Kiwi - GKPE - General Ramblings (4)

::John:: wrote in post #4905870
Cool - everyone has their opinions - and that I do respect.

With Ansel, though, I think of the time when he took his pictures - when it was one hell of a trek with equipment we would, today, consider sub-standard.

I admire his tenacity, too - he sat for 3 days waiting for the 'right light' for one picture.

And he post-processed the hell out of his shots - he was a darkroom tinkerer - if he were alive today, he would be using a LOT of Photoshop or Lightroom, I think.

But, again, he was a man of his time.

(my opinion only)

Often the story behind the photo is more powerful than the photo. Or it puts the photo into a new light when you know the story.

Does anyone know how Matt (the original Matt) is getting on after his bike crash... ?

weka2000 wrote in post #4906138
Often the story behind the photo is more powerful than the photo. Or it puts the photo into a new light when you know the story.

True

I also consider the age of the picture - and think of the rudimentary gear they had back then.

CliveyBoy wrote in post #4905720
But it's photography nevertheless. Sex with a prostitute is still sex.

Any time you take a picture it's photography. My slating of the bloke's work is purely my own opinion, I know others won't agree. I'd personally feel polluted putting any of his stuff on my wall. Feel like I'd have to bounce round the room like a kid smacked to the tits on E-numbers just to fit in with the jolly-jolly sickly sweet outlook on the world. <shudder>

somethingsimple wrote in post #4905749
dave doesnt respect ansel adams?

Respect maybe, like his work, not in the slightest. You got to give the man credit for what he did, determination etc, as it's just cool basically. But I think his work is some of the most overated 'art' anywhere. I always try to keep a lid on this particular preference of mine as talking about it front of a bunch of other photographers is recipe for an argument but whatever, I haven't seen a single photo of his that I like. I can't stand the world seen as idealistically beautiful, it's why I hat skin smoothing in model shots, prefer to see cars looking filthy and driven, prefer to see Rannoch Moor in the Highlands burnt out rather than straight off a postcard etc...

::John:: wrote in post #4905755
not in the morning

What can I say, he abused me as a child...

DiscoLizard wrote in post #4905777
Just because something is different and 'edgey' doesn't make it good - quite often it's just a bunch of posers stroking each other's egos...

Correct. Edgy for the sake of being edgy is about as attention grabbing as an emo kid dragging their heels down the main street wearing a t-shirt that says 'hate me' on the front. Shooting photos to seek the aproval of others is the wrong motive, shooting them because it's how you want to shoot it bringing along your own personal ethos is. Or dare I say it, painful as it is, if it's paying the bills, shooting what pays...

weka2000 wrote in post #4906138
Often the story behind the photo is more powerful than the photo. Or it puts the photo into a new light when you know the story.

Now then you're getting into the argument as to whether art should be annotated or just left for the viewer to make their own mind up. Never really been sure about that one...

Nzshrimper wrote in post #4906231
Does anyone know how Matt (the original Matt) is getting on after his bike crash... ?

He's fine.
Very busy with work, I'll try and see him in the next week, or maybe get him out for a shoot next week?

He's since just got a new replacement bike through the insurance. So that hasn't deterred him

::John:: wrote in post #4906235
True

I also consider the age of the picture - and think of the rudimentary gear they had back then.

That and his ability to see in his minds eye the final print. His moon rise photo was taken but took many years before it was printed. He called it a "mistake"

Dave you want me to get into another argument ....hell I need some berocia. My day is a continuation from yesterday. Now who have I told to F... Off in the last 24 hrs ...... Wife at midnight, boss first thing this morning, reported a teacher for racismt at 11am today. Im not a happy lad.
If I dont come back supect a heart attack.

weka2000 wrote in post #4906356
That and his ability to see in his minds eye the final print. His moon rise photo was taken but took many years before it was printed. He called it a "mistake"

Crikey - I have a boatload of 'mistakes' that I wish would get the same notoriety


Another thing to consider (and this may create some annoyance) is that Ansel came from a country that promotes it's 'legends' until they become legends.

::John:: wrote in post #4906378
Another thing to consider (and this may create some annoyance) is that Ansel came from a country that promotes it's 'legends' until they become legends.

Don't get me started there!

manipula wrote in post #4906440
Don't get me started there!

Hey we still need to meet in Taupo with a bottle of Baileys

Make it three...

manipula wrote in post #4906461
Make it three...

Hey as long as we dont disagree on a topic we should be ok

Blue Chip in liquidation....

http://www.nzherald.co​.nz …?c_id=3&objecti​d=10492225

weka2000 wrote in post #4906474
Hey as long as we dont disagree on a topic we should be ok

if you do - someone should be designated to take photos

Don28 wrote in post #4906536
Blue Chip in liquidation....

Hope I get my investment out before any more companies go tits up. MFS is looking a bit shakey as well.

I am very interested in seeing how you all gauge your work, as far as I can tell the only real way of seeing where your work sits in relation to some of the best photographers in NZ is to enter competitions.
A lot of these are open to all comers ie (easter show) and have great prize money ($1000 for a 1st place). The bigger shows are judged by a panel of up to 5 qualified people.
Being a member of a Photographic Club or the PSNZ will allow your work to enter more shows.
I don't think an on line forum is going to achieve to this level.

Bryan
PS if you want to see where u are in relation to world class photographers there are competition for that also.