Ambro51
Collector/Photographer
I’m personally much more at peace when I realized I’m a much better camera collector than photographer.
Yokosuka Mike
Abstract Clarity
A little diversity goes a long way. Technical diversity, cultural diversity, artistic diversity; it’s all good when applied to photography. The RFF is a great place to enjoy the comments and image contributions from people all over the world. Thank goodness we don’t all see and photograph things the same way. There is no right way or wrong way, different strokes for different folks.
In my opinion the best way to enjoy the RFF is to park the negativity at the door, enjoy what you like, learn to ignore that which you don’t like and continue to share thoughts, ideas, knowledge gained from experience, and images (I love the image sharing here!).
Buy new gear, test new gear, buy old stuff, play with old stuff; don’t buy anything at all - who cares? It’s not important.
In the great big world of the internet, I find the RFF an oasis of knowledge and inspiration; especially inspiration. Where else is there such a diversity of contributors? Yes, I circled back to diversity.
Anyway, I appreciate the RFF, it’s the only place I know of that lets us all be ourselves when it comes to the world of photography.
All the best,
Mike
In my opinion the best way to enjoy the RFF is to park the negativity at the door, enjoy what you like, learn to ignore that which you don’t like and continue to share thoughts, ideas, knowledge gained from experience, and images (I love the image sharing here!).
Buy new gear, test new gear, buy old stuff, play with old stuff; don’t buy anything at all - who cares? It’s not important.
In the great big world of the internet, I find the RFF an oasis of knowledge and inspiration; especially inspiration. Where else is there such a diversity of contributors? Yes, I circled back to diversity.
Anyway, I appreciate the RFF, it’s the only place I know of that lets us all be ourselves when it comes to the world of photography.
All the best,
Mike
Guy Pinhas
Well-known
tunalegs: "A lot of art is up to you, the viewer."
David Hughes: "photography, is not just about art. Some of us see it as a sort of note book or diary. No more, no less."
Both as well as Ko.Fe comments are valid.
On my end, If it moves me, I react, if it doesn't, i move along. Say something nice or don't say anything at all kinda thing. Life's too short for bad vibes and those kind of arguments. Been there and done that and to expand tunalegs comment, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
One thing I would love to see in the gallery though is more people letting folks know with which camera, lens, developer etc that image was shot and processed with. I know, it's the gearhead in me, but I think it is interesting and it has really helped me find my path or get me on it.
David Hughes: "photography, is not just about art. Some of us see it as a sort of note book or diary. No more, no less."
Both as well as Ko.Fe comments are valid.
On my end, If it moves me, I react, if it doesn't, i move along. Say something nice or don't say anything at all kinda thing. Life's too short for bad vibes and those kind of arguments. Been there and done that and to expand tunalegs comment, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
One thing I would love to see in the gallery though is more people letting folks know with which camera, lens, developer etc that image was shot and processed with. I know, it's the gearhead in me, but I think it is interesting and it has really helped me find my path or get me on it.
Guy Pinhas
Well-known
Amen brother, amen!
robert blu
quiet photographer
Thanks John for the mention of my simple blog, I'm honored and glad you like it 
Back to the original point set by Ko.Fe I think there is nothing wrong in considering photography as a simple tool to record important moments of our lives, even a diary of "not important" moments will surprise us in future and for sure will be able to give us a lot of emotions. A visual diary, a visual notebook is for sure an important tool for many of us.
In the same time there is the possibility to use photography to express our emotions, our vision and this can be done in many different ways.
Maybe because I have friend who are very obsessed by the technology in photography as reaction I'm more interested in a less perfection more emotion when I look at a body of photographic work. Therefore my interest in Polaroid and toy cameras.
I appreciate authors like Michael Ackerman, Brigitte Grignet and Machiel Botman.
But also more classic formal photographers like Matteo Di Giovanni and Vanessa Winship are able to give me emotions with their works and this is the main point: a photo must have soul in it.
