Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/01/02

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Subject: RE: [Leica] Bokeh - proven myth ?
From: "Frank Filippone" <red735i@earthlink.net>
Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2002 07:29:11 -0800

Ted and Sal... you are both trained press photographers.  You handle the
camera to grab that instant of time that shows whatever it is you see in the
photo.  Focusing on anything but the subject, and its overall surroundings
would cost you your livelihood.  You shoot 35 because it is quick and you
can be light on your feet.  Sal even lists many photographers he has known,
all to my knowledge, are working press shooters.

Change modes.....   Start working with 8x10 cameras, where nothing is quick.
Light is explained as the NUMBER of pack mules it takes to move the tripod 1
inch.  IN this contemplative mode, you are looking through that GG to convey
a very specific emotion you are having.  Nothing moves, so you move the
camera to get just what you want.  You take caution with every item in the
scene... even, at the someone just before loading the film, there is a check
of the borders of the GG to be sure there are no distracting elements.

Take this contemplative mode, and study not the moment of time that 35 has
done so well to convey, but rather the artistic content of the image.
Remember there are no people in this picture I have established.  The scene
is static.  Could have taken an hour to establish.  Back to that artistic
idea....

Now you have a chance to see Bokeh.  And you may not see it because of your
training, your instinct, your personal eye.

It reminds me of myself, going through an art gallery where, in the race
against rush, I enjoy the works of MOnet, Vermeer and Rembrandt, but walk
right on by the esteemed works of Warhol, Lichenstein, and ( late) Picasso.
Then get hit in the head with works by Klimt.

Isn't it nice we can all see different things as beautiful and significant?

Frank Filippone
red735i@earthlink.net

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