Photography

Stevenmarc

(4,483 posts) Sun Aug 4, 2013, 04:12 PM Aug 2013

The Reclusive Peeping Tom Photographer and his Cardboard Camera

I saw the 2010 exhibition of his work at ICP and was reminded of it today when it popped up on my Facebook feed.

"Charming eccentric or tolerated local boogyman? The townspeople of Kyjov in Czech Republic could never quite decide. Miroslav Tichý took nearly a hundred photographs a day with his homemade camera, wandering around the streets of his hometown, often spotted at bus stops, the main square, the park and the swimming pool, although he was frequently arrested for lingering around the local pool taking pictures of unsuspecting women."

Tichý ground lenses out of plastic with toothpaste and ash, putting them together with cardboard toilet paper tubes, dressmaker’s elastic and old camera parts he found.

Link to article (note: there is a bit of nudity in a couple of the shots in the article but we're not talking tack sharp given the equipment)

http://www.messynessychic.com/2013/06/06/the-reclusive-peeping-tom-photographer-and-his-cardboard-camera/

6 replies

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The Reclusive Peeping Tom Photographer and his Cardboard Camera (Original Post) Stevenmarc Aug 2013 OP

I had read about him a couple of months ago Sherman A1 Aug 2013 #1

Yes from a technical standpoint Stevenmarc Aug 2013 #2

A pathetic predator postatomic Aug 2013 #3

Just curious if you view street photography as predatory as well? justiceischeap Aug 2013 #4

Your questions aren't relevant to the topic postatomic Aug 2013 #5

Please say more, at lest about the Aqualung part anyway. truedelphi Aug 2013 #6

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)

1. I had read about him a couple of months ago

Reply to Stevenmarc (Original post)

Sun Aug 4, 2013, 05:07 PM

Aug 2013

and I thought the work he did with the equipment he had was fascinating from a technical standpoint.

Stevenmarc

(4,483 posts)

2. Yes from a technical standpoint

Reply to Sherman A1 (Reply #1)

Sun Aug 4, 2013, 07:38 PM

Aug 2013

Last edited Mon Aug 5, 2013, 02:06 AM - Edit history (1)

It really is quite amazing. At ICP they had a couple of cases of his equipment on display and quite frankly it looked like the bottom gave way on someone's recycling bag.

I do have to add that the online reproductions of his work doesn't read as well as they do in person.

Also, some of the work does come off as a bit creepy but then there were quite a few subjects that actually posed for their shots probably because they just thought they were placating some crazy guy with a piece of cardboard, which in his case was a good strategy considering he doesn't have that warm and fuzzy Vivian Maier look going for him.

postatomic

(1,771 posts)

3. A pathetic predator

Reply to Stevenmarc (Original post)

Mon Aug 5, 2013, 04:24 AM

Aug 2013

Apparently many people are willing to give this guy a free pass only because he's the MacGyver of building cameras from junk. I immediately dismiss the photography because it represents the actions of a predator.

justiceischeap

(14,040 posts)

4. Just curious if you view street photography as predatory as well?

Reply to postatomic (Reply #3)

Mon Aug 5, 2013, 09:13 AM

Aug 2013

Or just if the subject of street photography is female. I'm stating no opinion on this guys work and practices, just curious about your statement.

postatomic

(1,771 posts)

5. Your questions aren't relevant to the topic

Reply to justiceischeap (Reply #4)

Mon Aug 5, 2013, 04:31 PM

Aug 2013

And they are leading.

The guy stalked and hunted women. He's a predator. A modern day Aqualung.

If you'd like to discuss 'Street Photography' I'd be happy to join in on the conversation.

truedelphi

(32,324 posts)

6. Please say more, at lest about the Aqualung part anyway.

Reply to postatomic (Reply #5)

Tue Aug 6, 2013, 01:06 AM

Aug 2013

I liked the song by Jethro Tull but never paid attention to the lyrics and ahve no idea who Al is or was.

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