Gilles Peress Internet Chat: Connecting Students to the World; Institute of International Studies, UC Berkeley

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Johanna: This might be kind of off-topic but, as a photographer, how do you frame your images? At what point are you satisfied with your work? What do you consider good photography?

Gilles: Johanna, I have stopped being interested with virtuosity with the camera and the frame. I know I can do it. The only measure for me that matters is the transcription of experience. It is the moment where you say "This is it. This is how life is. This is how that moment was!"

Laura: When did you realize that you wanted to pursue photography as a profession rather than a hobby?

Gilles: [When] I realized the limits of words as a practical tool to understand and formulate the texture and structure of reality.

Preston: Ellie has one final question.

Ellie: What is it like to come back after being in Bosnia or Rwanda and photograph in a "normal" situation?

Gilles: Ellie, It is all a continuum of experience. I don't see a gap between one situation and the other. It is all about a struggle between order and chaos in varying proportions.

Gilles: Thank you.

DonJuan: Later, Gilles. Thanks for chatting. :) :) :)

Gretchen: Hi, Gilles, this Gretchen Garlinghouse, the teacher of this photography class. I want to say your work has inspired wonderful conversations about photography -- raising technical, professional, ethical, personal, and communication issues. We all thank you for giving us your time and photographic vision.

Harry: Students, thanks for some great questions. Thank you, Gretchen and Preston, for making this session possible.

Johanna: Thanks a lot from me too.

Ellie: Me too.

Preston: Thanks, Harry and Gilles, for including us.

Harry: Students, Gretchen and Preston you are invited to a reception for Gilles tomorrow at the Human Rights Center at 4:00. Preston has the info in my last e-mail.

Christian: Bye ^_^

DonJuan: Peace out.

Harry: Bye-bye, College Prep, and thank you.

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