Words from the great Ansel Adams . . .

[Katy Noelle]

I did a little more nosing around and found out that he said this (and other things) on a BBC program from 1983 titled “Master Photographers” on YouTube.

Ridiculous me! I always thought of Ansel Adams as old and gone before television. I never stopped to think that we could hear/see him on video. (Even with the surprising discussion in this thread - it was dawning on me so slowly that he was alive when I was.) Well, I've just watched the first one and..... I think that I'm in love. Anyway, very pertinent to me. Thank you very much for tracking these down and sharing them, Elise!

[Donald]

I did a little more nosing around and found out that he said this (and other things) on a BBC program from 1983 titled “Master Photographers” on YouTube.

Well found Elise. I didn't know about these and will enjoy watching them.

[Wirefox]

I am fascinated by the way we react to the perceived challenge that photography is not real if we do not use film. We can use the Adams quote to justify our choices but at at the end of the day we are using a different medium to capture images. It is like comparing a paintbrush to a pencil. When Adams observed this truism digital imaging was yet to find its course he did not intend us to stick on the flap of our camera bag for quick reference when Inspector Tweedy from the Film Police take us in for questioning. The comment is irrelevant to 2011. Why we still perceive there is a valid challenge to our choice of capturing images is unfathomable. Yes there are always going to be a few individuals who will shout for their cause but lets face it people who are serious about their art (as opposed to their equipment) don't give a monkeys about influencing what anyone else is doing and they certainly do rant on about how their way is the only way.

Do not let individuals who are uncertain of their choices get you into the trap of questioning your own. You all produce great images with a digital camera so why worry about it. I have yet to show an image where someone has said.."that would have been better on film". The comment would be imbecilic because if it were meant to be on film I would have taken it on film. It is like letting someone listen to an iPod and them saying it would have been better played on an Edison Phonograph....no it wouldn't and if I wanted to listen to a phonograph I would have bought one.

Sorry for the rant but it is not the film diehards that concern me it is our erroneous assumptions that we somehow have to defend our choice of artistic media. It makes no sense to me.

[Peter Ryan]

Sorry to lighten the mood here but when I started reading this thread I decided to Google quotes from Ansel Adams and see what came up. This one got me laughing out loud.

“Dodging and burning are steps to take care of mistakes God made in establishing tonal relationships.”

I also agree with Steve’s rant.

[Donald]

I am fascinated by the way we react to the perceived challenge that photography is not real if we do not use film.

Steve

I don't know if you felt my posts above were part of the pattern of some of us reacting to the perceived challenge you refer to.

I agree with all that you wrote. However, I want to explain my views, in terms if them not being aimed at trying to defend one view or another. My concern was for historical accuracy.

As we know, history needs to be carefully analysed and assessed to ensure that a true record is established for future generations, albeit that different historians can apply their own political or social perspective to the same findings. But some basics remain fixed.

In the case of Adams, I don't think there is any doubt that he is and will remain, one of the most important figures in the history of photography. For that reason, I think it is important that due rigour is applied to the understanding and interpretation of his views so that students in the future can be offered an accurate record on which to form their views and assumptions and from which they can draw conclusions.

If we have sound evidence to make a claim as to what he meant by one statement or another, then so be it - we draw the conclusion. But, if we are only applying our own unresearched interpretation, based on our own attitudes and values and there are other interpretations available, then we have to be honest to him and ourselves and declare that. We must never hold our unconfirmed assumptions up to be absolute truth. That's dangerous. That's how history gets manipulated and altered (where are you George Orwell?).

And in this electronic age in which we all have the capacity to convey views to mass audiences, we all share a duty to strive for accuracy.

Responding rant ends++

[Steaphany]

First and foremost, I'm sure many people have the belief that Ansel Adams lived long ago:

Ridiculous me! I always thought of Ansel Adams as old and gone before television. I never stopped to think that we could hear/see him on video.

Yet, Steve still took this as an attack on the validity of digital photography:

I am fascinated by the way we react to the perceived challenge that photography is not real if we do not use film.

I agree with Donald that this is a discussion of historical matters all based upon Ansel Adams quote regarding the advancement of digital imaging technology. If you note, Adams never rated either technology, film or digital, it was regarding the pace of technological advancement. Being said in 1982 or '83, Adams saw the writing on the wall, digital photography was already a reality, and his 20 years in the future was referencing where we "were", note this is now past tence, back in 2002 !

