eleskin
Well-known
This is my reaction (to the New York Times article "For Photographers, the Image of a Shrinking Path) that I sent to two friends of mine who are pro photographers as well (I met them at Pratt Institute in the early 1990s when we were getting out MFA's in photography) and what they had to say in response. Thought all of you would find this interesting..
To my friends in Photography and Art
I would live to watch some of these people take a once in a lifetime shot with a roll of Velvia, a meterless camera, and a hand held spot meter!!
Seriously, technology is changing things, some not good. I still prefer to use my brain and shut the auto stuff off (Aperture Priority is the only auto feature I need along with Manuel on my M8) , and think about the shot.
I can see how people are coming up with quality work, but after how many shots?
The point was well made that the professional gets the shot consistently and more often. Not machine-gunning and hit or miss photography. More pre visualization, observation, and action on what the mind can see.
Most importantly, the experience of learning photography by the study of the history of photography (from Nie'pce , Sieglitz, all the way to Salgado,etc,,,) and putting that to practice from equipment selection (Why I use what I use and how I use it ) to the final shot.
For me, personally, I have always been driven by social and political issues. Photography came into my life as a more efficient and spontaneous form of expression even though I was trained in sculpture and painting well before I ever mixed any D-76.
I guess for us is how do we see ourselves in the mirror for what we really are. I love the choices I made and I would do the same again. Some of us have fully embraced digital while others, like me, embraced it with caution and still keep our toes wet in chemistry (I like to remember where I came from. It actually makes me understand better the advantages and limitations of the new technology).
Economically, this is bad news for pros who are trying to keep their head above the water. This issue is not unique in that many today are falling prey to large corporations and organizations. Companies that pay for photography are no different. It is a sign of our times, where people are getting paid less, and daily expenses (bills, taxes, school costs for our children, insane war costs, dont get me started here!) are skyrocketing. A sad but real truth.
I love the medium too much to be too depressed about this article. I remember where I came from and look ahead to exciting things ahead. I am sure all of you feel the same. I am sure all of you fell in love with photography first, and thoughts of what one gets paid (a necessary evil) second.
After reading this article, all I want to do is go out with my camera and take more photos!!
Ed
My friends response:
Strange, but I myself feel a great loss to the exercise I once loved without equal. The age of digital has opened the doors of perfection and talent to those with a mere desire and a few hundred dollars to call themselves equal. This past week i received a call from a woman in my studio who respected my talent and sought opinion. She said, " I don't know much about photography, but I am opening a studio in New Haven and wonder which camera you think i should buy". I replied that she should first seek out a good lawyer for the law-suits that will accompany her jobs, but in point of fact, the desires of the public in this economy has very little to do with perfection or talent. This woman will work for $7/hour and get more jobs than I.
Ed, you'll be happy to hear that i will be joining the ranks of the "Leica boys", having just ordered my M9. I will be selling off my Nikon D3, D2x, and many lenses and accessories to return to a manual world of shooting. I have missed this world and the creativity that comes with it, but only now see a camera in the digital market place that will deliver the expertise in image quality I have dreamed of for many years. We are a dying breed boys, but ones that can be remembered in showing the likes of the untalented a true vision.
If this does not work for me, i was thinking of getting myself a stethoscope and calling myself a doctor. It can't be that hard, I'll just call a doctor and ask him which one to buy.
My response:
Paul,
Indeed, I am REALLY happy you made the move to the M9! I resisted ANY digital camera and relied on my medium and large format stuff until the M8 came into my hands. I too will get an M9 as you did.
Paul, you have touched on the soullessness of what the Japanese are selling as cameras. You remember the movie "The Right Stuff" (one of my favorites). What you have said reminds me of the scene where the astronauts insist to Dr. Von Braun that the "Capsule" be called a "Spacecraft" and that they would have control and be called "Astronauts"! I cannot think of anything better to relate to what you have said. Yes, I share your feelings exactly. I remember the scorn I got from some by picking the M8 (from some pros that are Nikon and Canon addicts, they could not believe I spent $4,800 on a so called flawed camera). Yes, the high ISO is not that great, yes, I need filters for IR (I use them rarely) but some of those same people are asking me how I make my black and white prints (they are having trouble). Must be that old school magic eh!!
I hate lcd menus, multi functions, etc,,, all distracting garbage!!! I want to use the mind that God gave me thank you very much.
We will just have to ride this wave of nonsense out. What I feel is when the limits of sensor ttechnology are reached (we are close), the focus on technology will dissipate, and many will be forced to think about photography again. I selected what I did based on my vision and soul. Damn the consequences and what others think!
One thing Paul,
Check out Rangefinder Forum, Leica Users Forum, Kenrockwell.com, and Stevehuffphoto.com. If Leica will be your taste again, these sites are essential!
Steve Huff has some awesome stuff on the testing of lenses with the M9. His latest is a test of the old 50mm F2.0 Summitar made in the 1940's. What it can do with the M9 is MINDBLOWING for a lens of that era. I am currently looking for one on ebay for myself with a screw mount adapter! (I love the out of focus swirls and sharp rendition, a masterpiece).
The thing that you will appreciate is you will be using not only newer lenses, but will have a choice of unique optics dating all the way back to the invention of the 35mm camera (Leica Screw Mount with an M adapter). Each lens, as I have observed, has a unique signature (not unlike the notes coming from a Stradivarius) that in many cases, modern designs cannot replicate! You will rediscover the thrills all over again, and feel the thousands you just spent were worth it, I guarantee you. Enough said!
We are in this for the long haul brother!
