RE: [Leica] Soul camera

["Kotsinadelis, Peter (Peter)" <peterk@lucent.com>]

Jim,
 
Since it appears necessary to quote the dictionary,  here goes:
 
Soul - 1. the principle of life, feeling, thought, and action in humans,
regarded as a distinct entity separate from the body, and commonly held to
be separable in existence from the body; the spiritual part of humans as
distinct from the physical part. 
 
Somehow, I don't see a machine/camera as having a life, though, or as a
human being.  For that matter I do not see it as spiritual either.  But to
each his own......
 
Peter K

- -----Original Message-----
From: Jim Brick [mailto:jim@brick.org]
Sent: Friday, May 07, 1999 11:59 PM
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: [Leica] Soul camera


Soul music:    "music characterized by intensity of feeling and earthiness."
Merriam Webster.

There are cameras with a soul. There are automobiles with a soul. In order
to be able to perceive their soul, one must have an enlightened soul
themselves. There is a subliminal vibration, a chemistry, that all things
emanate. When you connect up with that "chemistry", experiences become
enhanced. Enlightened. As they say, you are on the "same wave length." You
feel the "vibes." There is a bond.

If it's your spouse or friend, you finish each others sentences. You want to
eat the same food at the same time. You want to see the same movie. You
laugh at the same things, cry for the same reasons. You act as one.

If it's your camera, you can operate it without even a minor thought. An
extension of your minds eye. Ideas flow. Results happen. You can feel the
image that is being recorded on the film. It is a part of you. The souls
merge.

If it's your car, you feel as if it knows your intentions. You "know" your
car. It "knows" you. All feedback is relevant and is in perfect harmony with
your receptors. You operate as a unit. Smooth, quiet, and surefooted. It is
a deep trust. The souls merge.

Anyone who cannot "feel" the "chemistry" connection between himself/herself
and another, whether man or machine, is, sadly, missing an important
emotion. A gift. The speciality. I comes from within. A passion. Unexplained
excitement. Absolute confidence. The ability to merge souls.

With the wrong camera, the wrong car, wrong friend, the souls don't merge.
There is no bond. It is not a one way street. A kid with a Leica, or Canon,
will indeed produce a snapshot. Anyone whose soul is not touched, by the
soul of their camera, will also produce, simply snapshots.

At my age, from long personal experience, I know this is true. 

In Leon's absence,

Jim


At 1157 AM 5/7/99 -0700, you wrote
>Alan, 
>
>Sensuality is very subjective.  And unless you have had opportunity to try
>all other cameras your statement is a bit biased to say the least.  I know
>of no camera with "soul"  much like no automobile has soul.  Its a machine!
>Its the photographer that has soul.  Nice attempt though.  
>Think about Ansel Adams with brownie, pictures would still be great, but a
>kid with a Leica (soul?) it would still be snapshots.
>
>Peter K
>