Been thinking more and more about the importance of having a strong subjective point of view in my work.
Robert Frank in his book "The Americans" has a clear subjective statement to make, he knows what he wants to say and made photographs that told the story he wanted to tell.
Philip Jones Griffiths book "Vietnam Inc." is another example of a photographer who had a clear defining subjective way of looking at things then he worked towards telling that story in photographs.
Being objective and neutral creates work that is so so grey, you need to have a strong point of view something that drives you to work your ass off to make the important photographs to go that extra mile when your tired out and want to rest.
I think back to Dorthea Lange wonderful photograph of the desperate mother in the tent with her children during the depression. Lange was tired, exhausted and worn down when she drove past but then turned back to make this iconic image. She had something to say and her exhaustion was no excuse not to tell that story.
You need to have a burr under your saddle, a driving subjective force in your heart and mind to propel you into making great photography.
I might try to do a definitive book on prostitution in Thailand, to show all aspects of that world from Western sex tourism to the local brothel world. The most important part of the book would have to be the workers, to show them with respect and honesty, to tell their story.
