Topic: Walker Evans

[astrobeck]

Just rec'd a copy of Walker Evans "Polaroids"
and a couple of his remarks really struck a chord..... (he's talking about the SX-70 he used late in life.)

" I bought that thing as a toy, and I took it as a kind of challenge.  It was the gadget and I decided that I might be able to do something serious with it.  So I got to work to try to prove that."

He goes on to say " The damn thing will do anything you point it at.  You have to really know something before you dare point it anywhere.  You have to know what you're pointing it at, and why-even if it's only instinctive."

 I had never thought about being an instinctive shooter before.  I just know I am prone to shoot certain scenes because I like certain types of photos and never considered instinct being in part of it.

[artpunk]

Just rec'd a copy of Walker Evans "Polaroids"
and a couple of his remarks really struck a chord..... (he's talking about the SX-70 he used late in life.)

" I bought that thing as a toy, and I took it as a kind of challenge.  It was the gadget and I decided that I might be able to do something serious with it.  So I got to work to try to prove that."

He goes on to say " The damn thing will do anything you point it at.  You have to really know something before you dare point it anywhere.  You have to know what you're pointing it at, and why-even if it's only instinctive."

 I had never thought about being an instinctive shooter before.  I just know I am prone to shoot certain scenes because I like certain types of photos and never considered instinct being in part of it.

Funny thing Beck, when I think about it (which I don't that often being a bear of little brain), I've always gone about my photography instinctively, perhaps that's why I like shooting with Polaroid cameras so much? I wonder how much of what we do photographically and otherwise is ruled by subconscious instincts, even when we think our actions aren't?
 




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[Karl]

Funny thing Beck, when I think about it (which I don't that often being a bear of little brain), I've always gone about my photography instinctively, perhaps that's why I like shooting with Polaroid cameras so much? I wonder how much of what we do photographically and otherwise is ruled by subconscious instincts, even when we think our actions aren't?
 

A question that follows me around, looking over my shoulder. I am going to sleep on this and then reply!

Karl

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