RE: [Leica] FS: Photo books and prints by Albert Wang, first three copies for free.

["B. D. Colen" <bdcolen@earthlink.net>]

I'll address the issue, Mark.

When Alfie was posting his photos for comment on the LUG, many people tried
to offer constructive criticism. Some of the criticism was tough, but it was
constructive. And Alfie utterly ignored it. As was his right.

But now he has come to the LUG and said, here is my work - please purchase
it for up to $600.

So now Alfie is a salesman attempting to get us to buy a product. And I feel
we have every right to public ally respond to his offer by telling him
honestly how we feel about it:

In my case that means saying that if I had a student who produced work of
this quality I would not hesitate to give him or her an F. As I said
earlier, I consider Alfie's posing as a photographer - for that is truly
what he is doing - an real insult to every photographer on this list.

I personally think it would be sad to see someone leave the LUG because they
feel it is inappropriate to speak truthfully. But if that's what you want to
do, so be it.

B. D.

- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
[mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of Mark Langer
Sent: Friday, September 06, 2002 2:16 PM
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: RE:[Leica] FS: Photo books and prints by Albert Wang, first
three copies for free.


>

Hear that noise?  It is the sound of another 30 people unsubscribing from
this list and joining LEG.

Without engaging in debate on the issue of the quality of Albert's work,
when are people going to clue in to the fact that the general lack of
civility is really
messing up this list?  And please, spare me the "don't let the door hit you
on your way out" remarks, gang.  That doesn't address the issue.

Mark


> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 6 Sep 2002 10:16:06 -0400
> From: "B. D. Colen" <bdcolen@earthlink.net>
> Subject: RE: [Leica] FS: Photo books and prints by Albert Wang, first
three copies for free.
> Message-ID: <MBBBJHIBKCKEAEOKKBPOCEEBEHAA.bdcolen@earthlink.net>
> References:
>
> Okay, enough is a bleeping nuff! It's time to point out that the bleeping
> Emperor is stark raving naked - and more than a bit mad!
>
> What is the theory here - call yourself a photographer - or, in this case,
a
> "street photographer/documentary photographer" and you ARE one? Drop a
load
> of crap off at Kinkos for printing and you are a PUBLISHED photographer?
>
> Over the past year or two numerous people on this and other lists have
> looked at Alfie's work and tried to offer him constructive criticism. And
he
> has ignored all of it - which would be fine if he exhibited one scintilla
of
> talent or originality and was developing a unique style and vision.
>
> But he hasn't, and he isn't...
>
> The idea that someone would hold himself out as a "photographer" whose
work
> is worth of collecting - with an autograph for God's sake?! - while
offering
> this kind of crap - and I use the word advisedly - to the world is truly
> appalling.
>
> I know that there will be those of you who will say that I am being mean
> spirited, nasty, or any number of other things. What I am being is honest.
>
> What Alfie is doing is demeaning and insulting to all of us who have spent
> years working at our craft - whether as hobbyists or professionals -
honing
> our skills to the point where we can honestly say, "I am a photographer."
>
> Please, for the sake of your own integrity as photographers, do not
continue
> to humor him and play along with this insulting nonsense.
>
> B. D. Colen
>

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