What is Photography

[Michael Markey]

Is this still good advice ?

http://fotografiamagazine.com/letter-by-sergio-larrain-to-his-nephew/

 

[Ansel]

Of course!

 

[MiniMoke]

This is about the best introduction to serious photography there can be. It applies to film and digital because it deals with the end product...... the picture, YOUR picture.

Find the camera that suits you, that feels good, and use it!

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

Forgive me for saying that it seems like pretentious rubbish.

 

[Michael Markey]

Forgive me for saying that it seems like pretentious rubbish.

No forgiveness required 🙂
I thought it pretty good advice myself ...in parts.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Forgive me for saying that it seems like pretentious rubbish.

I rather liked it, partly due to the fact that parts of it apply to my personal work at this point in my life. I certainly don't feel qualified enough to offer similar advice to a young aspirant.

Just curious, what advice would you give?

 

[daveleo]

Like all other opinions, it should be taken with a grain of salt for taste, and a glass of water to wash it down. Then go read more and various opinions.

My opinion: "To thine own self, be true." 😀

 

[jsrockit]

Forgive me for saying that it seems like pretentious rubbish.

Let's not forget it was a personal letter initially and not a public manifesto. 🙂

 

[Photo_Smith]

Good straight forward advice, I didn't really disagree with any of it; but I especially liked the advice of thinning down the number of images over time-showing the best ones only to others.

"The conventional world puts a veil over your eyes, it’s a matter of taking it off during the period of photography."

I quite like that, personal advice that was in parts touching, he must have been fond of his nephew– thanks for posting.

 

[Bobfrance]

I thought it sound advice.
For my part it largely rings true and I'm not sure where the 'pretence' is that was referred to previously.

 

[Michael Markey]

I thought the advice not to force it was sound, learning by actually doing it similary so.
Believing in your own taste likewise appeals in this world which seems to reduce everything to a formula .
As to the wandering bit ...great if you can .

 

[Sparrow]

... have you posted it on the camera-club website Michael? It could form part of their constitution

 

[Michael Markey]

"The conventional world puts a veil over your eyes, it’s a matter of taking it off during the period of photography."

I quite like that, personal advice that was in parts touching, he must have been fond of his nephew– thanks for posting.

Yes , I liked that bit partly because its the bit I find the most difficult .
Well its the only bit I`m admitting to here anyway 🙂

 

[Michael Markey]

... have you posted it on the camera-club website Michael? It could form part of their constitution

Uncanny ... do you know the winning numbers for the weekend lottery too .

 

[paulfish4570]

this always is good advice, for photography, for hunting, for fishing, for many things: "By looking, you will learn to see."

 

[Roger Hicks]

There was a Sergio Larrain exhibition at Arles 2013. I can't repeat often enough. GO TO ARLES. You'll see lots of brilliant exhibitions by brilliant photographers (and some right rubbish too).

Out of curiosity, I tried reading it in Spanish too (I could only even begin to translate it because I'd already read the English). Even if your Spanish is rotten, like mine, give it a try. It's worth reading in any language, but somehow the Spanish adds a dimension.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Ansel]

Forgive me for saying that it seems like pretentious rubbish.

Pretentious: "having or showing the unpleasant quality of people who want to be regarded as more impressive, successful, or important than they really are"

Given the stature of the photographer in question I would say nothing could be further from the truth.

 

[gns]

That advise sounds about perfect. And probably pretty much what you would get from any such accomplished photographer.

His new book is one of my favorite purchases of the last year.

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

Just curious, what advice would you give?

Raise camera to eye, take picture, repeat until time to do something else or go home.

Followed by: Look at pictures when you feel like it.

Like all other opinions, it should be taken with a grain of salt for taste, and a glass of water to wash it down. Then go read more and various opinions.

My opinion: "To thine own self, be true."

Exactly right, in my opinion 😀

 

[kbg32]

Forgive me for saying that it seems like pretentious rubbish.

I don't know you personally, just from your postings here on RFF, and I say this with all respect, because things do get misconstrued on the internet, but is there ANYTHING that you like?