Great stuff, Jono, and exactly what I am talking about. Some folks "look to shoot". That drives a lot of work for many, including most of the stuff pro photogs do all the time. They go out with an idea or assignment or requirement and do whatever it takes to bring back something acceptable. The "shooting to find something" part is more about releasing the artistic expression. You are already doing that wonderfully, so enjoy it. The mortar and pestle you present could be conceived and arranged and lit by somebody looking to shoot. Might not be you nor me at first blush, but there are many superb shooters out their that do this, and a lot of them get into the MF world just to do it more or better. There is a pronounced artistic expression, and it may take days to achieve for some.
My comments were more about how folks can spend their time looking for that artistic expression or style or whatever one wants to call it. That is a discovery process, if you are not more naturally blessed with it. I think that is where many struggle the most. They have seen beauty/art and they want to do the same. Sometimes tools can help, but not if one gets caught up in the gear and mechanics before they have the mental image of what they want.
The M8 is a bit more unique in some ways. It is a tool that can get out of your way enough to be more expressive, or it can be used more purposefully to deliver the art. One could say all cameras are like this, but I am not sure they are. Marc's points about being one with the tool help a lot. Could a MFDB have taken your shot any better? Maybe not, but if that shot were planned and thought out, it would be impressive is some other and maybe subtle ways. Not criticizing or anything like that. My interests, and what I have expressed to "nostatic" reflect some of my own decision process. Moving from casual to purposeful creation of art. All of it is good, and that is why I think both tools have their place. Not needed by everyone, or all the time, but it sure is nice to see them both come into harmony and create some wonderful stuff.
LJ
My comments were more about how folks can spend their time looking for that artistic expression or style or whatever one wants to call it. That is a discovery process, if you are not more naturally blessed with it. I think that is where many struggle the most. They have seen beauty/art and they want to do the same. Sometimes tools can help, but not if one gets caught up in the gear and mechanics before they have the mental image of what they want.
The M8 is a bit more unique in some ways. It is a tool that can get out of your way enough to be more expressive, or it can be used more purposefully to deliver the art. One could say all cameras are like this, but I am not sure they are. Marc's points about being one with the tool help a lot. Could a MFDB have taken your shot any better? Maybe not, but if that shot were planned and thought out, it would be impressive is some other and maybe subtle ways. Not criticizing or anything like that. My interests, and what I have expressed to "nostatic" reflect some of my own decision process. Moving from casual to purposeful creation of art. All of it is good, and that is why I think both tools have their place. Not needed by everyone, or all the time, but it sure is nice to see them both come into harmony and create some wonderful stuff.
LJ