Photography: How I love this Quote by Ernst Haas & so fitting prior my Journey to Laos - Cambodia & Myanmar
Through the car window… using the iPhone & my little
Leica, plus my favorite Quote by Ernst Haas.
Through the Taxi window with the iPhone, Manila Philippines
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Finished the last Aperture 3 advanced tutorial at the Power Mac Center last week, got some important meetings out of my way and now the TIME has come…the packing has started (mind you very light) for our Cultural - Archaeological, Travel and Adventure GD Photo Workshops to Laos - Cambodia and Myanmar.
I report whenever possible but my Blog Posts will be a bit thin from now on, however I try to stay in touch via Facebook and Twitter.
Through the car window with the iPhone, street vendor during heavy
rain selling Sampaguita ... the national flower of the
Philippines, Manila Philippines
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
With the iPhone, on the road from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
In todays post, definitely the last one prior my departure (next one I have no clue from where) I have chosen only images taken with my iPhone and my little Leica D-Lux 4 which are my companion most of the time and the reason for my favorite quote by Ernst Haas; read the complete story below:
Street Children - through the Taxi window with my little Leica,
Manila Philippines
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Ernst Haas commented on this in a workshop in 1985:
Two laddies from Nova Scotia had made a huge effort to be there and were great Leica fans, worked in a camera store, saved to have them and held Ernst on high for being a Leica user (although he used Nikons on his Marlboro shoots, when the chips were down).
About four days into the workshop, he finally maxxed out on the Leica adoration these kids displayed, and in the midst of a discussion, when one of them asked one more question aimed at establishing the superiority of Wetzlar;
Ernst said, "Leica, schmeica. The camera doesn't make a bit of difference. All of them can record what you are seeing. But, you have to SEE."
Nobody talked about Leica, Nikon, Canon or any other brand of camera equipment for the rest of the workshop.
He also said, "Best wide-angle lens? 'Two steps backward' and 'look for the ah-ha'."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Haas
Street Children - through the Taxi window with my little Leica,
Manila Philippines
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Street Children cleaning the car windows for a few centavos -
through the Taxi window with my little Leica,
Manila Philippines
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Just one more…
Ferme le Lundi - French for "Closed on Monday"
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Yep, that is me in 1992 outside a French Cafe in Phnom Penh and my first visit to Cambodia covering a story on the Mekong River for Animan Magazine, no digital…no laptops, etc. just the good old film…and a bit younger mind you. Since then I have been visiting Cambodia almost yearly, continuously discovering the undiscovered…
and definitely Ferme Le Lundi!
Now the endless Journey continuos…until soon from where ever I might be…GD.
Interesting feedback...Is this a real Image? Compare the images... Are we facing a dilemma in PHOTOGRAPHY today…the story continues...
The real image? The story continues...
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/australia.html
© Gunther Deichmann - double rainbow over the Olgas N.T.
Central Australia, image taken on Kodachrome 25, 1981
Feedback and good dialogue is always a good thing…learning something everyday even if you think you old and wise…exchange of knowledge can only open our eyes and broaden our Horizon…
Read below some of the un-edited emails I have received, different opinions from different Countries…in the end it is up to you which way you create your images but as mention before I am very firm when it comes to Photo Journalism, Geographic, Culture and Travel Photography.
If you like to go crazy then go for it…YOUR Choice, it is after all a very creative field with many different interpretations on any given image.
However in Documentary Photography we should be truthful to our selfs and the public.
Henry Bateman an Australian Photographer/Artist living
in the Philippine wrote…
(thanks Henry for letting me use the images you send me)
Check out Henry’s work, you might find it very interesting@ http://www.pissedpoetpics.com/
Friday, May 16, 2008
Is This a Real Image?
Is this a real Image? Well yes, I guess it must be, it's there in front of you. (Ok, I am begging the question, but then it is a poorly phrased question) Is it a literal representation of what was in front of the lens? Well no, I guess not, it is my interpretation of the scene. Although, except for a few lines I added to highlight some edges, nothing has been added that didn't exist in the original photograph.
It was taken at the opening of Luis Martin Harder's exhibition, Unscripted.
© Henry Bateman- thanks Henry
My interest lies in exploring the why of things rather than displaying their literal representations. My images relate to a broader discourse and use the medium (captured light) to tell the story rather than just relying on the here is narrative.
I use Photoshop to make the image, but because it is made from only one negative/raw file it requires a particular approach to using the camera to get a file that can accept the manipulation. In fact it requires a different way of looking to find the scenes that will work.
