“All photography is exploitative and voyeuristic” -Walker Evans By Gerry Burton and Kinga J Burakowska

Definitions Voyeurism: a perversion in which a person receives sexual gratification from seeing the genitalia of others or witnessing others' sexual behaviour . - Wordnetweb.com Exploitation: The action or fact of treating someone unfairly in order to benefit from their work.

“Don’t become married to your beliefs”. Walker Evans (1903-1975) –an American Photographer best known for his work of documenting the effects of the Great Depression. Passionate reader and writer (Time magazine), an Editor at ‘Fortune’ and professor of photography of the faculty for Graphic Design.

The Situation 1936-1969

In Evan's time, there was a lot going on, and methods of showing what's going on in the world was scare. In modern times, we always know what's going on through the use of the internet. There's cctv everywhere, phones are tabbed and we tend not to blink an eye. It has become the norm.

Michael Katakis-A versatile voyager over the past three decades, Michael Katakis is keen in portraying images that speak with a strong social integrity.  “I want to say that taking such photographs means not just spotting a line or movement. It is something else — you can call it humanity or empathy. For me, it is simply to have a heart. I am not a voyeur. I’m an observer and I step in the situation or circumstances that make up the context of my photographs. If you want to take a real photo, move closer. This is the secret. “

Walker Evans / Michael Katakis

  John Falconer, Lead Curator of Visuals Arts at the British Library wrote; “there is not a voyeuristic documentary... but a record charting... the characteristics of human society which bind rather than separate.” Furthermore he says that there is a shared and “continuing determination to speak out in the cause of both tolerance and honour and not to become a silent accessory to injustice.”

‘I am not a voyeur, as voyeurs photograph through closed windows and with me the window is always wide open’ Nan Goldin

New York photographer Arne Svenson snapped his neighbours in their homes without permission – and has just won a court case under his First Amendment rights. Svenson says the verdict was "a great victory for the rights of all artists"

‘There is a popular notion that the photographer is by nature a voyeur, the last one to be invited to the party. But I am not crashing; this is my party. This is my Family, my Friends.’ Nan Goldin

Irina Porpova's controversial family album Russian photographer Irina Porpova spent months with a drug abusive couple and their little child with the couple's permission. The reaction from the public was angry, accusing Porpova of exploiting the couple. Her aims were however different, as she was aiming to capture beauty rather than exploit and judge them.

“The spoonful of honey in a barrel of tar”

They're not exploiting, they're capturing reality.

All Photography is Exploitive and Voyeuristic? Street, Documentary, Fashion. Food? Sport? Wedding? Portraiture? Fine Art?

A Photo Has Aims To Immortalise a Memorable/Beautiful Moment

A Photo/Photographer doesn’t specifically make the image exploitive and Voyeuristic,it can become converted from it's original purpose by the viewers/public. Social Networking Objectivity

The personal, ethical and moral decisions of the photographer and their objectivity, are what creates the image, and the personal thoughts/interpretations of the viewer, may distort the image.

“Don’t become married to your beliefs.” -Walker Evans Where creativity is always lead to be open minded, we should understand that there is no rule or statement that is set in stone, therefore each work piece should be viewed with an original and open mind.