Of course these are just my preferences, this is the way I intend photography. And the world is nice because we are all different with different views and opinions, otherwise it would be ...boring
Back to the original point set by Ko.Fe I think there is nothing wrong in considering photography as a simple tool to record important moments of our lives, even a diary of "not important" moments will surprise us in future and for sure will be able to give us a lot of emotions. A visual diary, a visual notebook is for sure an important tool for many of us.
In the same time there is the possibility to use photography to express our emotions, our vision and this can be done in many different ways.
Maybe because I have friend who are very obsessed by the technology in photography as reaction I'm more interested in a less perfection more emotion when I look at a body of photographic work. Therefore my interest in Polaroid and toy cameras.
I appreciate authors like Michael Ackerman, Brigitte Grignet and Machiel Botman.
But also more classic formal photographers like Matteo Di Giovanni and Vanessa Winship are able to give me emotions with their works and this is the main point: a photo must have soul in it.
Of course these are just my preferences, this is the way I intend photography. And the world is nice because we are all different with different views and opinions, otherwise it would be ...boring
Dogman
Veteran
One must remember the truism "Ninety five percent of everything is crap".
Who said that originally? Theodore Sturgeon? Whoever it was, he was a wise person.
Who said that originally? Theodore Sturgeon? Whoever it was, he was a wise person.
Solinar
Analog Preferred
With all that said by the O.P. - I often see images posted that are far above the level of passport photos on this forum.
In my defense, even though they may be a bit cliche, I do have a soft spot for many of the posted images of the family cat or dog.
In my defense, even though they may be a bit cliche, I do have a soft spot for many of the posted images of the family cat or dog.
Axel
singleshooter
So I do. Lets comment, like or mention them in the pics of the week thread like
some of us already do. Gear doesn´t matter anymore once a photo is taken.
They are worth every click
airfrogusmc
Veteran
I think that the tools and the process should match what the creator is try to say visually. I have a friend that did a wonderful body of work some years ago with a holga. The images really fit with the message she was trying to communicate in that body of work. It was the entire creative process working with the correct tools to support that vision.
I think that great work has been created with a lot of different tools, digital, film, complex cameras, primitive cameras, large format, small point a shoots, iPhones, etc. What is important, in my opinion, is matching the tool with the vision. Finding equipment that not only matches the way one sees and works but also processes and equipment that will match the vision to get the desired final result whatever that might be.
As far as the Art Institute they have an amazing permanent collection of photography. I was just shooting a job at Northwestern Hospital and on the walls in IIRC the Feinberg Pavilion there were several Meyerowitz Cape light prints on loan from the Art Institute. And a couple of years ago there were some Michael Johnson Midwest Landscapes that also on loan from the Art Institute.
I saw and amazing Bresson exhibit there a few years back. When I was in college I saw Callahan, Joel Peter Witkin, Gordon Parks, Bruce Davidson and several others lectures and exhibits there. Just a year or so ago they had a very large exhibit of Abelardo Morell. I also caught his lecture there. The exhibit took up several rooms in the Modern Wing.
I think someone mentioned the Art of Fixing a Shadow Exhibit that was the a long time ago but it was an amazing exhibit.
I guess it jsut depends on when you go whether there is something worth while and sometimes there is a wonderful exhibit downstairs in the photography galleries and sometimes there is something in the modern wing. But there is always amazing paintings and other art to inspire there.
I think that great work has been created with a lot of different tools, digital, film, complex cameras, primitive cameras, large format, small point a shoots, iPhones, etc. What is important, in my opinion, is matching the tool with the vision. Finding equipment that not only matches the way one sees and works but also processes and equipment that will match the vision to get the desired final result whatever that might be.
As far as the Art Institute they have an amazing permanent collection of photography. I was just shooting a job at Northwestern Hospital and on the walls in IIRC the Feinberg Pavilion there were several Meyerowitz Cape light prints on loan from the Art Institute. And a couple of years ago there were some Michael Johnson Midwest Landscapes that also on loan from the Art Institute.
I saw and amazing Bresson exhibit there a few years back. When I was in college I saw Callahan, Joel Peter Witkin, Gordon Parks, Bruce Davidson and several others lectures and exhibits there. Just a year or so ago they had a very large exhibit of Abelardo Morell. I also caught his lecture there. The exhibit took up several rooms in the Modern Wing.
