“Well of course I come across as a little silly with my hair in this photo, but it looks threatening and that’s a good thing in my line of work. My name is Dr. Muthiam Chowdhury and I’m 51 years old. I’m a professor of philosophy at the New College. Can I ask you why you are taking these photos? Are you looking to become published?
What you are getting isn’t of any value if you’re looking to understand these people you know. I mean, you need to live like they do to really understand. Otherwise you’re just looking, just guessing. It’s only a shallow thing this photography. I’ve always felt that way. I don’t mean to be offending you, but it’s dialectically lacking in the Hegalian sense. There is no negative (the subject can’t talk back) and so no synthesis. There is no overcoming.
I had a brother Mujib who was quite a photographer. He used to take beautiful photos of our family trips. He had a keen eye for happiness, and I still have some of the photos. But you know, the heat here, and bad printing, so some of the photos are ruined. If my brother was alive, I would have introduced you to him. I think he would have liked to see what you’re doing. He understood the ambiguity of life far better than me. Oh, there is my bus!”
This is a fictitious interview. I didn’t actually meet this person. I’m making up a story for them to explore the idea of anonymity, and the lack of narrative in photos taken on the street.
Posted 2 years ago
