Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2012/06/17
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Jim, I see a profound difference between the photographer who watches and observes life and takes pictures of the world around him as it unfolds, and the photographer who directs people and events, turning them into models who are following his script. The results might look superficially the same, but they aren't the same. The artificial creation might sometimes be superior in many ways -- lighting, design, composition, gesture and expression -- and at other times it might not come up to the level of the genuinely captured moment. But it is not the same and is not, in my opinion, to be judged by the same criteria. Best, Robert PS What equipment is used to make the picture is immaterial. On Jun 17, 2012, at 8:34 PM, James Laird wrote: > Robert, > > I am not a golfer, so I don't really know. But if I did, and I took a > mulligan, then if in the end it resulted in an eternal work of art > then yes, I would. And no, it wouldn't matter. That was my point after > all. I was talking about cheating, the kind of cheating that the great > artists like HCB and DaVinci did in order to create greatness. And > also that the greatness had nothing to do with what brushes or pencils > or canvas or cameras or lenses they used. > If HCB had used a Kodak his pictures would still have achieved > greatness because he knew how to create eternal images with whatever > tools he had at hand. I know that sounds like anathema to the LUG but > we all know it's probably true. > > Jim Laird > > On Sun, Jun 17, 2012 at 6:05 PM, Robert Meier <robertmeier at usjet.net> > wrote: >> Jim, >> >> Do you take a mulligan when your tee shot goes into the woods? Does it >> matter? >> >> Robert >> >> On Jun 17, 2012, at 4:28 PM, James Laird wrote: >> >>> Really. It matters? Really? For historical reasons maybe, but it's >>> still a great photograph which is the only reason anyone cares. >>> Really? >>> >>> Jim Laird >>> >>> On Sun, Jun 17, 2012 at 3:33 PM, Robert Meier <robertmeier at usjet.net> >>> wrote: >>>> Was anyone worried about what camera was used for the Iwo Jima shot? >>>> Does anyone have any doubts about what camera HCB used? No, and no. >>>> >>>> Did Doisneau stage the kiss shot? Yes. Did HCB shoot the puddle >>>> jumper over and over again until he got it right? We don't know. >>>> But it damn well matters! >>>> >>>> >>>> On Jun 17, 2012, at 3:24 PM, James Laird wrote: >>>> >>>>> Really? We are worried about whether or not the 'Iwo Jima' shot or the >>>>> HCB 'Puddle Jumper' shot was staged? Really? Are we worried that maybe >>>>> the eyelashes on the guy in the puddle jumper shot might be sharper if >>>>> we shot them with a Nikon D800 vs D800E? Really? Doesn't this seem a >>>>> bit ridiculous to all of you? Maybe a bit anal? >>>>> WHO CARES? They are great photographs. Who cares if they were shot >>>>> with an M4 and a 50mm Collapsible Summicron or an 800E with a Nikkor >>>>> 50 1.4? It's STILL a great photograph, isn't it? I've seen great >>>>> photographs taken with 3.2 MP Minolta cameras that most of us would >>>>> consider pieces of crap, but the photo...a work of art. Beautiful by >>>>> anyone's standards. >>>>> I think we all need to take a deep breath, slow down, and realize once >>>>> and for all that the photograph is what counts. NOT the camera or the >>>>> lens or the film or the memory card or CS5 or LR4 or whatever we used >>>>> to get it. A great photograph stands on its own merit. And we all know >>>>> that the minute we see it. That's what keeps us shooting. We all think >>>>> that someday we might be skilled enough or (in the end) lucky enough >>>>> to be in the right place at the right time with a camera to take a >>>>> photograph that is eternal. Like HCB. He took thousands of >>>>> photographs, many of which were probably NOT keepers. But he kept on >>>>> shooting because he was rich enough or lucky enough to be able to do >>>>> nothing but take photographs, to do the thing that we all love so >>>>> much. God, he makes me so jealous sometimes. We all probably wish we >>>>> could have the chance to do what he did. >>>>> But most of us can't so we think if we buy X lens and Y camera with Z >>>>> processor/computer that maybe we can do what he did, oh god if we only >>>>> could. Really? >>>>> >>>>> Just my humble opinion ;) >>>>> >>>>> Jim Laird >>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> 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 > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information