Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/01/11
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Ted, Many thanks for the kind words. Coming from you--one who's been though more than his share of photo book projects--it's wonderful praise. I'm thrilled that you like it. Only thought is that the CEO of Leica probably could give a rat's rear about this project, for several reasons. Judging from their recent advertising, Leica's trying to appeal to "lifestyle" sales, where a Leica is as important to a luxury lifestyle as a Rolex or 7-Series BMW. It's camera as jewelry or stage prop. For much of the LUG, a Leica purchase is hardly a lifestyle frill. It's a very difficult purchase decision, often requiring some not inconsiderable sacrifice. The unique qualities of Leica as an important photographic tool seems to be the common thread among this group. Well, that and roux. The book also shows a major flaw in Leica's market position: many of the shots were made with non-Solms digital cameras, reflecting Leica's difficult transition as the film era wanes. Even the Leica devotees have been veering away from Solms equipment. If I were the CEO of Leica, and saw that 25-40% (I didn't count exactly) of the images in a Leica Users Group book came from non-Leitz equipment, I'd be quite concerned. Fifteen years ago the contents of a LUG book would probably have been nearly all from Leica cameras. Of course, as I noted in my book preface, the LUG book would never have existed with the technology of 1992. All best, Jim Shulman Bryn Mawr, PA -----Original Message----- From: lug-bounces+jshul=comcast.net@leica-users.org [mailto:lug-bounces+jshul=comcast.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Ted Grant Sent: Thursday, January 11, 2007 2:16 PM To: Leica Users Group Subject: Re: [Leica] My Yearbooks Arrived Today Jim Shulman offered: Subject: [Leica] My Yearbooks Arrived Today > Seems like the chef's the last one to eat <g>. > > While the images looked nice on screen, I was amazed at how well they > reproduced. For all the issues with blurb.com's shipping and > communications, at least the finished product is well worth placement on > the > coffee table.<<<< Jim mon ami, "IT'S LIKE WOW !!!!!!!!! Good wife just brought mine to my room, obviously after opening the package and examining the beautiful piece of work you've put to-gether! She was all smiles and excited .... "I bet there's a lot of LUG machine people who'll be sorry they didn't send a couple of photographs when they see this! It's a wonderful book of fine photographs and a compliment to the people on the LUG who submitted." Then I scoured it cover to cover, several times! WONDERFUL! Beat's the heck out of seeing them on screen! :-) A compliment to all.... "we're a damn fine bunch of photographers!!" Those who didn't submit, "eat your heart out!!" As you missed a great opportunity to have a picture or two in a very fine collection of photographs by the people who you know as "screen friends and colleagues." Pity! However, Jim this is a great tribute to yourself and "Brian the saloon Keeper" for maintaining the LUG allowing a great number of people about the world to share our passion for photography and the equipment we use! If the subject hasn't been put forward may I offer a suggestion a copy be sent to the new CEO of Leica, I'm sure he'll find it very interesting indeed. WHY? Well gee whiz eh, the LUG just handed the Leica corporation a major piece of free advertising the likes they haven't done in centuries! well OK in many many years! The closest book they did to this, not one whit better, was "75 Years of Leica Photography." If you have a copy look through our LUG, then 75 years and the LUG holds it's own without question, even better than some of the so called greats of the long long time ago photo world! Our's is modern, today, up to the minute and it's a damn fine photography book tribute. So Jim a great big thank you for putting this together and making it happen. I'd bet a $100.00 you've given a bunch of shooters something to feel good about their work and smile! Good on you lad! Now onto 2007! :-) ted _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information