Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/04/04

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Subject: [Leica] Is B.D. all wet again?
From: masonster at gmail.com (David Mason)
Date: Mon Apr 4 16:37:26 2005
References: <000301c5396d$a4378e50$6401a8c0@bigguy>

Hi Walt,

I was the one who started the whole thing so I feel like I should
respond. It is simple, I just don't get much of a charge out of his
work. I am well aware of his impact on the art world and the
technologies of photography, et al. I am also sure that had I not been
only a couple months old when you were hanging that show in 1969 I
might appreciate that impact even more.

All that notwithstanding, my reaction to his work is simply one of
indifference. I see his work (either on every other calendar in the
bookstore or in a museum) and it simply does nothing more for me than
make me think "wow halfdome sure is beautiful". I won't apologize for
it, its called personal taste - it makes no statement about the man
himself. While I can look at landscape photography over and over, and
I love taking it for my photo albums, I would buy 100 different Gene
Smith clones' work before Ansel clones.

I also think that brussel sprouts are one of the most vile vegetables
on this planet.

Cheers,

Dave


On Apr 4, 2005 7:25 PM, Walt Johnson <walt@waltjohnson.com> wrote:
> Can't help it B.D., been dwelling  on a comment you made a while back. Was
> gonna let it slide (sometimes it best to keep trap shut) but must respond.
> 
> You mentioned how boring  the Ansel Adams genre was. I railed. I chomped at
> the bit. I had steam coming out my ears. I kept my mouth shut.
> 
> Sorry, but it's of no avail. Ansel was a man who set trends, not followed
> them. Sure, there are lots of look -alikes out there today. 'I'm sure we
> could uncover a lot of Gene Smith clones too. Hey, every time I turn around
> there are folks emulating Robert Frank, William Klein and Mary Ellen Mark.
> 
> One thing is certain though, Ansel was an original. Sure, some of his
> writing was a bit pedantic but he was an original. Artist, 
> environmentalist,
> and humanitarian.
> 
> I help to  hang one of his shows in 1969 and was very sad not to be able to
> have $75 dollars to buy a signed "Moonrise over Hernandez".  (that was with
> the student discount)
> 
> One Ansel is worth about 27 Maplethorpes. (sp) Hell, haven't used anything
> other than a Nikon, Leica, or RB since school days but if I wanted to know
> the ins and outies of a view cam I'd certainly look to Ansel's writings.
> 
> Walt
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
> 
>

Replies: Reply from s.jessurun95 at chello.nl (animal) ([Leica] Is B.D. all wet again?)
In reply to: Message from walt at waltjohnson.com (Walt Johnson) ([Leica] Is B.D. all wet again?)