“I believe my life has value and I don’t want to waste it thinking about clothing,” Malcolm said. “I don’t want to think about what I will wear in the morning. Truly, can you imagine anything more boring than fashion? Professional sports, perhaps. Grown men swatting little balls, while the rest of the world pays money to applaud. But, on the whole, I find fashion … Continue reading On Fashion and Professional Sports
I am well aware of a compelling impulse of photographers to discuss, with collector’s dedication, the equipment and materials they and their colleagues use, down to the smallest detail. I have never known painters to debate with such intensity the kind of canvas, paper, brushes, and paints used in their creative work. From: Ansel Adams, Examples: The Making of 40 Photographs, 1982. I am re-reading … Continue reading On Technical Details in Photography
I am sure the next step will be the electronic image, and I hope I shall live to see it. I trust that the creative eye will continue to function , whatever technological innovations may develop. From: Ansel Adams, Examples: The Making of 40 Photographs, 1982. I have recently started re-reading this book, and came across this particular segment just this morning. Adams died two … Continue reading On Digital Photography
I don’t often post quotes, as more often than not they’ll come across as cheesy or faux-intellectual. And I suspect they won’t make sense unless you’re in the right frame of mind (or rather, within the same context as myself when I found the quote interesting). Still, this was too direct to pass up sharing. Rediscovered while watching SG1 on DVD… OMA: The universe is … Continue reading On life
I would like to repeat here that the making of photographs is the prime function of the photographer. Once the craft is under intuitive control, the creative objective is more positive and assured. Proficiency of craft should by no means be considered the goal in itself. The emphasis today on technique, equipment, materials, and gadgetry can be overpowering. Still just as valid, three decades on. … Continue reading Ansel Adams on Photography
Photographers who frequently travel photograph with less than full knowledge of their subjects. I believe one must live in a region for a considerable time and absorb its character and spirit before the work can truly reflect the experience of the place. From Ansel Adams: An Autobiography. Continue reading On Photographers
It has taken me a lifetime to recognize when I should not feel obligated to make a photograph. If I do not “see” an image in terms of the subject and its creative potential at the time, I no longer contest my instincts. I am certain that another photographer’s eye might perceive wonders in the scenes that evaded me. From Ansel Adams: An Autobiography. Continue reading On photography
Education without either meaning or excitement is impossible. I’m not usually one to read biographies, but this was one I have wanted to read for some time. Guess who said this? (Answer next week or after the first correct response.) From Ansel Adams: An Autobiography. Continue reading On Education
Some professors like students who challenge their assumptions This so resonated that I had to write it down. From Capt. Janeway in Star Trek: Voyager episode Parallax. Continue reading On Teaching and Learning
Anyway, it gives patience, to listen to error without anger. Leave it to Gandalf for such a zen-like little gem. From The Hunt for the Ring in the Unfinished Tales. Continue reading On Patience
The art of life is to deal with problems as they arise, rather than destroy one’s spirit by worrying about them too far in advance. I came across the above jewel in Imperium by Robert Harris. The quote itself is attributed to Cicero, which is quite appropriate. I’m afraid my classical knowledge is far too poor to know if the quote can in fact be … Continue reading On life
Muddy Boots 