This week, after a fun day of LF work in a nearby Nat'l Forest, I hiked back to my car at the trailhead.
Five minutes later, I was still loading-up for my journey home, when an older couple (maybe in their mid-60's) came off the trail and returned to their car, next to mine.
My wooden 4x5 camera (Tachi) and tripod (Ries) naturally inspired their curiosity, and they asked a few of the questions we've all heard before – except for one:
"Is this a leisure class pursuit?" the woman asked in a sincere, innocent tone.
(I suspect my older Honda Civic and their newer Mercedes meant the irony of her question didn't escape any of us. )
"If it is, it's the only one I can afford!" I replied, or something close to that. The friendly couple lived in Portland, they said, but enjoyed hiking and exploring the entire PNW region (as retirees, I suspect). They soon departed, well before I did, but their question about "leisure class pursuits" lingered in my mind, and occupied a part of my attention as I headed home.
It didn't take long for me to provide myself with a personal answer – a slightly more serious one than the one I offered above.
Now I'm curious about your view: Is LF photography mainly a pursuit of the so-called leisure class? (Or more provocatively: Is this who we are?)
Whether "Yes" or "No," does an answer depend on one's income, free time, photographic objectives, image format, or state of mind?
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