I shoot with a small group of guys and girls using LF/MF, and they all understand that the LF workflow is slower than usual.
That said, sometimes I do much prefer photography in solitude, especially during the nights where I am able to take all the time in the world to compose and take an hour long exposure.
I am very fortunate to have two very talented friends/photographers that I road trip with periodically. We can exchange ideas and information in the field and do so without distracting each other. It's just a pleasure to spend "alone" time with these two.Originally Posted by Vaughn
Having said that each of us do our solitary trips and love that time in solitude.
Best regards,
Bob
My best work was always done when I was completely alone.
I fail to see how photography could be a group activity.
I'd love to have someone to go out photographing with. Unfortunately I don't really have any personal friends, so it can get really lonely sometimes.
Having a person to talk to can be nice when you're used to being alone... Even if it isn't related to photography. Just my experience...
-Dan
Same here, on both counts. My two great and talented friends and I have a grand time, and have done so for several years. The interaction is priceless, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
--P
Preston-Columbia CA
"If you want nice fresh oats, you have to pay a fair price. If you can be satisfied with oats that have already been through the horse; that comes a little cheaper."
While all that is well and good and I fully appreciate the aspect of camaraderie, it can be insufferably difficult to do original work, if that matters, with someone perched next to you. A couple of disparate instances come to mind. Two climbing friends (with each other) began photographing with LF equipment at near the same time, and same place. I became aware of their early work, a color photograph of Precipice Lake as they were each showing in separate art fairs the near identical photograph. If they hadn't actually taken the same picture at the same time with different cameras, I would be highly suspicious that they had in fact used the same camera from the same position at nearly the same time, each perhaps loading his own film holder. And, of course this brings into play that the scene is one of AA's most famous photographs, shot at the time with his best friend, Cedric Wright near him. Wright apparently struggled to make his own image of the scene for some time when he looked into Adams' GG. He was dumbfounded at the composition that had eluded him and instantly grasped Adams' genius.
When out, I concentrate intensely on subjects and compositions. Then comes the methodical camera set up, focusing, movements, metering, shutter setting, waiting for wind to settle, dark slide actions, logging the exposure, etc. My focused intensity makes me very poor company for anyone. So I'm content to be alone. Though I do have to carry everything myself, up the trails and back.
As Anthony Hopkins once said, "Solitude and California are the two states that I prefer."
There are 3 kinds of people in the world: those who can count and those who can't.
hi david
i don't have to be completely alone
but i am usually in "the zone"
even if i have 5 or 10 people around me.
a few weeks ago i went to a closed hospital facility with
a handful of people, there were families on the grounds picnicing
( its like a seaside park ) and i found myself not alone but alone at the same time.
when i did newspaper work, i was around people, pr folks, workers &c
and even though i was in the middle of it all, i tuned it all out.
i guess it is like living in a city or near a loud road. its comforting to know it is there
if you need it, but most of the time when you go to sleep, it somehow vanishes ...
good to see you made it back stateside !
john
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks