one lens - one camera - dear diary

Cagliostro73 said:
Since I've just begun my 40th year on this life, I've decided to start a serious photographic project.

Until now, I've always been a "casual" shooter, although I've almost shot the same "subjects" I've never started a serious project.

But now, my first 40 years deserve something more serious. So There's the idea. 40 years in 40mm. I do not care if it is a new one or not. It's mine.
One camera: my M2, one lens: my summicron 40c. 11 rolls of Kodak 400cn (that's 400 shots, more or less). Living in Rome gives me a huge source of inspiration and I would like to capture some good pictures of places and people living here.
I'll pick up 40 shots and I'll make a photo book with them.
I'd like so much if you RFF members could help me in the selection of these pics.
Of course I won't flood the forum with all the 400 pics. Maybe 60-80 of them, for your consideration.
What do you think?
Regards, D.
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Appreciated.
 
ampguy said:
I would say that the 1 lens, 1 camera body is not a purist approach to this Nirvana-esque goal.

Since the lens could come off, I propose that only fixed lens cameras be considered.
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I have only one leica and one summicron. Should I glue the lens to the camera permanently?
 
Cagliostro73 said:
Since I've just begun my 40th year on this life, I've decided to start a serious photographic project.

Until now, I've always been a "casual" shooter, although I've almost shot the same "subjects" I've never started a serious project.

But now, my first 40 years deserve something more serious. So There's the idea. 40 years in 40mm. I do not care if it is a new one or not. It's mine.
One camera: my M2, one lens: my summicron 40c. 11 rolls of Kodak 400cn (that's 400 shots, more or less). Living in Rome gives me a huge source of inspiration and I would like to capture some good pictures of places and people living here.
I'll pick up 40 shots and I'll make a photo book with them.
I'd like so much if you RFF members could help me in the selection of these pics.
Of course I won't flood the forum with all the 400 pics. Maybe 60-80 of them, for your consideration.
What do you think?
Regards, D.
Click to expand...
Great idea!!!
Good luck and hope to see your photographs.
 
Not to be a goofer, but from personal experience, I would say, that if you want a book with 40 good photos, you should probably consider shooting AT LEAST 4000 frames, not 400. Even Saint HCB was not getting 1 decent shot out of 10...
 
mfogiel said:
Not to be a goofer, but from personal experience, I would say, that if you want a book with 40 good photos, you should probably consider shooting AT LEAST 4000 frames, not 400. Even Saint HCB was not getting 1 decent shot out of 10...
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Not necessarily, I would imagine a lot depends on your approach and how static your subject matter is..
 
Murchu said:
Not necessarily, I would imagine a lot depends on your approach and how static your subject matter is..
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I agree, and sometimes you won't get a good shot in 10 rolls, sometimes you'll get 10 on one roll. Also it'll depend on your own personal standards, and the way you work.

I'm really only shooting medium format now, not 35mm, I get more keepers per roll than I did with 35mm, despite having 12 shots not 36. It's not because I'm any better with MF, I'm just happier with the shots, personally.
 
mfogiel said:
............ Even Saint HCB was not getting 1 decent shot out of 10...
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I suspect that Saint Ansel, despite shooting 8x10 with much time to contemplate the image, did not average 1 out of 10 that he was really happy with.

Of course it is all a function of our personal definition of what is really good.
 
mfogiel said:
Not to be a goofer, but from personal experience, I would say, that if you want a book with 40 good photos, you should probably consider shooting AT LEAST 4000 frames, not 400. Even Saint HCB was not getting 1 decent shot out of 10...
Click to expand...

I would think this all comes down to what type of book you are making and who your intended audience is. I make a book every month. It's not because I think I have this many great photos, but because it is part of my editing process. It helps me really find my good ones if I see them different ways (on screen, big prints, book, etc.). I've found books to be my easiest way to bulk print at sizes larger than 4x6". Now, if you plan on trying to "make it" in the art world with your book, then you have to edit quite heavily. If you are making a family album, they don;t need to be edited the same way.
 
Think 'project'...

Think 'project'...

In the spirit of Brooks Jensen and Lenswork, I propose not concentrating on the time frame. Instead, create a body of work around the limitations and strengths of working simply with one camera & lens.
 
2 replies in one:
Eisenstadt once said that if he got one good shot from a roll of 36 he was doing pretty well. That gives me hope.
And on the one camera thing, no contest: M3 with a 50mm Summicron.
 
It won't be exclusive (I'll have to use digital if I get any jobs, and a 90mm for formal portraits) but I intend my Voigtlander 40mm attached to my R3m to be responsible for at least 90% of my output in 2014.
 
The one camera, one lens challenge (or project, or body of work or whatever you choose to call it) begs the question: Black and White or Color?
 
Cagliostro73 said:
Since I've just begun my 40th year on this life, I've decided to start a serious photographic project.

Until now, I've always been a "casual" shooter, although I've almost shot the same "subjects" I've never started a serious project.

But now, my first 40 years deserve something more serious. So There's the idea. 40 years in 40mm. I do not care if it is a new one or not. It's mine.
One camera: my M2, one lens: my summicron 40c. 11 rolls of Kodak 400cn (that's 400 shots, more or less). Living in Rome gives me a huge source of inspiration and I would like to capture some good pictures of places and people living here.
I'll pick up 40 shots and I'll make a photo book with them.
I'd like so much if you RFF members could help me in the selection of these pics.
Of course I won't flood the forum with all the 400 pics. Maybe 60-80 of them, for your consideration.
What do you think?
Regards, D.
Click to expand...
Looking forward to your photos. I'll be in Rome in about 2 weeks.
 
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