Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/06/02
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]On Jun 2, 2009, at 9:41 AM, Geoff Hopkinson wrote: > Absolutely fascinating gentlemen that we could look at this so > differently. > Looking at the HCB images I have, I see a number that I can > recognise as > iconic and superb, yet others that I understand not at all. > Throughout I see > images that have succeeded despite the technical shortcomings rather > than > because of them. Perhaps an insight as to why his work is famous > and mine > never will be. Still I make mine for me which is of course their > purpose. > > For all of that I'd much rather have my photo time machine in the > service of > Ansel Adams. Actually I just remembered that HCB in fact decried > Ansel's > preoccupation with rocks rather than the human condition. Maybe I > need to > switch to an 11 x14 field camera or something to pursue my Grail. this is a terribly interesting discussion Geoff, and the points you mention, really get me thinking further about something I already deeply believe, the quest for technical excellence above spontaneity and content would certainly force me to consider large format, super large negatives, or whatever :-) , as well as a tripod... striving for that level of pure technical excellence, would not have me using a hand held camera with a cropped sensor, designed for quick and discrete street shooting, capturing spontaneity... as I see it, these are two quite different goals, the accomplishment of each one being very difficult, and the where withall to do each, at cross purposes... best, bon voyage, Steve > > 2009/6/3 Steve Barbour <kididdoc at cox.net> > >> On Jun 1, 2009, at 11:17 PM, Philippe Amard wrote: >> >> Geoff Hopkinson wrote: >>> >>> <> HCB photographs. Same scenario, would any of >>>> his photographs have been worse or better with modern M glass and >>>> exposure >>>> metering? >>>> >>> >>> Could have spoiled the whole thing Geoff, it might at least. >>> >>> I was at this HCB exhibition in Paris last Thursday. >>> Lots of prints, each a masterpiece. >>> Yet, some are on the verge of fuzzy, some are not that sharp, soft >>> in some >>> cases to modern standards at least, >>> the sea isn't even always level, etc. >>> Technicalities doesn't seem to have been his concern at all... >>> >> >> hopefully his eye would have survived modern lenses.... >> >> evidently he felt that sharp lenses make dull photographs... >> >> >> Steve >> >> >> >> >> I'm cautious here as I don't know. >>> >>> Only, each one of these 50 or 80 photographs has character. >>> It doesn't pop at you, you just seamlessly sink into them. >>> I'd bet he used the cam as he knew it could work. >>> I think it's all that is to say about the gear. >>> >>> And when there, you don't need to know you're there to know who >>> was behind >>> the camera, whatever the camera. >>> That is a question you don't even ask. >>> Opportunity, light, geometry, every thing tells you the camera was >>> just a >>> tool he used to convey his vision. >>> >>> Yet, his tireur(s) should also receive more credits. As many Wows >>> as there >>> are rints exposed. >>> >>> My two Pfennig of Saukraut ;-) >>> Have fun in (sunny?) Berlin my friend. >>> Best from Metz >>> Philippe >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Leica Users Group. >>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >>> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> > > > > -- > 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