When it comes to inspiration for my bi-monthly Debriefs, I’m always looking to find bits of information that I find interesting so that I can piece them together with a film to make a point, or open a door to perceive something a new way. The night that I posted Debrief XIII, my girlfriend and I were spending our night together; I was watching Rodgers and the Packers dismantle the Falcons while Kirsten was focussing on her readings for an elective course on popular culture and religion. Kirsten says to me “Oh listen! This is you.” and proceeds to read an excerpt from her text (Mallory Nye’s Religion: The Basics, 2nd ed.).

“It can be argued that secular ideologies such as Marxism (or Communism) have developed to fulfill the roles and functions that were previously filled by religion, or otherwise that nationalism has provided a new set of ‘gods’ for many in the western and non-western world. Others have looked elsewhere, to the general national and state culture, or ‘civil religion’, which seeks to create a sense of religion that binds together those of many different religious backgrounds, as well as none. It is also suggested that new cultural manifestations have emerged to fill this gap, particularly sport- such as football, soccer, or baseball – or the power of film and cinema. All of these appear to be substitutes for the function or role that has been taken by ‘conventional religions’ in the past. In this way, they could be called quasi-religions for a post-traditional, post-modern, and secularized world.”

I laughed. Anyone who knows me personally knows that my two obsessions are film and professional sports. I wake up every morning praying to ESPN and wind up praying to IMDB before I sleep that night. I am inspired by the characteristics of individual athletes and do use them as role models, but I’ve never considered any athlete my idol. Further, my respect (worship, if you will) of the cinema is almost entirely for the work done behind the camera. I acknowledge and deeply appreciate when an actor takes his or her role to the next level, but I’m wholly indifferent to the actors themselves. In fact, I reject the entire celebrity culture. I’m aware of the thriving industry behind knowing exactly where Keira Knightley ate her last seventeen meals, or finding out just how often Brad Pitt thinks about poor old Jennifer Aniston. I suppose I understand, but I’m not sure if I really do comprehend the deification of celebrities. All this lead me to seek out a documentary I’d been meaning to watch – Leon Gast’s Smash His Camera – a documentary about the infamous paparazzi photographer Ron Galella, which won Gast best director at Sundance in 2010.

The documentary tells of the career of Ron Galella, a man who might be considered a pioneer for the type of paparazzi we are accustomed to in this day and age. Ron started shooting in New York in the 60s. The doc splits it’s time between examining the staggeringly large collection that Galella has shot over the years and the ethics behind privacy and stalking. In particular, the doc delves further into the relationship and eventual trial between Galella and Jackie Kennedy Onassis – his absolute favourite target, er, subject.

As a photographer, my immediate reaction is that his photographs are exquisite works of art. Some of Ron’s most iconic photos are not only great because the public are hungry to consume the image of their idols, but because they are skillfully composed by a master. Living the D&D lifestyle means you have to respect the passion that Ron has for his work and the exhaustive hours he put into perfecting his craft. I think this point is punctuated when you take the time to leaf through some of the current celebrity tabloids. Current paparazzi work looks like the only thing they know is that you want to aim the lens at the subject.

If you’ve been to university in the last decade, you’re probably familiar with the extensive poster sales that come to campus once or twice a year. Ron’s work can be seen in poster form in dorm rooms all across North American, even the world. The photo of Jackie O in the movie poster, in particular, is one poster I’ve seen in many women’s bedrooms. Perhaps the poster’s popularity was because Jackie was such a model of femininity, but I’d argue that it has struck a cord because the photo itself is beautiful, and not just it’s subject. I’d say the same for much of Ron’s well-known work. Undoubtedly, these photos have aided some of these celebrities in maintaining their fame; small glimpses into personal lives allow the public to pretend that they know the celebrity and the enduring quality of Ron’s work allows the public to revisit those “personal moments” over and over again. When was the last time you saw a photo by a paparazzi that you wanted to frame, and not just because you thought the subject was “hot”, but because the image resonated a whole other level? Ron’s work helps to perpetuate whatever myth that celebrity is trying to cultivate about themselves, whatever that entails. The shoddy work of today’s paparazzi is consumed and then thrown away.

Beyond just his work, there has to be a debate about the ethics of the paparazzi. Who has the more important right? The right to photograph? Or the right not to be photographed? I try to put myself in the shoes of the celebrity and I can understand the exasperation that lead Jackie O to bring Galella to court and the aggression that lead Brando to knock out 5 of Ron’s teeth. When you pester someone that consistently, there will be a breaking point. And maybe on the good days, it’s tolerable. But I know myself on the bad days; patience is thin. And when your image is your livelihood, not being in complete control of that image could be maddening.

Ron makes a few important points in the doc; part of being celebrity is agreeing to be fodder for the public. Your actions and looks are meant to and will be scrutinized. If they don’t like it, they can go be Jeremiah Johnson. Ron goes on to say that some, especially Jackie O, posed for his photos. There is an element of candidness to his work, but that they recognized they were under the eye of the lens and put on their act for it. Do we as consumers have a responsibility? Should we be rejecting or even completely ignoring this level of invasion? Perhaps, but there are enough people who are dying to know what Cameron Diaz had at Starbucks this morning that this profession isn’t going away any time soon. What are your thoughts on celebrity consumption and just who has the right to do what? Maybe Smash His Camera will help you clarify your thoughts on the subject matter. But for me, the doc was moving and now I’m more in the middle than I ever was.