I think you may have misunderstood what I was referring to when I wrote that. My reasoning was that in the US, roughly half of the population support the current president, while the other half do not.
That was the basis for my assertion that vocally supporting one side generally pisses off supporters of the other side. Nothing more; nothing less.
Also, I do not believe I only associate with extremists (so don't be worried). I'm not sure if you folks are extremists or not, and you certainly are not the only people I associate with (wink). But that said, I have avoided expressing a
political stance one way or the other because as earlier stated, I visit this place and immerse myself in photography in part to escape from politics. But I was surprised when looking around at the different forums that there appears to be
more political topics than photography discussion here.
To put this all in context, my objective was to suggest we focus on photography if that is in fact, the real purpose of the "Open Photogrpahy Forum".
Knowing that people will obviously always have political disgreements, why drag that divisiveness into a photography forum?
When people get sick of constantly hearing politics and leave that behind and escape to a photography forum, they are not likely to stay if they find more of the same.
Hi Tim.
I’m one of the oldies here, currently in hibernation.
I do get what you say about the political bent shown here on OPF. A great deal of it isn’t factual so it has little relevance. Ts just people venting their opinions, often supported by statistics chosen according to their support for one side or another.
There are other strong influences here that others might find curious and distracting. There are few women as a starter. Those that show their face are dedicated aficionados who, to my recall, have never participated in political debate here, yet I’m sure they have opinions as well.
I often find myself expressing my valuable opinions on the manner in which women are ‘exposed’ here by some photographers in the name of art.
What I find quite fascinating is that I can bring about the best and worst of remonstration when I reflect on scantily clad women in my usual manner whereas I might cast aspersions on any Policelink figure and it goes almost unnoticed.
Such is the way of all people. Such, also, is the way of photography.
Allow me to be a little lyrical in my response.
Hopefully it will explain my position on photography and demonstrate that absolutely anything can be discussed in the light of a single photograph. Even politics.
Might I suggest you write about what you know and value. The rest will see your enthusiasm and respond accordingly.
OPF has a hard core of writers. Small in number and varied in talent, knowledge and opinion. It’s a worthwhile place to spend some time.
The Photograph
I am
The sum of all things.
An experience
To be had.
A gesture,
In return, a contemplative motion.
A token of intellectual exchange
Casually accepted
To be read and reflected
We meet again
Next week perhaps
The coffee is good here.
The photograph, in its entirety, is nothing, more or less, than an image.
It’s value and worth is extrinsic. The coincidence of time and place, the geometry of visual perspective, the form and context of the structures and objects in place, the internal narrative of the photographer, and finally, the essence derived by the viewer are all part of the experience.
The photograph is the conduit for reality to become imaginative.
The photograph is taken as the sum of all things that have taken place up to that point. Then we pause for a moment to reflect on its significance. The photograph is worthless without its connectivity.