Rob Finch
Posted by Tim Gruber | Filed under Uncategorized
Rob Finch was at Ohio University the other night to give a talk. Along with being a humble person he’s a gifted and intimate storyteller. Rob’s website, blog, and a nice interview of him on APAD. One comment from his speech has really stuck with me:
Some stories tell themselves. Sometimes you don’t have to force it. (Paraphrasing there since I’m bad at writing in total darkness.)
At times I find myself getting caught up in what I’m trying to say and finding my own voice that I forget the voice that matters most; my subjects. One of the best gifts one can possess is the ability to listen. What are my subjects and this environment telling me? Telling honest and intimate stories comes with great care and responsibility. At times that means putting my camera down and just listening.
Recently I learned this lesson again when I was out working on my magazine assignment. A situation I was hoping to photograph never happened, but after a conversation with the couple I realized there was an issue to my story I never considered — personal safety.
The couple, thanks to concealed permits, carry with them two pistols. They also keep a shotgun in the RV. It was an issue that was never on my project roadmap until that conversation. It makes sense though since there are thousands of snowbirds boondocking(RVing without electric, water, sewer, or telephone hookups.) out in the middle of the desert all by themselves.
Thanks for the lesson Bob and Yvonne.
Further Reading:
Tags: photojournalism, school