civilized ku # 517 ~ don't get caught watchin' the paint dry
Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at 09:29AM 
Stickney Bridge ~ in the Adirondack PARK - Au Sable Forks, NY • click to embiggenRegarding my statement that attendees to my Picturing Making Chautauqua will be required to limit themselves and their picture making activities to a single lens, preferably a single fixed focal length lens, i.e., a "prime", Paul Maxim responded:.
Which is why I'll probably never attend one of your "Chautauqua's". Why is it that it can only be one way? It's like telling a basketball player that the only way to really learn the game is to immobilize one of his arms (or in your "class", maybe cut it off). In effect, you're saying that it's far more likely that a "student" will learn to take "interesting pictures" by using only a prime. Who made that "rule"?
My response: regarding "who made that rule?", the answer is simple - as it applies to my Picturing Making Chautauqua, I made that rule.
As for the rest of the picture making world, it's not a rule at all.
Nevertheless, even though it not a rule, it is well worth noting that the overwhelming majority of bodies of picture making work, Fine Art Division, that one views in art museums and galleries are, in fact, created by picture makers who tend to use just a single prime lens in their picture making endeavors.
The use of a single prime lens for creating unified and coherent bodies of work is neither a new concept nor is it a radical concept.
And, IMO, the reason that so many in the Fine Art picture making world do tend to "limit" themselves to a single prime lens is quite simple - it keeps picture making things, gear/technique wise, simple ... a single prime lens and a camera that one uses in an entirely intuitive / without thinking manner allows a picture maker to concentrate upon seeing as opposed to dealing with (no matter how little) other things.
When it comes to developing / fostering the art of seeing, "limiting" oneself to a single prime is more than a little like coach Norman Dale's idea of "breaking them down" in order to be able to "build them up again" - getting back to the basics in order to get one's abilities more focused on the bouncing ball / what really matters when it comes to seeing.
IMO, being concerned with gear / technique while picture making is an unnecessary and burdensome diversion when it comes to seeing and a picture maker so involved is apt to have trouble following Wilbur "Shooter" Flatch's admonition, re: "... don't get caught watchin' the paint dry".
(an aside) - for the metaphorically challenged, "watchin' the paint dry" = screwing around with gear and thinking about technique.
Oh, and BTW (metaphorically speaking), don't forget to make 4 passes before attempting a shot on basket. Otherwise you're gonna get benched.
Reader Comments (4)
Some folks just have a hard time with the concept of an "exercise".
Well of course it was your idea. Are you familiar with the term "rhetorical question"? Perhaps not. Still a dumb idea, though. The notion that I can only truly learn "to see" is if I use a prime is ludicrous. And I think you've been watching too much hockey. In basketball, we don't attempt "shots on basket". Or maybe you're just trying to invent new terminology. Four passes or you get benched? Only if you play on a team with no talent. That idea went out with the movie "Hoosiers".
Well, for what it's worth, I learned on a 50mm lens and find myself gravitating to the (roughly) 50mm on my present digital setup. Why? Because that is just the way I learned to see things. On the other hand, I could probably get used to a 75mm (equivalent), or a 35mm. But that would take an effort, a reschooling, which has few arguments in its favor. It is useful to have a zoom lens to document tightly scheduled intense social occasions where I am contracted for some sort of general coverage. But otherwise, if photography is to be something like an art or a pleasure, the single prime lens means my eye sees what I can snap well before I lift the camera.
Wow, really surprised to see an uproar over this. I think it's a great EXERCISE and can lead to better pictures but it's not the only way to go. I would suggest every photographer do exercises like this to foster creativity/hone their skills.
"The notion that I can only truly learn "to see" is if I use a prime is ludicrous."
Of course it is. Hint: he never said that was the ONLY way...
Stop being such a drama queen