Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/04/07
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Nick :-) ;-) :-P :-D O:-) Walt Nick Roberts wrote: >Walt, > >Just struck me that you might be trying to tell me how to go about shooting >it, in which case apologies for misunderstanding you, but then as it wasn't >me that shot it in the first place, the advice is misdirected - I'm purely >an observer in this case. > >Nick > >----- Original Message ---- >From: Nick Roberts <nickbroberts@yahoo.co.uk> >To: Leica Users Group <lug@leica-users.org> >Sent: Friday, 7 April, 2006 12:39:35 PM >Subject: Re: [Leica] WWII veteran (OT Gear) > > >Walt, > >Yes and no. There's hugely more to it than that, and I'm sure you know it. >Some pics can and do tell the entire story and have no need for words (some >of the excellent shots you yourself have recently posted fall into this >category, as does the majority of Ted's very fine body of work). Some >simply can't possibly tell the whole story, and I contend that by ignoring >this fact, it's you that misses the point completely. How can either of the >pictures in question tell us about the past of the veteran? In themselves, >they can't - only the words do. It's then a question of which picture fits >with the story - the straight portrait, or the symbolic one? I contend that >in this case, the sum of the words and the action shot are not only greater >than the parts, but greater than the other shot too, notwithstanding the >greater freestanding impact of the straight portrait. For me, just those >few words make me care about the subject in a way that the portrait >couldn't possibly do, and >produce a different set of emotions, as I've explained. By all means >disagree with me, it's just my opinion, and I am in no way a PJ or even >portraitist. But it's my honest opinion, so if you don't like it, tough, I >don't really care. Ted asked a question (admittedly of someone else), I >answered it. End of story. If you're telling me I have to think the same as >Ted because he's a brilliant PJ and I'm not, I will courteously, sincerely >and happily acknowledge the fact of Ted's superior photographic ability >(and yours as well, for that matter, you're a terrific photographer), and >respectfully file your advice where I normally file instructions on how I >should think. ;) > > >Nick > >----- Original Message ---- >From: Walt Johnson <walt@waltjohnson.com> >To: Leica Users Group <lug@leica-users.org> >Sent: Thursday, 6 April, 2006 5:07:51 PM >Subject: Re: [Leica] WWII veteran (OT Gear) > > >Nick: > >One of the golden rules of photographic story telling is to do just >that, namely tell a story. To rely on an image which requires an >explanation to make it understood misses the point completely. In all >honesty, your rationale seems to take the point well past breakage and >then some. Ted has had more than his share of fine portraits published >all over the world. I'd consider that and maybe try and learn a bit from >him. > >Walt > >. >Nick Roberts wrote: > > > >>If I may, Ted, I'll tell you why I think the combination of the story and >>the first picture is stronger than that of the story and the second >>picture - in the second, you've got a frail old man - lovely portrait, but >>just a frail old man, a picture that leaves me faintly sad. The first one, >>though, shows him alive, doing what he loves - and it's a poignant >>reminder of wartime watchfulness, but now for joyous reasons, not fearful >>ones. So the first picture to me is one of hope and happy endings, the >>second isn't. That's no reflection of the isolated photographic merit of >>each, just how I feel the words and images work together. >> >>Nick >> >> >>----- Original Message ---- >>From: Ted Grant <tedgrant@shaw.ca> >>To: Leica Users Group <lug@leica-users.org> >>Sent: Thursday, 6 April, 2006 3:54:42 PM >>Subject: Re: [Leica] WWII veteran (OT Gear) >> >> >>PHC offered: >>Subject: Re: [Leica] WWII veteran (OT Gear) >> >> >> >> >>>>http://www.geebeephoto.com/2006/06060.htm >>>> >>>>http://www.geebeephoto.com/2006/06061.htm >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >> >>Paul said, >> >> >> >> >>>Don't listen to them Graham! The first one is definitely the better >>>picture. Fabulous!<<<< >>> >>> >>> >>> >>Paul I'm not sure why you could say that? Would you mind explaining as a >>photograph you think number one is better than the second as portarit type >>photo with such beautiful light an his face? Certainly compared to the >>back >>of his head holding a camera pointing out a hole in the wall? >> >>Much appreciated if you would, thank you. >>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 > >_______________________________________________ >Leica Users Group. >See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > > >