Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/06/06
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]In a message dated 6/6/05 7:35:01 PM, lug-request@leica-users.org writes: > Good Writing is Harder Than Good Photography > ---------------------------------------------------------- Dear Colleagues, I probably do more writing than photography. After all, you can write anywhere, anytime, and you don't need film or batteries or cards or even much money. Just pencil and paper. In some ways good photography is harder than writing because you can't create an idea if it's not in front of your lens, no matter how conceptual you are. This caveat doesn't apply to photo-graphics because you can create graphics by assembling the elements re copy and paste, etc. Graphics is only limited by your imagination and technique. But in straight photography, you can have great ideas. However, if the subject that embodies them doesn't present itself, it can't be on the film or card. You can go to places where those ideas might exist, but you'll be doing illustration, not straight photography -- which is my bag. What I like about straight photography is that you don't need a priori ideas or concepts. Suddenly a subject or composition will arise for a few seconds in front of your face -- that comes from out of the blue -- and you must be ready for it. You can't print excuses. As for writing, it's a great way to think in the round because putting words on paper or screen is an organizational activity. Unlike conversation, you can do research to find facts and present them coherently so that the story you tell has a beginning, a middle and a conclusion. Writing is one of the best way to learn about your own values and history and figure out what's happening around you. And play a little game of chess or basketball with The Great World -- where necessity and theology meet. To sum up, I love both straight photography and writing. Both can make life very rich and you don't need to sell your soul to practice them, together or separately. Best, Bob