RE: [Leica] The dustbin of history

["B. D. Colen" <bdcolen@earthlink.net>]

Mike - I suspect that this is a bit of a distortion of Ted's view. If I am
interpreting him correctly - and reading his response against the background
of a zillion Ted Grant posts - he's not saying that studying the past is a
waste of time; nor is he saying that it's pointless to study the work and
lives of great photographers. I believe that what he is saying is "Go take
pictures and stop obsessing about who used what camera when!"

I would suggest, for myself, that two things about Adams REALLY matter - his
vision, which is always the most important thing about any photographer -
and his development, and use of, the zone system. Beyond that? Yes, it's
interesting what 35 he shot with on what day in what year if you're a photo
historian. If you're a shooter, who cares? It doesn't matter I you use
precisely the same camera - as in THE same camera - I ain't gonna be Ansel
Adams. :-)

B. D.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of Mike
> Johnston
> Sent: Saturday, November 20, 1999 9:16 AM
> To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> Subject: [Leica] The dustbin of history
>
>
> >>>And that's why all this really doesn't matter a whit one
> way nor the
> other,
> simply because "He ain't here to tell the truth!"<<<
>
> He IS here in a way, because he left copious written records and
> accounts of his life, including an autobiography. And anyway, the
> _reductio ad absurdum_ of your contention, Ted, is that we should give
> up trying to learn anything about history, since everybody who really
> knew what happened is dead anyway. Actually, this view is depressingly
> widespread these days, even in the schools.   :-(
>
> I suspect it's not a perspective that Marc has any sympathy
> for, and nor
> do I...
>
> --Mike
>
>