[Leica] Re: comments from one of the judges

[kididdoc at cox.net (Steve Barbour)]

On May 6, 2007, at 6:47 AM, Montie wrote:

> Interesting observation, Walt. For me, it's more a question
> of degree of impact one's work has, rather than whether or
> not I are one (artist).  ;-)
>
> Obviously, there are many more "Pillars" in art than there
> are "Architects".  Some of the artists you mentioned were
> architects responsible for whole movements!  ;-)


I don 't know about "all that"  but  I think that a good (let alone  
great) photograph has to to communicate something immediate/visceral...

ie jump off the page and hit you in the mind and the heart  
simultaneously....


Steve




>
> Montie
>
>
>> Monti
>
> The Fine Art genre. That  makes all the difference in the world.
> Naturally, had I known we were going to move into such a creative,
> complex and deep subject such as fine art I'd have been more  
> respectful.
> :-)       I will admit, though, to having an early on love affair with
> /*art photography*/ before becoming tainted with journalism. I was
> fortunate enough. to see, handle, and be partially responsible for  
> shows
> by Ansel Adams, Brett and Edward Weston, Minor White, Dave Heath and
> others. They were, as I'm sure you know, the backbone of what came  
> to be
> called art photography.
>
> It now seems as if every Tom, Dick and Honey carrying an overpriced
> camera is into art photography. Either that or heaven forbid,
> photojournalism. Believe me, I've nothing against art. Even been known
> to enter (and win) a few art contests but that wasn't the issue  
> with my
> post concerning our contest. One has only to pick up a copy of  
> Black and
> White magazine to become all to familiar with fine art photography.  
> The
> back twenty-five percent of that bastion of photo art is filled with
> "struggling artists". Mostly, it seems, they  are listed as fine art
> photographers rather than dabblers, dilettantes or just plain wishful
> thinkers.  Psychology, culture, life experience, education and  
> insights
> aside, I was not caught up in a  fine art versus the rest of us
> routine.  What we manage to post on a monthly basis is quite far  
> afield
> from /*art*/. You, me, and ll the rest do o.k., but fine art? I think
> not. Occasionally one of  us may stir the graphics pot and pull out a
> nice image but I'd be remiss if I tried to classify any of us as  
> artists.
>
> One more thing before returning to my state of lethargy and inaction.
> There are plenty of LUGGERS burning up a lot of film (or pixels for  
> our
> less fortunate compatriots) on a constant basis. Rather than
> encouraging  more film to be wasted  I'd hope the contest  causes   
> us to
> think before we click.  Intent, content and after it's all over,  
> repent.
> :-P
>
> Walt
>
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