Paparazzi - DPChallenge Forums

08/17/2004 08:39:48 AM · #3

lift your head a bit to the left Paris, those look so real, why are you famous again?

Message edited by author 2004-08-17 08:40:35.

08/17/2004 08:46:21 AM · #4

I don't like this idea.

In fact, I loathe those types of celebrity 'candids'. I place 'Paparazzi' beneath the bottom of the barrel. They don't even warrant being called 'scum' in my book.

It's one thing to be at a public event and take pictures of celebrities, it's a whole differnt thing stalking celebrities as many of those 'people' do.

jonpink

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2

08/17/2004 09:58:47 AM · #5

Originally posted by Nelzie:

I admire them for their determination

cbonsall

Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM for Canon

08/17/2004 10:27:57 AM · #6

its not the papparazzi I have a problem with, they are just catering to a market, as loing as people keep buying the tabloid trash, they'll keep taking pictures

08/17/2004 10:31:54 AM · #7

Originally posted by jonpink:

Originally posted by Nelzie:
I don't like this idea.

In fact, I loathe those types of celebrity 'candids'. I place 'Paparazzi' beneath the bottom of the barrel. They don't even warrant being called 'scum' in my book.

It's one thing to be at a public event and take pictures of celebrities, it's a whole differnt thing stalking celebrities as many of those 'people' do.

I admire them for their determination

Which determination would that be? The determination to continue to take images of a dying celebrity that was involved in an accident that they were involved in causing.

I don't know if I could ever admire that kind of determination.

Like I said, it's one thing to be waiting at a public event and to start taking shots of celebrities and a whole different thing to stalk and hound a celebrity going about their everyday business. There is a fine line and one can justify it anyway they can, to me it's simply rude and depraved and close to skirting the law. (Note: I only said close, not exactly breaking the law.)

Personally, if I was out and about taking pictures and happened upon a celebrity, I might say hello if I literally bumped into him/her, I wouldn't rush to take a picture. Even if they offered to pose I would likely say, "Thank you very much for the offer, but that's not why I am out here today."

Celebrity pcitures are, for the most part, very boring, unless under the controlled environment of a studio or professional photoshoot. Since I am from a professional and don't even have a studio, snapshotting a celebrity isn't something I am interested in doing. Especially when that celebrity had no idea that such a thing could present itself and thus likely didn't get him/herself all ready for the opportunity, like at a celebrity event of some kind.

08/17/2004 10:35:36 AM · #8

Originally posted by cbonsall:

its not the papparazzi I have a problem with, they are just catering to a market, as loing as people keep buying the tabloid trash, they'll keep taking pictures

I don't know if it is catering to a market so much as creating and then perpetuating a market and then going to ever more outrageous stunts to get 'the shot' that will get them into the rags for a few days to a week.

I would be surprised if the tragic event involving Princess Diana and the Papparazzi isn't the last time something like that happens. There are bounds and for the most part Papparazzi don't respect, acknowledge or accept that there are bounds.

siggi

Canon EOS-10D

08/17/2004 10:43:41 AM · #9

I think its a good idea.
Diffrent from most other challenges.

jonpink

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2

08/17/2004 10:50:28 AM · #10

There are different types of paps, don't trnish them all with the same brush.

08/17/2004 11:05:58 AM · #11

Originally posted by jonpink:

There are different types of paps, don't trnish them all with the same brush.

What are the different types you are aware of? I am only aware of a few types of celebrity photographers myself.

There are those that only hang out at celebrity events, like opening nights and such... Those are 'Entertainment Photographers'. That's actually a respectable celebrity photographic job.

There are those that hang out at well-known and established celebrity hang outs. This is close to the line, but is very close to covering red carpet events, since it's a given that such a place is close to a celebrity event. This can be considered 'Entertainment Photography' as well, as long as it stays at that venue and is more or less relegated to the celebrity entrance more then anything else.

There are those that follow a celebrity everywhere they go, even to the point of tailing a celebrity in an automobile or motorcycle. These ones don't give a crap about any semblance of privacy and have been known to stop at nothing to get their shot. These are the Papparazzi, they hang out at all the above mentioned places, but they ignore bounds of what is decent and rationlize it all away by saying that those people are celebrities and they have no privacy because of that. These are the guys that will be there when the celebrities arrive at the 'celebrity nightclub' and then hang out all night long waiting to get more pictures of celebrities when they look their worst.

To me, those are the "Papparazzi" and those people know no shame, know no bounds and respect virtually nothing.

jonpink

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2

08/17/2004 11:14:06 AM · #12

I think you will find that most are actually assigned jobs by large agencies that they work for, such as "Hey Steve, go and shoot Britney Spears, she is in Florida somewhere, you have 1 week"

Yet there are some dodgy paps whom work alone and they do the night shift -from what I have heard these are the weirdos.

Also you have the age old pro who has spent the last 25 years in the South terminal of Heathrow Airport.

