View Camera Magazine - What would you like to see?

Got enough suggestions yet?

I have read many issues donated by friends, etc. but have not

subscribed as yet because I (and I know I am not alone) care very

little about what some "cutting edge" commercial photog is doing in

New York or L.A. or who is showing where. Nor do I care to read long-

winded, technical articles about film curves.

The beauty (and interest)in LF is in the image - not the photographer

who snaps the shutter, or the company who made the camera.

I am interested in the images and the techniques applied to produce

them.

<p>

A picture is worth a 1,000 words!

I would love to see some Architecture, specially in B&W (is there

such beast?), on the other hand I am always amazed at the pictures

some potographers turn out in the achetiectural field.

Ok, Ok, so I missed the month about the Gum bichromate, still I think

it was a good article would love to see more like this.

<p>

Please don't take this as critizism, but with respect to John Paul

Caponigro, I don't know what it is about his style that turns me off,

maybe it is the artistic pseudo-speak, or should I call it

methaphysical comparisons, I really cannot pinpoint what it is, but I

do know that I let my susbcription lapse since I started seeing his

articles, and every time I saw there was an article by him, I did not

purchase the magazine, specially since I was so disappointed about

his interview with his father, such a great opportunity lost in the

artsy pseudo-speak! ah well!.....ok I think this is enough from me. I

wish you continued success.

I like photographer's portfolios, much like what is found in B&W

magazine. I also like to read articles about how different LF

photographers use their equipment in the field. I like bios on LF

photographers. I am not really interested much in the latest and

greatest of equipment or technical aspects. Art and personality

profiles are what I enjoy.

i do HABS/HAER work, and have a deep interest in historical

photographers who did architectural and topographic work in the 19th

century, such as carleton watkins, edouard baldus, le gray, marville,

sebah, bonfils, zangaki, antonio beato, a j russell, fenton, and

auguste hippolyte collard. i would love to see some in-depth

articles about any of those folks, and any contemporary pros in the

field of architectural and engineering recordation, such as jack

boucher and jet lowe.

Unsung heroes. I'm a lot more interested in folks with names I don't

immediately recognize that are doing novel things in large format. Do

a piece on the under $1000 complete outfits possible. Do a piece on

old pro's that bought a Deardorff in 1955 and are still using it.

Investigate some of the regular contributors to this forum and I'll

bet you'd find some interesting approaches and visions. Reprint some

of the stuff most asked about all together in a special that could be

bought seperately like the history of lens design pieces. And by all

means ditch the digital crap. Start a 3rd mag for that. Best wishes!

Thanks, Steve, for giving us the opportunity to say what we'd like to

see in View Camera. I doubt it will be very helpful to you, since

we'll have different and even contradictory opinions, but I really

apreciate your asking.

<p>

I hadn't meant to add anything

to this thread, but after reading the exchange about John Paul

Caponigro, I

want to tell you that the one article from View Camera that I

treasure, and have read and re-read until the magazine is falling

apart, is John Paul Caponigra's interview with Christopher Burkett. I

had dismissed CB as just another photographer of forgettable color

scenery, and had

never really looked carefully at his work until I read this article.

Now I think

I have a much better appreciation of Burkett both as a photographer

and as a human being, and it's all due to that article.

<p>

I agree with Sandy that it would be nice to see more female

photographers featured in the magazine, and I always want to see more

on alternative processes. I would also like to see more about vintage

lenses, particularly pictorial and portrait lenses; Jay Allen's short

article left me wanting something more in the way of specific

information about the various lenses.

<p>

Thanks again,

Steve,

<p>

I think it would be useful for readers to have a profile each issue

of a photographer covering topics like their photographic ideas,

inspirations, techniques, perspectives and part of it could also be a

small biography to show what's possible and what others are acheiving.

I know there's only so much available space each issue so it would

have to be brief but it would help intoduce different applications of

imaging....small format...large format....digital etc. to others who

may only be familiar with one format. It would be like how some of

the interviews that have been down in your magazine but a monthly

feature.

<p>

Thanks

<p>

Paul Doty

the 10 year old back issues i have i treasure because of the amount

of solid info from real artists working in lf-commercial, fine art or

what have you.

<p>

i don't subscribe because when i pick up an issue and see yet another

exercise in velvia carnival color by yet another pretentious yuppie

art pimp, or another pretentious article by the same pretentious

yuppie art pimp who has been taking up entirely to much space in your

otherwise wonderful magazine, i don't buy that issue.

<p>

the article on fuji lenses was a great service to all of us who in

fact create art with lf cameras. your articles, steve are wonderfully

informative and good reading. wisner's articles are also always great

reading and instructive. ditto norman mcgraff. ditto cole weston,

wimberly and so many others.

