Interview with the BBC
Hi All,
I’m off to the Isle of Eigg on Sunday to stay in a £10 a night caravan – no expense spared for me. This is part of my 2 week trip up into the highlands.
As part of my trip – I will be meeting Mark from the Outdoor Show (BBC Radio 4) on Thursday morning for sunrise. I’ll let you all know how it goes and whether they decide to broadcast any of my musings.
Until then……
Hello Bruce – So, did the BBC get back to you about broadcasting ‘your musings’?
Id love to watch the program.
Im really enjoying your site and work, it’s very inspiring. I also have a passion for film and, yes, I probably get hung up on the gear more than I should. Im after a Leica Minilux. Why? Because I do think that different camera’s offer different ways of shooting and have their own characteristics. For example, the Holga produces different ‘looking’ images to my Canon 5D. In the same way that my 35mm Chinon with it’s 1:1.9 lens (not even that fast compared to some) allows me to take shots I wouldn’t of with my Bronica or 5D, because it’s faster and smaller. The Leica will, I hope, allow me to take ‘opurtunistic/candid’ shots as it will be in my pocket – I couldnt do that with my 5D. Id also like to try large format. I like how film slows me down, makes me think more about the composition. It shouldn’t and I could take more time when shooting the 5D, but I ‘feel’ different when shoot film or with particualr gear.
I do understand what you were saying, and I do agree. But I also think there’s a bigger picture, or perhaps other reasons for using different gear at different times/occassions.
I just dug out my old Olympus MJU rangefinder and was impressed and inspired to be more creative with the fill in flash (which is actually quite good for portraits, doesnt blow out). All-in-all, I enjoy using the different emulsions available with the endless combinations of processing which I dont get with digital, per se.
Thanks for sharing your work and thoughts, Bruce. Ive subscribed to your RSS.
Here’s my work if you’re interested – http://www.paulcooklin.com
Take care,
Paul.
Comment by pcooklin — 18 February, 2009 @ 11:30 am
Hi Paul,
Thanks for your posting. I guess you must be taking me literally regarding my comments about how ‘gear is just gear’. This is my response to the over-emphasis on gear that we see everywhere.
How many web sites do you see that are concerned with the art of ’seeing’, of having great timing, working on composition and the story behind each shot? There’s not many compared to those that push forward the idea that you need to spend a lot of money on gear in order to make great photographs.
I use many systems myself and find that each system has its benefits and shortcomings. I loved shooting the Voightlander Bessa R3a because it is so discreet and quiet compared to my 5D which is a mirror slapping monster. But I’ve also used my Mamiya 7 well to shoot discreet shots of people, even though it’s a big camera and my feeling is that it’s all down to how comfortable I am shooting. If I’m comfortable, then my subject will be a bit easier with me. If I’m not confident with my approach, my subject is unlikely to be comfortable either.
The bottom line is that before you can learn to use many systems, it’s important to develop to use your own eye first and foremost. So I would tend to disagree with you about what is the ‘bigger picture’. For me, the bigger picture is developing a sense of awareness to my surroundings, becoming confident at shooting and understanding light and trying (as always) to improve my timing and composition.
Comment by Bruce Percy — 18 February, 2009 @ 11:50 am