Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/06/15
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>>>>>>>>>> Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2000 05:50:07 -0400 From: Martin Howard <howard.390@osu.edu> Subject: [Leica] Leica cameras and toy pictures Message-ID: <B56E1F0F.4C07%howard.390@osu.edu> References: I've been thinking about quality of cameras and quality of photography... <<<<<<<<<<<< When you go into a slum where your Leica is worth more than the average house your subjects are living in, and definitely worth many times more than any money they're likely to save in their lifetimes, it makes you wonder. But in the end, if you're going to tell their story, they - and it - - are worth the best you can give in effort and equipment, I think. But I also never give a straight answer to "how much is that camera, mister?" - partly shame, partly common sense. I do care about what's in front of my camera, in fact, a camera is largely an excuse to explore other lives for me. I'm also passionate about photography and the quality of the images I make, but I certainly don't think that taking downtrodden people's pictures is going to change their lives in any way. But I do believe that anything excellent - I _aim_ for excellence, nota bene! - as difficult and rare as it certainly is, is by that token also valuable. I also like the feel, etc. of my toys. But funnily enough I find it more embarassing to walk around in Italy with a Leica around my neck where there's a chance someone might recognise it as that snob camera, than I do in places where nobody has the faintest idea! I think everyone who pursues it with passion is ambivalent about photography. Means and ends. But that's life - as Bernard would say, get used to it! Rob. Robert Appleby and Sue Darlow Via Bellentani 36 41100 Modena Italy Tel/fax [39] 059 303436