Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/08/22

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Subject: [Leica] Shakleton Photos Faked
From: kitmc at vuelux.com (Kit McChesney | Vuelux)
Date: Sun Aug 22 15:37:09 2004

Marc--

Calm down, man. No one is disputing the beauty of the images, nor the
extreme conditions of the expedition, or Hurley's difficult life,
yadda-yadda. We're only raising questions about the veracity of what was
represented. Sure, Hurley's work could stand to be seen as great art. And
propaganda, too! Some of the world's most influential art has been
propaganda! Ever seen Riefenstahl's "Triumph of the Will"? 

If one's view of history is that it is legitimate to make it "beautiful" by
altering the documentation that poses to represent the actual occurence,
then we are indeed in trouble. Of course, we are already in trouble on that
score, aren't we, since that's the official line of the powers-that-be at
the moment! 

Kit 
-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+kitmc=vuelux.com@leica-users.org
[mailto:lug-bounces+kitmc=vuelux.com@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Marc
James Small
Sent: Sunday, August 22, 2004 3:28 PM
To: Leica Users Group
Subject: RE: [Leica] Shakleton Photos Faked

At 09:22 AM 8/22/04 -0600, Kit McChesney | Vuelux wrote:

>Well, true, the article was more balanced than what the headline would lead
>one to believe. But I do find this section disturbing, especially after
>seeing a PBS (public television here in the US) special on Shackleton,
which
>used photographs of the expedition to give its history (very well done,
>too!):


Good heavens!  Do you folks recognize just what was involved in the
Shackleton Expedition?  That ANY survived was remarkable, and it is a true
tribute to the leadership of Shackleton that ALL survived and without any
serious medical complications.  I forget who said it, but it was noted
around this time that, if you wanted to come back, go with Shackleton.  

The photographs taken are magnificent and who really cares if a fake
cloudscape was inserted into one particular shot?  Good God Almighty!
These are MAGNIFICENT photographs, taken by a fellow who was to be deprived
of some of his most productive years while stranded on the sinking whaler
and on the long trek afterwards.  Hurley took grand photographs but he
probably, judging from his later career, would have been far happier
covering the ANZAC's on Gallipoli.

Those interested in the product and not in the sensationalism of those
attacking the packaging are encouraged to review the photographs themselves:


Hurley, Frank.  SOUTH WITH ENDURANCE:  SHACKLETON'S ANATARCTIC EXPEDITION
1914-1917 THE PHOTOGRAPHS OF FRANK HURLEY.  London, England:  Book Creation
Services, Ltd., 2001.  ISBN:  1-932302-04-2.

Ansel Adams could only dream of producing images of this quality.

Marc

msmall@infionline.net  FAX:  +540/343-7315
Cha robh b?s fir gun ghr?s fir!



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Replies: Reply from msmall at infionline.net (Marc James Small) ([Leica] Shakleton Photos Faked)
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