McQuade, again...

Thomas Bertilsson · Sep 20, 2011

I have bitten my tongue for a long time now, so I'll just come straight out and ask: is all you ever do testing lenses?
What do you do with them when you're done testing?

bliorg · Sep 20, 2011

Well, Tom, I go through a lot of lenses. Most of which, these days, are mounted on a 30+ pound 10x12 rig, which limits my mobility. I live in the sticks, without much of what I'd call photogenic scenery, so I end up shooting scenes multiple times, with different lenses and films. Or I just shoot my kids, which are kind of a captive audience. I enjoy process as much as results, which may be skewed priorities, but there you go. I've shot this scene before, but it's different every time. But I detect a note of impatience in your query; perhaps I should just enjoy this by myself now and stop posting?

Thomas Bertilsson · Sep 20, 2011

No. Not impatience. Just curious about your motivation, that's all.
Alfred Stieglitz said that you can photograph anywhere there's light, so the least of my wishes is to discourage you. I realize we all go about this business in different ways.

bliorg · Sep 20, 2011

Fair enough, Thomas. I'm apparently getting cynical, as well.

I really wish I had time, money, opportunity, or patience enough to make art in more interesting ways. Was just telling a friend, I have always had a "toss the chaff and grain out together and let others see my mistakes" mentality. Maybe that's not working for me now. Every now and again, I shoot something (usually one of my kids) in a way that really excites me. I live in a very tired part of rural Pennsylvania - there's just very little around here to do. Someone more creative than I would probably do well; I flounder. So, I end up shooting things repeatedly, thinking I'm exploring a subject. I have projects planned, but they haven't seemed to materialize yet.

Anyway, there ya go. Thanks for your encouragement; sorry if my post came across as snippy - I'm suffering a short fuse these days.

Scott

Thomas Bertilsson · Sep 20, 2011

I guess we all have to find joy in our craft any way we can.

Perhaps a more portable camera and taking advantage of the big countryside skies at sun up and down could make for a bit of excitement. I sometimes dream of living in the boonies. :smile:

I love it in the countryside.

MaximusM3 · Sep 20, 2011

Scott, I've also wondered myself about your tests and I knew there had to be some kind of reasoning behind them. Frankly, if I may say, I think that you are shortchanging yourself and I'm glad Thomas said something. I live in a rural area myself, nice but still not very exciting. From a photographic standpoint, I suggest you pick up the simplest of cameras (like an Holga for example) and learn to find beauty in your surroundings. You seem to have a good eye for light and you'd be surprised at the many opportunities available in rural areas. Also, lighter gear will make it easier for you to enjoy what's out there and find opportunities. I have tried to lug around a LF camera a few times but for the most part, it's just too much trouble and it doesn't lead to motivating me to get out and shoot more. It doesn't mean you should abandon LF and enjoy old lenses for portraits of your children (which are wonderful things they will hopefully cherish later in life) or still life, but at least the lighter and simpler gear can feed and nourish the artistic side. Even if you make mistakes, there is a lot more wiggle room and chance to learn on a roll of 36 than a couple of sheets of 8x10 :smile:

Hang in there..

Max

MaximusM3 · Sep 20, 2011

MaximusM3 said:
Scott, I've also wondered myself about your tests and I knew there had to be some kind of reasoning behind them. Frankly, if I may say, I think that you are shortchanging yourself and I'm glad Thomas said something. I live in a rural area myself, nice, not very exciting but lovely for photography. From a photographic standpoint, I suggest you pick up the simplest of cameras (like an Holga for example) and learn to find beauty in your surroundings. You seem to have a good eye for light and you'd be surprised at the many opportunities available in rural areas. Also, lighter gear will make it easier for you to enjoy what's out there and find opportunities. I have tried to lug around a LF camera a few times but for the most part, it's just too much trouble and it doesn't lead to motivating me to get out and shoot more. It doesn't mean you should abandon LF and enjoy old lenses for portraits of your children (which are wonderful things they will hopefully cherish later in life) or still life, but at least the lighter and simpler gear can feed and nourish the artistic side. Even if you make mistakes, there is a lot more wiggle room and chance to learn on a roll of 36 than a couple of sheets of 8x10

Hang in there..

Max

McQuade, again...

Thomas Bertilsson

bliorg

Thomas Bertilsson

bliorg

Thomas Bertilsson

MaximusM3

MaximusM3

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