This is very profound. It mirrors my experience in the online photography world as well.Who cares what camera and lens a photographer used to create an image? It is completely irrelevant. Occasionally exposure and development details may be indicative of how an effect was achieved, but for most images they are irrelevant as well. The problem is, most people, including photographers, don't know how to have a conversation about the image itself.
That convenience is a matter for the photographer. It makes no difference to the viewer, or the ultimate judgment of the value of the image.You could cook a fine French meal meal with nothing more than a pocket knife and a campfire, but the results would be a whole lot easier to achieve in an actual kitchen.
And they generally go hand in hand.I really like Ralph L's analogy: Aesthetically pleasing print is to gourmet meal as camera is to cookware. That says it all!
That convenience is a matter for the photographer. It makes no difference to the viewer, or the ultimate judgment of the value of the image.
I've been painting for decades and I haven't once thought that any paint brush felt bad enough in my hands to impact my art. I've never heard any of my fellow artists complain of that either. In fact, we'll quite often use tiny nubs of charcoal that hurt to hold because that's the first one we grab, and it's more important to us to draw while the inspiration is there, than to dig through a drawer looking for the perfect stick to hold. We may complain about the bristles being too stiff, frayed, or fragile. We may snap a brush out of frustration because the tip won't hold a point anymore. But I don't think I've ever heard anyone complain about the weight, balance, or tactile feel of a brush. All that matters is how the canvas looks. Pain is art. You have to embrace it if you want to be an artist, because that's where the good stuff resides.Whatever the format, much depends upon how the camera feels in the photographer’s hand. This is no different from any tool used by an artist, whether pen, brush. From my experience a Hasselblad and Rollei tlr just feels more comfortable than a Pentagon; Leicaflex and Nikon F (without meter) fit like a glove; in subminiature nothing beats a Minox. Some cameras have other advantages but are not that comfortable such as Rollei 35 and XA.
hahahaa this is an interesting question...
When admiring the furniture I built, do you ask what saw I used to cut my lumber?
When admiring a painting... do you ask what brand paints they used?
Even if you knew, would it make any difference?
BUT... yes I am still curious and ask anyway.
hahahaa this is an interesting question...
When admiring the furniture I built, do you ask what saw I used to cut my lumber?
Yes, if I see an unusually clean cut or something else my saw won't do.
When admiring a painting... do you ask what brand paints they used?
Yes, if the paints do something the ones I use don't
Even if you knew, would it make any difference?
See above.
BUT... yes I am still curious and ask anyway.
I've been painting for decades and I haven't once thought that any paint brush felt bad enough in my hands to impact my art. I've never heard any of my fellow artists complain of that either. In fact, we'll quite often use tiny nubs of charcoal that hurt to hold because that's the first one we grab, and it's more important to us to draw while the inspiration is there, than to dig through a drawer looking for the perfect stick to hold. We may complain about the bristles being too stiff, frayed, or fragile. We may snap a brush out of frustration because the tip won't hold a point anymore. But I don't think I've ever heard anyone complain about the weight, balance, or tactile feel of a brush. All that matters is how the canvas looks. Pain is art. You have to embrace it if you want to be an artist, because that's where the good stuff resides.
Same with musical instruments. The novices and weekend warriors love instruments that play smoothly. But professionals don't usually care about that. They usually want instruments that sound great, and the feel and look of it are all secondary. Jack White is known for saying he hates guitars that feel good in his hands. He likes to fight with the instrument. He says it gives him a better connection with it. Same thing with most violinists. Your typical Stradivarius is usually a devil to play. They are hundreds of years old and frequently have warped and worn out fingerboards with twisted necks. A cheap, modern, Chinese made student violin is typically easier to play, but they don't sound anywhere near as good. Or what about Dizzy Gillespie's famous trumpet? He had them manufactured with the bent bell, which made them harder to play, but he liked the unique tone that the bend gave them.
I have been drawing, painting and sculpting (marble) for more than half a century and I can tell you that the brush makes a significant difference. The quality of the chisel really makes a big difference. As for paints, many cheaper oil and water color paints are much more difficult to handle than those from a reputable maker as well as sometimes being fugitive colors. Believe me, the quality’ of a stone is very important. As for musical instruments, for serious musicians, the quality of the instrument is very important. One of my close friends is a concert cellist who has a sizable six figure investment in his cello and it certainly is not made of plywood from China. My own pedal harp is good enough for me but not great, and while the skill of my harpist friends can make it sound a lot better than I can, they are very selective when choosing their own instruments. As for Dizzy, the metal making up his trumpet was very thin and sensitive and only a true master could control it. But it allowed him a fantastic range and agility that a thicker trumpet (I was about to name an .example but decided not to) would make difficult if not impossible. Likewise, Stradivarius are not difficult to play because the fingerboard is warped but because they are more responsive and require more control.
Getting back to the original topic, I still feel that how a camera feels is very important. Of course, different individuals have different sensibilities, which is why quality cameras come in a variety of configurations.
The journey is fine, but the destination (print or slide) is Glory!
I really think your art history teacher should have studied biology/nature along with art. Most mammals and most reptiles (and probably others) seek comfort. With reptiles, it is vital that they maintain body temperature by the amount of time spent in sunlight or near other sources of heat. As to mammals, they also look for warmth and cold for comfort as do we..........Rergards!i had an art history teacher years ago he said the difference between humans and animals is that
humans seek comfort, (it is a human trait to look for ease and simplicity ).
the problem i see with photographers is that often times they tout the location,
the camera and lens with some sort of gyroscope inside, some sort of magical filter
to give their japanese brand camera the same "this lens makes sunshine" as their german
gear bretheren .. and while sometimes their composition is OK ( the camera can't do that yet, or can it ? )
the subject matter of the image/images presented isn't the subject matter at all, but
the out of this world distant location and the list of gear used to make a rather mundane image.
everything is about the camera and it is as if the photographer is a paid spokesperson for all the gear they use.
i have seen far more interesting, thoughtful, beautiful images made with gear harvested out of a garbage bin
than i have the stuff paid with by a 2nd mortgage..
"Stradivarii", plural (sorry). Thank you for knowing that of which you speak.
In the late 1980s I dated for one summer a lady who played a Guarneri; she very generously let me handle it and attempt to play it. Even the bow is precious...
"Stradivarii", plural (sorry). Thank you for knowing that of which you speak.
In the late 1980s I dated for one summer a lady who played a Guarneri; she very generously let me handle it and attempt to play it. Even the bow is precious...
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