[Leica] When I woke up this morning

[firkin at ncable.net.au (Alastair Firkin)]

Here is the original posting I made in October 2000 which kicked off 
the FOM2 project. I was researching the details for my disc to present 
to Leica tomorrow -- just for fun:

it was on my mind, and being the sort of person who always takes on more
than he should chew, I must share my "vision".

I was reading/reviewing the "Family of Man", and noticed that it was
produced in 1955. I began to think: How about a "Family of Man" by the 
LUG.
Many of us are looking for projects (picture a day, picture a week, and 
now
Brian's contest idea). We have 5 full years to produce the "book" before
the 50th anniversary of the "original" project, and in 2006 its the 50th
birthday of the "M", so my thoughts ran

*the original had just over 500 images taken by 200 odd photographers
*there are more than 600 LUGGERS, many of whom have enormous talent and
experience, (this would give the project some "clout" if Ted, Tina, 
Donal,
Johnny,Jim, Duane, Adrian, and "please don't take offense at me not 
naming
you" join in and submit images)
*Images are sent to someone (perhaps me ;-) ) from the LUG and posted 
on a
display site. Digitization of the images is commercially available, and
there are many in the group who could help those who do not have 
scanners.
*of the images sent each year, 100 are chosen by a vote/ballot of the 
LUG
*those chosen produce a print 10X8 or larger for a gallery 
presentation. By
2006 digital printing will be so good, that I suspect this will not be a
burden on anyone who "wins" a coverted spot in the exhibit, but we do 
have
lots of "experts" in printing who could help out those who need it.
*over 2001-5 we would collect 500 images, which would form an
exhibition/book/CD rom which each of us could purchase, or indeed, we 
could
"publish"
*I could certainly get the exhibition shown here in Ballarat at the Fine
art Gallery, and IFF we get Leica involved, their contacts could see the
exhibit travel and be shown as a monument to the 50th anniversary of 
the M
camera.

Rules would be:

Images should show something of humanity and its current state here on
planet earth as we start the new millenium

All images should be taken with a Leica (this would keep Leica happy 
;-) )

All images must be "new", and taken between 1999 and the middle of 
2005, or
thereabouts

All entrants must be prepared to supply a print for the exhibition

Perhaps Brian could give his camera away to a worthy non-Leica user, who
can then supply some images as a vote of thanks, and a worthy start in 
life
for the old camera.

OK its embryonic, but it is possible, and would only take 5 or so images
from 200 of us each year to have a reaonable stock from which to choose 
100
images each year. Long term projects require dedication, but the results
may indeed be truely worthy of the effort. Any proceeds could be 
donated to
a worthy cause. World wildlife fund springs to my mind as a sort of 
quirky
twist to a project dedicated to humanity ;-) but I'm sure we could find 
one
that suits us. I would be prepared to "donate" the web site/space though
others may have a better more central location or we could share that 
sort
of burden around.


Just a "dream"

Cheers


Alastair Firkin



So far, we have stuck to our guns: remember, we are in the final year.

Cheers

Alastair