Re: [Leica] Leica and 15 year old technology

[Mark <mark@steinberg.net>]

Jim Brick wrote:

> There is simply NO ARGUMENT that is valid that pits a computer over the
> creative and artistic mind of a human. Perhaps the next wave will be
> computerized brush, pallet, and canvas. Why should the artist have to
> actually paint. Just pull down the menu... "landscape, ocean scene" or
> "still life, apple, flowers", or "nude, skinny, side light."

with all due respect jim (again), you are covering ground that was explored
back in the beginning of the century in fine art. i suggest that you 
investigate the work of marcel duchamp, or any of his contempories, regarding 
the use of found objects and ready-mades.

i'm not suggesting that you are "wrong" per se, for in art there is little
that is "right" or "wrong", simply that you will find that many disagree 
with your point of view and they do see value in utilizing what they perceive
as advantages that accompany these technologies.

the artist can do what he or she likes. you are free to buy into what they
have done, or not, as you see fit.

frankly, having just retouched YET ANOTHER scratch in a negative, a scratch
that i very strongly suspect was embedded in the negative by the develop &
print cycle, a scratch that seeks to spoil an "embodiment of leica image",
a scratch that is VANQUISHED by computer & software technology, i (for
one) am extremely grateful for the ongoing relationship between photography
and technology.

that is to say that there are incredible practical benefits to be gained
whatever your feelings are regarding the artistic (de)merits of technology.

mark