Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/11/30
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Jim Schulman responded: > Years ago I remember reading > about some photographer who said that if your pictures aren't good enough, > you're not close enough. He was right, so far as my stuff's concerned. > <<<<< Hi Jim, I meant to answer this earlier as I think it was a Robert Capa quotation? Alas getting closer does on occaision cause you your life! ;-( But then dedicated photojournalists never think about the dangers nor being too close to get the picture! :-) . :-) It's just getting the picture becaaue that is the motivational moment. ;-) LIFE? Oh hell get the picture as that's what counts! ;-) Dr. ted :-) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steve Barbour" <steve.barbour at gmail.com> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug at leica-users.org> Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 9:51 PM Subject: Re: [Leica] PESO: Carver > > On Nov 30, 2009, at 3:06 PM, Jim Shulman wrote: > >> Maybe that's where I differ in approach. >> >> One reason that I adore using RF cameras is the ability to see life on >> parade. When I consider a subject such as the wood carver, I might spend >> several minutes observing him through the viewfinder. When I feel right, >> I >> push the shutter button. >> >> On those occasions when I've shot multiple images of the same subject, >> I've >> found that my initial instinct of the best shot was almost always right. >> It >> is also almost always the first picture! When it isn't the first >> picture, >> it's usually one when I've moved in closer. > > and even closer...? > > I hope sometimes Jim you get down lower too... > > I think that would have been worth another shot... > > (I am finding that 75% of my photos are taken from below the subject, and > I don't crawl around on my knees) > > > Steve > > > >> Years ago I remember reading >> about some photographer who said that if your pictures aren't good >> enough, >> you're not close enough. He was right, so far as my stuff's concerned. >> >> I usually only like wider angle lenses when I'm shooting a "ballet" of >> activity--with many things happening within a frame. Sometimes a 50 >> doesn't >> allow enough flexibility. However, this year I've fallen in love again >> with >> the basics: my M3, Summilux 50 (gad, what a lens!), and b/w film. >> >> On most days I wind up with about ten really nice shots per 36-exposure >> roll >> (or at least shots that I'd like to share with others). In fact, I have >> a >> backlog of about 300 images from the past year (which is why my PESOs are >> more like PADs!) A single event will yield quite a few decent shots. >> >> The other day I photographed a friend's three year old son, during the >> intermission of a Thanksgiving dinner production (we were both a little >> bored). I only shot seven images; two were screwed-up exposures, one was >> of >> a wall (misfire), but all the others were keepers (at least acc'd to the >> parents.) >> >> In the case of the wood carver I was far more interested in the complete >> scene--the hat, the tent, the carving, the boots and the way the light >> was >> slanting into the enclosure. When I had the shot I wanted, I was >> satisfied. >> >> About the only portrait session this year that didn't work involved an >> old >> friend and his wife. The pictures all showed him smiling--but missing >> about >> eight teeth on his upper jaw! After the implants go in next year we >> should >> be fine <g>. >> >> Jim >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: lug-bounces+jshul=comcast.net at leica-users.org >> [mailto:lug-bounces+jshul=comcast.net at leica-users.org] On Behalf Of >> tedgrant at shaw.ca >> Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 5:49 PM >> To: Leica Users Group >> Subject: Re: [Leica] PESO: Carver >> >> Jim Shulman offered >> Subject: Re: [Leica] PESO: Carver >> >> >>> Easy for you digital guys to say <g>. >>> For a film devotee, it was one shot and done. Sometimes two if I screw >>> up >>> focus or exposure.<<<<<, >> >> Oh no no don't say that as I shrivel and die! Particularly when you have >> such an incredible subject sitting there not going anywhere!!! That's >> part >> of the reason he makes for a great subject... "HE IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE!" >> We >> >> are going to have a discussion behind the wood shed on this one young >> man! >> :-( :-) >> >> Film or digital, Jim I'd have sat there for an hour, if not more, >> clicking >> at every little motivating moment of the scene. However I must say with >> film >> >> all the dang darkroom work would've been a big pain in the butt along >> with >> cutting the film, sleeving, contact printing, editing for selection. Back >> into darkroom for print making. >> >> Right there is reason alone to go digital! :-) >> >> When I lived the life of a film photographer I never let the amount of >> film >> deter me from shooting everything that I felt in my heart or soul! Yeah >> it >> got dangerously low in rolls at times, but I always kept a couple of >> extra >> rolls in other pockets as a kind of insurance. >> >> Of course now I've gone digital it's a living piece of cake with a couple >> of >> >> cards, a spare battery and one can blow their brains out snapping away! >> :-) >> >> So back to this incredible carving subject? Man you can't just shoot one >> or >> two frames when you have such great picture potential before you. >> Obviously >> from your answer it would be... "Yes you can shoot just one" :-( :-( >> >> So let's say the next time you run into something like this you will make >> a >> major effort to shoot more than one, maybe two or go whole hog and shoot >> it >> to the last possible interesting story telling photograph you can >> possibly >> squeeze out of it! Like man, everyday you find some of the most >> interesting >> characters for your photos it's quite amazing. And yes many wouldn't give >> you two seconds of extra time for more pictures. >> >> But a situation like this complete with such a visual character to go >> with >> it. Hell if you run out of film I've got some film lying around in the >> cupboards here I'll mail to you. But you have to shoot more! OK so we >> have a >> >> deal? Right?:-) >> >> cheers, >> Dr. ted :-) >> >> >> >> >> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: lug-bounces+jshul=comcast.net at leica-users.org >>> [mailto:lug-bounces+jshul=comcast.net at leica-users.org] On Behalf Of >>> tedgrant at shaw.ca >>> Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 5:13 PM >>> To: Leica Users Group >>> Subject: Re: [Leica] PESO: Carver >>> >>> Jim Shulman showed: >>> Subject: [Leica] PESO: Carver >>>> http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/focusit/carver+sm.jpg.html >>> >>> Hi Jim, >>> What a great subject character to photograph! I'm sure you must have >>> pumped >>> a few dozen images of him covering all the aspects of doing his carving, >>> hat, face, his hands at his age must be incredible to shoot after all >>> the >>> years of carving. >>> >>> And the face for expressions? Must be dozens of images. Like you could >>> just >>> sit back with maybe 90 or an f4 80-200 zoom and blow yer brains out as >>> his >>> expressions changed. :-) And as the light changed on the scene. Endless >>> photo options! >>> >>> Please tell me you did work him for every picture possibility possible? >>> You >>> did , didn't you? I knew you would! Good on you! >>> cheers, >>> Dr. 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 >> >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> ---- >> >> >> >> No virus found in this incoming message. >> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com >> Version: 8.5.426 / Virus Database: 270.14.87/2536 - Release Date: >> 11/30/09 >> 07:31:00 >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.426 / Virus Database: 270.14.88/2537 - Release Date: 11/30/09 21:05:00