Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/02/24
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 11:49 PM 2/23/99 -0800, you wrote: > Eugene Smith (you could >never tell he used flash), Richard Avedon (assistant holds umbrella on >long pole and closely follows the model), Irving Penn(?). Wait a minute! That's not direct flash. Gene Smith would use available light (whatever was available) but you wouldn't see him using on-camera direct flash for those gorgeous pictures, and there is no way anyone can use direct flash without casting horrible shadows. If it's off camera, that's another thing, but I've never heard that referred to as "direct flash" in any circles I run. What you later describe is totally different than what I, and most people I know call direct flash. Umbrellas are the antithesis of direct flash. Irving Penn? He used flash? Not in "Worlds in a Small room." He used natural (north) light and a canvas background. Wegee? Ugh. Arbus? Ditto. Actually with Wegee, there wasn't any choice. Using a speed graphic at night and having to get it quick, that was the only way to do it. Sometimes that's even the answer for me too, but only when there is no other possible choice. One of the reasons Cliff Edom founded the world's first photojournalism program at the University of Missouri was because he was disgusted with such direct flash, set-up pictures that style of photography required, that was being practiced at newspapers everywhere. Eric Welch St. Joseph, MO http://www.ponyexpress.net/~ewelch As far as I'm concerned, treachery will sometimes bring loyalty into question.