Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2008/09/17
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Dear Steve, I am so glad I don't work professionally and so am under no need to "go digital". I think I'll keep putting film in my M until I pop my clogs! John 2008/9/17 Steve Barbour <kididdoc@cox.net> > from another (computer) list... > > relevant, a very good summary I think, but many here have heard it, have > lived it, and many have to deal with it now... > > Steve > > ************** > >> Well Shawn, >> >> I beg to differ. Life is not as simple as people wish it to be, I'm >> afraid.... >> >> Without beating my own drum, I would say that I'm probably in a better >> position to comment on this than many, having been a working professional >> photographer for 22 years now... >> >> I've lived and worked through the demise of film and the advent of >> digital, and I can honestly say with my hand on my heart that I never used >> to waste so much 'down-time' as I do now having to keep abreast and paying >> for technology that at the end of the day does the same thing that it did >> 22 >> years ago...that is make photographs. >> >> OH - I can now wizz them across the planet in zilch time. Big Deal. That >> doesn't help my bottom line. It just adds more stress to my work day. >> Clients do not want to pay for this. They expect it in with the package >> these days....They want me not only to drive to the location (300 mile >> trip) >> shoot the photos, but also develop them and "ping" them over to the US or >> wherever before I go to bed. Its totally pants. When I shoot, I simply >> don't >> sleep...which makes me ill....which creates more stress blah de >> blah...But I >> digress... >> >> When I started professional photography in 1986 I saved my money and >> invested in a medium format system that served me well for many years - I >> still have it and it still works now and takes beautiful photographs. >> Clients used to be happy to pay for the film and processing. Job Done. >> >> I also have a Nikon D3 (and had D2x and D100 and .....get the picture - >> pardon the pun) and with each camera purchase comes a raft of >> disappointments as the latest camera body doesn't work well with last >> years >> lens...Take for example the D3...Nikons current flagship model...It >> doesn't >> even work properly with the current 70-200 f2.8 VR lens - Yes, I grant you >> it works sort of...as long as you are prepared to live with massive >> vingretting...the whole digitisation of the industry is quite shocking. So >> when Photokina is launched next week (yet another commercial >> merry-go-round), I'll be having to keep an eye out to replace another >> $2,500 >> lens....The one I'm replacing is only 2 years old !! >> >> And no Shawn...this didn't use to happen with film. I know. Because I >> remember. You bought a Hasslebald lens...it would last decades. >> >> The reality for photographers is that we are having to waste all our time >> and effort "learning" new ways to make the same wheel, rather than >> creating >> challenging and creative imagrey. Digital Technology has been a complete >> disaster for independant photography, as sole traders like myself simply >> do >> not have enough hours in the day to do and learn all the technology. >> >> But somehow we have to. But don't tell me its "always been like this" >> Because that's simply an inaccurate statement. It has never been like this >> before ! Technology is simply undermining and blocking true creativity and >> real life observation skills. And no amount of pixel counting and special >> effects in Photoshop will change this, or make the person using the >> computer >> a better photographer. >> >> I would also add that in my experience Computer Technology has undermined >> what photography is about..people look at my images these days and >> "assume" >> they were done in Photoshop ! Even the documentary images - this destroys >> the very essense of what I stand for. >> >> Because of Technology - Photography is no longer 'trusted' to represent >> anything more than a glint in someones eye, and has been ruthlessly >> commodotised. I've even had "serious" discussions with clients telling me >> I >> should charge for my photos by the MB - and not by any aesthetic >> principle... >> >> Its all very insulting to be honest... >> >> Best wishes, >> David >> >> >> David Townend Photography >> >> http://www.davidtownend.com >> >> >> >> >> On 17 Sep 2008, at 16:27, Shawn King wrote: >> >> >>> Photographers (and others) have *always* gone through this, computers or >>> not, digital or not. >>> >>> The technology of almost everything moves forward those who rely on that >>> technology for whatever reasons move forward with it - or they get left >>> behind. >>> -- >>> Shawn King >>> Host/Executive Producer >>> Your Mac Life >>> http://www.yourmaclifeshow.com >>> >>> >> >> > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > -- John Beeching http://johnbeeching.com/