An aspect of photography for which I strive, but don't always achieve, is an emotional reaction. Rarely do I take a photo that evokes such a strong, negative visceral reaction on my part or others. I was fairly certain that the photograph that I posted (Conflictions) would achieve that, and it did. I also want you all to know that I tried very hard to accurately describe my feelings, the confliction that I was feeling, and tried EXTREMELY hard to avoid the right-to-bear-arms and protection-of-personal-property debates (and, other debates). I was hoping that the conversation surrounding that photo might also focus on the emotions that others felt, which it mostly did... And, thanks for the clarification, Jim - I appreciate it! ;) =================== Your reaction here discredits the power of your image. It actually moved me, so I don't understand your need to feel political when I wasn't being so. David Dyer-Bennet wrote: On Fri, October 2, 2009 11:40, Trevor Cunningham wrote:Tim Mulholland - Conflicted: I dislike the border treatment, but the picture + story is powerful. Even without the story, there's a tragic nature to the image I find striking. Someone loved this person. Given limited background, I can only imagine how the person on the other side of the gun feels. If justified, I hope s/he had something worth protecting.Generally, you're legally justified in using deadly force in self-defense *only* if you're reasonably in fear of death or great bodily harm (it's a matter of state law in the US, so there are 50 answers just here). Every person has something "worth protecting"; that's the same sort of axiom as your statement that somebody loved the person pictured. All people are of value. When people are improperly present in other people's houses, things have already gone fairly severely astray. For the record, I have twice suppressed the urge to comment on non-photographic opinions about firearms matters that people have posted in commenting on this photo, and I feel that I'm being very very restrained this time. I really do not think that a discussion (never mind a debate) on actual firearms and self-defense law issues is appropriate or likely to be beneficial for this list. But to achieve that (lack of discussion), it's necessary for the exercise of restraint to be broad-based; I probably don't have enough restraint to do it all by myself. Please help me! (Also for the record, I think it's a strong photo, and the caption information adds to it. And it and the caption are not the parts I'm worried about / complaining about.) Tim! Tim Mulholland Illuminata Photo Fitchburg, WI 608.628.2925 TimMulholland.com Featuring fine art and stock landscape & nature images, and available to create and refresh your wedding and family memories... You can find me on FaceBook as Illuminata Photo Wedding examples at: http://illuminataphoto.zenfolio.com/weddings |