Re: [Leica] Venice and Leica

[tedgrant@islandnet.com (Ted Grant)]

Dominique PELLISSIER wrote:

>> All these tourist traps like Venice have been photographed by a ton of
>> cameras.There is nothing to shoot (photograph) except the crowd.>>>>>>

Hi Dominique,

If you're correct in your assumption that there are no new pictures in the
tourist trap cities, how come stock photographers still go to find new and
interesting subjects?  Even of the same old things.

I have a buddy, a highly successful stock shooter, who with his wife go to
Paris once a year to shoot the top 5 tourist attractions. They have done
this for quite a number years and do it as much as a challenge for new
angles on the Eiffel Tower and 4 other locations.

And each year they come back with the most incredible new angles, lighting,
times of day and night that makes one wonder, when are they going to come
to the end of "milking it?" :)

I believe we become disenchanted with our home town due to seeing it every
day, but I think to overcome this "seeing malady" is to approach it at an
entirely different time than we normally do in our travels. Applying this
to the "tourist trap cities" one can never become bored with it simply
because changing the time of day or night, the season and lenses, we see it
with "new eyes!"

But who hasn't gone to the same city more than once and not been able to
find something new?  Me! :)  When I find this happening, I take one camera
with lens and just do a "walk about" without anything in mind, doing it at
a time of day and direction I would  not have done before.

Sometimes you win, depends on how relaxed you are.  Or "tired," then you
loose!!!!!!!!

It's possible to find something new and different anywhere, but I didn't
say it was easy. However, it takes attitude, mind set and physical well
being.  If you are dragging your ass forget about looking for "new angles"
even if you're carrying a half dozen Leicas or one!

That's why I like to do the "walk about" at dawn when everyone else is
still in bed and I have the city quietly to myself.  And in there lies the
secret of finding new angles anywhere. :)  New day, fresh body and clear
mind. :) Besides it's gorgeous light!!!! :) And Leicas and light go hand in
hand. :)

ted