Episode 05: No Ordinary Look - A Photographic Take on Rear Window

For our first movie night, Vania (@surfmartian) and Eric (@conspiracy.of.cartographers) watch Hitchcock’s Rear Window. But before getting into it, we catch up a bit with each other. Vania found herself on the other side of the camera, while Eric contemplates the end of the season as well as a parking garage.

 

This week’s answering machine was full with calls from @kino_pravda, @kollimatorn, @hannah.grace.photo, @space_critter, and @elgatomagnifico. We asked how cinematography and the movies have affected their photography, and we were not disappointed. Were Dziga Vertov, Napoleon Dynamite and the Cartoon Network all mentioned? Of course they were.

 

Vania shares a bit about Kubrick and Eric feels the need to defend Rashomon.

 

We then put down the cameras and plop ourselves in front of the screen for the main feature: Rear Window. After a brief introduction, we give Hannah Drew, actor and film photographer, a call. As a trained actor (and untrained photographer) she offers a perspective we couldn’t have.

 

The talks winds from her own influences to the pros and cons of being a voyeur. We talk about why Hitchcock made Jimmy Stewart’s character a photographer and how “Jeff” was kind of a dick to Lisa, played by Grace Kelly. We ask if it’s okay to watch others, and what we can learn about our own lives through it.

 

Most importantly, we ask each other which of the neighbors we’re most like. Vania and Hannah answer with certainty while Eric just can’t decide. Classic Eric.

 

Following the call, Vania reviews Eric’s Exakta VX (the same camera used in the film). There is a bit of gear talk, but worry not.

 

We’re back to reviewing zines with Andrew D. McClees (@andrewdmcclees) Sneer and Self-Loathing being handled by Eric, while Vania takes on Film ‘n’ Hawaii by Mike Caputo (@aloha_bigmike).

 

We leave with the question: When it comes to action and sports photography, what have we lost in the conversion to digital?

 

Thanks for reading/listening!

 

Intro/outro music was provided by Last Regiment of Syncopated Drummers (@lastregiment)