I Am A Camera

The following note appeared on 1/20/98 and was popularly denounced.

Media Monopoly Power

Recently, we have noticed a surge of discontent over the photographic work on this web site. Quite a few people have felt that the photos (and the dreaded annotations) do not portray them in the most favorable light (see example). Therefore, there is a campaign to get back at the web photographer.

Instance # 1: At a recent race, a hired gun took a picture of the web photographer himself, and submitted the photograph for publication. It goes without say that the request fell on deaf ears.

Instance # 2: In another case, a team member who was photographed without his shirt speculated what he might do when he gets his hands on the digital camera.

Well, folks, the point here is that power resides with those who control the media distribution channels. Your photographs are useless if you can't get them published in the right places. In this case, do you think that the web site guy (who is also the web photographer) will permit any of your nonsense? So be a good kid and just go home. If you feel frustrated, just do another four mile loop. It is better for you! Okay?

In the interest of fair play, we have relented and hereby publish the previously suppressed photograph of the web cameraman, who is shown here as being ready to spring into action as a smiling, unsuspecting John Gleason approaches.

(Photo Credit: Stuart Calderwood)

Note: The Media Victimizer Shield Law requires that we cover the face of the individual with a blue dot.

In spite of (or because of) the unlikelihood of ever getting pictures of the web photographer being published here, people have persisted in their efforts.

Here is a contribution from Doug Kabbash, taken at the 1998 Run for the Rainforest 5K. 

Analysis:

In the Kabbash photo, the web photographer is clearly a cooperating player, displaying his camera.  However, his face is barely visible under the shadow cast by his cap.   So is this the real reason why he is usually seen wearing different kinds of headgear?  Will this inspire other Central Park Track Club runners to wear protective gear too?

And here is a contribution from Sylvie Kimché, taken at the 1998 Annual Club Softball game.  The web photographer is honored by the presence of the Jud Santos.

Analysis:

In the Kimché picture, both people are smirking.  The object in their vision is unknown.  What could it be?  Could the softball game really be such a comedy of errors?  Was Alan Ruben just caught lbw for nought?  Was Tony Ruiz talking trash again?  Or could they smirking self-consciously in acknowledgement of the other camera person?

FAN MAIL

Dearest Most Beloved:

We want to express our profound gratitude for that flattering picture that you took of us at the 10 mile run two Saturdays ago --- so we are sending special pictures that we have of you!!!

• Picture 1: The evil web photographer prepares to crush the Earth in the palm of his hand.
• Picture 2: Roland is going to need super powerful legs to escape our wrath.

Sincerely yours ...
(name withheld)

Our response is in this .wav file

(1/19/99)

(photo credit: Mary Olson)

At the 2000 Valentine's Day 5K, Mary Olson managed to snap a photo of the web photographer.  Unfortunately (and perhaps obviously so), the person underneath the bundle of clothing could have been anybody.  So typical ...