Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2010/12/24
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Mark, Did you keep in touch with Barry Thornton? I read Edge of Darkness a few years ago and was inspired by it. And then I heard he died, but never found out anything further about the circumstances of his death. Do you know anything about how he died? Robert On Dec 24, 2010, at 12:48 AM, Mark Pope wrote: > Been there and done that myself. I had the same experience as Ted > when I submitted some prints to the RPS and decided there and then > not to pursue any of the accreditations any further. I felt that > they were easy to get of you followed the formula laid down by the > 'Fellows' of the RPS. > After leaving a bit bruised, I thought about it and decided that > from then on I would take pictures for *ME*, NOT for the RPS. If > others like them, then that's fantastic. If they don't, then > that's fine too. > > I love to receive constructive criticism. I remember when Barry > Thornton taught me to print in B&W. He would make all sorts of > gentle suggestions of how to improve a print by altering the grade, > a touch of burning here, dodging there or a slight crop. A couple > of times he would reject a picture out of hand, but he did so with > a good reason and was almost always right. > > It sounds like your portfolio is there or there abouts. Why not > try tweaking a few of them to see how they look? The most > important thing to remember though is that they are *your* images > and only show them if you are satisfied with them. Sod's law will > almost certainly guarantee that if Gallery Owner A says they aren't > punchy enough, B will say they are too punchy and so it goes on. > > And don't forget that prints will look different depending on the > lighting conditions where they are hung. > > One last thing. Those XPAN shots you showed a few weeks back? You > know the ones of the trees in the mist? If there's ever a set of > prints crying out to be beautifully printed and put up for sale > then it's these. > > Best of luck! > > > > > > Mark Pope, > Swindon, Wilts > UK > > Homepage http://www.monomagic.co.uk > Blog http://www.monomagic.co.uk/blog > Picture a week (2010) http://www.monomagic.co.uk/index.php? > gallery=paw/2010 > Picture a week (2009) http://www.monomagic.co.uk/index.php? > gallery=paw/2009 > (2008) http://www.monomagic.co.uk/index.php? > gallery=paw/2008 > > On 24/12/2010 06:21, tedgrant at shaw.ca wrote: >> Richard Man Offered: >> " <richard at imagecraft.com> >> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug at leica-users.org> >> Sent: Thursday, December 23, 2010 7:17 PM >> Subject: [Leica] Well, that was educational >> >> >>> re: rejection >> >> Richard my on screen friend let me offer a tidbit about this >> gallery etc >> competition thing and rejection! >> >> About? Ready? 58 years ago I joined the Ottawa Camera Club so I might >> learn more about being a better photographer and photography in >> general. >> They had a monthly photo/print competition as most community clubs >> do. >> >> They also had the "guru if the club," an old guy. :-) Ok that's >> easy for >> me to relate to these days. :-) He was "Old Doc. Martin!" Well >> everything and anything he said was gospel. Your photography lived or >> died according to Old Doc Martin and his comments, good, bad or >> ugly!" >> >> I hung on his words as did many others. That was until other people >> began making very nice comments about my photographs. I was seeing >> neat >> things and recording same. Others in the club offered praise and many >> positive remarks about my photo results. >> >> One evening it was an open critique and "Old Doc Martin" was doing >> his >> thing.. He said his piece about a photograph before the enchanted >> members because "Here he was, the God of Photography making comments >> about a photograph!" In many cases he just ravaged unmercifully at >> times >> as there wasn't anybody who challenged what he said! :-( That's >> the way >> it was in the real olden days. >> >> Some of the older folks, usually the very devoted senior lady >> photographers would shed a tear at his ravaging commentary about >> their >> photograph. As it was I had entered one that I thought was pretty >> damn >> good, Even "she who must be obeyed" was very positive about it. >> >> So I made a 16X20 wet tray double weight E surface paper print and >> man I >> was glowing in pride about it. :-)Yet humble! Because I was still the >> "new kid" on the block with all the elder folks in the club. Many I >> secretively admired their photographic ability. But I did kind of >> feel I >> was catching up to some of them on occasion! :-) >> >> In any event there was "Old Doc Martin" holding my print on high and >> ranting on about any number of tiddly things, but never offering >> anything positive in how to make it a better photograph! Oh he was >> great >> at reaming yer butt, no problem! Rarely did he ever offer "HOW TO FIX >> IT!" Make it better. Believe me that isn't anyway to critique! >> PERIOD! >> Nobody learns anything! >> >> I sat there almost petrified as he ranted on. Then I thought, "UP >> YOURS!" Now consider this is a twenty something kid so wet behind the >> ears I was still dripping! Got up, walked to the front where he was >> still holding my print on high, took it out of his hands before he >> realized what was happening. Tore it up and threw it in the air! >> >> "Screw you and your BS!" And I walked out until about twenty years >> later >> when the Ottawa Camera Club asked me if I would judge and critique >> their >> annual photo competition. :-) >> >> The first thing I did after my introduction was to relate the above >> story of many years past! Fortunately it turned out much to their >> delight! ;-) And yes I did kick butt! Not every picture is a good >> one! >> But I did offer how it might or should have been shot to improve the >> final image. Trust me, they did learn that evening, it wasn't just >> ranting! :-) >> >> So my friend it comes down to "we, ourselves are the most important >> person to be satisfied with our photography! PERIOD! " If we in our >> hearts and minds produce a quality we are proud to have "OUR NAME" on >> the photograph, then in 99.99% of the time all viewers will see >> the same >> goodness in it. :-) For what it's worth. >> >> cheers, >> Dr. ted >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>> I did not get juried into a "gallery show" course. >>> Congratulations to Bob >>> Adler though as he will be showing his stuff at the group show in >>> March. >>> >>> The thoughts of selling all my gears and take up... something else >>> occurred >>> to me. But I figured I should just "pick up the pieces and >>> soldier on, >>> soldier on" >>> >>> I talked to the gallery owners and the instructor. They made it >>> clear >>> that >>> the format, and the content in my portfolio generally are OK, but >>> the >>> printing and post processing need more "punch." >>> >>> While I know people have different preferences on printing and >>> post-processing, I agree with their general assessment and more >>> importantly, >>> this is a technicality and techniques I know I can tweak and >>> improve. I >>> would be more concerned if the content fails. As an artist, it's >>> sometimes >>> difficult to ascertain whether an image is a good image or >>> whether one is >>> deluding oneself. >>> >>> Techniques I can handle. After all, it's only in early Nov that I >>> started >>> the digital negative contact printing. >>> >>> More printing and full speed ahead. >>> -- >>> // richard <http://www.imagecraft.com/> >>> // icc blog: <http://imagecraft.com/blog/> >>> // photo blog: <http://www.5pmlight.com> >>> [ For technical support on ImageCraft products, please include all >>> previous >>> replies in your msgs. ] >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> 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