The tactile photography versus the virtual imaging: more a cultural concern than a simply technical one.

 What is the modern characterization of digital photography is more its inherent virtual status if we compare it to the past physical analog-film-print era because in that past period doing photography was an act of tangible material transformation involving physical proprieties that were used to get a chemical reaction on film and paper. Today we are looking at picture through a virtual support that will not retain aftermath any image details of the subject. Yes, there a form of electronic memory involved in this process but even that is not directly observable by the observer.

Many of us may ask if digital photography has not in fact kill the basic idea of photography in its essence, i.e. not only selecting a momentary picture of a specific subject but recording it (and processit) on a material universal support like a film or a printing paper. But it is true that the modern technology can produce such a final result. The point is not really there because although print are still feasible, people today are simply not looking at them or even save them for future references. The demand for such artefacts doesn’t exist anymore for most of us and that can be very preoccupaying especially for preserving testitomnies of our human path and history.

This dramatic technological and cultural turnover is reflected by our instant past-present-future perception that is simply erasing most of the lessons of the past that we can consult, analyze and project on our present and future. We cannot oppose to the technical advancements that have been introduced in digital photography and to the more « democratic » approach of its use. But you can ask yourself if its cheap price to do picture is not false facade from its very ephemere final issue. For example since the last two decades, all my personal photographic production will be certainly be lost and will certainly disappear after my passing (even if it has been temporary preserved through my several hard disks or partly into the few blogs I have maintained). In my sense it is a modern tragedy (not necessarily the lost of my own pictures ;-)) that will have a profound impact in our cultural heritage.

There is no immediate solution to this dilemma except to be concerned about it. how can we create space and resources to preserve and to encourage the photographic testimonies of our generation for the following ones? That is may be the biggest challenge we are facing as a progressive society and civilization.

Photos Daniel M

Fragments-Fractures fratricides

 Vivons-nous l’ère des oppositions qui nous entraine dans la confrontation perpétuelle? Après l’espoir de la grande reconciliation fraternelle de l’humanité, sommes-nous au bord du précipice du chaos et de l’anéantissement? Qu’en restera-t-il sinon les fragments d’un rêve, la fracture de nos ideaux ou encore le vide d’une lutte fratricide vide de sens.

Cette confusion auto destructive saura-t-elle se dissiper pour laisser place à une certaine sérénités de l’être et de son âme perdue à jamais. Et cet avenir intangible, ce futur éphémère, le connaîtrons-nous enfin ou je me désespère d’autrui et de moi-même. Ah! Que j’aimerais revivre ma matrice maternelle pour renaître dans un monde d’ouverture, de curiosité, de diversité constructive plutôt que ce cauchemar actuel. 

Oh Dieu qui n’existe point que dans la tête corrompue des hommes de cette terre troublée, ne pourrais-tu pas lui inculquer un peu de sagesse réparatrice. C’est une prière athée que je nous souhaite tous… 

Photo Daniel M: Olympus Pen-F / M.Zuiko 17mm F1.8

Retro Cameras are ... retro cameras or not?

 There is always a fascination about retro cameras and it isn't a "new" thing. For example the folding camera models (analog photography) have been for a time the "taste of the day" for photo gear collectors, and, overtime other different design categories have been praised by many enthusiasms. What's interesting now in this digital photography times, is that manufacturers are proposing their newer photographic technologies into an old fashion envelop mimicking what ancient photo device looks during the 35mm film-analog golden era. And it seems obvious that a certain market segment is positively responding to these special retro offers.

But as usual there is a trick here or if you prefer a compromise in getting these retro camera models. Although all these new models have beautiful aesthetics for some 35 mm film nostalgic users, some aspects of them are less interesting.

One obvious example is the less interesting handling of these retro camera models. Most of them have a far less secure grip which can became annoying especially for the active photographer. Camera hand prehension have evolute a lot since the last century and, in doing so, have procured a greater confort for the more enthusiasm and professional ones which are by definition heavier users of the photo devices. Some may argue that the compactness factor has been neglected for those ergonomic designs but you must admit that these camera models are really fitted for the "on hand" photographers.

Now there's the "interface" question meaning by that, the direct (and by dials) access to the traditional basic photographic parameters like the sensitivity (ISO), the shutter speed and the lens aperture. Although almost all really oriented digital photography camera models have in fact dials or push buttons to get access to these parameters (and much more!), still some will ask for engraved stepped pre-adjusted and rotating ones in the name of better creative control of the camera. The truth in that debate is that modern sophisticated digital camera models give you an outstanding extensive creative control if you ask for it such as the color reddition, the contrast, a highlight and shadow curve bias, the stacked focus, a pre burst mode and many many more, just name it! Modern interfaces are using not only limited control dials (because they aren't as precise compare to step-less adjustments), but pushbuttons, joysticks and touch-screens, the choice is yours.

Modern digital cameras have to be highly versatile and this is why even the so-called retro camera models are also integrating a lot of automated functionalities. The manufacturers don't want to loose their beloved customers if they suddenly want to get the advantages of the latest technologies available. And this is the real secret about this retro trick, yes for the traditional camera body presentation but no for the limitation of the internal technical camera capacity. At the end, retro camera models are essentially a fashion trend as for many similar consumer products but this is true that they are beautiful to look at!


Photos-illustrations Daniel M 

Any camera can do!

To get a beautiful picture, any camera can do,
if there is a creative photographer behind it,
if there is a sensitive one,
if there is an attentive one,
and if there is an imaginative one,
with a persistent motivation to do it!

Photo Daniel M: Panasonic Lumix G9 / Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm F4-6.3 ASPH OIS