Moments of Interaction, Emotion and Intimacy – Doug Menuez

There’s no wonder we’re struggling with authenticity. We’ve been dealt a line of crap so many times we

don’t believe as much of what we see and less of what we hear. What started as a 70’s T-shirt, “question authority”, has morphed into a societal mantra, “question reality.”

Undisputed credibility was considered the providence of photography, but genuineness is no longer that accessible; it’s not as easy to recognize when you’re being deceived into believing something. We settle for realism and hope we aren’t taken for too big a fool.

Mom used to tell me, “Never pretend to be someone you’re not”. That was 40 years ago. Today there are elementary lessons about judging accuracy from spin or truthfulness from propaganda. In the hierarchy of skill sets skepticism has move to the top tear. Photography’s relevance is shifting.

The medium that was used to prove reality is in the position to be a master deceiver; counterfeit authenticity. Photography is morphing further into illustrated reality. The “transparency” of the medium is nearly invisible.

I’m not sure all this matters except in a nostalgic sense. The savvy among us learn to read an agenda in symbolic moments. What matters is reciprocity.

We run from the loud broadcaster and tire of stoicism. The compelling is that which binds us.  It’s those 7 literary story plots that are common in our experiences and found in the moments available to capture.

“All of my work is about trying to find some element of what it feels like to be alive as a human being on this planet.” … “I’m always looking for moments of interaction, emotion and intimacy.” … “”it’s really little subtle moments of interaction that explains the connections we have”– Doug Menuez

There’s a small percentage of professionals who consistently embrace a viewpoint that extends reciprocity to me as an artist – Doug Menuez is one of those. In this video interview, Doug explains in clear language what is enduringly authentic about photography. He explains – beyond nostalgia and manipulation – what I believe is the timeless future of photography.

Doug was also a speaker at TEDx San Francisco in Nov. 2009. In his TED presentation he talks about his life as a photographer, how it has changed him and his project Fearless Genius about silicone valley.