Picture of You, by Mauro Metallo

Posted on December 6, 2009 by The Lazy Photographer

If you are at all serious about photography — in other words, if you strive to take photographs rather than weekend snapshots — you might enjoy Mauro’s latest post on the subject. Mauro’s blog is called Never in Colour. He, in my opinion, has hit the nail on the head. Here’s an excerpt from his post. To read more, just click on the “read more” link at the end. Enjoy:

Picture of You, by Mauro Metallo

Most of us got into this field because  we definitely loved taking pictures of people, or landscapes, or life on the streets. I certainly didn’t pick up a camera because I saw a cool product photograph in a catalogue. I picked up a camera because I was drawn to images that were lit in a particular way, because I loved black and white, available light and un-posed subjects. When I had done this for years as a pleasurable hobby, I found myself at loose ends after people started hiring me to photograph them or their loved ones in the style I’d done: As soon as the art moved from hobby to business there started a subtle erosion of the essential point of view that made my work different from everybody else’s. And if you really think about it, the convergence of digital imaging and the photo sharing sites on the web has quickened a process of homogenization that now seems relentless. (click here to read the entire post)

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2 Responses to Picture of You, by Mauro Metallo

  1. Mauro Metallo says:
    December 6, 2009 at 9:58 pm

    Dave,
    This is more than a thank you note; It is a public token of appreciation for all the time and effort you put into following my ramblings and looking at my snapshots.
    I’m really grateful: People like you are indispensable, a source of energy and encouragement for all of us who strive to make our life a bit more enjoyable through what we arrogantly call art. Your attention, consistency and discipline are outstanding and I most sincerely respect that.
    We REALLY have to meet-up one day, for some street photography and a cup of tea (I don’t drink coffee, but you can get one, if you like it: My treat…).
    Best,
    Mauro.
    p.s.
    I must add that I have been following the “one-camera-one-lens-one-film” programme for 25 years, since when my late father gave me an M4-P and a Summicron, as a gift for my High School graduation, just before heading off to University. I have to say that I never felt the urge to “upgrade” it for obvious sentimental reasons, but also because I really don’t have the money to do so. And this where I was lucky: I never felt any urge to jump from camera to camera, (never been able to, anyway…) and I had no choice but to concentrate in taking pictures…
    So, please, don’t take me for one of those guys, snob and full of themselves just because they own some High-End equipment: I’m not, I have never been, and I never will be.

  2. davecandoit says:
    December 6, 2009 at 10:42 pm

    Hi Mauro,

    Thanks for your email. I too am very grateful to you for all the support and encouragement you’ve given me this past while. The real joy I have found in photography is being able to share my photos with other like-minded people such as you. Where you differ from most of the people who visit my blog is you write thought provoking posts about photography. You have a lot of experience and insight to offer and that’s one of the reasons I posted a short intro to your post on my blog. I’d like others to read and consider what you have to say. If they are at all serious about photography you can rest assured they will return for more. You’re a talented writer.

    As for meeting up, yeah, we really should, considering we’re only around the corner from each other. Let me know when you have time. It doesn’t have to be for a photo outing, we can just meet for a coffee (or tea) on the Danforth somewhere to “talk shop.”

    And of course I don’t think you’re one of those photography snob types. You’ve found something that’s worked for you for many years and that also has some sentimental value and I can think of no better reason to continue with your one camera, one lens, one film style of photography. Frankly, I can totally appreciate how such limitations can force an artist to grow to great heights. The new cameras nowadays have all these “art” filters that automatically create a particular artistic look and feel right out of the camera with the push of a button. In my opinion that takes all the creativity out of it. The photo no longer belongs to me, but to the engineers at Canon or Nikon or Olympus who thought up this stuff. Plus, anyone who owns the same camera will achieve the exact same effect by pushing that same button. Simply put, the less you have to work with the more you can take ownership of the creative process. The limitations of my little point & shoot force me to work harder to catch what I want, since I have so little control over certain settings.

    Cheers,
    Dave

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