[Leica] ICU images...

[kididdoc at cox.net (Steve Barbour)]

On Sep 18, 2006, at 2:07 PM, Ted Grant wrote:

> David Rodgers responded:
> "Subject: RE: [Leica] ICU images...
>
>
>> Ted,
>>
>> Everything you say is right on. However, I have a different  
>> perspective
>> on Steve's first photo. For me having the person on the left out of
>> focus placed the emphasis on the woman on the right.<<<
>
> David, true enough! However the male is no more than an out of  
> focus distraction in the photograph. You cannot let "perceptions  
> intrude" when the subject is in such a prominent position in the  
> frame.
>
> Any good photo editor's immediate re-action would be... "hell does  
> this guy know how to focus his camera?" And say that without any  
> perceptions or knowing what's going on nor who these people are.  
> It's the content and not perception along with the  finished  
> product first and foremost.
>
>>> For me having the person on the left out of focus placed the  
>>> emphasis on the woman on the right.<<<
>
> That would be right if he wasn't such a strong character in the  
> middle of the photo. Look at how strong his eyes are, (far more  
> disturbing than adding to the picture) they should've been sharp or  
> so far out of focus he and his eyes were nothing but an  
> unrecognizable figure.  Steve probably should've used an 80mm f1.4  
> wide open and made the concentration totally the woman.
>
> If you have a copy of either of my books "Doctor's Work or Women in  
> Medicine." there are similar types of pictures, but both people are  
> in focus and done without any planning, just simple  
> "photojournalist re-action."
>
> Or they're so far out of focus they have really no influence as we  
> see here.
>
> I realize each of us see different relationships in a photograph  
> and I have no problem with that.
>
>>> It makes her the dominant subject. And that's where my attention  
>>> went first. >>I noticed that she was going through a thought  
>>> process, trying to figure >>something out.<<<
>
> Sorry sometimes we have a tendency to "read into the picture"  
> rather than straight looking at the quality of the image and making  
> our decision on that alone.
>
>>> To me the person on the left was supporting object. He was
>> providing feedback just like what the woman was obviously looking at.
>> Whether that was a chart, monitor, or some other type of information
>> feedback isn't apparent. So the photograph was about the woman and  
>> her
>> quest to find an answer, or a solution to a problem; something with
>> which I empathized. <<,
>
> David you're reading lots into this photograph rather than just  
> looking at it as a photo! And in this case I believe you're  
> subconsciously trying to mentally correct Steve's shooting error!
>
>> If the person on the left had been in focus it would have been more
>> about the two of them. It would have been about a discussion  
>> between two
>> people (or maybe more people since it looks the oof person might be
>> looking at someone behind the woman rather than at her). Instead it's
>> about the one person. <<<<
>
> Sorry mate not at all, you're reading into again. This is about two  
> people and points being made or discussion.
>
>> I'm not saying it would have been better or worse for me if both had
>> been in focus. It just would have been different. Whether or not  
>> Steve
>> intended it the way it came out, or whether he was handcuffed by the
>> Noct's dof , I don't know. But it worked for me. <<
>
> As it should be and you've made your points well as to why it  
> worked for you.
> I look at any photograph without reading anything into what I'm  
> looking at because that keeps me out of "what it appears is going  
> on." I make my comments purely on the flat photograph in front of  
> me..... quite frankly even editing my own work! That's worse  
> because now I'm coping with the physical and mental emotions during  
> the shoot! :-(
>
> Otherwise if you start reading into a photograph "what you think is  
> happening" it means the photographer hasn't done his job well. For  
> a picture to really work it should smack you across the side of the  
> head avoiding making up reasons why you like it or don't like it  
> through a perceived perception.
>
> Damn fine discussion, too bad we're not across a table with Steve  
> and a beer in hand! :-) Next time. ;-)

I am listening men, a really helpful discussion for me...and thank  
you. I am headed out now for a beer.


Steve


>
> ted
>
>
>
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