RE: [Leica] Alfie

["B. D. Colen" <bdcolen@earthlink.net>]

What you have apparently missed is at least a year of Alfie's posting of his
photos - and constructive criticism provided by many LUGers, including Ted
Grant. And you have apparently missed Alfie's total ignoring of all advice
and criticism. You have also obviously missed Alfie's posing and posturing,
his blather about this book project and that book project, about his
presenting his portfolio to New York galleries. So what you've missed, I
suppose, are the postings of the LUG's own Walter Mitty.

I know that the reason I finally responded as I did is that I believe that
Alfie's posing is basically pretty insulting and demeaning to people who
really are photographers, people who work at their craft, people who listen
to and learn from the advice of others, and people whose work improves with
time.

The criticism of Alfie has absolutely nothing to do with the camera he
used - in fact his work has been somewhat improved by the fact that he no
longer has to focus or worry about exposures. Much great work has been done
with very basic photo equipment.

The issue, George, is the "photographer," not the equipment.

And as someone just suggested, check the archives.

Respectfully =

B. D.

- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
[mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of George
Lottermoser
Sent: Friday, September 06, 2002 6:44 PM
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: Re: [Leica] Alfie


After reading BD's diatribe, I had to "see" what all the fuss was about -
and
also downloaded the "Postcards" pdf.

Without a doubt, from any sort of professional POV, the writing, design and
images need heavy duty editing and serious revision. The technical limits of
the P&S digital camera, as well as the aesthetic and technical limitations
of
the shooter and designer, have certainly been revealed in the work. But in
fairness a couple - few images have some appeal. And further, begin to speak
about a potentially interesting existentialist theme (A philosophy that
emphasizes the uniqueness and isolation of the individual experience in a
hostile or indifferent universe, regards human existence as unexplainable,
and
stresses freedom of choice and responsibility for the consequences of one's
acts.)

I find it difficult to imagine this work coming from a graduate student; and
its limitations being published for sale (self or otherwise). But as
beginning, undergraduate student work; I see an idea, effort and direction
buried in quantity, ego and verboseness. If indeed Alfie does not listen,
see
and learn, that's too bad. However, had Alfie submitted this body for
critique, learned from that critique, and re-submitted a heavily edited
revised version for further discussion - could we have found some compassion
for his desire to communicate and learn?

Indeed, can I depend on this group to help me in these regards? Or will I
too
get my head cut off?

Within the last few days someone else submitted a body of work done with a
digital P&S, much of it heavily manipulated in PS. I found it very strong
visual work and appreciated the opportunity to see it. No one put it down
for
the hardware's technical limitations or the photographer's choice to use it.

I don't understand why we put down effort without constructive criticism. To
suggest that someone has erred in offering work to the LUG for viewing,
critique and / or sale because it isn't up to "our standards" seems a
slippery
slope. I've spent a hell of a lot of time tracking down images submitted by
members of this group which appear far worse than Alfie's best "postcards".
In
many cases I have no idea if the submissions come from beginners or from
folks
that have been trying for decades and really, maybe ought to give up the
chase. And I don't know how long Alfie's been working at "it" either.

Obviously Doug's wildlife work ranks magnitudes above Alfie's street work.
And
while Doug may not have ever offered "prints for sale" of his early attempts
and failures as he pursued his craft. I don't think its inherently wrong or
inappropriate on an FS-friday to do so. Don't like it - don't buy it. Don't
like the guy / gal - don't read it or look at it. But why attack the person?
What have I missed?

geebeespawgeebeespaw@btopenworld.com
(geebeespaw)9/6/029:13 PM

>I never understood his obscure titling of his images and the photographs
themselves did nothing for me but looking at the pdf file ("there's no such
thing as bad publicity") I think they are an improvement on past efforts.
Would I buy a copy? No I would not. Have I seen worse? Yes I have and not
all
of it mine and not all of it from amateurs. As previously stated, I will not
be buying a copy but I would like to offer congratulations to Alfie for an
object lesson in tenacity. He had a dream and he chased it down. It says
something for the climate on the LUG >recently that I hesitate to post my
opinion in case the fallout rains down on my head. If it does, so be it.
Good
on yer Alfie.

George
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