[Leica] why we photograph?

[walt at waltjohnson.com (Walt Johnson)]

Now, on a more serious note

A. Why Do I photograph?

I make photographs when I am happy. These are happy photographs.I make 
photographs when I am sad. These  are sad photographs.There are times 
when I am neither happy or sad, and in these times my photographs are 
quite bland. There were times when I wanted to share my view of the 
world but no more. I still have my view, and I might be inclined to show 
it but certainly not share it. It is my view. Mine, mine, mine and I'm 
very attached to it. There have been times when I've asked myself this 
same question. Sometimes it is late at night, very dark and quiet. I 
don't really have an answer to A. It can confuse me....I am confused.

B. What's my primary subject matter?

I am a container of many preconceptions. When I find a subject which 
reinforces these notions it's time to click.  I've developed these 
opinions over many years and force them into my 24x36 view of life.

C. Why?

I am here, but not involved. I pass judgment, yet am not judged. I can 
yell "fire" without inhaling the smoke. what else can I do? I want to 
find pretty things and make pretty pictures. Pretty girls, with pretty 
titties. pretty, pretty. Now, you understand. Now, you will help me with 
my test charts, my pretty Leica.

Walt





B. D. Colen wrote:

>Enough of "what's your favorite color film?" or "which exotic animal skin 
>makes the best covering for a gold plated IIIg?" Today's question is a 
>three parter:
>A. Why do you photograph?
>B. What's your primary subject matter?
>C. Why?
>
>
>
>___
>Sent with SnapperMail
>www.snappermail.com
>
>...... Original Message .......
>On Mon, 3 Apr 2006 12:09:24 +0100 "John Beeching" <johnbeeching@gmail.com> 
>wrote:
>"Dear Don,
>"
>"Thanks for you comments, they are very useful.  This particular set
>"were all taken at the same place, though as you point out, there is
>"some disparity of content.  The contrast/darkness/lightness is
>"something I must look at - I have just bought a new monitor (NEC
>"Spectraview 1980) and it is quite different from my aged CRT.
>"
>"John
>"
>"On 02/04/06, Don Dory <don.dory@gmail.com> wrote:
>"> John,
>"> The gallery you pointed us to is for the most part very austere, almost 
>no
>"> people with just some signs of habitation such as graffitti on one wall 
>or
>"> some laundry hanging up.  They work together with the exception of the
>"> woodland shots that just don't have any snap visually or contrast and the
>"> image of the two people on the edge of the beach.
>">
>"> The two on the beach is a good engimatic image, but doesn't work in that
>"> group.
>">
>"> I would say that for the web most of the images could use just a touch 
>more
>"> contrast; they lack an absolute black and seem to stop just short of 
>white.
>"> The roof top scenes in particular would benefit from a very small 
>increase
>"> in contrast as shown on a monitor.
>">
>"> I took a quick peek at some of you other galleries and you have some 
>mighty
>"> fine images throughout.
>">
>"> Thanks for showing us your work.
>">
>"> Don
>"> don.dory@gmail.com
>">
>">
>"> On 4/2/06, John Beeching <johnbeeching@gmail.com> wrote:
>"> >
>"> > Dear All,
>"> >
>"> > http://staff.bath.ac.uk/bssjrb/Photographic/conil/conil.htm
>"> >
>"> > Tri-X DDX 1+4, 28, 35 & 50mm.
>"> >
>"> > Comments and criticisms welcome.
>"> >
>"> > John
>"> >
>"> > --
>"> > John Beeching
>"> > http://staff.bath.ac.uk/bssjrb/Photographic/photo.htm
>"> >
>"> >
>"> > _______________________________________________
>"> > 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
>">
>"
>"
>"--
>"John Beeching
>"http://staff.bath.ac.uk/bssjrb/Photographic/photo.htm
>"
>"
>"_______________________________________________
>"Leica Users Group.
>"See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>
>
>_______________________________________________
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>
>
>  
>