Re: [Leica] Re: The quintessence of Leica photography? - Long response -

[Sonnar502@aol.com]

Jim -- Absoutely beautifully said and beautifully illustrated!  Bravo!  Now I 
_know_ we'll have tons to talk about tomorrow night.  My trouble is that I 
have yet to master the Zone System stuff and wind up working somewhere in the 
middle of that "normal meter" type of print you describe your daughter as 
having done first, and a full Zone jobbie.  Don't have a spot meter, so I am 
relegated to having to guess or to get up close and go from there.  This 
usually works pretty well -- especially when I'm just out taking pix for 
"practice," but I often get annoyed by "something missing."

Combine this with the fact that I do not have my own darkroom to play in and 
you can see how it gets frustrating.  In '92 I went sailing with some friends 
and had my first exposure (pun intended) to the Zone System.  Now, while I 
think some can get carried away with it, taking so much time fiddling with 
zone placement that they miss the picture entirely (I"m not referring to 
"considered" photography; just out on the street stuff and basic), it 
certainly opened my eyes!  Some of the photos I did of an old friend leaning 
back on the sail, soaking up UV remain some of my most awesome.  I remember 
being stunned by the negs.  Now if I could only keep consistent.

So, I bought a Leica, not for the panache, not "because" but just because the 
feel of the thing in my hand was, well, "me"; incredible.  This, Erwin, is 
one more illustration of the "Craft" for me.  While I recognize the validity 
and greatness of what you can do digitally, it just is not the SAME!  I like 
the wet way.  So, have no fear, Erwin, I will be hanging out with you on that 
island, gazing out over Hong Kong, etc.

You are not alone.  Kudos to all of you out there who know how to grab the 
light with a tiny chunk of silver and with an electron !  I'm jealous

Scott Green