Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/04/07
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Walt, Just struck me that you might be trying to tell me how to go about shooting it, in which case apologies for misunderstanding you, but then as it wasn't me that shot it in the first place, the advice is misdirected - I'm purely an observer in this case. Nick ----- Original Message ---- From: Nick Roberts <nickbroberts@yahoo.co.uk> To: Leica Users Group <lug@leica-users.org> Sent: Friday, 7 April, 2006 12:39:35 PM Subject: Re: [Leica] WWII veteran (OT Gear) Walt, Yes and no. There's hugely more to it than that, and I'm sure you know it. Some pics can and do tell the entire story and have no need for words (some of the excellent shots you yourself have recently posted fall into this category, as does the majority of Ted's very fine body of work). Some simply can't possibly tell the whole story, and I contend that by ignoring this fact, it's you that misses the point completely. How can either of the pictures in question tell us about the past of the veteran? In themselves, they can't - only the words do. It's then a question of which picture fits with the story - the straight portrait, or the symbolic one? I contend that in this case, the sum of the words and the action shot are not only greater than the parts, but greater than the other shot too, notwithstanding the greater freestanding impact of the straight portrait. For me, just those few words make me care about the subject in a way that the portrait couldn't possibly do, and produce a different set of emotions, as I've explained. By all means disagree with me, it's just my opinion, and I am in no way a PJ or even portraitist. But it's my honest opinion, so if you don't like it, tough, I don't really care. Ted asked a question (admittedly of someone else), I answered it. End of story. If you're telling me I have to think the same as Ted because he's a brilliant PJ and I'm not, I will courteously, sincerely and happily acknowledge the fact of Ted's superior photographic ability (and yours as well, for that matter, you're a terrific photographer), and respectfully file your advice where I normally file instructions on how I should think. ;) Nick ----- Original Message ---- From: Walt Johnson <walt@waltjohnson.com> To: Leica Users Group <lug@leica-users.org> Sent: Thursday, 6 April, 2006 5:07:51 PM Subject: Re: [Leica] WWII veteran (OT Gear) Nick: One of the golden rules of photographic story telling is to do just that, namely tell a story. To rely on an image which requires an explanation to make it understood misses the point completely. In all honesty, your rationale seems to take the point well past breakage and then some. Ted has had more than his share of fine portraits published all over the world. I'd consider that and maybe try and learn a bit from him. Walt . Nick Roberts wrote: >If I may, Ted, I'll tell you why I think the combination of the story and >the first picture is stronger than that of the story and the second picture >- in the second, you've got a frail old man - lovely portrait, but just a >frail old man, a picture that leaves me faintly sad. The first one, though, >shows him alive, doing what he loves - and it's a poignant reminder of >wartime watchfulness, but now for joyous reasons, not fearful ones. So the >first picture to me is one of hope and happy endings, the second isn't. >That's no reflection of the isolated photographic merit of each, just how I >feel the words and images work together. > >Nick > > >----- Original Message ---- >From: Ted Grant <tedgrant@shaw.ca> >To: Leica Users Group <lug@leica-users.org> >Sent: Thursday, 6 April, 2006 3:54:42 PM >Subject: Re: [Leica] WWII veteran (OT Gear) > > >PHC offered: >Subject: Re: [Leica] WWII veteran (OT Gear) > > >>>http://www.geebeephoto.com/2006/06060.htm >>> >>>http://www.geebeephoto.com/2006/06061.htm >>> >>> > > > >Paul said, > > >>Don't listen to them Graham! The first one is definitely the better >>picture. Fabulous!<<<< >> >> > >Paul I'm not sure why you could say that? Would you mind explaining as a >photograph you think number one is better than the second as portarit type >photo with such beautiful light an his face? Certainly compared to the back >of his head holding a camera pointing out a hole in the wall? > >Much appreciated if you would, thank you. >ted > > > >_______________________________________________ >Leica Users Group. >See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > >_______________________________________________ >Leica Users Group. >See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > > > _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information