Re: [Leica] JIM MARSHALL WEB SITE COMMENTS

[Gabe Sachs <egabe@ix.netcom.com>]

Ted:

Thank you for that commentary.  It's absolutely true.  Too many photographers
today are interested in the amount of "toys" and what's hot instead of content
and spirit of the pictures they are taking.  Great words.

Thanks again.
Gabe

Ted Grant wrote:

> B.D. Colen wrote:
>
> >Forgive me - But I followed the URL Hans provided and, in addition to
> >finding stunning photos, found the following information - I've underlined a
> >couple of things...:>>>>>>>>
>
> Hi folks,
> Before I reply I'd like to thank Hans even though I missed his original
> post on Jim Marshall's web page, BD for asking the questions and Thib for
> including the web address in his post this morning.
>
> For those who have not taken the time and want to see what I mean when I say,
>
>          _________"Real Photographers Shoot B&W!"_________
>
> It's a very good idea you take the time! This is the epitome of recognizing
> the "value of existing light & reacting to the moment" regardless of where
> that moment takes place.
>
> BD's questions and comments:
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> >There is something about Jim Marshall's work that invites praise and prompts
> >questions about his technique.>>>>>>>>>
>
> <<<<<What sort of equipment does he rely on?>>>>>>
>
> Well used M4's by the look of them. Please note he is truly a user and not
> a keeper of shiny new looking boxes. :)
>
> <<<<<< What film? What lens?>>>>>
>
> Tri-X rated at 800 under the conditions of where the web pictures were taken.
>
> <<<<<"What lens?"  By the look of the M cameras lying in a pile on the web
> site, a 21 and others! A quote from the site:
>
> <<" He's been seen with five cameras around his neck at one time. This is
> made possible, of course, by the small size of the cameras, but made
> necessary by the way he handles lenses.>>>>>>
>
> My kinda photographer! :)  I hate changing lenses and would much rather
> carry a half dozen cameras with attached lenses at the same time, than
> screw around changing lenses and watching the motivating moment disappear
> before my eyes!
>
> <<<<<<And most commonly, what does he do to get such razor-sharp
> >pictures?>>>>>>>
>
> He focuses very quickly and carefully and because he keeps the same lens
> attached to the same body has something to do with it.
>
> >Good pictures are the sum of their good parts; plenty of practice, good
> >tools, and the gift of sight.>>>>>>>>
>
> Gift of sight, as seeing the motivating moment, coupled with surgical
> reaction time to releasing the shutter.
>
> >Practice. Perhaps the most important aspect of Marshall the photographer is
> >his sheer willingness to be a photographer. Marshall never goes anywhere
> >without a camera over his shoulder.>>>>>>
>
> And I'd venture to say, "he never worries about filters nor lens caps and a
> tiny dust on the lens!"
>
> <<<<<<<When he walks down the street to go to dinner, he has a camera. In
> the car, he has a camera. While running errands, in bars, in client's
> offices, he has a camera. He wears them like other people wear shoes, and
> not just as a prop - if there's available light, he grabs at least three or
> four frames of whomever he's with.>>>>>>>>>>>
>
> Well with an M6 it's a piece of cake. Once you become used to putting on
> your clothes before you go out, it's the same thing with the camera, you
> become used to it and feel "Naked" without it hanging on your shoulder, no
> matter where you go.
>
> >Tools. Making this attitude easier is Marshall's choice of equipment-
> >available light, and a simple Leica M-4 range finder. This small, silent,
> >compact package with no light meter, no mirrors, no batteries, no auto
> >anything and no wysiwyg view through the lens is Marshall's only tool. When
> >asked why he prefers Leicas over all other cameras, he becomes
> >uncharacteristicly tongue-tied. "They just feel right. They're an extension
> >of me, like an old sweater.">>>>>>>>>>
>
> You can't say it any better than that! :)
>
> <<<<<<A feel for people is required,for emotion and movement, but
> ultimately, choosing the moment makes the shot,>>>>>>>>
>
> The operative sentence!
>
> <<<<<<You can't shoot without complete confidence in your equipment.">>>>>>>
>
> And that's the kind of confidence you should have when using the Leica's, M
> or R!  I use the meters and shoot when the little red lights go on as I
> have total confidence in what the camera meteris telling me, "Ok press
> button now!" :)
>
> >Usually, Marshall arrives at a shoot without an assistant. He brings a light
> >only under duress, then one light with a diffusion umbrella seems to
> >suffice. A few years ago, Marshall showed up at author Alice Walker's home
> >for an assignment. He had been hired to do some shots for an ad in the New
> >York Times. The art director took one look at him and panicked. "Where are
> >your lights?! Where's your assistant? Your stylist? Your set? WHERE is your
> >equipment!? ">>>>>>>>>>
>
> You see this is one cool photographer, never mind all the BS showmanship
> "look here I am with my big entourage of a crew etc." (actually the crews
> most often set everything) and then the "big showman" steps in, looks
> through the view finder and says, "smile!"  CLICK! :)
>
> Not my style baby. Like Jim Marshall I like to just float in and quietly do
> my thing with no fanfare and certainly no extra lightingunles it is
> absolutely necesary. It has only been the past few years that I have an
> assistant with me, but even then she stays well in the background.
>
> You see, what he does is understand light and "relating to other people's
> feelings" and I believe that is something you have or don't. Yes you can be
> polite, but that isn't getting inside the subject making them feel
> comfortable. Simply because you are comfortable yourself and you transmit
> that because you just have an inner confidence. Like they say, "Be cool
> baby!"
>
> <<<<<<Instead, Marshall and Walker sat on the back porch, talking. Jim took
> pictures. Alice liked them so much, she asked to use one on her next book
> jacket.>>>>>>
>
> You see? That's what I mean about cool! :)
>
> >On the subject of his style, Marshall says, "I really hope that when people
> >look at my work they say, " That's a nice photograph of Alice Walker," not
> >"That's a nice Jim Marshall.">>>>>>>>
>
> And that's what it's really all about!!!!!!
>
> This site of Jim Marshall's is great to keep book marked as it's being
> regularly updated and it can only get better and better.
>
> Thanks to Hans, BD and Thib for making it known to the LUG who are into B&W!.
>
> Ted Grant
> This is Our Work. The Legacy of Sir William Osler.
> http://www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant