So many people think that Robert Capa was talking about physical distance. And maybe he was. But I think he was talking about emotional distance. If you can't feel emotionally connected to a subject I just don't see how you can expect to make a great image. If you are a sports shooter it's a connection to the excitement of the competition and the grace of whatever sport it is that you've chosen to photograph. Landscape photographers are drawn to certain areas and terrains. Even if they have to fly thousands of miles to get there. And portrait photographers who do their work for the love of the art should feel a strong connection with the person in front of them. Closing the emotional distance to better understand what to show. Empathy?
To blaze away with your camera without coming to some realization of what you are trying to describe about your subject is a recipe for bland photos. If you are engaged and your subject is engaged then you'll be better able to translate that energy to your audience. The studio should be a quiet, private place with enough emotional space to allow a certain kind of magic to appear. I can't do this work with an entourage. It would be too impersonal.
Tech stuff: Leica R8 camera. Ilford Pan F 50 ISO film. 90mm Summicron lens. Scanned on an Epson V500 scanner and post processed in SnapSeed.
