Are you an artist, user or collector of RF?

dave lackey said:
Since I am just now getting used to the workflow of my S3 2000, I haven't quite reached a zen-like relationship with it but the attraction to the gear is strong.:)

Now, as to why I am using it...

I am moving more and more into the art of my photography rather than work-related. So, it will be awhile before I come to terms with this new instrument and can produce the artistic work I am striving for...

Just wondering, just why do you folks own a Nikon RF? How many consider yourself as an artist?:angel:
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Hi Dave,

My current "collection" of Nikon RF gear consists of a total of three bodies and six lenses! Which is I guess, by the standards of any serious collector, a very poor effort :eek: Luckily, I don't consider myself a collector, not even a semi-serious one. In fact, while I'm more than happy to see collectors do their thing and learn from them, I don't really "get" collecting just for the sake of collecting. I can't help but use the gear I own.

While I do try to take interesting/artistic (to me) photos, I've never thought of myself as an artist, either. I'm not even sure what I'd need to do to qualify to be called an artist. Never even thought about it.

So that leaves me with the label "user". I'm ok with that label because I use all my gear :) In fact I have an SP 2005 fitted with a CV 28/3.5 Skopar in my bag right now, so I can take some shots on the way to and from work. I'm just about to leave the office to go home, so I might even take a few pics on the way home ;)
 
I'm not an artist nor even try to be one (may the Gods forbid), trying to be a lousy photographer is already hard enough.
I'm not a colector even tough I have a lot of cameras starting with N and ending with N (and others makers too...) and finally
I do use all of them, in fact they hit the road every day... some more than others. Depends on the mood...

Now a sure thing I came to realise some decades ago, whatever camera I use... my photos don't improve.
 
MikeL said:
Are there any other possible answers on this one Dave? Just trying to contribute.
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Hi, Mike!

Certainly there could be more possible answers, my limited ability to think in depth limits me to just three items at a time, I suppose.;)

I really enjoy your posts, in my opinion your work is art. How do you see it?

Better yet, referring to one reply, just what makes an artist? I think I know but it only means something to me.

Is it one's own definition or definition of others? Is it an inner spirit that manifests itself in numerous ways? Does one have to be a tortired amd tragic character in life? Like me?

Would be interesting to see what come sof this...
 
Jon,
I bought a second S3 body, (cosmetics 7.5/mechanics 9.5-the seller's description- I still haven't gotten together with my bud from Michigan so I don't yet have the camera) so I could carry two different lenses on the street. I'll make up the third lens I like to carry on an SLR body.
As I stated earlier, while I still am more creative with an SLR than a rangefinder, I'm determined to become as proficient with the latter as the former.
So no, I'm not becoming a collector.
 
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rbsinto said:
Jon,
I bought a second S3 body, (cosmetics 7.5/mechanics 9.5-the seller's description- I still haven't gotten together with my bud from Michigan so I don't yet have the camera) so I could carry two different lenses on the street. I'll make up the third lens i like to carry on an SLR body.
As I stated earlier, while I still am more creative with an SLR than a rangefinder, I'm determined to become as proficient with the latter as the former.
So no, I'm not becoming a collector.
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Robert, I can understand that. I too like shooting with two identical bodies with different lenses. I normally carry a third lens that can be used on either of the two bodies, but not a third body. Just curious ... how do you define "collector"?
 
dave lackey said:
Better yet, referring to one reply, just what makes an artist? I think I know but it only means something to me.

Is it one's own definition or definition of others? Is it an inner spirit that manifests itself in numerous ways? Does one have to be a tortired amd tragic character in life? Like me?

Would be interesting to see what come sof this...
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Hi Dave,
I’m not an artist so I'm very wary to even try to define it. An artist-friend says art makes you think. To me, when somebody appreciates something, it can be ‘art’ to them, and I think a person’s experience, or lack of, plays a huge role in what they appreciate. I don’t have much experience in photography or the creative world in general, hence I would never claim to be an artist (someone who pushes themself and their craft?) or know what good art is. Yet there is stuff I’d like on my wall.

My father was a college football coach, and he has an appreciation for a well run defensive series- the anticipation of what the other team will do, the constant compromise of risk-reward when calling the play, and understanding the tools you have available (the strengths and weaknesses of the 11 players). When it’s done well, he considers it ‘art’. He doesn’t put stuff on the wall, but he has books of X’s and O’s. To each appreciation his own?

I haven’t thought about it as much or have the experience that others have, so the above is likely blabber. Okay, no more procrastinating for me,
back to work.....:)

Edit: How about this: A Collector appreciates the workmanship and/or rarity of the camera, making the camera 'art'. The User uses the Collector's art to take photographs. If the User pushes her/himself and their craft, and the User or Collector or others appreciate the photographs, the User is also an Artist? If the Artist also appreciates the workmanship and/or rarity of what they use to make art, they are a Collector? I need more beer......
 
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NIKON KIU said:
I just click the shutter release, sometimes without film in the chamber!!

So, what am I??

Kiu
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Is there anyone around to hear the click?

Kiu, you are of course, NIKON!:)
 
When I decided to be a "user" I grab one of my "collection", go out to create some "art"...... and, after processing, realize I'm "none of the above" :)
 
I like to think of myself as a photographer, who owns more cameras than he can use at one time. I do not buy a camera,just to possess it, but that does not mean that I do not covet and appreciate a beautiful camera for its craftsmanship and not necessarily its ability to take a great photograph.
 
jonmanjiro said:
Just curious ... how do you define "collector"?
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I'm curious too. I do not have duplicates of the exact same lens, so I actually use my lenses. I love having many lenses to have a variety and feel. I'm having an identity crisis as I'm not sure what I am.
 
Jon,
Sorry to take so long to reply, but there's been a lot of family stuff going on.
Anyway, I define a collector (of photographic equipment) as "An individual who amasses gear for the sake of possessing it, rather than for the purpose of using it to take photos."
How's that?
 
I'm an accumulator of photographic junk, all of which I put to use as far as possible. I'd claim to be an artist if I weren't so damned honest. ;)
 
My thoughts: I have a lot of cameras and lenses and related items (instruction books, magazines, books) and enjoy owning them. I like learning about the history of the classic cameras I own and recreating the late 1950's classic rangefinder era. I also use a lot of those cameras and lenses and am passionate about photography (I shoot, as best as I can, every day). I have had two recent photography exhibits but it is not my career. So, I can safely say "yes" to all. But here is the revelation to me about me: my collecting gene is ideally suited to photography but not so much to getting gear-I collect images as I continue to see and document and create. So as I use the camera, I am "collecting" something, perhaps a captured moment and certainly a tangible item (negative or slide). So, aren't we all collectors in this respect?
 
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