Photographer urges no-photo day (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

A photographer from Brighton in southern England is urging the people of the world to take a day out and stop taking pictures.

Becca Bland has launched "non-photography day" - planned for 17 July - through a website together with a sticker and flyposter campaign in various cities in England.

Ms Bland told BBC World Service's Culture Shock programme that the idea has "gone global" with interest in Manchester, Leeds, London and Brighton, and even further afield in Australia and Japan.

She explained that she wanted people to "put your camera down and appreciate the moment you are in".

"Experience life in an unmediated fashion, without anything in front of your eyes. Live in the moment," she added.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/5121856.stm

[RagingInMiami]

1. I'm a photographer and the last thing a photographer wants to hear

is someone telling him that he can't take photos.

[eppur_se_muova]

3. Didn't say can't -- just said "give it a break for a day". nt

[RagingInMiami]

6. I know what it said, but I don't understand the concept

I can understand give up your car for a day. Give up meat for a day. Give up spending for a day.

But give up photography? Since when is photography contributing to the downfall of society?

[JuniperLea]

2. I think it's a damn fool idea myself

A day without cameras is asking for trouble, imho.

[MADem]

7. Yep, that would be the day the Monkey picks his nose, his butt

and falls down the stairs!!!!!

[JuniperLea]

12. LOL!!!

:rofl:

[MorningGlow]

4. Would that apply to video cameras as well?

It breaks my heart to see folks with their eye plastered to a video camera--tourists who never actually enjoy the sights they're visiting, parents who feel compelled to capture their kids' sports competitions and plays for all eternity but not really enjoying them as they happen...ugh.

[dogday]

5. Sometimes the camera shows more than

the human eye can see, so in essence she has it backward....

[ContraBass Black]

8. How hard is it to enjoy oneself and take pictures?

I've never found it to get in the way.

[SteppingRazor]

9. Kind of a silly idea...

Leave it to someone who takes pictures all the time to say "Hey, I have an idea! Let's all stop taking pictures!" :eyes:

[atomic-fly]

10. i get what she's saying...

but sometimes making art is actually more vital than
being passive.
It really depends on the moment/situation.
If I had to choose to observe or shoot the
person I am in awe of which would i choose?
The picture lasts longer, but you miss the moment/eye contact/etc.

[RagingInMiami]

11. Does anyone actually glue the camera to their face?

I'm always taking photos and I always see the photos when the camera is not to my face, then quickly lift it up to my face, and snap away. Then I put the camera down again.

In my opinion, the camera gives you more of a tunnel vision of the actual moment. It's just you and the subject. It tunes the rest of the world out.