Missed Moments of Violation
Penguin May 27th, 2008
Observation is, by nature, violating. As we build relationships, we build trust, and we become comfortable with people violating us. But with cameras, both photography and video, the violation is permanent because you have captured that moment.
For the most part, we’re okay with it. There are security cameras everywhere recording our every action. Our friends take pictures and videos of us. These are then put online for the world to see. Even some of our embarrassing or compromising shots, we’re okay about it. But what about those moments of distress and true vulnerability.
This past weekend, a kid I know got hurt doing an activity. I didn’t see it, nor was I that close to him when it happened. I was sitting off to the side when another kid told us that he was hurt. At first, I gave him his space. But when the ambulance came, I grabbed my camera and started filming.
Where is our responsibility as documenters of moments? Is it to the subject, our audience, or ourselves?
Subject – Our responsibility to the subject is to respect them. That means we need to be honest in the way we present them and what they are sharing. It’s so easy to manipulate people’s words or to present images that tell lies about the person.
Sometimes the subject will tell you to stop or turn off the camera. In those cases, I would definitely respect their wishes. What if they don’t know they’re the subject? Do you empathize and ask the question for them? The problem with this, is that we don’t know how they would respond. Each individual and culture is different and my answer may be different from the subject’s. An argument can be made for either side.
Audience – Our responsibility to the audience is to tell them the complete story, with all the grit and dirt that goes along with it. This doesn’t mean we should seek out grit and dirt if it isn’t there, but if we find it, we need to present it honestly and humbly.
Ourselves – Our responsibility to ourselves is to not compromise our values. We may be changed through the documenting process and from what we learn, but that’s not to say we are to change ourselves for the documentary.
Something about the ambulance that added drama to the story. Some people said what I did was terrible. Others commended what I was doing. But I don’t know where I stand. This was only 1 kid with a minor fracture. What if I’m confronted with something bigger? What will I do? Do I commit to the story and keep filming? Or do I draw the line and say that there are certain things I won’t film.
I don’t know.
-Penguin
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