Re: [Leica] ramblings on the photographic struggle:

["Douglas Landrum" <dflandrum@earthlink.net>]

Good Post Tristan.
Doug

> Date: Wed, 16 May 2001 20:53:27 -0700
> From: Tristan Tom <Tristan@TristanTom.COM>
> Subject: [Leica] ramblings on the photographic struggle:
> Message-ID: <p05100305b728fb392db7@[63.192.218.226]>
> References: <200105161926.MAA06097@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
> 
> <http://www.tristantom.com/photostruggle/>
> 
> you cannot achieve pure and salient photographs unless you are first 
> and foremost truly living life to it's fullest. don't just set out to 
> take pictures, set out to experience things, to travel the streets 
> and to make a point of observing while living. you are the 
> participant and the camera is along for the ride, observing your 
> experiences and interactions with the people and the places of the 
> world. don't obsess over taking pictures to the point that it 
> inhibits you from true experiences.
> 
> people often to worry obsessively about the care of their prized 
> possession cameras. they worry so much that they are afraid to 
> venture out into the world and even use their cameras. I've fallen 
> prey to this mentality myself. but unless you are out in the world 
> with your camera ready and willing to snap a photo at any moment, 
> undistracted by inhibitions, you have no chance of capturing any 
> worthwhile image. go ahead, take some risks and you will end up being 
> rewarded with images that others didn't have the guts to complete.
> 
> cameras are a tool and you should use them as a tool. you wouldn't 
> buy a hammer only to put it away and not hammer any nails with it, 
> would you? your camera should be hammering out pictures and if you 
> aim to be a successful and prolific photographer, your camera will 
> exhibit war scars which only adds to it's character and personality.
> 
> years down the road, you can revel with your trusty camera in your 
> hands, reminiscing the poignant times you had while you were out 
> making great photographs. but the difference is that you won't 
> remember making the photographs. instead you will remember the 
> experiences you had while living your life. your camera will have the 
> war scars to prove that it was there (perhaps you will too), you will 
> have powerful images, but most importantly, you will have lived a 
> full and complete life with few regrets of roads not taken.
> 
> and so this continues to be the struggle for me; to take pictures 
> yes, but to be there in the first place...
> 
> 
> - -Tristan Tom