Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/04/06
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Well, maybe not FS or WTB or 'fridays', but maybe I can make my compulsive political ranting (not my words) "conform"....to the charter of the reflector. Now in the past, I've produced a number of posts regarding the quality of Leica, and repair of same. While these topics are more my 'style', my experience is very dated, in that I left the repair business approximately the year the M4P came out (and the F3, shortly before). I will not try to establish my credentials in same, as nearly 20 years have gone by. Suffice it to say that several Texas Leica photographers still have to be run away from my house each year as I don't want to or feel comfortable working on cameras any longer...it's something you MUST do daily to keep 'chops' up... However, I currently (eight years) work in the field of photographic education as a full time lab supervisor and a part time instructor. Our department is self-defined as a fine-art photography program. This was defined before my employment. I have made the assertion that Leicaphiles were self obsessed with gear and status, and received flack for same (welcome). I'm now going to assert that if politics is not central to your photography, then you ARE NOT a contemporary fine art photographer. In addition, you have NO knowledge of ANY contemporary trends in academic/fine-art photography. Fine art photography today is not landscapes. It is not equipment and process. In fact, most schools of fine art photography either severly lack photographic knowledge or choose not to address it to any significant degree. It is possible to obtain a degree from MOST programs and not know what BRAND of camera you use nor what lenses you own...this I live with every day. I am fortunate to (finally) work with a couple of instructors who are technically proficient. They are in the minority today, AND I'm glad we have them. They still try to impress PHOTOGRAPHIC knowledge and processes on the student, often with much frustration. However, in order to maintain 'credibility', they, too have had to 'address' political issues more and photography less. Fine art photography today requires intense emphasis on 'concept' and 'issues' to be taken seriously, to the detriment of education about equipment and 'process'. I'll assure you, today's photo student that RECOGNIZES a Leica M is a rare bird. All, however, can 'discuss' relavent 'social' issues and 'imagery' till you can't take it any more. But don't ask them to name TWO film developers. (one would be the one they use, and quite a few would fail to name THAT one.) Today's fine art photography is "issue" and "concept" based.... Post-Modernism, taken to the extreme, can even exclude the photographer DOING any photography. "Appropriated" imagery (stolen digitally or by cut-and-paste) is a valid approach, as is 'hiring' a photographer to 'execute' your concept, and to handle the 'technical' side of the 'art'. Such "artists-who-utilize-photography" are held in MUCH higher esteem than you 'technicians'. Trust me, I'm one of you....this is MY reality. Oh, they concede that ol' Walt is a pretty good, if somewhat 'simple-minded' technician, but they exist on a 'higher' plane. Walt, who is great at a party, doesn't really "understand", ya know...... I must re-state that FINALLY, I've the privilege to share the company of two instructors who DO value technique and knowledge, and I'm forever grateful (my reviews and to a lesser degree income have greatly benefitted also, of course!) While my journalism background is as dated as my camera repair, my friends/contacts are fighting the same battle....out with "photography", in with what's "hot"..... I'll summarize by saying that if "politics" or "political correctness" haven't influenced/affected your photographic career, then you ain't got one!!!.....of course, portrait/wedding etc. may be unaffected, but that's not the forte' of Leica, anyway.... Jim, does this get us back into the "photo" or "Leica" groove? Best to all, Walt On Tue, 6 Apr 1999, Jim Brick wrote: > Any possibility of getting back to the <FS> and <WTB> posts? > > At least they are completely "on-topic". > > And they don't require psychoanalysis! > > Jim > > > At 06:11 PM 4/6/99 -0500, you wrote: > >Now that's more like it :) :)On Tue, 6 Apr 1999, quem wrote: > > > >> At 08:13 PM 4/5/99 -0500, Walt wrote: > >> >Jesus, does anyone have one to top this???....in addition to > >> >legal advice, now I've obtained the services of a free shrink??? > >> > >> Rich Edwards' diagnostic competency is in doubt. Hell, even an armchair > >> "shrink" such as myself knows you're not depressed. Relax, your symptoms > >> suggest only a mild case of paranoia! :^) > >> > >> quem > >> > > >