The New Cruelty

[ampguy]

I think if the limitation is natural, in that you use the resources that you have access to whether broad or limited, in the ways you know how to, makes sense.

Some of the great guitarists pretty much play minor pentatonic scales 99% of the time, that's what they grew up on and listened to during their formative times.

They could now go to Berklee college of music and learn some different scales, but if they're happy with the scale patterns and timings they've known all their lives, they can still create new ideas within the limitations only others perceive of them.

Has anyone done the Mike Johnson 1 year photo limitation project and shown some works before and after? It doesn't seem natural to me, unless all you have access to is 1 camera, 1 lens, and 1 type of film.

 

[cidereye]

It doesn't seem natural to me, unless all you have access to is 1 camera, 1 lens, and 1 type of film.

My thoughts exactly. Have gear = Use it or sell it.

A bit like going home to the wife and declaring:- "Honey, I'm joining a monastery." 😀

Each to their own though and respect for that.

 

[Kolame]

[...]

Has anyone done the Mike Johnson 1 year photo limitation project and shown some works before and after? It doesn't seem natural to me, unless all you have access to is 1 camera, 1 lens, and 1 type of film.

There is one German I’m following for the whole year now, he started it out with a MP and a 50mm (forgot, which one), his website is: http://www.skt1.de/
It’s in German. But you can see the results sorted by month on the left side. Now you may compare the January-results, to the ones following.

 

[Chris101]

to each his own.

i believe we are all allowed our choices.
my mind cannot fathom CHOOSING to limit myself to that system.
now, if all my gear but one body and one lens were stolen, then i imagine i would be overjoyed to have that one body and one lens left to shoot with and i likely would work tirelessly to achieve some greater level of photographic zen.
but i would not choose that path for myself.

Ah, but I think the zen is in choosing that path while surrounded by an abundance of gear.

 

[Roger Hicks]

One question, one word: why?

Voluntary limitation is fine. Taking it to extremes, with one camera and one lens; taking it on like a vow of silence; calling it 'cruelty'; this all sounds like a triumph of intellect over emotion and indeed logic to me. Both intellect and emotion are necessary for photography...

From the Voluntary Limitations module on my site, http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/ps voluntary.html, (emphasis added):

In Chinese legend, there is the story of a butcher whose knives never needed sharpening, because he always cut so perfectly that they were never blunted. . . . There were really two reasons why his knives never needed sharpening. One was that he knew exactly where to cut. The other was that he knew which knife to use for what operation, and how to use it.


Cheers,

R.

 

[mfogiel]

As I said to Kolame, there is a guy, who only started photography 3 years ago, but evidently, on some good advice, he bought an M7 and just one lens - 35/2 Summicron ASPH. I believe, he only shoots Tri- X, and from the grain I see on photos I bought from him, it might be he develops everything in Rodinal.

Just look at what he did in 3 years:

http://www.smague.fr/

It does not look to me like he feels limited by one lens. On the contrary, he has mastered the composition and he learned how to approach his subjects in order to get the best out of his tool. I am convinced, that if he had 20 or so M lenses, like I do, he would probably be still undecided about what and how to photograph.

 

[helen.HH]

As I said to Kolame, there is a guy, who only started photography 3 years ago, but evidently, on some good advice, he bought an M7 and just one lens - 35/2 Summicron ASPH. I believe, he only shoots Tri- X, and from the grain I see on photos I bought from him, it might be he develops everything in Rodinal.

Just look at what he did in 3 years:

http://www.smague.fr/

It does not look to me like he feels limited by one lens. On the contrary, he has mastered the composition and he learned how to approach his subjects in order to get the best out of his tool. I am convinced, that if he had 20 or so M lenses, like I do, he would probably be still undecided about what and how to photograph.

THANK YOU Marek for turning me on to Emmanuel's work....
Loved his 'EYE" and sense of Intimacy....Beautiful

Way to Go 'BUTLER'...Enjoy the Journey ...Great Set Up !

edit: addition...
As of this Year I have been sticking with:
Rodinal / 400 Film TriX or Tmax
soon it will be only 50mm lenses...
we will see where that takes Me 🙂

 

[fajars3977]

I did this already, for over a year actually....

1 Hexar RF
1 50mm f2 Hexanon
Kodak slides film
30 countries ++ 6 continents

Here's the link, I posted them here in RF forum:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89637

To be honest, it's kinda fun and I found it very liberating... what was the saying, something of " if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like nails" or to that effect.. anyway and I'm doing it again this time with an evil dslr...

