Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/07/27

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Subject: [Leica] This week's PAW
From: "Mark E Davison" <dmark8@qwest.net>
Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 15:40:47 -0700

http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=301991&size=md

This weeks submission is a Noctilux shot in color. I can't remember if the
aperture was 1.4 or 1.0, but the DOF is pretty thin. I like the way the
combination of Noctilux and Kodak Portra 400 can give you delicate color on
indoor shots--combined with that wonderful creamy blurred background. I
suppose this is "good" bokeh.

I realize the aesthetics of the shot fail the Kyle Cassidy test--this is my
son looking solemn as he graduates from the lowest rank of Cub Scouts to the
next. But I think my program is different than Kyles'. I am trying to apply
the techniques of art photography and photo journalism to the making of
family photographs--something more than saccharine record shots of everyone
smiling, something less than photographs that will save the world.

But here is a test for you. Your house is burning down. You can save
yourself, your children and one valued possession. Do you save your
treasured original print by a famous photographer, or do you take your
family album?

The family album, I think. It is unique, and it is yours. It is worth
imbuing with art and love. Someone may actually want to look at it 50 years
hence.

Mark Davison

Replies: Reply from "Gwen & Jim Long" <jimlong@inwave.com> (Re: [Leica] This week's PAW)