Re: [Leica] Nudes

[Francesco Sanfilippo <fls@5senses.com>]

Thanks for clarifying your position.
I am glad we are not going back to the old mudslinging on this list.
We don't need more of that crap.....

Francesco




At 02:16 AM 10/14/98 -0400, you wrote:
>Francesco,
>
>I like nudes. Many of us do nudes. Some better than others. I once saw a
>page of photos that Erwin did that, in the magnificent complexity and
>sophistication of his lighting, would put us all to shame
>(http://www.imx.nl/photosite/portfolio/epu/epu.html). I am in awe of
>Jock Sturges nudes. Robert Farber does some nice work but doesn't thrill
>me. Ralph Gibson amazes me with his consistent clarity of vision and
>stylistic mastery. Take a look at his book "Infanta" for some examples
>of his nudes. Even Cartier-Bresson has some nudes that fit well within
>his ironic surrealism.
>
>I think I can generally speak for the group that most of us are about
>photography. We value and appreciate beauty and technical mastery and
>individual style. Preferably as done with Leica equipment.
>
>What Mr. Hughes did was "dis" the group with his blanket statement that
>he is the only true demi-god of photography because he uses an M2 and a
>Nikon F and 8x10 cameras. 
>
>To further add to his pomposity he uses phrases like: "Why don't you
>"seasoned world class professionals" (i.e., stock shooters, hack pros,
>well-heeled dabblers, etc.), take a look at my photos before you..." OK.
>I'll look. But it better be good. Damn good. It's a start but it ain't
>there. Yet. On top of which I don't need Mr. Hughes solipsistic
>ramblings about his inner vision and his gift of seeing and the personal
>explorations and so on. This is art talk crap. Let the critics do that
>when they review his work.
>
>As for your work, those that I have seen on the free pages that you
>allow us to link to, are beautiful. You have a knack. Especially with
>your use of light. You surprise me sometimes with your questions about
>metering and lenses and so on because you really seem to have an
>intuitive grasp of what you're doing. And I mean that positively. You
>also have a knack for finding beautiful women and having them pose in
>ways that exemplify that beauty. Arranging people in space is one of the
>hardest things to do in photography; and make it look natural. Don't get
>defensive because the LUG is slamming this guy. It's definitely not
>about his subjects being nudes.
>
>Carl Socolow
>
>Francesco Sanfilippo wrote:
>> 
>> This is the first time I have heard you guys being downright
>> negatively critical about a guy's portfolio so openly.
>> Is it just because he does nudes, or just because none
>> of you can relate to the material or his personal twist on it,
>> or is it a truly technical criticism?
>> 
>> Not just you Eric, but all the others who have slapped this guy in the
>> face after he boldly allowed us to see his work!
>> 
>> Boy, I wonder what would happen if I made a page of my nudes
>> for all of you to view??
>> 
>> Francesco
>> fls@san.rr.com
>> 
>>
>