RE: [Leica] Re: The quintessence of Leica photography? - Long response -

[Austin Franklin <austin@darkroom.com>]

> The "craft" of photography cannot be practiced or duplicated with a
> scanner, Photoshop, and an inkjet.

Stop bath looks to be a little too strong tonight, eh? (that was a joke for 
the humor impaired)

Go look up photography and craft in the dictionary.  "The taking and 
processing of photographs", "skill" (OEED).  It does not say HOW the 
photographs are processed, and craft can apply to ANYthing one is skilled 
in.   Using a scanner, Photoshop and an inkjet IS processing of 
photographs, and someone who is skilled in using those tools is 'crafting'. 
 Whether you consider it so, or not, it is.

> It is not simple. It is not
> "point and shoot." It requires visualization and thought. It requires a
> thorough knowledge of the processes involved. It requires work, which is
> where many people give up.

Just because one uses a scanner, PS and an inkjet does not mean one just 
"points and shoots".
Everything else you said about 'visualizing', 'knowledge', 'learning', 
'technique' bla bla bla. all apply to any form of visual communication, and 
certainly to the post processing of film images, whether it be wet darkroom 
or scanning, PhotoShop and inkjet printing.

> The digital process has solved this for those folks. Simply point and
> shoot. Scan if it's not already digital. Fix-up and manipulate in
> Photoshop. Print a pleasing inkjet. No photography craft involved. Just
> move the pixels to where they look good and be done with it.

Your view of digital processing is quite misguided if you believe that is 
all there is to it.  It would be nice if (possibly before espousing 
additionally on this topic) you take the time to understand it, because 
clearly you don't.  It is much more than you give it credit for, and you 
are doing it a great injustice.

> All of you real photographers out there, those versed in the "craft" of
> photography

Sounds to me like you saying anyone who uses a scanner, PS and an inkjet 
are not  "real" photographer, nor versed in the "craft" of photography?

> PS... this is not a denigration of those folks that have no possibility 
of
> having and using a darkroom, and therefore are forced to go digital. I 
feel
> for them and would indeed go that route myself, if I were forced to.

Then it IS a denigration of those of us who have chosen to not use a wet 
darkroom, and use a scanner, PhotoShop and inkjet?

This post has some great stories and points, but it sure would come across 
more 'honestly passionate' if you left the insulting statements.  Have at 
your 'craft' all you want, and I certainly wouldn't insult you for it, but 
I feel it's really inappropriate for you to tell others what they do is 
just 'point and shoot' and they aren't 'real photographers' and what they 
do is not a 'craft' because they use a scanner, PS and an inkjet for post 
processing their negatives.

Your post is equally as insulting as someone saying that a Leica and 35mm 
film is just to small to do any worthwhile work with...  Some are of that 
opinion...and in fact, I was, until I got my Leica...but I didn't insult 
people who did things contrary to the way I though was the right way to do 
things.  Because so many people heralded the Leica, I bought one, and am 
very happy I did.  Some people think no one is a 'real' photographer, much 
less a 'craftsman', unless s/he is using an LF camera...and sheet film, 
much less a 35mm rangefinder...