Infinite shots

cliveh · Nov 6, 2012

If I gave an infinite number of Leica II cameras to an infinite amount of monkeys with an infinite supply of film. In an infinite amount of time, would they be able to produce a shot like the Puddle Jumper?

Alan W · Nov 6, 2012

Possibly.

spatz · Nov 6, 2012

Yes. But the chances are the same as if a monkey randomly banging at a typewriter were to hash out the complete works of Shakespeare.

lxdude · Nov 6, 2012

If you've ever heard HCB describe how he got the shot, I'd say yes.

cliveh · Nov 6, 2012

lxdude said:
If you've ever heard HCB describe how he got the shot, I'd say yes.

I would say no.

Thomas Bertilsson · Nov 6, 2012

Infinite possibilities mean that it's possible. In fact, if the universe is in fact infinite, another photograph just like the one HCB made, DOES exist somewhere out there.
So, what are you getting at?

Klainmeister · Nov 6, 2012

Monkeys with Leicas.... god I need to get some sleep or something

LarryP · Nov 6, 2012

If they are flying monkeys yes capucin monkeys maybe. Howlers not with a leica but with a spotmatic yes.

Bill Burk · Nov 6, 2012

I thought for sure we'd already discussed this...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/8615859/Monkey-steals-camera-to-snap-himself.html

litody · Nov 6, 2012

The answer is both Yes and No. Here's my thinking.

Given the lack of time constraints the monkeys could possibly evolve into something called humans and one of them would eventually produce a photo like puddle jumper. So the answer is Yes. But on the other hand you could give all those 7 billion Humans something called the internet and blogging software and wait to see if any of them could produce something like the works of Shakespeare. So far that hasn't happened so the answer is No.

litody · Nov 6, 2012

Thomas Bertilsson said:
Infinite possibilities mean that it's possible. In fact, if the universe is in fact infinite, another photograph just like the one HCB made, DOES exist somewhere out there.
So, what are you getting at?

But the universe isn't infinite.

ME Super · Nov 6, 2012

The only way we'll ever know is to invent the Infinite Improbability machine and give it a really hot cup of tea with which to run its calculations from.

Karl T · Nov 6, 2012

I suspect not.

Considering they would have traded all their Leicas in to cliveh at one banana each before they could find out how to use them.

Karl

Mike Bates · Nov 6, 2012

The puddle jumper photo became iconic because of who shot it, not because it was revolutionary, uniquely aesthetic, or even technically excellent. It came to represent HCB's lifetime of work at snapping the decisive moment.

So, no, an infinite number of Leica-carrying monkeys cannot reproduce it because they aren't HCB. There are already millions of "puddle jumper" photos out there from millions of unknown photographers and they are destined to remain unknown. To produce another "puddle jumper" photo, a photographer needs to establish a body of work recognized as unique or seminal. From that work, a "puddle jumper" photo can emerge as a representative icon.

Thomas Bertilsson · Nov 6, 2012

litody said:
But the universe isn't infinite.

How do you know?

Ian David · Nov 6, 2012

lxdude said:
If you've ever heard HCB describe how he got the shot, I'd say yes.

Yes, I reckon just one monkey let loose somewhere photogenic like Paris with a Leica and, say, 10 rolls of film might give HCB a run for his money

Actually Clive, if you let loose an infinite number of monkeys, I suspect all their photos would be mostly of other monkeys...

Ian

blansky · Nov 6, 2012

Ian David said:
Actually Clive, if you let loose an infinite number of monkeys, I suspect all their photos would be mostly of other monkeys...

Ian

Are you saying that monkeys are natural portrait photographers.

lxdude · Nov 7, 2012

blansky said:
Are you saying that monkeys are natural portrait photographers.

Oh yes, especially the elusive graybeard, phamiliaphotus blanskii.

litody · Nov 7, 2012

cliveh said:
If I gave an infinite number of Leica II cameras to an infinite amount of monkeys with an infinite supply of film. In an infinite amount of time, would they be able to produce a shot like the Puddle Jumper?

Why? I mean if I tell you they will or they won't, what use would my answer be to you?

Ian David · Nov 7, 2012

blansky said:
Are you saying that monkeys are natural portrait photographers.

Hey, I didn't want to upset the feelings of any portrait photographers (or monkeys), so I was trying to keep my comments pretty general. Your interesting question may however deserve its very own thread...

Brian C. Miller · Nov 7, 2012

cliveh said:
If I gave an infinite number of Leica II cameras to an infinite amount of monkeys with an infinite supply of film. In an infinite amount of time, would they be able to produce a shot like the Puddle Jumper?

No.

#1, the monkey will not use the Leica as a camera.
#2, the cameras will have decayed to nothing by the time the monkeys evolve into something that can intelligently use a camera.
#3, there is no way a monkey will reload the film in a Leica II. Heck, even humans have a hard time with it. Dead Link Removed

Wired Magazine: Dead Link Removed

litody · Nov 7, 2012

No, film will be long gone before they get round to doing it. Besides, who is going to teach them how to develop and print.

MDR · Nov 7, 2012

Monkey's can are doing art so why shouldn't they be able to do it. A monkey/ape in the viennese Zoo used to paint until a few years ago. She still recognizes her work from 10 and 20 years ago, and if you turn the painting upside down or any other direction then they way she originaly painted it she will correct your mistake.

Also they can already us a camera intelligently, I agree film loading might pose a problem though.

Dominik

baachitraka · Nov 7, 2012

If you give infinite time, then there may not be any time left to review those infinite shots take by infinite monkeys.

You can acheive something if you add little 'knowledge' to those finite monkeys with finite cameras.

E. von Hoegh · Nov 7, 2012

cliveh said:
If I gave an infinite number of Leica II cameras to an infinite amount of monkeys with an infinite supply of film. In an infinite amount of time, would they be able to produce a shot like the Puddle Jumper?

Only with an infinite supply of puddles.

Infinite shots

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