Re: Leicas: morality vs. shopping

[ireland@blazenet.net (Robert Brummett)]

Steven Blutter wrote...

>O.K. i've gotten drawn in...
>
>the expensive art machines we're talking about don't have to be
>expensive.  i've got 4 bodies, i don't know how many lenses, an armful
>of filters and a goofy assortment of accessories.  However, they were
>all bought carefully, over time and with one exception were all used and
>affordable for me at the time. all well bought.  (after finding a nomura
>28mm sm for little $$$, i just had to have a viewer, which cost more
>than the lens and i still regret because i have seldom use for a 28).
>
>for me there is no choice but to shoot leicas.
>
>as a street shooter, the quietness and ease of use are essential.  even
>shooting portraits, i've found the little click of an m-3 at 1/30 or
>1/60th actually relaxes my subjects.
>
>yes, the little rollei is quiet, but there is no rf, addn'tl lenses etc.
>same with my old 2 1/4 minolta autocord and some other cameras hanging
>around...
>
>if you are fretting about shooting in a poor country with an expensive
>camera, you are probably too nervous to even use it - feeling what you
>believe to be jealous eyes on you.  this is a form of narcissism and is
>going to stop you from getting a meaningful picture just as much if you
>had left the camera in your fancy hotel or with 'the driver'.
>
>dropping the barriers between you and 'the other', your subject, is
>lesson #1 in making photographs that are universal (think Eugene Smith).
>so, if you're hung up on whether or not you 'deserve' your own camera,
>or whether the person you are shooting is going to steal it or not - you
>aren't engaged in what you are really doing - sharing a moment of
>genuine humanity, which is going to be captured on film until you bring
>it back to life on paper in the darkroom.
>
>if anything - ANYTHING - gets in the way (meters, noise, your selfish
>heart), you are not going to be able to capture sincere moments that
>will add to ouvre of representational, 'art of the split second'
>(lisette model) work.
>
>i understand there are camera collectors out there, that's fine and not
>a moral issue.  morality and ethics when photographing in impoverished
>areas start with intent.  if you honestly can look at another human
>being and feel them within you, perhaps then you deserve to pick up the
>camera, not as some detached observer.
>
>this is what the leica enables because it's so easy to use it becomes
>transparent.  (and why it's so important, where possible, to practice to
>the point where you don't need a light meter)
>
>the other is your brother.  if you are a thief and are 'taking' his
>picture, he might as well 'take' your camera.
>
>or get a point and shoot you don't care about until you know what you
>are doing.
>
>Note: the above is a general reaction to some of the recent threads
>running around in this group.  i don't pay attention to names and such,
>so is not specifically directed.
>Note #2: thanks to those that gave helping info re: my new old elmar sm
>and canon.  (i took the caono in for CLA - the slower speeds [ala III's]
>weren't working, get it back in 3 weeks - can't wait)
>
>also, here's one vote for making this group a forum for viewing each
>other's work.  a gallery without walls.  the advise received here has me
>going today to get a scanner (plus a nice check i received yesterday)
>its so easy to procrastinate doing taxxes...
>
>i just wish i had more time to concentrate on making pictures - my job
>is very demanding these days...i promise myself to soup those 10 rolls
>tonight!
>sblutter

Brilliant. Lovely. And TRUE morality! Thanks.

Robert