Re: [Leica] f/8 and be there

[John Coan <jcoan@alumni.duke.edu>]

Thanks to all for the interesting war stories.....  I cannot imagine being 
a real combat photog schleping a huge Speed Graphic and all its accessories 
ashore with a Marine invasion force.  Those guys had some cojones.  A 
fascinating part of the history of photography.  I used to have a great 
book that I cannot find anymore.  "Life's Picture History of World War 
II".  I remember it came in a slip case, and was a big book with all black 
and white pictures.  I think of those great pictures, and then think of the 
gear used to make them, and the men behind the viewfinder.  There are bound 
to be some interesting books about this period and what it was like to be a 
combat photographer -- anyone know of good ones?

The relationship between journalists and the military also radically 
changed -- around the time of Viet Nam.  In that war, it was 
adversarial.  Photographers were there to shoot reality whether it helped 
or hurt our national interest.  The result was pictures of the way war is, 
mostly not nice stuff.  In WWII, that didn't happen.  Journalists were on 
the national team.  Look at some old newsreel footage or photos... the 
reporters were in military uniforms of all things.  This is interesting 
stuff to me (from a dilettante's perspective)

  +0000, you wrote:
>John Coan wrote:
>
> >How long does it take to load another sheet of film in a Speed
> >Graphic?  (How "speedy" is it?)
>
>As someone who used to carry his father's film holders for his Speed
>Graphic, I can tell you: pretty quick!  I still have those holders from
>the 50s and continue to use them.  My mother used to get mad at him for
>streaching out the pockets of his suit coats where he would carry the
>holders.
>
>What really slowed things down, however, was not the film holders, but
>changing the hot flash bulbs.  Always had to carry a handkerchef for
>shooting fast.  My mother also used to get mad at my father for burning
>holes in suit coat pockets with hot flash bulbs.  Those who have never
>shot with such things have no idea just how hot and bright they are.
>
> >I always admired the old news photographers with those cool cameras.  Seems
> >like you either got the shot the first time, or it was gone.  Of course,
> >back then celebrities actually liked to get their picture taken "Just one
> >quick shot, Miss Harlow."  and they would stop and pose with a big smile.
>
>Was just talking yesterday with someone I know who does some amount of
>"premiers" in Hollywood and said that hasn't changed much because they
>come to these things to "be seen."  But he flew to San Francisco last
>night to stake out Sharon Stone's two homes to try to get a photo of
>newly adopted child.  And that kind of invasion with a 600mm probably
>won't get him a smile.
>
> >And didn't they all wear fedoras with a card saying "Press" in the hat band?
>
>Actually, yes.  I wish I still had that sort of stuff of my dad's.  I do
>have some pix he did as photographer in Navy in WWII in South Pacific.
>Imagine landing, as he did, on Guadalcanal with a speed graphic.
>
>donal
>--
>__________
>Donal Philby
>San Diego
>www.donalphilby.com