[Leica] Journalist buys a Leica!/Reinvigoration

[mark at rabinergroup.com (Mark Rabiner)]

Thing is it does say "Journalist " at the top. Doesn't really have a fine
art bent to the thing.
I was not impressed by her work I found it exceedingly above average her eye
I'd give a C+ and her commitment a C-.
She studied English Literature and graduated and bought a camera.
I don't blame her writing is a lonely thing.
But apparently feels one had to study English Literature but photography one
just does as a lark. This kind of a thing always has bugged me.
I did learn one or two or three things from my teachers in school on the
whole photo and art and print making bent.
"quantum mechanics was no fun so I just went out and bought a camera".
I'd be more impressed with someone who photographed their way through
college and graduated and started writing.


On 12/30/12 11:49 AM, "Greg Rubenstein" <gcr910 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Warning: rant at fine-art photographers
> 
> Read with interest the piece about the journalist buying a Leica and
> how it reinvigorated her interest in photography. I know exactly what
> she felt and how she feels. Am sure many working photographers,
> journalists, amateurs and others who use cameras have had similar
> experiences.
> 
> Back in the 80s and 90s as cameras became increasingly automated, I
> began to feel disengaged. Nothing to do with my commitment to
> photography, but I felt less essential to the process -- despite the
> fact that my eyes, vision and results were the keys to getting work.
> 
> Bought my first Leica to help me "regain my chops." Had to manually
> focus the thing. Had to set its aperture. Had to select a shutter
> speed. Even began using my handheld light meters more. It was
> re-engaging and reinvigorating. And continues to be. My commitment
> never wavered. Today I own only Leica gear. Other stuff for work or
> personal projects is easily rented as needed.
> 
> Also, there have been and are times when I cannot be in two places at
> once. I am an omnivorous viewer of images and portfolios. Having
> viewed so much, I will say publicly, and knowing full well that I'm
> offending some people, I have never hired a photographer with the
> appellation "fine art" on his or her card, resume or portfolio, and
> won't recommend a fine-art photographer to someone seeking a shooter.
> 
> Why?
> 
> Based on the limits of my experience and viewing, and the anecdotal
> experiences of others in my sphere, I have found that fine-art
> photographers:
> 
> -- have attitude ("If buying a new camera 'reinvigorated' her interest
> in photography, then she has never really been that committed to it
> anyway. Sad thing is, this airhead has a job with a major newspaper."
> being a typical example of such attitude.),
> -- lack a necessary understanding of photographs as communication, and
> -- do not understand or willfully ignore the needs of businesses that
> hire them or other customers who pay them.
> 
> This is my experience and my prejudice as a photographer and as
> someone who has hired photographers, as well as someone who spends a
> fair amount of his time with photographers. I have yet to meet a
> fine-art photographer who grasps any of the concepts mentioned above
> except attitude.
> 
> Fact is, I bristle when someone tells me one of my images is artistic.
> At one of the finest design and photographic programs in America, The
> Institute of Design at Illinois Institute of Technology (a college
> created by many of the Bauhaus school -- Laszlo Moholy-Nagy among them
> -- when they fled the Nazis) "art" borders on being a dirty word.
> 
> Think hard, then hold your tongues and thoughts, fine-arts
> photographers, when you publicly question others' commitments to
> photography or "photographic purity."
> 
> End of Sunday rant. Anyone in the mood to respond, feel free to fire
> back publicly or off list.
> 
> Thank you.
> 
> Greg Rubenstein
> 
> _______________________________________________
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-- 
Mark William Rabiner
Photography
http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/lugalrabs/