Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/05/03
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Below is the description of the picture reckoned by george to be the best when shot for the last assignment you can track the full post on 18/04/2009, I chose a different way of illustrating the recession but also to illustrate a concept I have been trying to demonstrate about how I use a compact like a field camera (someone else's quote but a perfectly valid and true criticism). When I was a professional I rarely went for the obvious shot, I am now severely disabled which is not an excuse as I criticise any picture I take with the same standard, but my mobility and speed is more limited by either one or two walking sticks but I'll have a crack at any assignment. I don't think I can photograph outside of being a photojournalist, I suspect that I cannot take portraits as I lack empathy when using a camera. I wouldn't mind an assignment to take a picture "in the style of" another photographer that would be fun and take people outside of their own familiar habits. > Walking back towards the pharmacy I now shoot another insolvent > business, this one has a big sign by the bailiffs in the window but > that's too obvious. The piled up letters is a better picture, I use the > diagonals and the cameras on 4:3, I'm continually having to use program > shift because the camera wants a wider aperture. The reason the opening > times sign stands out so much is because of an internal shadow in the > shop, that was intentional it doesn't show from the other side. I did > consider cropping this but then it doesn't show the emptiness of the > shop. You'll notice the word closed appears distinct, I've joined it to > an envelope but used the shadow and blank space on the floor to make it > more apparent. None of these pictures have been "printed" btw, they have > been adjusted for contrast and color balance slightly and had some > reduction in saturation levels. > > http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Philip+Clarke/18th_April_2009/L1010246.jpg.html Geoff Hopkinson wrote: > My apologies for sending a blank post by clicking wrongly. > I meant to draft a response. > Philip, George's initiative is meant to encourage people to shoot, perhaps > outside their comfort zone and to post pictures. > I didn't participate in the first round as the subject does not appeal > personally. > You may not have seen it as a newer subscriber, but Brian hosts a monthly > competition on themes too. There has been a small hiatus, no doubt owing to > Brian's very busy schedule recently. > You can see all of the previous galleries here: > http://contest.leica-users.org/main.php > When it is next promoted, I encourage you to participate. > I would like to set you a challenge. Can you choose any theme that suits > you > and show some work either existing or expressly shot? >>From my perspective it establishes your bona fides as a photographer here. > 2009/5/4 Geoff Hopkinson <hopsternew at gmail.com> > >> >> 2009/5/4 Philip Clarke <nod at bouncing.org> >> >> >>> I like the ideas very much, if you want to push what you feel >>> comfortable with, then I feel: >>> >>> 10 random portraits of strangers in a day. >>> >>> no candids, all with the subject fully aware, this is "normal" for >>> newspaper guys but a little more tricky when you've got no authority. >>> >>> Other things that are tricky for me (having done news) is to illustrate >>> concepts: >>> >>> Death >>> Life >>> Scary >>> Comfortable >>> Happiness >>> >>> not "emotions" which I find easy because a concept forces the >>> photographer to bring their own emotions on the subject. Having done >>> famine, war, disease etc... when I use a camera it's an emotional shield >>> so I documented other people's experiences. Those previous 5 are things >>> that I do not currently believe I could photograph as a concept. I found >>> out yesterday that I am not "damaged goods" in this respect, I was at a >>> children's birthday party talking to a female child portrait >>> photographer (she was there with her son) and she too cannot enjoy a >>> party or event if she is a guest and has a camera, because then she >>> finds herself switching off and looking at angles, exposure, expressions >>> to give the best picture rather than experiencing the party. >>> >>> >>> George Lottermoser wrote: >>>> Philip, >>>> I think it fair to say that all of us will have some sort of bias >>>> toward particular assignments and subjects; >>>> not to mention "access." >>>> >>>> One of the things that I hope, selfishly, to achieve with this idea >>>> is to stretch the boundaries of my comfort zone; >>>> which, I imagine, would require going back into some of my (very) old pj >>>> modes; >>>> research, achieving access, etc. >>>> >>>> I'm certainly willing to make a "final call" >>>> for a "LUG Assignment #2." >>>> >>>> It seems - thus far - it's only you and I having the conversation. >>>> I hope others feel moved to contribute ideas. >>>> >>>> So let's begin simply by listing a few "assignment" possibilities: >>>> 1) Magazine portrait of an unknown, yet potentially important, >>>> personality or character. >>>> 2) Magazine portrait of an important personality or character. >>>> 3) Photograph of the most important person in your life in a way that >>>> communicates why they're important. >>>> 4) Spring love >>>> 5) Finest local garden and gardener >>>> 6) Local musician not on stage >>>> 7) What makes your town wonderful? >>>> >>>> I'd certainly have interest in your ideas >>>> even if "fixed in your favor." >>>> So, please add to the list. >>>> >>>> Regards, >>>> George Lottermoser >>>> george at imagist.com >>>> http://www.imagist.com >>>> http://www.imagist.com/blog >>>> http://www.linkedin.com/in/imagist >>>> >>>> On May 3, 2009, at 2:44 PM, Philip Clarke wrote: >>>> >>>>> George I trust you to arbitrate, I wouldn't be able to pick an >>>>> assignment as I'd fix it in my favour, also due to physical limits I >>> may >>>>> not be able to complete one. I do like seeing how people interpret a >>>>> project regardless. >>>>> >>>>> What could be a easier possibility to implement than the past idea >>> would >>>>> be creating a new user on the LUG gallery like "Mr Lug Group" and then >>>>> the password is sent out to whomever wants to put up an image >>>>> personally, (note: not posting the password to the list which would be >>>>> Frieland/ Madonna suicide). >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> George Lottermoser wrote: >>>>>> Not sure how to respond to this Philip. >>>>>> >>>>>> A few thoughts: >>>>>> When I first proposed the Idea of a "Periodic LUG Assignment" >>>>>> we saw some positive response to the concept. >>>>>> I requested that people submit "assignment" suggestions; >>>>>> and asked if Brian might set up a place for us to gather the work >>>>>> together >>>>>> (similar to the LUG monthly contest area?). >>>>>> >>>>>> We didn't receive many "assignment" suggestions. >>>>>> A number of us proceeded to pursue the "Signs of the economic downturn >>>>>> near home" assignment. >>>>>> For lack of a place to gather the work, I put up a page on my web site >>>>>> with links to other's sites where that assignment can be viewed. >>>>>> That page feels a bit rough in form, cohesion, content, and execution >>>>>> (apologies for that). It's also a bit cumbersome to keep up to date. >>>>>> >>>>>> I'd prefer that we would have a central place >>>>>> where each participant could upload their "assignment" images >>>>>> and we could view the evolving body of work as whole. >>>>>> >>>>>> With all of that said; everyone should feel free to offer new >>>>>> "assignment" ideas. >>>>>> I still think it's a fine idea to work on an extended theme >>>>>> without the competitive nature of a "contest" >>>>>> rather as a complement to the LUG Monthly Contest. >>>>>> >>>>>> What do others think? >>>>>> >>>>>> Philip - do you have some assignment suggestions? >>>>>> >>>>>> Regards, >>>>>> George Lottermoser >>>>>> george at imagist.com >>>>>> http://www.imagist.com >>>>>> http://www.imagist.com/blog >>>>>> http://www.linkedin.com/in/imagist >>>>>> >>>>>> On May 2, 2009, at 10:29 PM, Philip Clarke wrote: >>> How about a new assignment ? >>> >>>>>>> Philip. >>>>>>> >>> -- >>> Cheers >>> Geoff >>> 'Life's not B&W, except at both ends' >>> http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/gh/ >>> http://www.pbase.com/hoppyman >>> > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information