[none]

["C.M. Fortunko" <fortunko@boulder.nist.gov>]

Gerard,

I don't agree with you that Riefenstahl was not a great photographer, ala
Rodchenko, et alli. She was certainly a pioneer who understood the
advantages of a 35mm camera. She was different. Unfortunately, she used the
camera (not only Leica) to support a regime that was repugnant from its very
beginning. Many of her artist friends went right away to places like Dachau.
Others left for uncertain futures in other countries. (Marlena Dietrich went
to Hollywood and became a star.) Still others, less great, produced a lot of
trash that is today known as war art in Germany. She did recognize the error
of her ways at the very beginning of the Polish campaign in 1939 and stopped
contributing further to the damage.

I was also shocked by Marc's remarks.

I don't know enough about Riefenstahl to be her judge. However, I know
enough to maintain a healthy reserve.

Best of Light,


Chris