Does this make it less real? Different yes, but only in so much that I am looking at from a different point of view.
My reply to Henry…
Hi Henry,
great I just read your blog, no problem I think a very nice and cool forum... what i am saying and what i am worried is that in Journalistic terms like real events this real verses manipulated becomes an issue.
I also have been using Photoshop almost since day one and do some crazy stuff but in covering events and real life encounters? We have to be careful, anyway thanks for your thoughts and I really like your stuff…
Cheers Gunther
Henry’s reply…
Hi Gunther
Thanks for the kind words mate and yes I am in agreement about keeping in touch.
I take on board your concern re doco pics but lets face it it aint nothing new. Granted PS makes it easier but it has always been buyer beware. As per the 2 attached pics circa 1854/5 by Roger Fenton titled "The Shadow of the Valley of Death".
Courtesy of Henry Bateman - R-Fenton-circa-1854-(1)
Courtesy of Henry Bateman - R-Fenton-circa-1854-(2)
There was a lovely debate some 12 months ago in the NY Times about which photo came first and which had been altered, albeit not by PS but physically by hand. The question that wasn't asked was "Which of the 2 pics best told the story?"
No 2 photographers will shoot a scene the same way, "Which of the 2 best tells the story/truth?". I can shoot the same scene in several ways with each telling a different story.
It is in part why I have chosen to do what I do. The camera doesn't lie is up there with "of course I will love you in the morning". As Picasso said the job of an artist is to convince people of the truth of their lies.
regards
Henry
From Picture Group Photo News Agency in India…
GD
You tell us how ?
Chandu
My reply…
Hi Chandu,
Great to hear from you.
Now to your ?
Very difficult indeed to tell, I am an advocate for real things when it comes to Photo Journalistic images, we should not mess around with these, of course Photoshop and all the other stuff out there has is place and I use it too, but in real life and events we should be careful and not manipulate the images or distort a given event. In advertising and creative we can of course do what we like... go crazy if we choose so.
But how to tell is very difficult these days I guess ethics play a big role here, from the Photographer to the editors.
Thanks for reading the blog, remember it is only my opinion.
Have a fantastic day,
Cheers Gunther
Chandu’s reply…
Hi GD
I may be now editor but I am photographer 1st - I am out with the camera to shoot, I do not crop nor make any major changes in the "raw" image expect for transmission or printing.
that is all I have to say - i do not know what other photo editors do. Even agency like Magnum, I know quite a photographer attached to them, I have heard what happened at the board meeting, the older ones has quite taken back with the portfolio's they are getting for approval which do get approved. I will not give names but that is life...one has to change with it...if do not you get left behind....what do you have to say this....
Cheers
Chandu
My reply…
Hi Chandu,
thanks for this dialogue... very interesting indeed, hmmmm let me think, the image in the end will win you and I know that, I guess it boils down to only one thing your conscious and been able to feel good about it and say... yes this is real, I know that, even if they dont believe me, that alone is a good feeling and worth a lot. A nice gut feeling if nothing else!
It is an interesting subject which ever way you look at it and we all know times have changed when Digital arrived, I am just a little concern, since I admire the likes of Capola, Ansel Adams and many more, a craft which is now seldom taught even in schools, sad but true, can we change it? I guess not.
We have arrived at this Digital age and I am no exception, all of this just crossed my mind the other day when i run into this young photographer and having this conversation. I have no doubts that this subject will be around for quiet some time, being old or young.
You are right we have to move forward otherwise we will be left behind... sad but so true.
Thanks for your words and exchange I do appreciate this very much, at-least we can talk about it, and that is just so nice,
have a great day and we stay in touch,
Cheers Gunther
From Luis Martin Harder, Manila Philippines
Hi Gunther,
Thanks so much for putting my exhibit on your blog. You're super cool,
man. Just as I was thinking about learning about true "photography" and
then you came out with an article about "are we getting real" photos or
images. You know GD I really want to learn more about PHOTOGRAPHY in its
purest sense. I believe you're the right person who can impart the
knowledge since I can see that you are one of the few remaining true
blue "PHOTOGRAPHER".
Can you help me with this? I'll surely appreciate your interest.
Thanks again GD. Hope to see you soon.
Cheers!
Luis Harder
WINGS TECHNOLOGY ENTERPRISE INC.
My closing words…thank you all for your thoughts and input very interesting indeed and I do appricitae all your comments…
" If we lose our human values by having everything mechanized, then machines will dictate our lives."
Dalai Lama
GD
