Re: [Leica] LA LUG Goes to ChinaTown

["tm" <leicar8@earthlink.net>]

Thanks, Frank, for the gathering! I should admit the roll of Provia 100F in
my M6 TTL did not see any light because I found nothing of interest to shoot
that would generate a wonderful composition and any immediate interest via a
loupe viewing or a projector screening. I belong to a Southern California
photography club which is under the Southern California California Council
of Camera Clubs which is under the Photographic Society of America umbrella.
On the first Wednesday of each month my club gathers for a slide
competition. We can enter a maximum of three slides per category. There are
two categories per month. General color is always one and the revolving
alternatives are nature, photojournalism, and contemporary. (The latter
category requires photographing something we individually have set up and
photographed.)Since joining the club over one year ago, I have acquired more
knowledge about composition, subject interest, exposure, and other technique
essentials from the PSA judges. The judges can be very finicky in awarding
8s and 9s, 9 being the top score and 3 being the lowest, and I am always
aware of their criteria at all times when I am shooting. When I am out with
my M6 or R8, my mind and emotions join and become either camera's second
viewfinder, so to speak. And Chinatown failed to provide my internal
viewfinder with anything interesting no matter where I aimed it. The area is
very small and has an aura of old money. Many buildings were in dire need of
fresh coats of paint. There were a number of empty retail spaces with 'for
lease' signs on them. Perhaps this is so because a majority of the Chinese
American baby boomers have assimilated into American culture so heavily
through college education and fanning out throughout American geographical
regions. I don't know--I'm not an expert in cultural matters. I grew up in
the San Francisco area and spent many hours as a young teenager traveling
through San Francisco with my Baby Rollei. I became fascinated with that
city's Chinatown area and remember its large expanse and immense
photographic interest bases. As a marijuana smoker then, I clearly remember
hoping to stumble upon the opium dens that had permeated the area many
decades ago and assumed must still have been present but fortunately failed
in that endeavor. Anyway, I suspect S.F.'s Chinatown and Hong Kong, too,
would be vastly more interesting for a photographer than L.A.'s.

These written thoughts do not indicate any intention to ciriticize any
aspect of our gathering. In fact, let's soon decide on another location and
assemble once more! Photography is perhaps the greatest hobbie one can get
into and it is definitely enhanced by joining others who experience nirvana
while using their Leica equipment!

Terry



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