 

[John Lawrence]

The .85 viewfinder is not a good match for a 35mm lens.

My .85 M6 and 35 Summicron get along just fine!

John

 

[oftheherd]

A few RFFers have embarked on such a project....Hats off!!

Me, can't bear the thought of not using my other gears for a a year........

Indeed, to each his own. But I started of with cameras without interchangable lenses. Even my first SLR didn't get any more lenses for about 4 years. But then I began to expand my interests and I have worked too hard to get more flexibility to go back now. Especially at my age.

But I look forward to following the OP to see how it works out.

 

[TennesseJones]

I adore his work, what a fascinating guy. Great link.

As I said to Kolame, there is a guy, who only started photography 3 years ago, but evidently, on some good advice, he bought an M7 and just one lens - 35/2 Summicron ASPH. I believe, he only shoots Tri- X, and from the grain I see on photos I bought from him, it might be he develops everything in Rodinal.

Just look at what he did in 3 years:

http://www.smague.fr/

It does not look to me like he feels limited by one lens. On the contrary, he has mastered the composition and he learned how to approach his subjects in order to get the best out of his tool. I am convinced, that if he had 20 or so M lenses, like I do, he would probably be still undecided about what and how to photograph.

 

[emraphoto]

As I said to Kolame, there is a guy, who only started photography 3 years ago, but evidently, on some good advice, he bought an M7 and just one lens - 35/2 Summicron ASPH. I believe, he only shoots Tri- X, and from the grain I see on photos I bought from him, it might be he develops everything in Rodinal.

Just look at what he did in 3 years:

http://www.smague.fr/

It does not look to me like he feels limited by one lens. On the contrary, he has mastered the composition and he learned how to approach his subjects in order to get the best out of his tool. I am convinced, that if he had 20 or so M lenses, like I do, he would probably be still undecided about what and how to photograph.

it doesn't look as though he feels any limitations to me either.

smashing stuff!

 

[gho]

...

Just look at what he did in 3 years:

http://www.smague.fr/
...

Fantastic work! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Pablito]

Cruel world!!!

 

[Nick De Marco]

Great choice though. I could not stick to one outfit for a month, sometimes even for a day, let alone a year. But that's my problem. If I did I think I might do the same as you.

On my first trip to Myanmar along with my 5DII I took just one film camera - my Leica M6 - decided on just one lens - my pre-ash 35 summicron - and just one film - Tri-X. I was very pleased with this simple but versatile combination.

Good luck

 

[FrankS]

As I said to Kolame, there is a guy, who only started photography 3 years ago, but evidently, on some good advice, he bought an M7 and just one lens - 35/2 Summicron ASPH. I believe, he only shoots Tri- X, and from the grain I see on photos I bought from him, it might be he develops everything in Rodinal.

Just look at what he did in 3 years:

http://www.smague.fr/

It does not look to me like he feels limited by one lens. On the contrary, he has mastered the composition and he learned how to approach his subjects in order to get the best out of his tool. I am convinced, that if he had 20 or so M lenses, like I do, he would probably be still undecided about what and how to photograph.

Just imagine the great things he could have done with a wider range of tools.🙄

 

[chris000]

I only impose this kind of limitation when I know that I need to travel very light.

Otherwise I feel the limitation is unnecessary, I only have a choice of 3 lenses and I use them all regularly.

Good luck with the project though.

 

[ampguy]

or even scarier...

or even scarier...

"Honey, I found this awesome internet guru. We're going to sell the house and cars, and move. He's awesome, he's got a top 10 blog that everybody reads ... you'll love it, all we wear are white clothes and Nike tennis shoes, so we don't need to spend all that time clothes shopping ..." 🙄

My thoughts exactly. Have gear = Use it or sell it.

A bit like going home to the wife and declaring:- "Honey, I'm joining a monastery." 😀

Each to their own though and respect for that.

 

[cidereye]

"Honey, I found this awesome internet guru. We're going to sell the house and cars, and move. He's awesome, he's got a top 10 blog that everybody reads ... you'll love it, all we wear are white clothes and Nike tennis shoes, so we don't need to spend all that time clothes shopping ..." 🙄

Hey, I'm not joining that cult in a hurry! 😀

 

[jbielikowski]

damn, I dont understand why its so bourgeois, no need of Leica for such thing.