Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2008/09/17

[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]

Subject: [Leica] technology changes...
From: johnbeeching at gmail.com (John Beeching)
Date: Wed Sep 17 13:02:03 2008
References: <F8BB1743-A423-4AF5-A8B1-E3A4F91E5D55@dial.pipex.com> <1A1AFCF8-913D-4D93-8260-50DAC1386014@cox.net>

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/

Replies: Reply from kididdoc at cox.net (Steve Barbour) ([Leica] technology changes...)
In reply to: Message from kididdoc at cox.net (Steve Barbour) ([Leica] technology changes...)