[Leica] Re: FOMIng at the mouth

[Jim Brick <jim_brick@agilent.com>]

Hey Dave... chill out... no one is belittling you in any way. Many folks on
the LUG are somewhat blunt in the way they say things. Me for example.
Sometimes Ted. But we are old farts and can get away with it... :-)

Unless we make Mom mad...

Jim


At 09:42 AM 10/18/00 -0400, you wrote:
>> From: Jim Brick <jim_brick@agilent.com>
>> Subject: [Leica] Re: FOMIng at the mouth
>
>> I'm amazed at how many folks don't know what a "working title" is...
>>
>> Among other things, working titles depict very closely what the project
>> actually is so that there is no mistake in its focus.
>>
>> As the project matures, its real direction and focus will be apparent and
>> if a title change is necessary, there will be ample knowledge to effect
>> that change.
>
>Jim, I amaze many folks so you needn't feel put out. Seriously, I'm not a
>very bright guy, as several LUGgers have written here and privately to
>remind me. My faux pas, it appears, is proffering a dissenting opinion. I
>hope you'll accept my apology for having offended. I'll eventually learn the
>ropes here and will in future restrain myself. Having said that, and if
>you'll please excuse my ignorance, I was operating under the illusion that
>this was a 5 year project, with 100 images going up every year. I didn't
>know the "working title" mightn't blanket some of those years. You made no
>comments about my other reservation, which might have been lost on you, that
>the project is exclusively oriented toward Leica. Am I mistaken here too? It
>seems strange to me that a project with an objective that sounds vaguely
>inclusive (that's what I deduce when I think of humanity and "the family of
>man") is restricted to an exclusive enclave of Leica equipment. When I put
>on an exhibit (I've curated a few as well as hung my own shows), yes I like
>consistency, but whether the work was taken with a Leica or a Nikon or a
>Diana camera is inconsequential to me. Frankly I don't care, and that may be
>another faux pas. To me it's all about the actual content. My apologies if
>this belief upsets some people, as I reckon photographs to be almost as
>valuable and critical as the boxes that take them. Regards the "working
>title," as I have said previously I think the project is a great idea.
>Perhaps too much ideology in my youth foolishly convinced me that words,
>titles and symbols have deeper meanings and connections (blame McLuhan and
>Chomsky). Possibly too much time spent in galleries viewing great
>photographs that might have been taken with Contax and Pentax has equally
>led me astray. When LUGgers tell me to shut up and start shooting because
>"the photo's the thing" and "it's about humanity, dammit," I remain confused
>as to why the photograph has to be taken with a Leica. Perhaps someone can
>clarify it to me. And apologies again for ignorantly raising any points
>which may differ from the majority on the list. I'll know better next time.
>
>Respectfully,
>An "amazing" and very confused Leica-user,
>Dave
>PS Maybe I'll start a thread here about the glory of Leica keychains and
>make friends instead of enemies:)