Is LF a leisure class pursuit?

[Heroique]

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?

[Kirk Gittings]

Not for me-it is an integral part of my income stream and more. This is how I view it. LF is about 30% of my income (architectural photo and teaching photo the rest), 75% of my business PR and 90% of my creative interest.

[Michael Roberts]

Kirk (and a few others) are the exception here, as most of us are hobbyists rather than income-dependent on selling photographs.

I see this as two separate questions--is LF a leisure-class pursuit (your inquisitor's question) and is LF a leisure pursuit (i.e., a hobby).

Based on some years spent on this forum, I think there are both types here. Although the leisure-class (well-heeled) are more likely workaholics than landed gentry or trust fund babies (the ones I know, anyway). There are also poor students here.

So, I would say the answer is clearly no.

And, of course, the two are not mutually exclusive. I am hoping to be an early retiree soon with a LF addiction. As a first generation college grad who has lived paycheck to paycheck for nearly 40 years, I don't consider myself part of a leisure class, though I will certainly have more time for leisure after I retire.

[Vaughn]

I have several income streams, one of which involves photography (print sales and workshops).

But primarily my photography is an artistic pursuit.

I have a day and a half left of "work" left before I retire after 24 years working for the university (halftime position)...and a prior 12 years with the US Forestry Service (fulltime seasonal). My three boys are 18 and off to college, etc. The house is paid for (doing foundation work right now...then a darkroom!). No pets, divorced. A bar next door and a brewery/taproom five minutes walk away.

So lots of leisure ahead -- and I'll do it with as much class as I can muster.

[Paul Metcalf]

Too bad you couldn't rewind the entire scenario and instead of your LF on the tripod you had a modern digital camera, one of the higher end ones, and see if you got a similar question: "is digital a leisure class pursuit?" I throw this out because one can get into LF photography for at least the same, if not a lot less, cost than comparable digital ("comparable" meaning equipment including output that rivals or matches what one can get using LF). Now if they meant that "leisure" was a time thing, than yes, LF is lesiure-ly.

[BradS]

The question is ambiguous.
Are they asking if large format is a leisurely pursuit...as in, do I do it for fun or for work...(I do it for fun only).
or are they asking if large format photography is a pursuit for the rich/wealthy/Bourgeois only? (I don't think so).

[Jac@stafford.net]

Being retired and disabled, any photography I can do is at my leisure.

[Kirk Gittings]

I have several income streams, one of which involves photography (print sales and workshops).

But primarily my photography is an artistic pursuit.

I have a day and a half left of "work" left before I retire after 24 years working for the university (halftime position)...and a prior 12 years with the US Forestry Service (fulltime seasonal). My three boys are 18 and off to college, etc. The house is paid for (doing foundation work right now...then a darkroom!). No pets, divorced. A bar next door and a brewery/taproom five minutes walk away.

So lots of leisure ahead -- and I'll do it with as much class as I can muster.

Good for you! You have earned it!

[Heroique]

Are they asking if large format is a leisurely pursuit... or are they asking if large format photography is a pursuit for the rich/wealthy/Bourgeois only?

She said "leisure class" because (I suspect) she meant adults, like themselves, with a lot of disposable time (and income), but I wish I had been quick enough to emphasize the "leisurely" working pace often required by our (leisure class?) work.

[Kevin Crisp]

I think in a national park the answer is always yes.