Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/03/21
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Yep. I like your thinking there Ted. Although I shoot mostly LF, I tend to think like you. Although I admit that I test a lot more than you. I used to test every batch of paper with every box of film. Had to know exactly that I needed to develop precisely at 9:45minutes instead of 10:15minutes. I tested every lens every time I went out, 1/6 of a stop, well, it had to be exact. Well, I've passed that part of my life. I still test, but only when a new piece of equipment comes into my kit. after that, I just shoot. Of course, I don't change film/paper/developer/processer that often. The last time I changed film was when I made a drastic move from Tmax 400 to Tmax 100. and I only did that because I was sick of dustspots (I went to readyloads). The last time I did a safelight test was, oh, four years ago, right after I re-built my darkroom. I used to do this every week. Why? because I could, and it was great busy work. Now? I just shoot - develop - print. But I do get a little guilty once in a while and I align my enlarger with a laser beam. I don't know why, my enlarger weighs 1300 pounds, and it never needs it. Rob Mueller Studies in Black and White www.studiesinblackandwhite.com rob@studiesinblackandwhite.com - -----Original Message----- From: Ted Grant [mailto:tedgrant@home.com] Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2000 10:42 AM To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us Subject: [Leica] was: 35mm versus 120: now confession! Mike Quinn wrote: > > Well Ted, > My favorite definition of a professional is someone who can get good results > from any equipment because he will take the time to discover it's > limitations and then either utilize them or figure out how to work within > them. > > You've offered similar advice more than once on the LUG... > > I think when you say "just go out and do it" you're ignoring all the work > that you and other pros do before and after an assignment to prepare > yourselves for the few moments of "doing it". > > Even if you "just do it", you should at least have a model of what you want > to achieve and then compare what you get with what you expected to get. > > Your model may not be a "scientific" one with charts and graphs, but I bet > you have at least a set of artistic standards that you continue to upgrade. Hi Mike, I realize experience is a great teacher and I guess I should explain how my career evolved without all the testing and reading folks do these days. In my case anyway. When my wife gave me my first camera, an Argus A2 somewhat like a P&S of today sans electronics, all I wanted to do was take pictures, period. To do that I bought all the photo magazines every month ( they were really great for learning in the '50's) And I proceeded to try all the things that I thought would make me a good photographer. Learnt by doing and not by extensive reading. Many technical and theory things I pasted over, too complicated, as all I wanted to do was take pictures and that meant out with the camera Saturday, Sunday and every minute I could get which in turn made my wife a "photo widow" so's to speak. The more pictures I shot the better I became, in many cases I had no idea why, they were better and looked like the pictures in LIFE, LOOK and other news photo magazines...ie: shot by "available light." Not saying I was of the caliber of the photographers in those magazines, but it was their style I really tried to emulate. The testing of lenses and cameras wasn't in the cards as I never concerned myself with testing simply because if Fritz Henle used a Rollieflex then that was the camera I had to have. Or Alfred Eisenstaedt used a Leica, I bought a Leica. Why would I test it if it were good enough for Esie it must be good enough for me? One time I really wanted a Rollieflex, but could only afford a Rolliecord. Bought it and had it for 28 days took it back because I was constantly troubled with, "I didn't have the best (Rollieflex) and my pictures would never be good!" Returned it and got the Rollieflex. Guess what? The attitude changed, the amount of picture taking became more intense....and I became better. Well in my mind anyway and I hadn't read anymore. And quite frankly that's generally the way it's been throughout a 50 year career. Buy a Leica lens and the only test was to see what images looked like wide open focused at various distances, Click it on the camera and away I went. As I've said before about folks on the LUG, I'm amazed at how much fiddly testing, goes on without just going out and shoot and learn from that avenue without back and forth at one print of a brick wall to another print of a brick wall to see what the difference is between whatever it is they test for. >>>>> Your model may not be a "scientific" one with charts and graphs, but I bet > you have at least a set of artistic standards that you continue to upgrade.>>>>>>>>>>>>> I've one standard I've always work towards, that is, "to be true to the best of my ability to my craft as a photographer" Its simple, be honest with yourself to maintain your credibility as a photographer and to what is expected of you by the people who entrust their assignments to you!" You don't have to be the "Worlds Greatest" as some aspire to. KISS! Just be consistently good and always come home with usable photographs!! And if you get lucky, you'll have a diamond or two that'll make folks "think you're the greatest!" :) And if that means not knowing what the hell "Curvature of field or flatness of film is" so be it. The theorists come and go like politicians, but shooters who practice the craft honestly and with passion usually go on forever. Hopefully this will account for my lack of theory background. Yep you do need to know it, but only when you need it. And if there were a time I needed to know something I looked it up, used it, then moved on without another thought. Maybe it's as you say, " Your model may not be a "scientific" one with charts and graphs,>>>>>>>> and I suppose it is, but I just take pictures, they turn out and people like them, editors and hirers of photographers hire me, so I guess even without the theory aspects I do something right. Hopefully this answers why I question the numbers of theory posts so often. ted