[Leica] why we photograph?

[datamaster at northcoastphotos.com (Gary Todoroff)]

My father was an engineer, his life-long career preceded by many years as a
draftsman. I can  remember whenever he would say, "let me draw you a
picture." Then some quick pencil lines on blank paper would describe a place
or concept so quickly and simply. Given time and some lessons, I think many
of us could learn to draw in a rudimentary way that would assist in getting
ideas across.

In any case, I do use the phrase a lot, "Let me draw you a picture." It puts
people in a mode to understand something, whether the drawing is my
scribbling of a map, some  hand-waving or a metaphor. In a way, I'm drawing
like my dad communicated, only with photographs. And sometimes with words
attached, too.

Gary Todoroff

> -----Original Message-----
> From: lug-bounces+datamaster=northcoastphotos.com@leica-users.org
> [mailto:lug-bounces+datamaster=northcoastphotos.com@leica-users.or
> g]On Behalf Of kelly adams
> Sent: Friday, April 07, 2006 6:11 AM
> To: Leica Users Group
> Subject: Re: [Leica] why we photograph?
>
>
> I think you have that about right BD. As a retired "art" instructor I
> have had students who could not draw what they see, that is, draw
> empirically. Like math is the basic language of science, drawing is the
> basic language of the visual arts; ie  Wyeth and de Kooning are/were
> exquisite draftsmen. It is hard, it is seeing. very interesting thread.
> Kelly
> On Apr 7, 2006, at 8:27 AM, B. D. Colen wrote:
>
> > I've just been quietly taking in all these responses, some of them
> > quite
> > moving and inspiring, and have remained silent - a real struggle for
> > me.
> > :-) But I have to respond to this..
> > Saying "anyone can draw" is like saying "anyone can photograph,"
> > "anyone
> > can write," "anyone can play viola." While it's true on a basic level,
> > it's
> > actually nonsense. Learning the basic, technical skills of an art does
> > not
> > give the vast majority of people the ability to produce anything beyond
> > mechanistic drech. (and btw, give most people all the drawing courses
> > yoy
> > want and what they draw will still look like the begining discards of a
> > begining art student.;-))
> > More to the point though, I'd love to see some thoughtful expansions -
> > from
> > the original posters - on the theme of "I photograph because I can't
> > draw."
> > B. D.
> > ___
> > Sent with SnapperMail
> > www.snappermail.com
> >
> > ...... Original Message .......
> > On Fri, 7 Apr 2006 13:57:12 +0200 PHC <lists@paulhardycarter.com>
> > wrote:
> > "I think it's amazing how many of the respondents to this have said
> > they
> > "can't draw. I believe that practically everyone can draw, it's just
> > "that it has to be taught. Like playing the piano - everyone can do
> > "something on the piano if they're shown how, but not everyone can be
> > "Daniel Barenboim.
> > "
> > "Learning to draw is rather more important than the piano if you're a
> > "photographer though, because even if you are not an undiscovered
> > "prodigy, and you are never satisfied with the results, you will learn
> > "how to see. And there's nothing more important than that for a
> > "photographer.
> > "
> > "So - forget about buying that new lens and spend the money instead on
> > a
> > "life drawing course. At least then you'll be able to say you take
> > "photographs because you chose to, not because you couldn't do
> > something
> > "else.
> > "
> > "P.
> > "
> > "*******
> > "Paul Hardy Carter
> > "www.paulhardycarter.com
> > "+44 (0)20 7871 7553
> > "*******

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