<p>

i think i would subscribe if you dump caponegro

<p>

i have to echo the comment about camera arts v view camera-but you

could still dump caponegro

<p>

i think you should dump caponegro

<p>

hey steve-dump caponegro

Steve,

<p>

I'm a subscriber and I'm not so put off by the digital media. Here

are my thoughts for articles.

<p>

1) I think someone mentioned above getting started for under $1000.

<p>

2) Building a mammoth camera. (a kind of how to article) My friend

and I are in the process of doing just that and maybe there are

others who have taken on such endeavours.

<p>

3) Making old view cameras better. I'm sure there are quite a few

people out there who have an old Gundlach or Korona or 2D that have

devised all sorts of ways to refine them.

<p>

4) How about an interview with the airlines about travelling with big

camera gear and what we can do to make travel easy and painless.

<p>

5) How about the digital darkroom for under $1500. I love my Omega

E4 but maybe I don't have the space.

<p>

6) Maybe a travelogue in the US for unusual or less travelled

places. (I would expect readers may want to contribute here).

<p>

7) Speaking of, an article defining national and state park

priveleges (sp) for photographers would be good.

<p>

8) OK, last one, How about a discussion with Kodak or Agfa about the

future of LF products.

<p>

Thank you for the opportunity to contribute some ideas.

<p>

Sincerely,

The vast majority of View Camera issues are superbly laid out. I hope

that you continue with this high level of performance. Am I in error

to say that yours is the only magazine that includes portfolios and

interviews of large format women photographers? Certainly your

magazine deserves commendation for the even-handedness with which it

features women photographers. I notice that several women responded to

your question on this webpage, which is almost unheard of at this

website. I like the fact that you do discuss the photographers

attitudes and the problem solving required to take the images

displayed in the magazine, and I hope this practice continues. You

invariably do this when you write articles for the pubication. It is

the interplay between image and text that made Ansel's books on

photography so helpful. I am of the impression that your magazine is

largely devoted to American photographers. It would be satisfying to

me if more were disclosed about the portfolios and commentary of the

European or Asia large format landscape photographers. If there was

any area in which your magazine has a shortcoming, it would be the

unimaginative, strike that, awful advertisements by a few of the

equipment manufacturers, in obvious need of input from a graphic

artist. Overall I am content with your magazine as is but see no

copellig reason why should not experiment

i've been getting your mag for about 8 months or so. i'm not new to

photography, but i am new to lf. there are so many things i want to

know. equipment, lenses, (fuji item was great.) i really need some

basic "how to" lf stuff as well as lf darkroom. and keep the

inspiring bits, (personal work.. maxwell mackenzie ect.) as for

digital... well its here to stay. its just not for me, and not what i

expected when i subscribed. i didn't even read the articals. my

interest is in the more conventional realm of lf.( 1/2 sec. @ f:16 w/

3 degrees of tilt.) meat and potato stuff. my 2 cents.

and thanks for asking. dee

Mr Simmons, I'm glad you finally ask.

<p>

Open it up to readers (show that you approachable), with a

letters/questions to the editor section.

<p>

Improve the type and lay-out, it has always been a bit of a mish/mash.

<p>

Devote one issue per year to young LF photographers, the ones

finishing their education: let them decide on the contents, have them

edit the entire issue- with your gentle advice available to them if

needed.

<p>

Make it easier for Canadians to subscribe, you sent me a faxno. that

was of no use-I informed you but never received a reply.

<p>

Respectfully,

Howdy Mr. Simmons,

I'm brand new in the large format arena with a omega view 45F and a

toyo field AII, a few 'nice' lenses and lots of desire to learn.

I bought my first issue at a local Barnes & Nobel bookstore in Dallas

this past month and also really devoured the article on the fuji

lenses.

I would like to see some article helping/teaching all of us 'newbies'

a new important aspect each issue. The pros can skip over that

article if they are so smart that they can't learn something from it.

I did also buy your book and will shortly start trying to absorb the

information.

I have just bought a book about 'Hollywood Glamor and portrait shots

and how these were supposedly done including the retouching of the 8

by 10 negs. The book is very general and would like to see more

specifics. The name of the book is: HOLLYWOOD PORTRAITS-CLASSIC SHOTS

AND HOW TO TAKE THEM by roger hicks and christopher nisperos ,

photographs from kobal collection. lib of congress #00-103119; isbn

#0-9174-4020-8. It covers the 'stars' and celebrities of the 1930's,

the 40's and the 50's. Some of the photogs were Laszlo Willinger,

Frank Powolny, Robert Coburn, Ashley-Shaw, John Engstead, C.S. Bull,

George Hurrell to mention a few.

I was telling a friend who shoots for universal studios about the

shots that i admired from Hurrell and he suggested i look into

getting a book on some work by Horst, which i don't know of yet.

Just trying to emulate this type of work is a REAL joy in todays busy

and crazy world. We should all feel blessed to have this passion and

to be able to pursue these dreams, i mean just look around us right

now.

