Re: [Leica] Re: Eggleston shells as compost-for Jim Brick-against

[John Collier <jbcollier@home.com>]

I think your response to Eggleston's work is entirely reasonable and
reasoned. I respect that. Art is not a test to passed or failed. Everyone's
tastes and preferences differ. I do not care for some of Eggleston's work as
well. Taken as a whole I find it very interesting and moving. If I had $4500
spare, I probably would not buy one of his images. I would buy film and a
faster 35mm lens. What I have been trying to point out, and others have more
successfully, is that it is not "crap". Many people post their web pages on
this list and I look at them all; a few I find very moving, some I like and
some I do not care for. I would never say disparaging things about someone's
work. Calling someone's work "crap" tells me more about the critic than the
work in question.

John Collier

> From: "Roger Beamon" <roger@beamon.org>
> Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2000 14:14:10 -0700
> Subject: [Leica] Re: Eggleston shells as compost-for Jim Brick
> 
> On 18 Feb 00, timswan wrote, at least in part:
> 
>> Jim, 
>> 
>> Congrats!!!! You've managed to insult everyone except those that
>> agree with you. 
> 
> Perhaps, but you might be surprised at how many *agree* with
> Jim re: Egg. We tend to be the quiet group here. I applaud Jim's
> courage in taking the stand that he did, knowing that it would
> bring the wrath of those who, as Jim said, should have said no to
> Egg, but didn't. 
> 
> When I need to be 'in touch' with whatever, I go to images done
> by competent PJs, landscape photogs who know something about
> color, composition and lighting, and photographs done around a
> theme by photogs who are truly 'in touch' with their subject
> matter. We are blessed with excellent examples of these kinds of
> photographers right on this list. I aspire to make images as good
> as Donal, Eric, Harrison, Jim, Doug, Tina and Ted to name but a
> few. Egg's images have never inspired me to anything but walk
> away. 
> 
> I love chocolate, vanilla and strawberry, but never could
> understand why folk like mint chocolate chip! I don't argue your
> right to enjoy it, but you guys sure do rag on us who don't! It's
> like an evangelical pursuit. Face it, many of us are beyond
> educating and without a clue! To make matters worse, most of us
> are happy in our ignorance! :-)
> 
> 
> --
> Roger
> Mailto:roger@beamon.org