Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/01/22

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Subject: Re: [Leica] PAW, PAD etc.
From: Johnny Deadman <john@pinkheadedbug.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2001 07:47:36 -0500

on 1/21/01 11:18 PM, Ted Grant at tedgrant@home.com wrote:

>> Shan jotted down the following:
>> 
>>> I won't swear as to who it was, but I remember reading that (Stieglitz
> or
>>> HCB or ...) had a personal goal and routine of shooting a roll of twelve
>>> every day for exercise no matter what ! That's one way to get your
> "eyes"
>>> in shape.
>> 
>> I've recently hit on the idea that photography is a lot like music: taking
>> pictures is a lot like playing an instrument.  Unless you practice at it
>> constantly, you forget important nuances, you loose the 'flow'.

I think there is much truth in that. I tend to shoot at least 3-5 36 exp
35mm rolls or the equivalent in other formats a week, even if I have nothing
to shoot except my son having breakfast or something. In a way it's like
practising. For example, I'll shoot two or three rolls wide open as close as
I can get, just trying for one eye in focus. Or I'll shoot the patterns of
light on the wall. Or... whatever. Otherwise what tends to happen is you
think 'mmm, I'll photograph sunday afternoon', and then it rains or you get
stuck in a traffic jam, or you're just uninspired, and nothing happens.

I'm a great admirer of photographers who can make pictures out of apparently
nothing.
- -- 
Johnny Deadman

http://www.pinkheadedbug.com