Portrait of an Activist...

[wilfredo]

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...sitting in my Harlem living room.

 

If I go by the response I got to my last photo thread ( http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/people/343283-american-wedding-when-harry-met-sally.html ) I suspect this photo will probably generate Zero, or little interest. I'm baffled by the sudden lack of enthusiasm for my work after many years of posting on this forum. I suspect there was a price to pay for recently posting photos that were perceived as sympathetic to the plight of Palestinians. No one wants to associate with an anti-Semite, and yes I've been called an anti-Semite, even though I was recently married by a Jewish Rabbi.

 

Perhaps my last thread of an American wedding was too ethnic to stomach? Perhaps in the eyes of some the subjects looked Muslim? Whatever the reason for the lack of response on my thread, it's obvious to me that I am being shunned.

 

Back to the present: My friend Albert, who I photographed this morning, is a crusader defending the rights of the LGBT community both locally and internationally. I'm a strong supporter of his work. He was happy with this portrait in my Harlem living room. I think this is a fitting portrait consistent with what I have posted in the past, and a good way to exit gracefully.

 

I want to thank all those with whom I have formed great ties on this forum. I've made some good friends over the years. Some of them have faded into the sunset, and no longer post their photos here, and I think it's time for me to fade as well. It's been great. I have some ideas for a photo blog I want to pursue, if you are interested send me a PM.

 

I'm including a traffic signal photo I took last night in the hood. It somehow feels symbolic of the diminished interest in my photos since the invasion of Gaza.

 

Happy and meaningful shooting to Leica fans everywhere!

 

Cheers!

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Edited August 22, 2014 by wilfredo

[schmolinski]

Wilfredo, I like this portrait a lot. His presence and mentally absence works very well for me.

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[Michael Hiles]

I like the informal portrait - I'll bet he is like this picture.

 

On the other matters, I suspect you are mistaken about this forum's views. My posting get fewer responses than in the past. Unexplained. Perhaps the forum dynamic and participation is slowly changing - I don't know.

[A miller]

Wilfredo -

 

I think you are totally over-reacting. Many of my political views may be the polar opposite of yours (I'll venture to say perhaps more than anyone on this forum); but I love your photos nevertheless. And when time permits, I will continue to enjoy viewing them and commenting as time permits.

 

I am here simply to enjoy, share and discuss photography. Period.

 

Keep calm, and carry on!

 

Your friend,

 

Adam

[thighslapper]

Cheer up ......

 

I post with the anticipation of zero response ......

 

Luckily Stu and Paul are always there with a bit of encouragement and I am regularly saved by them from chucking my camera gear in the bin.......

 

Anyway .... stay true to your conscience and emotions and just keep plugging away .... if it means something to you then just post it and even if a single response happens only occasionally it is still worthwhile .... no comment doesn't mean it hasn't touched someone, somewhere .....

[DigitalHeMan]

Wilfredo,

 

It would be a shame to see you go. I for one enjoy your photos and commentaries, even if I don't comment every time. I am also baffled as to why some photos get comments, and others don't. I'm sure it's not just about the artistic quality. The last two shots I posted only got a comment from Paul, not even Stu this time! I also made the decision after that not to post photos on the forums anymore - I'll remain active in the forum of course.

[schmolinski]

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I like the informal portrait - I'll bet he is like this picture.

 

On the other matters, I suspect you are mistaken about this forum's views. ... Perhaps the forum dynamic and participation is slowly changing - I don't know.

 

Yep, that Is what I also think. Many of the forum embers I found on facebook. I don't understand why they are porting there more than here. The response there I feel is even less thank here.

 

And what I have recognized is the responses in the summer here are even less than during winter time...

So keep on and don't worry.

[Timmyjoe]

Wilfredo,

 

I'd be very sorry to see you go. I have always appreciated your work, and appreciated your point of view. As a fellow supporter of a Palestinian homeland, while at the same time respecting the right of Israel to exist, I think we need to put our work out there, and let people take it as they will. Many won't agree with us, but that is the way of the world.

