Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/02/21
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Assuming we are discussing and not arguing:-)... I see music and musical training as something very different, and relate on a personal level to what you've said about music. As one who loves music - primarily 60s folk, rock, jazz, some classical - I have dabbled over the years at playing banjo and guitar, and play them very badly. I'm really lousy at them - and this is not an "aw, shucks, I'm not really any good," but rather a statement of fact ;-) - for two reasons; I have never had the patience and dedication required to really master any instrument. (I am, without any doubt what so ever, a classic ADD type). IF I had the patience and IF I mastered the instruments, I still doubt that I would be particularly good because I don't think I have that special 'something' (real talent?) that sets the plunked apart from the virtuoso. The second reason that I am no good at either instrument is that I have never had the patience, taken the time, to learn some basic music theory. Yes, I know there are many 'natural' musicians who never learned to read music and can play like angels - or devils - none the less. But THOSE are the people with raw, natural - call it genetic - talent; I don't have that. What does all this have to do with photography? I think that it's directly analogous to what we've been discussing. I believe that when it comes to photography, I have that genetic 'something.' I believe that I was born with an eye, if you will, so that once I learned to master the basics of camera operation, it's been a matter of the more I've shot over time, the better my work has gotten. Again, the ADD or something comes in as a factor, because my photography got side-tracked and in my late teens took a back seat to writing - and didn't really advance or improve for decades. But since taking it up seriously - probably more seriously than at any other time in my life - over the last six, seven years - it has continually improved. (Again, I am not claiming to be some 'hot shot' in any way, shape or form, nor am I claiming to be any different from a substantial number of folks on this list, many of whose photography is far better than mine.) What I am saying is that if one doesn't have that innate ability, that spark, all the rules in the world will only produce stilted, rule-dominated, photographs that are duller than dirt to everyone except the person who took them, those who love that person, and other people without real ability. But if one has that spark, the image will out, with or without studying the rules. In fact, as Ted noted, those who are big on the rules may well look at the photos of people with talent who know nothing about 'the rules' and find some of the rules played out in the photos. Does any of that makes sense? :-) B. D. -----Original Message----- From: lug-bounces+bdcolen=earthlink.net@leica-users.org [mailto:lug-bounces+bdcolen=earthlink.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Jayanand Govindaraj Sent: Monday, February 21, 2005 9:47 AM To: Leica Users Group Subject: Re: [Leica] Thanks to BD and John Szarkowski Actually, its really the same as saying 'May the force be with you' .... Cheers jayanand Govindaraj Chennai, India ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Mason" <masonster@gmail.com> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org> Sent: Monday, February 21, 2005 9:47 AM Subject: Re: [Leica] Thanks to BD and John Szarkowski > You know, what you quoted there is exactly how I see it. I am > classically trained in music, from college and chose not to do a > damned thing with it after all those years. Photography was never > taught to me on such a deep and formal level and it has become very > personal because of that. I sought education to an extent and shunned > it on another level. I love being able to take a "rule" and trying it > out. I also love being able to just shoot. They are both great and > both worthwhile for anyone. After 15+ years out of music school I > finally find myself able to listen to classical music - and it is > absolutely amazing to NOT think about all the history, theory, > analysis, etc. but I am also extremely glad to know all of it anyway. > > > Cheers, > > Dave > > > On Mon, 21 Feb 2005 09:05:35 +0530, Jayanand Govindaraj > <jgovindaraj@eth.net> wrote: >> The guy who got it right was Charlie Parker, the great jazz musician, >> who >> said that you have to learn all that needs to be learnt about your >> musical >> instrument, and then forget all that you have learnt & play. >> >> The subconcious will then take over, full time. >> >> Cheers >> Jayanand Govindaraj >> Chennai, India >> >> > Hi B.D., >> > When I'm shooting, I'm shooting. I'm not analyzing composition of >> > triangles or other "rules of art design" before, click! It's just >> > plain old fashion, see, shoot to motivation,over! Design factor >> > doesn't consciously enter into it at all, as it's what's happening >> > when I see things that motivate me. >> > >> > However, what is interesting, "art design people" look at my >> > photography >> > and do an analysis of it's art explaining the composition of triangles >> > in >> > body forms creating the strength of the picture. Interesting to be able >> > to >> > do that. >> > >> > Me? I just see bodies doing something interesting! ;-) Click.:-) >> > >> > ted >> > >> > >> > _______________________________________________ >> > Leica Users Group. >> > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more >> > information >> > >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> >> > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information