As far as my remarks regarding combining both digital and film photographic technologies to accomplish the photography that I enjoy, that is simply my realization of "using the right tool for the job", which is my opinion and nothing of any critique of either method.

My references to contemporary film photographers, was to exemplify Adams own prediction that 20 years from his remark, and beyond, photographers are using film just as he predicted.

No one should be reading anything more into this thread than the words put here. There's been no conflict, simply the realization that Ansel Adams lived to see the dawn of digital photography and we have his words to provide a perspective that most never realize.

[Katy Noelle]

Oh, I'm sure, Steaphany, that Steve didn't take my comment (nor anyone else, for that matter) as an attack on the validity of digital photography. I think that he's discerned that I don't have an aggressive bone in my body. (HATE debate - LOVE discussion!)

I was thinking about why I had such an impression about Adams being so old. I don't know exactly why but, I thought that I'd seen a photo of him taking photos - with gray beard - in B&W and I just thought that it was "old" and the rest followed. Also, for some reason, I always thought that he was a much more mature man when he'd started taking his photos in the '20s and '30s. Making him.... long gone. Have no idea why....

[peterb533]

I was thinking about why I had such an impression about Adams being so old. I don't know exactly why but, I thought that I'd seen a photo of him taking photos - with gray beard - in B&W and I just thought that it was "old" and the rest followed.

As someone with a grey beard (and hair, what's left of it) I take exception to that remark

[Donald]

As someone with a grey beard (and hair, what's left of it) I take exception to that remark

But, Peter, if you've retained you're muscular, youthful figure and dashing good looks, then you and I are in exactly the same boat!

[Wirefox]

Oh, I'm sure, Steaphany, that Steve didn't take my comment (nor anyone else, for that matter) as an attack on the validity of digital photography. I think that he's discerned that I don't have an aggressive bone in my body. (HATE debate - LOVE discussion!)

Spot on Katy. I have re-read my post and I seem to be referring to the Adams statement as a convenient validation for the photographer who may feel it necessary to justify his or her choice of media.

I agree with Donald that this is a discussion of historical matters all based upon Ansel Adams quote regarding the advancement of digital imaging technology. If you note, Adams never rated either technology, film or digital, it was regarding the pace of technological advancement. Being said in 1982 or '83, Adams saw the writing on the wall, digital photography was already a reality, and his 20 years in the future was referencing where we "were", note this is now past tence, back in 2002 !

Yep

When Adams observed this truism digital imaging was yet to find its course he did not intend us to stick on the flap of our camera bag for quick reference when Inspector Tweedy from the Film Police take us in for questioning. The comment is irrelevant to 2011. Why we still perceive there is a valid challenge to our choice of capturing images is unfathomable

As far as my remarks regarding combining both digital and film photographic technologies to accomplish the photography that I enjoy, that is simply my realization of "using the right tool for the job", which is my opinion and nothing of any critique of either method.

I did endorse that though my English may be poor.

No one should be reading anything more into this thread than the words put here. There's been no conflict, simply the realization that Ansel Adams lived to see the dawn of digital photography and we have his words to provide a perspective that most never realize.

Apologies I tend to extend discussions to try and open up new areas of thought. I will place warning when I stray away from fact into into areas of reflection or muse.

I don't know if you felt my posts above were part of the pattern of some of us reacting to the perceived challenge you refer to.

Not at all Donald I detected an underlying theme that Adams statement may be interpreted as some as an expert validation for the use of digital media as opposed to film.

Yet, Steve still took this as an attack on the validity of digital photography:

Sorry still cannot get that from my musings. Particularly in relation to Katy's comments

In the case of Adams, I don't think there is any doubt that he is and will remain, one of the most important figures in the history of photography. For that reason, I think it is important that due rigour is applied to the understanding and interpretation of his views so that students in the future can be offered an accurate record on which to form their views and assumptions and from which they can draw conclusions.

I must be going nuts. I thought that is what I was saying. Do not use Adams statement as a means of justifying selection of your media.

Anyway if anyone was annoyed or offended by the way my words were presented please accept my apologies.

[Donald]

I must be going nuts. I thought that is what I was saying.

You did. I was just saying it too to sound clever!