I think someone mentioned the Art of Fixing a Shadow Exhibit that was the a long time ago but it was an amazing exhibit.
I guess it jsut depends on when you go whether there is something worth while and sometimes there is a wonderful exhibit downstairs in the photography galleries and sometimes there is something in the modern wing. But there is always amazing paintings and other art to inspire there.
PRJ
Another Day in Paradise
I think this thread falls under the physician heal thyself mantra.
Or maybe the Dunning-Kreuger curve, like at the beginning.
There is a big world out there. It is ok to limit what you like and appreciate, so take that away. Leave the things you don't. You might appreciate them later.
Or maybe the Dunning-Kreuger curve, like at the beginning.
There is a big world out there. It is ok to limit what you like and appreciate, so take that away. Leave the things you don't. You might appreciate them later.
joe bosak
Well-known
David Hughes
David Hughes
If that is true then he/she is only 5% wise and that's not wise imo. So how can it be true?
Regards, David
Dogman
Veteran
Actually, Sturgeon's quote was "Ninety percent..." I looked it up after posting. Sorry for misquoting.
I would put Sturgeon in the 10 percent, thus making him one of the fortunate few. I, on the other hand, probably fit in the 90 percent for most things I try to do.
I would put Sturgeon in the 10 percent, thus making him one of the fortunate few. I, on the other hand, probably fit in the 90 percent for most things I try to do.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
Here is interview with American photographer who is kind of French with abuse of f word.
He used word «dross» to describe amount of empty photography.
I don’t remember exact percentages, but I remember well how he described why one boxer changed his name...
Every photography has high amount of dross.
But what I’m trying to say - do not get in stuck with gear testing.
I know it by myself and I have seen it happens with others.
Getting stuck with gear buying and trying significantly lowering creativity.
I let go to many cameras after getting them working again within first or two rolls.
Same with lenses.
Now I have a rule. I should keep it for one year at least and use it often.
Since I have limited budget, it makes me using gear for photography, not for gear testing.
He used word «dross» to describe amount of empty photography.
I don’t remember exact percentages, but I remember well how he described why one boxer changed his name...
Every photography has high amount of dross.
But what I’m trying to say - do not get in stuck with gear testing.
I know it by myself and I have seen it happens with others.
Getting stuck with gear buying and trying significantly lowering creativity.
I let go to many cameras after getting them working again within first or two rolls.
Same with lenses.
Now I have a rule. I should keep it for one year at least and use it often.
Since I have limited budget, it makes me using gear for photography, not for gear testing.
David Hughes
David Hughes
Hi,
It's the "everything" that I'm worried about; I do not believe that 90% of the M6's produced, cups of coffee I've drunk and books I've read are crap...
It's quite a simple test but seems to work with a lot of subjects...
Regards, David
kuuan
loves old lenses
main reason why, a few years ago, I had switched to rangefinder forum to be the photography forum of choice and to be active at had been the relative good, better quality of photography as compared to forums I had been active before, best that I have encountered. I am grateful for being accepted as an active member though I haven't posted a single photo taken with a rangefinder camera and specially for being exposed to some very good photographers and the chance to exchange with and to learn from them, thank you.
Ambro51
Collector/Photographer
Reading this thread makes my head hurt.
css9450
Veteran
I can't quite figure it out either. I'm not sure what its about.
JeffS7444
Well-known
Fuzzy or ambiguous photos can be like hikes I've taken in the mountains, where there seems to be something promising up ahead as glimpsed through breaks in the foliage, but nothing is certain. Holga photo shot on Kodak Ektar 100 film:
Second photo taken with Canon F-1 and 58/1.2 Canon lens @ f/1.2. Shot on Lomo 400 film.
Second photo taken with Canon F-1 and 58/1.2 Canon lens @ f/1.2. Shot on Lomo 400 film.
JeffS7444
Well-known
But I don't know, maybe I'd be better off learning to convey that using whatever modern equipment I happen to be carrying?
