Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/02/16
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Subject: Photographers Gathering, rangefinders, etc... Sent: 2/16/99 9:24 PM To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us Recently, I was invited to show my work in New York by a group of professionals I admire greatly. I received a letter from Howard Schatz (>howardschatz.com<) to show my work at a monthly gathering he is involved in. Those included in the meeting are a who's who of New York's advertising photographers. People such as Jay Maisel showed their work that week. I was truly playing with the big boys. The work we viewed that evening was stunning. I showed a blend of professional and personal work. The purpose of the gathering was to talk about the work and otherwise stimulate discussion about photography as art. My personal work was almost entirely Leica photography. The feedback was resounding. The personal work got the attention. Not that the professional stuff was bad, it's just that the Leica stuff had something I can't quite define. It had what it took. I have an M6. I also have the complete Nikon SLR deal and a complete Hasselblad system. With two lenses and an M6 I can do more in a week than I could hope to accomplish in a year with my full Nikon/Hasselblad rig. It's really a comparison of the rangefiner vs the SLR style of working. I don't have a Leica SLR system so I can't compare. But with my limited rangefinder system I seem to be able to capture more than my well rounded SLR system. It's all about the way we see and the way we choose to put what we see on film. I say this because it's not about the equipment, it's about personal vision. My Leica way of thinking has improved my personal vision. Let your own vision describe your path. Allow the Leica to lead you along. On a different note, I visited many galleries and saw much photography. I visited Tamarkin and shot a few frames on my M6 with the much desired 24mmASPH and 50mm NOCT. I have the contact proofs now and seem to need these lenses all of the sudden. You LUGGERS are guilty of my lust and should kindly send cash/checks to me in order to satisfy my needs ;) Take care, charles