Seeing (was: Blind test)

[Oddmund Garvik <garvik@serveur.interliger.fr>]

Having stated that lab equipment and methods are decisive matters in
photography, and discovering that camera equipment is less critical than
many of us may think, what is the fundamental quality of good photography?

Photography isn't very interesting in itself. It is just a tool, which I
think you can learn technically and practically in a couple of weeks. A
good picture is a very complex matter, far beyond camera brands and
technical options. 

I think SEEING is the important thing. This is the most critical factor in
photography, distinguishing good photographers from bad. Most people cannot
see. (!) I mean really see behind things, humans, and events. See symbols.
It isn't enough to recognize the superficial reality. If you don't see what
is behind, and try to understand how and why it is so, you won't be able to
express an interesting point of view. It will be impossible to feel your
intentions. If you don't have any intention, or if it is impossible to
recognize your idea, the image is empty, dead, without interest.

Thus if you are "blind", if you have lost your original curiosity and
spontaneity, the freshness you had when you were a child, you will have to
recover these abilities. Learning to see may take a long time. You will
never finish really. 

When you realize that cameras, lenses, brands, and all the rest are quite
relative, even those cameras which often are referred to as
"wunderplastik", may become relevant. The condescending attitude to cameras
less glorious than Leicas that we often see in these columns, is rather
inappropriate. I can understand an "amateur" who cares about image quality,
but I think it is meaningless using a M6 for family snaps, developing and
printing in quick labs. 

Looking around you discover that the joy of picture making among all those
"ignorants" using cheap plastic cameras may be far more spontaneous and
rich than the techno approach of certain Leica amateurs, loosing their way
in the madness of testing and doubt. 


Oddmund