patty connelly
@pattyconnellyfoto1d
Richard Sandler's Take on Cell Phones in Street
I listened to an interview with Richard Sandler on the Eyeshot podcast and this is quote from the episode: "I have a very difficult time putting anybody who is on a cell phone in any of my pictures because they're not there - they are not in the game anymore." What do you think? Can we still make interesting photos WITH cell phones in the shot?
One part of me thinks it's no different to someone reading a newspaper or book, but it's so prevalent in society that it has become quite boring to look at.
Like with anything, though, it depends on the circumstances. Jeff Mermelstein's series on phones was interesting.
I agree, at times I wished people didn’t lock into them everywhere out in the street, trains, etc. But it’s also a sign of the times and similar to a newspaper or a book from older photos in a way.
If the purpose of street photography is to capture society during a time and place, people on phones are a big (almost integral) part of that in the current time.
As @heroesforsale it is all about the context in which you are taking the photo.
I'm part way through a project on phone addiction in kids. Phones are highly addictive and pretty damaging IMO. Parents would be wise to treat them as they would any other highly addictive substance.
I think you can make interesting photos about pretty much anything, some subjects are just harder than others. Maybe it should be a street assignment 🤣
edited
Got my Garry Winogrand double with the phone here :D
I also watch a clip of the Sandler eyeshot podcast, what I found is really interesting is that Bruce Gilden say a similar thing back in his famous video here:
That the people are lost in thought, I think this is kinda the same right? Only without Phones in thier hand.
I generally think the "person on phone" as subject is not compelling. I'd put it in the same category as "person walking through some kind of light/architectural feature". People walk through space and use their phones, and therefore it's the kind of thing that's always happening so it's easy to photograph. That's not to say that you can't make a good photo with such an element in the picture, but it's the exception that makes the rule.
Good point.
Glad I am not the only one!
I think the problem with photos of people on their phones is that it’s become such a normal part of everyday life that it no longer feels like an unusual moment. It’s a bit like photographing people walking down the street—something we all do every day, so the act itself isn’t especially interesting. Of course, a photograph of someone walking, or doing something equally mundane, can be a great image if there’s something else in the frame that adds interest, tension, humour, emotion, or meaning.
With people on their phones, there’s the added challenge that they’re often completely absorbed in the screen, which can make it difficult to capture much visible emotion or interaction.
Perhaps in ten years’ time, when phone use has evolved into something else, these photographs will carry more significance as documents of a particular era. But I’m not convinced that future context alone is enough to make them compelling photographs
My example of someone walking and a phone
I think Richard is welcome to that opinion or perspective. My take on it is that documentary or street photography is about capturing the time that we are in presently. In this particular point in time, that involves people on their devices. Who knows what will be the norm in another ten years. We deal with the now as it is, not as we want it.
It always depends on the person and situation. The majority will be boring but sometimes there’s interesting subjects on their phones but personally I’m more and more selective.
I was thinking about this idea and remembered I have this shot, which I like largely because of the phones in the frame. They create a nice contrast with the lad who seems to be simply enjoying the sunshine. People using phones can sometimes provide an interesting contrast to those who aren’t, if they are doing something more visually engaging, I guess.
Looking at images (not just here) of people on mobiles, the vast majority of them are not smiling or giving off anything that would be considered positive. It's always a serious look on the face, which, as has been said, is what is happening at that time but it's beginning to look like an unusual photo of someone on a mobile, would be a happy face. So, will look out to see if people do smile when on their phones but it won't be a project. 🙂
Had to share such an image taken by @gilkreslavsky on IG.
It's a sign of our times.
I imagine that at some point in the future, people will look back at these photos with curiosity of why everyone is holding and staring at them so much