All the best,
ED
And my other friends response:
Maestro Paul! Does that sound a bit APOCALYPTIC?
I do admire your determination and tenacity, sticking to photography, as an art, as well as business!
To my friends in Photography and Art
I would live to watch some of these people take a once in a lifetime shot with a roll of Velvia, a meterless camera, and a hand held spot meter!!
Seriously, technology is changing things, some not good. I still prefer to use my brain and shut the auto stuff off (Aperture Priority is the only auto feature I need along with Manuel on my M8) , and think about the shot.
I can see how people are coming up with quality work, but after how many shots?
The point was well made that the professional gets the shot consistently and more often. Not machine-gunning and hit or miss photography. More pre visualization, observation, and action on what the mind can see.
Most importantly, the experience of learning photography by the study of the history of photography (from Nie'pce , Sieglitz, all the way to Salgado,etc,,,) and putting that to practice from equipment selection (Why I use what I use and how I use it ) to the final shot.
For me, personally, I have always been driven by social and political issues. Photography came into my life as a more efficient and spontaneous form of expression even though I was trained in sculpture and painting well before I ever mixed any D-76.
I guess for us is how do we see ourselves in the mirror for what we really are. I love the choices I made and I would do the same again. Some of us have fully embraced digital while others, like me, embraced it with caution and still keep our toes wet in chemistry (I like to remember where I came from. It actually makes me understand better the advantages and limitations of the new technology).
Economically, this is bad news for pros who are trying to keep their head above the water. This issue is not unique in that many today are falling prey to large corporations and organizations. Companies that pay for photography are no different. It is a sign of our times, where people are getting paid less, and daily expenses (bills, taxes, school costs for our children, insane war costs, dont get me started here!) are skyrocketing. A sad but real truth.
I love the medium too much to be too depressed about this article. I remember where I came from and look ahead to exciting things ahead. I am sure all of you feel the same. I am sure all of you fell in love with photography first, and thoughts of what one gets paid (a necessary evil) second.
After reading this article, all I want to do is go out with my camera and take more photos!!
Ed
My friends response:
Strange, but I myself feel a great loss to the exercise I once loved without equal. The age of digital has opened the doors of perfection and talent to those with a mere desire and a few hundred dollars to call themselves equal. This past week i received a call from a woman in my studio who respected my talent and sought opinion. She said, " I don't know much about photography, but I am opening a studio in New Haven and wonder which camera you think i should buy". I replied that she should first seek out a good lawyer for the law-suits that will accompany her jobs, but in point of fact, the desires of the public in this economy has very little to do with perfection or talent. This woman will work for $7/hour and get more jobs than I.
Ed, you'll be happy to hear that i will be joining the ranks of the "Leica boys", having just ordered my M9. I will be selling off my Nikon D3, D2x, and many lenses and accessories to return to a manual world of shooting. I have missed this world and the creativity that comes with it, but only now see a camera in the digital market place that will deliver the expertise in image quality I have dreamed of for many years. We are a dying breed boys, but ones that can be remembered in showing the likes of the untalented a true vision.
If this does not work for me, i was thinking of getting myself a stethoscope and calling myself a doctor. It can't be that hard, I'll just call a doctor and ask him which one to buy.
My response:
Paul,
Indeed, I am REALLY happy you made the move to the M9! I resisted ANY digital camera and relied on my medium and large format stuff until the M8 came into my hands. I too will get an M9 as you did.
Paul, you have touched on the soullessness of what the Japanese are selling as cameras. You remember the movie "The Right Stuff" (one of my favorites). What you have said reminds me of the scene where the astronauts insist to Dr. Von Braun that the "Capsule" be called a "Spacecraft" and that they would have control and be called "Astronauts"! I cannot think of anything better to relate to what you have said. Yes, I share your feelings exactly. I remember the scorn I got from some by picking the M8 (from some pros that are Nikon and Canon addicts, they could not believe I spent $4,800 on a so called flawed camera). Yes, the high ISO is not that great, yes, I need filters for IR (I use them rarely) but some of those same people are asking me how I make my black and white prints (they are having trouble). Must be that old school magic eh!!
I hate lcd menus, multi functions, etc,,, all distracting garbage!!! I want to use the mind that God gave me thank you very much.
We will just have to ride this wave of nonsense out. What I feel is when the limits of sensor ttechnology are reached (we are close), the focus on technology will dissipate, and many will be forced to think about photography again. I selected what I did based on my vision and soul. Damn the consequences and what others think!
One thing Paul,
Check out Rangefinder Forum, Leica Users Forum, Kenrockwell.com, and Stevehuffphoto.com. If Leica will be your taste again, these sites are essential!
Steve Huff has some awesome stuff on the testing of lenses with the M9. His latest is a test of the old 50mm F2.0 Summitar made in the 1940's. What it can do with the M9 is MINDBLOWING for a lens of that era. I am currently looking for one on ebay for myself with a screw mount adapter! (I love the out of focus swirls and sharp rendition, a masterpiece).
The thing that you will appreciate is you will be using not only newer lenses, but will have a choice of unique optics dating all the way back to the invention of the 35mm camera (Leica Screw Mount with an M adapter). Each lens, as I have observed, has a unique signature (not unlike the notes coming from a Stradivarius) that in many cases, modern designs cannot replicate! You will rediscover the thrills all over again, and feel the thousands you just spent were worth it, I guarantee you. Enough said!
We are in this for the long haul brother!
All the best,
ED
And my other friends response:
Maestro Paul! Does that sound a bit APOCALYPTIC?
I do admire your determination and tenacity, sticking to photography, as an art, as well as business!
