Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/04/09

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Subject: Re: [Leica] RE: Eric's site & the LUG Gestapo
From: Stephen <cameras@jetlink.net>
Date: Thu, 09 Apr 1998 09:05:18 -0400

Martin V. Howard wrote:

> Stephen wrote:
>
> > Other factors like experience, awards, LUG
> > contributions,  how well someone is liked, what your mother said,
> or
> > how it will be received by the defenders of Eric,  are all
> irrelevant
> > when it comes down to "Do you like the picture or not?"
>
> Actually, no.  They are exceptionally relevant, because they all play
> a
> part in forming the opinion of whether you like it or not.  By letting
>
> others know what these factors are, presenting the rationale, you
> allow
> others to make up their own minds as to whether they agree or not.
> The
> discussion becomes more enlightened.

Well perhaps to you, but I still disagree that who took the shot should
have anything to do with what the viewer feels about it.   Switch the
credits between shots by Eric and Becker,  would you really judge the
pics differently than before?

To me each photograph should succeed or fail on it's own.    My first
photography teacher, a long time photo journalist who personally knew
Steichen and Adams, among others, insisted that a photographer was was
as good as their last shot.   Other factors reduced the photo criticism
to smoke and mirrors.

There was only one question that mattered in evaluating a shot "Do You
Like it or Not?

Stephen Gandy