query

[igorxa]

so how would you feel about having your loved one's funeral photographed? in a documentary fashion, of course.

Comments

[princessmargo]

I think I would not like it.

[igorxa]

what would you not like about it?

[princessmargo]

People are not their best at funerals; they're sad and trying to keep it together. Or they're not particularly sad but trying to look appropriately sad. I know it's a tradition for some cultures to take photos of the remains in the casket, but I just don't think it's necessary--the person never looks lifelike. It's macabre.

I guess if you're shooting it like a wedding reception with lots of candids and stuff I can understand.

I guess I can't really define why I wouldn't like it except that I personally hate funerals and wouldn't want documentary evidence.

[igorxa]

i think my hate of weddings has pushed me into really, really liking funerals. i feel weird just saying that now. people not looking their best is part of the reason, though. for me, at least, most of the weddings i've shot seem to be giant parades of "emotion," lots of pomp and circumstance with no real substance. everybody's happy because they're supposed to be. but with funerals you get to see people raw. i find it more telling to see someone's uninterested eyes when they're looking somber instead of when they're smiling. funerals hold more human interest for me. you know what else i really like? airports. i LOVE airports. always have. it's the only other public place i've found where people are at their most truly emotional. i wish i could get permission to photograph at airports. but then the tsa would lock me away for ever.

[gothicbeauty21]

I'm Southern, we take the funerals seriously but as a celebration of life, and healing through grief. Depending on the shots and the photographer, I can see how it could be appreciated. But it's all in how it's handled.

[igorxa]

good point. typical christian funerals are usually a celebration and reunion time for the families involved. discretion would be paramount (no flash, minimal noise, minimal distraction, etc.), as well as respect.

[gothicbeauty21]

I can definitely see a potential market.

[zophos]

I always thought it was weird that some of my family members took cameras to funerals/burials. I'm not sure if I would mind it being done as a documentary or not... Annie Leibovitz's photos of Susan Sontag are inspiring but that's a little more personal.

[igorxa]

amy tells me it's traditionally a southern thing, and predominantly a black thing (please don't call me racist for that remark, dear readers) to have portraits taken of the corpse in the casket. i find that a little jarring, but interesting all the same. mostly i just hate weddings because, from experience, most of the emotion is overdone or fake. at funerals everything seems raw and real. after the last couple of funerals i've been to, i'm considering cornering the market on funerals here in memphis, assuming there is a market.

[nile_red]

I think I would not mind it. Having recently been through a loved one's funeral...

[evel]

I think if it was someone that was not close to the deceased taking pictures, I would feel upset. I think I'd view it as profiting from their death (even if the 'profit' is only in the form of pictures.)