[Leica] Re: PAW5 ...... YUCK!

[tedgrant at shaw.ca (Ted Grant)]

Robert Schwartz offered:

> Mr. Grant,
> You, sir, are a true and great photographer. Your photographs have all of 
> the proper compositional elements and lighting that make for outstanding 
> visual (photographically redeeming) qualities. I have one of your books. 
> Wonderful photographs.
>
> The photograph in PAW5 looks like what I get on the first few frames after 
> the film leader when loading film. Close the back and fire off a few 
> frames. The results are usually crooked (angled), poorly exposed, 
> basically non photographs. PAW5 is crooked, totally improperly exposed 
> (and processed if film), and what might be considered a subject, competes 
> so violently with the railing and background, it's virtually impossible to 
> find. It is a collage of underexposure and lens flare.
>
> I suspect the photograph is indeed a frame from loading film or if it is a 
> digital photograph, then it was an accidental pushing of the shutter 
> release.
>
> But my "fire away" analysis stands. It's a non photograph. It is simply 
> light struck silver halide or pixels. No redeeming photographic qualities.
>
> The PAW5 author stated: "fire away". I simply obliged with my personal 
> opinion. I apologize for not elaborating the first time around.<<<<<,

Hi Robert,
Thank you good sir.

Now yer cooking my friend! :-) Exactly what I meant as you gave a perfect 
reason everyone can understand what you meant. Wonderful visual description 
and possibly exactly how B.D. shot to see if anyone was sharp enough to pick 
it up? :-)

Along the lines of your description "the first few frames as we start a 
roll."  About 30 years ago the National Film Board Photo Gallery hung a show 
by a half dozen photographers made up of just what you described. Those 
first frames shot while advancing the film to start real time shooting. 
There were photos of car trunks, inside the car, trees, feet you name it and 
it was there.

As interesting as it was it created an incredible amount of animosity due to 
the considerable amount of money paid the photographers for these throw away 
frames. It didn't hang very long, but sure caused some folks a tremendous 
amount of grief for throwing "tax payers money away" so frivolously.

Thank you very much for your explanation. Much appreciated.

ted