Stephen, a friend, was showing me some photographs made by a country photographer with well over 40 years experience. He then quoted the photographer, who's name I can't remember, as saying two quotes which are:

"I only photograph verbs".

and

"Watch the corners".

It's an interesting approach to photography. What do you think?

I think I have no idea what he means. Or maybe he hangs out on street corners waiting for Buckminster Fuller to pass by, the man who fancies himself a verb.

Have never felt comfortable around people who make strange references to parts of speech as a personification of something else, sorry Bucky!

But after some thought it occurs to me I personally like to photograph gerunds, and once in a while a really good looking substantive. But beginners should stick to lower case nouns, preferably ones photographed many times before by the masters. The only time I consciously watch corners is when I try to navigate in tight quarters carrying large framed art.

So what does it all mean? Why a verb rather than something merely interesting? What about those corners?

My specialty is indefinite articles (i.e., fuzzy things).

Maybe your photographer is related to "The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat" (book title).  

> "I only photograph verbs".

The comment implies he likes to photograph active subjects. It appears his comment is very similar to the “action is character” quote by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

I dunno what the "Watch the corners" quote might impy.

People tend to be surprised by what ended up in their image that they didn't notice.

^^That’s entirely logical.

Having never experienced that phenomena, I guess i couldn't imagine....

I agree that that is what he meant. However, pretentious and unnecessary abuse of language in order merely to appear clever is just silly. Fitzgerald's remark conveys meaning without such recourse to obscurity.

Jeremy

Well, to lie, sleep and laze are all verbs and not very active.

I'm not sure how you can have a picture of a person without a verb being involved. Maybe what he means is that he has a verb in mind and goes out and looks for it.

I have to agree the first quote sounds pretentious.

"Watch the corners" is generally good compositional advice. I try to always remember to check not only the corners but the edges of the frame when composing, to make sure what should be there, is there; and also to watch out for any unwanted elements that have crept into the frame and should be avoided.

"Choosing a camera based solely on megapixel count is like choosing a wife based solely on bust size."

Me

But surely all other things being equal, more megapixels is better, right? Actually my wife is wonderful and she just goes to prove that 3 megapixels is plenty enough most of the time!

Jim

Jim

I emerge, temporarily, from my shutter varnishing period, head ablaze with induced haze, and find the world has moved on.

As I have no idea what a 3 megapix bust might look like, and in an effort to gain an insight - a perspective on the new virtual reality, would Pammy be rated as medium format? I refer to the Anderson one - I hope yours isn't called Pammy too! I mean in this context. I think I should stop digging this hole before it gets any deeper.

Rob C

Any world in which that good lady would be regarded as "medium" format is indeed divorced from reality.

Jeremy

Rob

From my perspective, being one who appreciates the smaller lady, Pamela Anderson is definitely in the Large Format Category ( ok, maybe just 5x4).

And although I love my wife very much, every man needs a bit on the side, and mine is a 1DS mk3. Occasionally snuggling up to 21mp is very comforting! But for day to day use 3mp is plenty.

Jim

PS. In case my wife sees this, the 'bit on the side' is purely referring to the camera!

Gentlemen, my varnish vapours must have been even more powerful than I had imagined: as Señor Rip Van W might have found out when he rejoined the world, not only do we now have MF digi but LF digi too!

Of course, it is marine varnish, so perhaps that explains it.

Obviously a woman of consequence, that Pamela. I wonder if she is copyright-protected?

;-)

Rob C

Why do I get a sense that some of you guys have missed the point ?

A high pixel-count breast is very good for baby. Best tool for the job. Don't all photographers realise this?

Ok, so I might be confusing my film with my digital! In my slightly archaic brain I still think of MF as film, as in my old RB67. Anyway, time to put all thoughts of MF breasts or whatever out of mind and get back to the business of the day, which is to finish editing a wedding I am working on.

Jim

Jim

Don't quite know how to put this delicately, but that wedding you are working on is where we came in: breasts of the day, night, etc. I hope!

It has been threatening storm all day; a guy was in all afternoon working on another computer and both of us were sweating like pigs with the heat and humidity. He smokes I do not; being very polite he only puffed outdoors. However, the 'baccy has now overpowered the varnish - if I make it through tonight, then tomorrow will be another day...

Ciao

Rob C