For years I’ve had the phrase “no top-hat policy” on my site and it has come to my attention that I have accidentally communicated an unintended message to an entire community of fascinating people and, indirectly, insulted their passion.
The paragraph on my site reads thus:
I’m an artist and I chose the Daguerreotype as my medium for many reasons. None of my reasons includes anything about dressing up in period clothing. I have a strict “no top-hats” policy.
I have tried over the years to be very careful with the daguerreotypes that I make to separate the medium from the message. I chose to make daguerreotypes not for their historical significance but for their perfect resolution and beauty.
I understand that my medium is steeped in history and I find much of it fascinating… but it’s not the reason why I make daguerreotypes. Many friends of mine are historians (OK, three) and they are as passionate about history as I am about daguerreotypes… see the difference?
My “strict no top-hats policy” and “dressing up in period clothing” comments are about me, not the people I photograph. With my words I don’t intend to mock living history enthusiasts or reenactors, I sincerely admire and respect them for their passionate pursuit.
So if I have offended you with my words or actions, I apologize. If you’re passionate about history and want a daguerreotype made in your period outfit, I’d be honored to make it for you. I will, however, insist that you share your passion with me if I’m sharing mine with you.
I might even try on your top hat…
-Jonathan