Snapped Shot

I recently discovered a social networking site where a bunch of wire service photographers seem to hang out—even more than at Lightstalkers. Always being the kind of person who is interested in finding out all sides to a story, I figured it'd be a good idea to get in touch with all of the stringers there, so that I could pass questions about photographs on if I needed to. What better place to get to the bottom of things than the person who took the photo, right?

Yeah, I should've seen this coming a mile away. Fadi Arouri replied back:

i am gonna write this on u're walla, u r so brave [Ed.:—I'll be sure to quote you on that!] to add me and other mates, i can'y understand how dare u are to add us here and u keep attacking out photos and spreading Rumors about how ours is photoshoped ,,, etc i told u to had a life [Ed.:—No you didn't. That was this guy.] and the contact person "muheisen" is my friend. and u attacked him also, so ARE YOU A SPY or wht ??? GET A LIFE and do wht u want but dont let me knew about it, and i am gonna send a long long list for all my friends to Block You and u're website forever

The first thing that occurred to me was that I don't recall ever saying anything bad about any of Arouri's photographs. But alas, a quick search cleared that up for me right quick: Heh, oops... Guess that would do it, wouldn't it?

It probably doesn't help that my little rant is the third entry on Google for his name... So I'll throw him a bone and put his name in the headline for this article, too—which ought to bump that one down to being the fourth link.

What can I say? I'm that much of a nice guy.

Anyway, so once again, my big foot enters my big mouth. Can't say that this is the first time that's happened.

In fact, Muhammed Muheisen and I got off to a similarly rough start, which is what Fadi is referring to above. But, after e-mailing back and forth a few times, Muhammed and I have become downright cordial with each other, and have kept (mostly) in touch over the past couple of years now. So it's not like I'm some mean, nasty blogger that's intent on destroying these people or anything.

On the "spreading rumors" thing he mentions, I think it's only fair to point out that I had a hand in debunking the last big one. While I guess that might count as "spreading" it, I strongly believe that discussing controversies like that out in the open is the best way to deal with things. Open, honest, and complete dialogue.

A concept that our noble journalist seems to have missed somewhere along the line, since apparently We the Consumer are supposed to just sit here and listen obediently to every word he has to say.

Anyway, if you're still reading out there, Fadi, I'd still be delighted to stay in touch with you. Hate mail and all.

Even if I am a dastardly Zionist spy.

Update: Ghaith Rishesh, independent photojournalist who really likes this site, suggests that everyone Boycott WWW.snappedshot.COM.

Works for me—Bring it!