[Leica] In case anyone is vaguely interested...

[bdcolen at earthlink.net (B. D. Colen)]

Thanks so much, Phong. You raise some very interesting points. As I had
selected my 40, there was more variation - in fact, there were two
'architectural' shots of a church interior. My thought was to show the
variation. My "editors" said go with obvious strength; which oddly
enough turned out to be 'street,' or at least candid views of people.
The "jewishness" is there as a wedding detail, rather than religious
statement, but I see how you could see it the other way. The 'two dudes'
- my youngest (foreground) and eldest - (with one of my Ms, background)
is there as street, rather than photo of my kids.

As to the 'who the hell is he and what's he doing here?' He's my best
friend from college, who I visited this summer after about 25 years
without contact. And we sat up late into the night with a tape recorder
- and bourbon on his side of the table - as I interviewed him for a
possible book I'm working on. There were three of him, and the kids went
for this one. As I noted earlier, I may post all three to see where
other 'editors' come down.

Finally - the neontal stuff. I wanted that to be a major offering - I
believe it's five/six of the 20 - given that I'm now shooting for the
New England Journal of Medicine, and doing allot of this stuff. Who
knows what editors may be at the event?:-)

Again, thanks for the kind words and thoughtful review.




-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+bdcolen=earthlink.net@leica-users.org
[mailto:lug-bounces+bdcolen=earthlink.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of
Phong
Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2005 5:52 PM
To: Leica Users Group
Subject: RE: [Leica] In case anyone is vaguely interested...


B. D. Colen wrote:
> http://gallery.leica-users.org/album154

Very nice even though I have seen most of these before.
You didn't ask, but I will give my comments anyway :-)

For a 20 photo portfolio with such diversity, I find
the 6 baby-in-the-hospital photos too big a set on a
single subject.  I would take out maybe 3 of them,
and replace them with others that reinforce some
other themes, or introduce new themes.

The 20 photos together make a much bigger
impact than seeing them separately over the course
of several months, even though most of them clearly,
clearly stand very strongly by and on themselves.
Seeing them together gives me a stronger sense of
what makes you tick as a photographer; no rocks
and peeling paint for you, oh no.  Definitely social
stuff: aging and sickness, youth, women, and jewishness,
and race, photographed photographers, etc.
Social stuff with a touch of the unexpected either in
the contrast or in the similarity.  I could go on, but I 
will refrain myself.   :-)

http://gallery.leica-users.org/album154/Colen19_resize
is very funny to me, knowing the 2 dudes.

Not sure what this one is about:
http://gallery.leica-users.org/album154/Colen14_resize
I am puzzled by its presence in this set of 20.  Is he well-known ?

I thought for sure I would see at least a cell phone.   :-)

All in all a remarkable set of photos.
Congratulations.   Bravo !    My hat's off to you.


- Phong





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