Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/06/02
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I don't mean to sound arrogant, but in today's AF digital age, I don't think it's unreasonable to try for both. At least, I do when I shoot street... :) On Jun 3, 2009, at 1:16 AM, Steve Barbour wrote: > > 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 > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information THEIN Onn Ming *photohorologer ming at www.mingthein.com www.flickr.com/mingthein