife and kids will be okay. i also hope that the images in my camera at the time will speak fluently of the time. Thu, 15 May 2008 07:25:16 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/a-question-on-time-and-photojournalism#121394 John R, Are you used to 'being close to death' in your work or was the drc riot a rarity for you to be involved in? Jenny Thu, 15 May 2008 08:15:01 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/a-question-on-time-and-photojournalism#121395 interviewer: do you want to achieve immortality through your work? woody allen: no, i want to achieve immortality through not dying. death is the fundamental parameter to existence. in order to live fully i think you have to come to terms with it, to make it present in some way. but a healthy attitude towards death is slowly being expunged from western society; doesn't gel with the slick omnipotence of free-market consumerism. Thu, 15 May 2008 09:42:23 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/a-question-on-time-and-photojournalism#121399 i have found myself in crisis quite often jenny, i kind of rational my way through, in the end if death comes there is not much that i can do about it. i try to do the job at hand to the best i can, plan as best as i can, look back when i can and say wow! drc was a riot in the best ways too, such a crazy place! peace, salaam. Thu, 15 May 2008 10:37:39 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/a-question-on-time-and-photojournalism#121403 a couple of days ago i discovered this very moving work: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/gallery/2008/mar/31/lifebeforedeath?picture=333325401 Thu, 15 May 2008 11:12:36 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/a-question-on-time-and-photojournalism#121405 Thanks Dana. Thu, 15 May 2008 11:37:58 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/a-question-on-time-and-photojournalism#121407 dana - extraordinary set of pictures, thanks for the link. death is so often compared to sleep, but apart from one or two, these people so not look asleep to me ... you can see that something has left them. Thu, 15 May 2008 12:14:07 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/a-question-on-time-and-photojournalism#121409 moving, i did a series on my mother over the last 18 months of her life, the photo i took just after she died had the same emptyness about it. Thu, 15 May 2008 12:55:12 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/a-question-on-time-and-photojournalism#121413 La Muerte, Photography in certain ways takes,(people or things) the right to die or maybe disappear in a corporal way, because of a matter of time, exposure,pixels, etc. I was doing some pictures on the road and thought a lot about that; (http://www.digitalrailroad.net/SouthCone/gpgs.aspx?pgid=16173748&e=0&p=0) It's nice to know that death's there, besides every culture has it's own way to feel it. meanwhile i only know living and i love it, cheers. Patricio Thu, 15 May 2008 13:02:53 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/a-question-on-time-and-photojournalism#121416 A solo mountain climber got lost in Japan in January. He survived after 2 or 3 days of wandering, but his thoughts were he should not or could not die because of his mother. People are more likely to die if they decide to give up or photography or something else becomes more important than one`s life. Thu, 15 May 2008 13:23:43 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/a-question-on-time-and-photojournalism#121422 Ultimately we will all die. We have no idea why we were born or the reason why we are alive. Some find comfort in religious beliefs and this gives them solace. Being a secular humanist myself this does not provide neither an answer nor solace of any kind. I try to approach my work as some kind of document to leave behind, some tangible proof that I was once here. Are they great photos? That does not matter, that will be someone else's opinion. Life is what it is for each one. No one handed me a handbook. My job is to try to make sense of it by myself. Some choose painting, medicine,Scientology,Budhism,drugs, you name it. Some of us chose to make photographs. That is the tool I use to navigate. It's not Life itself. But in terms of mortality coloring my work,no. John Vink has it right I think. You should be a good, decent person because you can and you should not because of some kind of spiritual "reward". THAT is the moral imperative. Thu, 15 May 2008 15:46:48 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/a-question-on-time-and-photojournalism#121441 A cheerful little subject Jenny ! Reminds me of the cynical printer I used to work with many years ago on a local paper. At around 5 o'clock he sometimes used to say "Oh well, another day over, another step nearer the grave". I guess as you get older the thought does occur that time is running out. But to quote Woody Allen,(again), "I'm not afraid of dying. I just don't want to be there when it happens". Fri, 16 May 2008 06:27:35 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/a-question-on-time-and-photojournalism#121467 yea ............................................................................................................. http://www.artouko.com/gfre/ Fri, 16 May 2008 06:46:57 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/a-question-on-time-and-photojournalism#121470 Lessons in Death and Life by Dave LaBelle Fri, 16 May 2008 13:11:18 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/a-question-on-time-and-photojournalism#121491 Am I going to die? Yes. Is there anything I can do to prevent this from happening, other than eating mueslix with soy milk three times a day and who the hell wants to do that? No. Then why worry about it? Fri, 16 May 2008 14:03:16 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/a-question-on-time-and-photojournalism#121499 Can't do crap about the beginning or the stupid end, so I concentrate on the middle. Fri, 16 May 2008 14:17:54 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/a-question-on-time-and-photojournalism#121501 just do what you can accomplish right now! Who knows whats going to happen in the next moment. Fri, 16 May 2008 16:36:32 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/a-question-on-time-and-photojournalism#121515 Thanks for your thoughts so far... Dana: Yes, it's that something that's left the body that that so interests me. To be living is a gift, easy to take for granted, to loose perspective. I recently saw a film along the lines of the 'lifebeforedeath' sequence here that I very much doubt would be aired back home - i think it's a cultural thing, as David Sutherland says. John WR: Your words made me giggle - so English! They remind me of old Blighty... Peace and Live It! Jenny Fri, 16 May 2008 20:22:56 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/a-question-on-time-and-photojournalism#121538 For a great book about death rituals have a look at Vivir la Muerte, by bastienne schmidt. Limitations are important. We tend to think of them as obstacles, but in fact Jesus got it right: the stumbling block is what frees you. Remember that Miles Davis became Miles Davis because he couldnt become Dizzy Gillespie. Fri, 16 May 2008 20:41:48 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/a-question-on-time-and-photojournalism#121539 Jon: And neither could Miles Davis or Dizzy Gillespie become CelloMan - his harmonious blend of jazz, world and classical music that rocks your body and stirs your soul.... John R: Yes, may it be a WOW!!! Peace, Jenny Fri, 16 May 2008 22:45:05 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/a-question-on-time-and-photojournalism#121549 Jamie: I've been thinking on your words. Yes, it would be nice to be remembered, and to know that what you are doing will help - if not now, then in the future. I feel so at peace when I photograph but to be where I am doesn't make any sense, and yet, I feel sure this is where I'm meant to be. I just hope I will not look back with regret for being separated from my family for so long - 2 years now. I can see the images in my mind that mean most to me - they're in the family albums. It's a great pity they don't understand what motivates me. We agree on it being about 'duty', but don't share the same ideas on where our duties lie. Thanks so much for all your comments. Please add some more... Jenny Sat, 17 May 2008 06:54:00 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/a-question-on-time-and-photojournalism#121561