Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/07/20

[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]

Subject: Re: [Leica] Re: 4x6 Prints
From: Mark Rabiner <mark@rabiner.cncoffice.com>
Date: Fri, 20 Jul 2001 11:31:24 -0700
References: <3B585A06.B91592B8@vol.com>

Dave Jenkins wrote:
> 
> There are three 4x6s and a test strip in every sheet of 8x10 paper.
> First, cut four inches from the long dimension of the paper. You now
> have one piece 4x8 and one piece 6x8. Cut the 6x8 piece into two 4x6s,
> then trim two inches off the 4x8 piece. You now have three 4x6s and one
> 2x4-inch test strip.
> 
> Dave Jenkins


The main problem with 4x6's:
	is that they are 4x6's.
They ARE snapshots. It's real hard to take them seriously. The media is the
message folks. These things are being cranked out by the thousands per second
every second of the day most of them 2 stops underexposed with red eye the heads
centered the the middle of the image.
You're better of with 4x5's boxy as they are. 5x7's of course much more preferable.
Sure they're bigger but more importantly:
THEY'RE NOT 4X6'S.
Which simply represent the lowest common denominator of photography which is a
shame as it's a nice size.
Did we spend thousands of dollars on Leica glass and so on to make our 4x6's
look better?
ARE THEY? I really wonder if you can see the difference and even if you could:
WAS IT WORTH IT? Can you really at all see how sharp your asph apo M lens is?
It is my opinion that to see a persons Leica photography expressed as a stack of
4x6's it is a real waste and a shame.
If not Inkjetting them yourselves or having 5x7's make than slides folks!
Slides! 
Slides are like being there. They WERE THERE! They seem professional. They can
be projected as big as your flat white wall. They do your exquisite expensive
Leica stuff justice as well as the time you spend using it.
When people show me their snapshots as their body of work taken with their
Leicas i try talk them up from it.


I see these marvelous frames made at the Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware
and Storables and so on and all that's left is 4x6's. They can't disguise a 4x6
with whatever great frame design.
A sterling silver frame for your Steinway is the picture size 4x6? FORGETABOUTIT!
.
But interesting now i see many in square format or panoramic formats! Amazing!
The masses have gotten smart!


Mark Rabiner

Portland, Oregon
USA

http://www.rabiner.cncoffice.com/

In reply to: Message from Dave Jenkins <djphoto@vol.com> (Re: [Leica] Re: 4x6 Prints)