Just curious, but why would you say that photography was not a "serious"
art/journalistic/industrial medium in Tolstoy's time? Critically important
work (which has essentially not been improved on) had been completed and
acclaimed at least a full half century prior to Tolstoy's demise.
Again, only curious. But it struck me as an interesting remark.
Tris
At 12:36 AM 7/25/01 +0000, you wrote:
At 03:37 7/25/01, Dave Dougherty wrote:
In a message dated 7/24/01 8:21:33 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
Bill Stanke quoted:
Better yet, do the work you enjoy most whether or not anyone else likes the
result. If you're not doing this already, start now.
There is a magazine called LENS WORK. It is devoted solely to B & W
photography and most is done with medium or large format. But there are some
interesting essays in each issue. In the August issue there is an excerpt
from a paper on art and art critics; art teachers and such by Leo Tolstoy.
He was writing before the advent of photography as a serious medium, but he
had some pretty interesting things to say about art ( sometimes what we do on
film has that title). The quote above is right on with Tolstoy's position.
Tolstoy said, " No school can evoke feelings in a man, and still less can it
teach him how to manifest it in the one particular manner natural to him
alone. But the essence of art lies in these things."
If I get 1 or 36 good shots from a roll I have succeeded if I am happy with
it. The mechanics of proper exposure, sharp optics, etc. ; are a necessary
part of what we do as Zuikoholics. But isn't it really about the result we
get when we do photography? It has been said here before - go out and shoot
photos! The film and the processing are a relatively small cost in the
scheme of things.
My two cents.
Dave Dougherty
Well said. I pity the poor Methodists Bill mentioned. Worse yet, since
they're in the church basement, they'll have to stifle their cursing. If
they're lucky, they'll be into the arms of Orpheus by slide #25 of the
750. Bill and the editors are right; Mr. B didn't get it. All 36 of my
slides were perfectly exposed too, but that does not automatically mean
they're worthy of showing anyone else. My work is successful if the
result matches the vision I had in mind for the image.
I'll extend what Dave said further . . .
The photo club at work is sponsoring the annual photo contest and show
with submissions due by mid-September. This is a "serious" show, not
intended for "snapshots." Print size is 8x10 or 8x12 only, usually the
minimum size for shows like this, with a maximum of three
submissions. The club intentionally pegs it at the small end to keep
printing cost down for the participants. I already know some entrants are
trying to second-guess who will be judging and what they like. Not my
approach. I'm going through my last two years of work and slowly
down-selecting to the three I like best and will have large Ilfochrome
prints made from them for entry. Doesn't matter if anyone else likes them
or not. If they win anything from the show, great. After its over, the
three large Ilfo's will hang on the wall at home or in my office. At the
least I win at a personal level. I'd rather look at something on my
wall(s) I like than gaze day after day at what I thought someone else
might like.
-- John
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