[Leica] Photographic Destiny

[Afterswift at aol.com (Afterswift@aol.com)]

> For
> every superstar photographer, there are a bazillion who are just
> struggling to keep working. "Pro" is not a value judgement, simply a
> job description. There are a lot of pros who remain pros because they
> are willing to work cheap.
> 
> larry! [Larry Bolch is a professional photographer who participates in one 
> the many Nikon lists]
> 
Same is true in every profession. But I don't think 'prophessional' in 
photography is merely a job description. It's the demand/supply rubric. 
Here's why: 
The peculiar and particularl talents of actor Carroll O'Connor, overlooked 
for 
many?years playing small roles,?became critical at a certain moment in time 
because only his personality and appearance matched that of Archie Bunker. 
I'm 
sure there are many competent photographers whose specialty is ignored 
because 
it isn't called for in the market yet. 

I don't think Adams would be known if he had stayed in?ad photography, good 
as he was technically and even esthetically. Adams created his own market, 
as 
most artists who are successful do.
Is that self-promotion? Yes, and we all gained thereby. Adams had something 
to say about commonality among natural land forms and music and photographic 
printing. Was he a purist? Yes and No. Yes, in the sense that he stayed 
within 
traditional darkroom methodology. No, in that he radically changed tones and 
shades in the exposure and printing process. But that is obvious in his work 
and 
he didn't need to declare it. I've seen dark skies in the afternoon, but 
never a black one. Yes, I own a dark red filter for my Elmars and Nikkors, 
but 
I've never used it. 

Bob?