Re: [Leica] Amateurs

["Bob Stack" <ticino@earthlink.net>]

Johnny, your comment brings to mind a discussion I had with a well known
"fine art" large format photographer  He is published, represented in a
number of galleries and has lead 15 workshops a year for the past 20 years.
I asked if there were certain types of people who seem to take to fine art
photography most readily.  To paraphrase his answer:  He said, "no, I can't
say who does best, but I can sure say who does worst - "professional"
photographers. They seem to be trying to create something they think will
please an audience, and not what will please themselves".  Having talked
with a number of painters over the years, the idea that you have to please
yourself first, seems to be a common commandment among those whose artistic
(photographic) work ultimately sticks out above the crowd.
Bob
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Johnny Deadman" <john@pinkheadedbug.com>
To: "LUG" <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Friday, October 27, 2000 7:49 AM
Subject: Re: [Leica] Amateurs


> on 26/10/00 11:45 pm, Mike Johnston at michaeljohnston@ameritech.net
wrote:
>
> >> I decided right then that starvation and low paying work in the writing
and
> >> photography business was not my cup of tea. You guys can have it and I
will
> >> not spoil it for you. --  Regards,  Paul Connet
> >
> >
> > I almost always advise those who ask--often parents of college-age
children
> > who for some reason think photography is a safe refuge from real
work--that
> > the best way to be a photographer is to do well at another profession
and be
> > an amateur. Amateurism has its pitfalls too, but the advantages are
> > considerable.
>
> I had a very salutory experience when I was in my early twenties. I met
Nick
> Nixon at some opening or party or something and after someone had
introduced
> us I asked him a bit about his work and (I was young) said: "who do you do
> most of your work for". His reply, which I have never forgotten, was...
>
>
> ... "me".
>
>
>
>
> Ever since then I put less stock on becoming a professional photographer
(I
> can't imagine what I'd have to do as a photographer to earn in a year what
I
> get paid for a single screenplay) and much more on trying to take
> photographs that meant something to "me". Don't get me wrong: I am full of
> admiration and respect for *anyone* who can make it to any degree in the
> world of professional photography... it must be one of the hardest things
in
> the world... and in particular to anyone who can square the circle of art
v.
> daily bread... it's always inspiring that there are so many of you on this
> list.
>
> But photography has always had a place for the amateur... that's how it's
> started and no doubt that's how (silver halide) photography will finish.
> --
> Johnny Deadman
>
> http://www.pinkheadedbug.com
>
>
>