 

I always try to remember what I call the "grand bargain", our talents are a gift from the Gods, what we do with them is our gift to the Gods. Please keep sharing your gifts.

[stuny]

Wilfredo -

 

Terrific shots, and you know how I feel about your decision to leave.

[MarkP]

I would like to echo Adam's sentiments. He beat me to it as I only just saw this thread.

 

The Palestinian/ Israeli demonstration photos were always going to be controversial, but I don't believe there has been any anti-Muslim sentiment here whatsoever.

 

Personally, I've been busy with work and sick kids and haven't been posting that much at all. I tend to spend time on the equipment side of the forum and then the photo side and then back again.

 

Your excellent photos have always demonstrated both the emotion of your subjects and the emotion with which you see them through your camera. Keep posting please.

 

Regards

Mark

 

 

Ps I really like these two but didn't interpret the second one as you did.

Edited August 23, 2014 by MarkP

[wilfredo]

I genuinely appreciate the sentiments posted here, it demonstrates that there are people of deep caliber on this forum, and that is what's kept me here over the years as well as the support I've gotten from many of you for my photos. I also enjoy supporting others, and recognizing some of the great photos I've seen here that have inspired me to pick up the camera when I've gotten into a funk, or life has gotten too busy.

 

Yes, I suspect there is less traffic during the Summer, at the same time I'm convinced that some have consciously or unconsciously decided to ignore my threads, and this sets up a dynamic for the rest of the pack to follow. My wife says I shouldn't stop posting for the sake of people who live in a world of stupidity, it's not fair to the rest. She's probably right. I suspect I expect too much from a public forum, and that is an endemic problem in me, I'm always challenging the status quo and expecting to see change. The status quo is static.

 

You've all given me food for thought. I've gotten some encouraging PM's as well. My thanks to all those who resist the pack, and follow their own instincts!

[stuny]

Your lovely bride seems quite wise.

[sharookh]

Wilfredo -

 

Please don't deprive us of your beautiful images...... They are meant to be enjoyed and appreciated for their beauty.

[Brenton C]

A rabbi and an anglican priest! I would love to be a guest at your dinner table, though fear not--I wouldnt presume to invite myself. If ever you're in Calgary, though, you have a standing invitation to mine!

 

Briefly, I thought your photo series earlier wasnt pro Palestinian, but rather pro peace, featuring pro palestinian subjects.

 

'I'm frequently awed--daily really-- by the many exeptional photographers on this forum, and to my tastes you're among the greats, with so many pictures that stir feeling and provoke thought-- not always comfortable thoughts and feelings, but that's part of what's so good.

 

I'm pretty new here, but it'd be a loss, in my estimation, if we are deprived of your company here.

[jedi996sps]

I would like to echo Adam's sentiments. He beat me to it as I only just saw this thread.

 

The Palestinian/ Israeli demonstration photos were always going to be controversial, but I don't believe there has been any anti-Muslim sentiment here whatsoever.

 

Personally, I've been busy with work and sick kids and haven't been posting that much at all. I tend to spend time on the equipment side of the forum and then the photo side and then back again.

 

Your excellent photos have always demonstrated both the emotion of your subjects and the emotion with which you see them through your camera. Keep posting please.

 

Regards

Mark

 

 

Ps I really like these two but didn't interpret the second one as you did.

 

Haha have i missed some fun then?

 

Wilfredo, stay, dont go - and they are not the lyrics to my new song....

[robert_parker]

Hi Wilfredo

 

I'm really sorry to read your post above and I hope you don't choose to leave the forum, which would be a sad thing to see happen.

 

Your posts have always been interesting and I have always enjoyed your photography and hope to continue to do so.

 

It's quite usual to go through periods where you don't seem to be getting many comments and then things change back again, I wouldn't rush to infer a motive.

 

I do hope you continue posting.

 

Meanwhile, that's a really nice character study - if you get chance to photograph this gentleman again, I'd take a head and shoulders image a lot closer, as he has a face that would produce a great character study close in.