Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/09/21
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hi Fellow LUGnuts, Oh what the heck. Ted has asked for responses to some very interesting questions. I'll have a go at them. << The first question was about equipment and I explained obviously Leica, so no need to get into that. :) > Well, while I love using the M6 and its outstanding Leica lenses, differing assignments at times require different equipment. Therefore, also Hasselblad for situations where time to shoot is unlimited, and Contax/Zeiss SLRs for close up, faster field work, and dedicated flash at higher than M6 sinc speeds. Sorry, Ted, I cannot yet afford the R8. Soon, soon... < Questions: 3/ What enlightment do you have after being engaged in the works at the "killing fields?" How do you feel about the future of mankind? (this was a question in relation to my photography in 1967 middle east and 1968 Nam.)> I hesitated to answer this one, since the closest I have come to that situation was some police work I did for a few years in the early 80's. The enlightenment is that people are capable of any cruelty and any kindness, and that disturbingly, the same people are at times capable of both. < 6/ How important is the art of photography in today's society?> I believe it to be very important. < 7/ Will conventional photography gradually be phased out by the modern electronic equipment and video-cameras?> Yes, gradually. I do not think film will completely disappear in my lifetime, though, but it may be relegated to an artistic cuiousity. I will use digital, but will regret loosing the mechanical and analog alternative. Digital always requires batteries. < 8/ What are your re-actions to the paparazzi of this past incident? >> I do not care for the actions of the paparazzi, but they are a necessary part of the celebrity culture. which I also try to ignore as much as possible. At a recent assignment, a patron at a festival saw my press pass and made a comment, "Ah press - a paparazzi, eh?" to impress his girlfriend, I guess. I had a response ready for this situation. I turned on him and said, "I have two things to say about that: I fasten my seatbelts, and I drive sober." He said, "good answer." (I relaize Lady Diana was not driving, but he got my point about the proximate causes of the tragic accident) Will von Dauster http://www.fsl.noaa.gov/~vondaust/www.will.html