civilized ku # 871 ~ re: tech talk

Bad peas ~ Au Sable Forks, NY - in the Adirondack PARK • click to embiggenMany thanks to John Linn for his comments re: my pictures:

... I know you do not like to talk technique on these pages but I do admire your craftsmanship and, in some forum, would like to know more about your process of picture making. The depth of tonal quality you achieve in your photos is impressive. I can learn from your approach to subject and composition but I would like to know more.

However, I did not feature John's comments just to bask in the egocentric (to me) warmth of his words. As nice as that is, what struck me about his comments was the fact that I have recently been contemplating the notion of sharing my post-picturing image processing and print making techniques. Not so much if I should do so, but rather, if I decide to do so (I'm leaning in that direction), how to do so.

The other nagging question relative to all of this is all about $$$$ - should I do so out of the kindness and generosity of my heart, or, should I try to make some moola (not to be confused, in these trying times, with "mulla")? In light of the fact that pitcher makin' been bery, bery good to me, not to mention my Catholic mission-baby upbringing, there is the notion of "giving back" but, since I did it all on my own, exactly who is it am I suppose to give back to?

There are no school, institution, guild, trade union, mentor, or other affiliations to which/whom I am indebted. Sure, perhaps a tip of the hat is due to my Uncle Sam who sent me, all expenses paid, to Japan where I first "discovered" picture making, bought a camera, taught myself a bunch of picture making stuff, and eventually made pictures in the service of that same Uncle. On the other hand, I already gave him 2 years of my life, so I consider that debt to be paid in full.

All of that said, I am leaning in the direction of making some $. Not $$$$$, but rather, a little bit of $. That's because: 1) once I start answering technical / technique questions - let's say, on a separate blog - I am relatively certain that it's going to feel just like work. In fact, it will be work, and, 2) in order to do it right, it's going to take time, a lot of time ... be it online or face-to-face.

In any event, within the next 7-10 days, I will be announcing how I intend to implement a series of online and in-person workshops.

Update on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 08:04PM by gravitas et nugalis

Featured Comment: Nicolas (no link provided) wrote, in part: "I'm really quite surprised (and may be a little bit disappointed) you have the project to open a new area into the "technical infinite field" of the camera stuff rather than in the photography field you postulate to until now."

my response: Nicolas, et al - have no fear, The Landscapist blog, as you have known it, will continue as it has since day 1, no mater what I might pursue, tech wise.

And to be perfectly clear, I will absolutely not be devolving into gear speak, camera or otherwise. My intent will be to help those who are interested in getting the most out of their picture files and on to paper, totally independent of whatever gear they might choose to use to make their pictures.

I have no axe to grind or recommendations to make regarding camera gear or the like.

Comments

[Nicolas]

Dear Mark,

I'm really quite surprised (and may be a little bit disappointed) you have the project to open a new area into the "technical infinite field" of the camera stuff rather than in the photography field you postulate to until now.
From your blog this kind of sharing,for example, and for me, is very helpful and largely enough to hone my skill from your experience.
http://landscapist.squarespace.com/journal/2010/7/28/civilized-ku-597-99-printing.html

Anyway, you're the "chef cuisinier" of the meal you offer and I'll continue to appreciate such desserts as this following one which I prefer from almost all of yours:
http://landscapist.squarespace.com/display/ShowImage?imageUrl=%2Fstorage%2Fredrobincounterpatronssq.jpg&imageTitle=1044757-10630753-thumbnail.jpg

Kind regards, "Bien Amicalement",

Nicolas
Paris