Infinite shots

[cliveh]

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]

Possibly.

 

[spatz]

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]

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

 

[cliveh]

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

I would say no.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

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]

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

 

[LarryP]

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

 

[Bill Burk]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

But the universe isn't infinite.

How do you know?

 

[Ian David]

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]

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]

Are you saying that monkeys are natural portrait photographers.

Oh yes, especially the elusive graybeard, phamiliaphotus blanskii.

 

[litody]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.