Not everyone is an obtrusive hound.

I know a few paps in London who have worked with (well alongside :D) the worlds most famous celebrities, and you would be surprised at the stories you hear.

Take it from me, 90% of those images in tabloids are arranged by the celebs PR companies.

It's relatively easy for a celeb to get him / herself out of the limelight.

blindjustice

Canon EOS-7D

08/17/2004 01:27:06 PM · #13

I guess in suggesting this you really aren't saying people should actually harass celebs are you?

Are you saying that the chalenge should be a mock-up papparazzi shoot style shot?- that would be fun- but, caveat... we wouldn't want to fopp about and have Britain lose another ex-princess, would we?

Message edited by author 2004-08-17 13:27:51.

LoudDog

Nikon AF DC Nikkor 135mm f/2.0D

08/17/2004 02:04:06 PM · #14

Originally posted by blindjustice:

lift your head a bit to the left Paris, those look so real, why are you famous again?

You didn't see her movie?

DJLuba

Nikon D2Xs

08/17/2004 02:04:46 PM · #15

Originally posted by blindjustice:

Correct. No celebs needed, just catch a true candid moment or the spirit of a Paparazzi shot.

The photograph should be voyeuristic in nature.

LoudDog

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

08/17/2004 02:13:05 PM · #16

Originally posted by Nelzie:

I would be surprised if the tragic event involving Princess Diana and the Papparazzi isn't the last time something like that happens. There are bounds and for the most part Papparazzi don't respect, acknowledge or accept that there are bounds.

I'm sure the fact that her driver was drunk and speeding had nothing to do with her death...

frisca

Nikon D70

08/17/2004 02:16:27 PM · #17

I think this is a cool topic for a challenge! (Despite the strong feelings about real paparazzi)

birdyblue

Panasonic DMC-FZ20

08/17/2004 02:26:37 PM · #18

What about a "Tabloid" picture instead of "Papparazzi"? It's not as negative and doesn't require just photos of people.

Message edited by author 2004-08-17 14:27:47.

Alecia

Canon EOS-10D

08/17/2004 02:30:50 PM · #19

ugh. being a magazine junkie, i have to admit that even hearing the word paparazzi makes me cringe. my mind is filled with images of cruddy snapshots such as celebrities coming out of grocery stores, shopping malls, having lunch, playing on the beach, you name it...but essentially trying to live normal lives without people cataloging every move they make. i realize that the famous must sacrifice a good bit of their anonymity, but i think it is sad that there are the scavengers out there that use them to put a buck in their pocket.

Now, while it is true that not all the shots we see are done by freaky scavenger paparazzi, and many are set up by the PR firms, enough are that it is an impediment on the lives of these celebrities. Sure they can hide (most of the time) if they want to, but who wants to live a live of seclusion, not be able to eat in public or take your kids to the park, etc? Most just suck it up and deal with it i imagine, but i'm sure it has to be a pain. Ironically i just read an article last week (had to go find the magazine) called *confessions of a paparazzo*. basically this guy says that he has "bent the law, made actresses cry, had his car damaged, and been swung at by hot tempered dudes-- all in the pursuit of a juicy picture". he goes on to say how he and his partner crash weddings, dig in trash cans to find party invitations,etc, etc. the article also listed all kinds of paparazzi slang such as "hose them down"--which means repeatedly using a flash in a darkened club or restaurant to stun a subject. i mean, that's just gross! this is certainly a case of ethics as far as i am concerned, but besides that, i just think it is sad that people stoop that low just to get a picture of someone famous. maybe it is all about the thrill of the chase or living on the edge or whatever, but heck. i'd much rather work for a company that allowed me access to these people and get a beautiful real shot, or even get a gorgeous shot of some non famous person, than to get some basic snapshot of gweneth paltrow pushing her baby carriage. and to me, most (not all of course, but most) of the paparazzi shots we see are just that, basic snapshots that would prolly score about a 3 here on dpc.

ok, enough opinion, it's back to work for me! :)

DJLuba

Nikon D2Xs

Nikon AF DC Nikkor 135mm f/2.0D

08/17/2004 02:57:01 PM · #20

Originally posted by Alecia:

called *confessions of a paparazzo*. basically this guy says that he has "bent the law, made actresses cry, had his car damaged, and been swung at by hot tempered dudes-- all in the pursuit of a juicy picture". he goes on to say how he and his partner crash weddings, dig in trash cans to find party invitations,etc, etc. the article also listed all kinds of paparazzi slang such as "hose them down"--which means repeatedly using a flash in a darkened club or restaurant to stun a subject. i mean, that's just gross! this is certainly a case of ethics as far as i am concerned, but besides that, i just think it is sad that people stoop that low just to get a picture of someone famous. maybe it is all about the thrill of the chase or living on the edge or whatever, but heck.

Excellent! Now get this all wrapped up in a good looking photo. I bet it isn't easy. I'd like some motivation to try.

ggbudge