For many years I fed my family off what I made from photography. I guess that
made me a pro. Of course I have always said that the only difference between a
pro and an amateur is that an amateur shows you ALL his pictures :-)
I started monitoring this list recently because I am about to retire in a year
or so and I am going to start working again part time as a photographer. I
find it interesting to see the changes that have transpired over the past 20
years with equipment, film and processing and how much it has remained the same.
There are two things I don't want to think about when I take a picture -
my camera or my film. I normally shot a medium and a fast color film and the
same in b&w. I use the most common Kodak film because I can find it anywhere.
When you are on a job in the middle of nowhere and run out of film that is
important. I don't want to have to learn how to use a new film in the middle
of a job. I found that when I standardized on a film and learned how to use
it, I could make it do just about anything I wanted it to do. And I didn't
have to think about anything but the subject when that special moment came up.
I have always driven a car or pickup with a standard transmission. With my
failing eyesight, I may have to go to a autofocus camera, but I will fight it
as long as I can. I still like a Spotmatic or a K1000. Because of their
simplicity, I don't have to worry about anything getting in the way. All I
have to do is take the picture. I also don't have to worry about running
out of batteries. Using a H1 when I first started was the best training I ever
had. I didn't have time to use a meter on many jobs, so estimating the exposure
become second nature and my negs where pretty uniform. If I had any doubts, I
developed by inspection.
I specialize in livestock and animal photography now and I will always remember
something an oldtime cattleman once told me that applies to just about field of
endeavor. "Raising cattle is simple. The only difficult part is keeping it
simple." If you are going to be a pro, you have to keep it simple.
(now he climbs down off his soapbox)
On Fri, 23 Feb 2001, you wrote:
> Yeah, I've had pros tell me:
>
> - I have to use Fuji.
> - I have to use Kodak.
> - I have to use Nikon/Canon/Hassleblad.
> - I have to get a shot of the bride staring in a mirror.
> - I have to use soft focus for all portraits.
> - AF is useless.
> - A handheld meter is the only way to go.
> - Anything but a coldlight is crap.
> - Anything but graded fiber is crap.
>
> and, of course, "Pentax is crap!".
>
> Oh well, I'll just soldier on in my crappy ways.
>
> tv
>
> "Paris, Leonard" wrote:
> >
> > It just goes to show ya, pros will tell ya anything.
> >
> > Len
> > ---
> >
> > > I had a pro tell me once that "There is not a lens made that will not
> > > outresolve the film."
> > >
> > > Jerry in Houston
> > -
> > This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe,
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> > visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
>
> --
> Thomas Van Veen Photography
> Washington D.C.
> http://bigdayphoto.com/
> 301-758-3085
> -
> This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe,
> go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to
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--
Kenneth Archer + San Antonio, Texas
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