Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/10/29
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]B. D. Colen wrote: > In photography, you either have "it" or you don't. No, B.D., when talent was being handed around, it was in dollops of differing sizes. It was not a question of Our Maker hitting the "talent on" for a small number of recipients and leaving "talent off" for the vast majority. Some photographers are good craftsment, but not visionaries of true gift. Those of us hobbling around this world with our Leicas and just small amounts of "it" learn to compensate for not being born a genius. To loosely translate the Polish writer Kisielewski: 'If you're hopeless and know you're hopeless, you are no longer hopeless". An aware photographer can see the distance between him and HCB or Ansel Adams. And being aware, can learn tricks to make up a good part of that distance. > Those who don't have "it" can get better - but they will never be "good." Those who have "it" in lower proportions *can* be "good" - good enough to make money, have stuff at an exhibition, get stuff published. They can be "good" but never "outstanding". And the real test is the test of time. Ansel Adams died 14 years ago - his stuff will be admired in 140 years time too.