From: Tom C
William Robb wrote:
Not liking Ansel Adams certainly strains a friendship, but I'll grant
you are still a more or less worthwhile human being until you say
something to redeem yourself.
The monochrome needs to be cropped to more or less square, and then it
works.
,mark.
One cannot try to see the same way with B&W as one does with colour and
expect to get good black and white.
</mark>
--
William Robb
LOL. I like you, is that redeeming enough?
I like Ansel Adams, I'm just not in love with his *body* of work as
many seem to be. I was listening to a children' poetry story on the
way to work. The poetry was entertaining and quite simple really. It
made me think 'I could have written that'. That led me to think back
to this discussion and think that many of the acknowledged 'great'
artists achieved that stature because they happened to be noticed,
have the the right connections, or they were at the right spot in the
timeline to receive recognition. I would venture to say there's many
many unknown photographers that made, and are making, Adams-like
prints (not even in imitation of) that I'd like as much or better than
Adams, and they likely only receive(d) the acclamation of friends,
family, or simply the self-satisfaction of enjoying one's own work.
I hope this doesn't sound like sour grapes or a taking away from
Adams. I openly acknowledge that he had a skill that has been measured
as greatness and it isn't just ALL mere happenstance that one is
recognized. Effort IS involved. Somehow, at least in my present mood,
I think the attention and adulation heaped on a few, tends to eclipse
the work done by many that are at least equal (not saying I am).
Didn't attend to write this much.
The value of Ansel Adams work is that he was a pioneer. Yes, I could
have written that poem; I could have taken those photographs. Because I
was inspired by the pioneers who actually did it. Still trying to find
my own niche; my own style where I can lead the way.
It's the old cliche' We stand so tall because we're standing on the
shoulders of Giants.
I like Ansel Adams color work a lot more because he was so dissatisfied
with it himself. Helps me with my own self doubt to know that the master
had them too.
--
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