I'll be looking forward to the next articles concerning portraits and

will purchase a subscription just because you evidently had the

huevos to stick your neck out here in the 'flames' and are commited

to your cause for a top notch issue each and every time.

Portraits are not the only thing that interests me, a little

landscape possibly floating down a river in my 17 foot canoe,

tabletop product photography like cosmetics, food, jewelry,

archetecture to name a few more interests.

The platinum process as i know nothing of this (neewbie) but have

stood at a display downtown for hours with my mouth hanging open. The

TONALITY of the black and whites were undiscribeable.

I'd like some real specifics as far as how to retouch the negs as

some of the above mentioned photos used to do in the 30's , 40's...

I'd like to see some specifics to setting up an affordable LF

darkroom.

I don't care what the photogs had for dinner but I'd like to know the

mindset of them as they prepared to photograph some of the celebs of

yesteryear, their preshoot planning, their lighting techniques and

the reasons behind these. The films of choice and methods of

processing are another interest.

A final note, I WOULD BE WILLING TO ORDER A CD SET WITH ALL THE PAST

ISSUES COMPLETE WITH SCANS for my personal library and

enjoyment/learning.

i'm going to pick up the copy that i bought last month and turn in my

subscription now.

Gracias!

miles

Ooh....I like Hans' idea. I'm 19 and I know maybe one other

college-level photographer who voluntarily shoots large format,

so it would be really nice to see what other student and

emerging photographers are doing in large format. Perhaps

something of a similar idea to what PDN doesto showcase

emerging photographers, but with people shooting with view

cameras.

Steve,

<p>

How about an article about Jon Cone and a rundown on all the different

papers, inks, software, and printer combinations he sells?

View Camera has had some excellent articles throughout the years. I

could see it as value added to occassionally re-publish some of the

gems of the past. In fact, having a whole issue on gems would be

neat. That's an issue I would purchase.

<p>

I realize that some people may have saved older issues, and may

already have some or these articles. At the same time, I'm sure that

View Camera has many new subscribers in recent years, for whom these

articles would also be new.

How about a two year running series profiling those who are dedicated to

teaching large format or serious "vision" oriented photography , not just the

technical and copy cat stuff, around the world. break the US up in to

sections: East, South, Soththwest, West Coast, Midwest. then Europe and

then Asia. <P>How about a piece on Robert Adams?<P>What is Nicholas

Nixon up to?<P>How about a piece on Joel Meyerwitz's World Trade Center

project?<P><P>Is there any humor in large format photography?

An amateur/hobbyist LF b/w photographer and a subscriber in my second

year, I am basically happy with the current layout of the magazine.

Possibly others than myself would like to see some or all of the

following in future issues:

<p>

1) While granting that Ansel is dead, articles on important but

perhaps lesser known historical figures such as William Henry

Jackson, Charles Jones, Alma Lavenson.

<p>

2) Brief reviews of current photography exhibits, photography books

still available new or used, or even television specials, written by

practicing LF photographers (as opposed to critics without experience

in our craft).

<p>

3) Equipment reviews or discussions of technique duplicating articles

in long past previous issues for the benefit of more recent

subscribers. Perhaps include darkroom, mounting, matting and framing?

<p>

4) Short stories written by or about amateur/hobbyist LF

photographers, both biographical and accounts of LF outings to sites

that might be accessible to some of the rest of us.

<p>

I look forward to my next issue. Good up the good work. Nick.

Very interesting to compare the above comments with this same

discussion from last March:

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http://hv.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=004uNO

John Paul Caponigro and Abigail Foerstner are two of the best

photography writers and interviewers. please retain their services

and contributions. why we do what we do is as important as how we do

it. I would like to see a departure from the landscape crowds and

more focus on using large-format in unconventional ways by

unconventional artists.

Having thought about it overnight, I finally realized that the most

important thing about photography -- good pictures -- are often

missing from the magazine. Often it's possible to go from cover to

cover without seeing anything original or profound, or even

beautiful, including in the many advertisements. That should be the

primary purpose of the magazine, namely showing us great images

unique to LF. Everything else is secondary.

I have been a subscriber to vc since the third issue and immediatly

bought the first two issues but in the last couple of years there

have been less issues with articles I enjoy. I keep my subscribtion

up so I don't miss something. I guess there is only so much you can

say about traditional large format photography.

William Blunt

Steve-

First, let me applaud you for asking. You have received many good

suggestions in response. From them I assume your readership is

relatively young or at least in terms of experience with large

format. I, on the other hand, have been involved for many years so

my comments come from that background. I would like to see the work

of young photographers, or at least lesser known photographers, not

the same old dinosaurs.

<p>

The product reviews and technical articles relating to large format

are good. But please, could you scrap the digital stuff? A magazine

already exists devoted exclusively to that subject. Thanks again for

asking.

<p>

Regards,

Merg Ross