Re: Technique vs. Creativity
j.r.anderson (j.r.anderson@mds.qmw.ac.uk)
Wed, 16 Oct 1996 09:57:55 +0100
> Technique vs. Creativity
>
> -- OR --
>
> Right Brain vs. Left Brain
>
>
>
>My question is, why can't I have *both* sides of my brain? I often see
>messages wherein people state that producing a technically perfect print
>"drains" all the life from a picture -- that it's no longer interesting
>any more. Well, if you have to rely on imperfections to make the picture
>interesting, then I'd say you didn't have a very interesting picture to
>begin with.
>
>Yes, there are people who become so obsessed with the technical details
>that they never allow their creative spirit to soar free. However, these
>people will *never* produce really creative pictures. It doesn't matter
>if their technique is perfect or not; they just don't have the creative
>Right Stuff. Even if they were unencumbered by their consuming technical
>obsession, they would only end up producing mediocre images printed in
>less than perfect style.
>
>Then there are those who are very creative, but who feel that all this
>techinical stuff is for geeks and they are ARTISTS not scientists.
>Well, these people will produce some very interesting images, but will
>constantly be stumbling over their own feet, technically-speaking. Their
>brain, in a flash of brilliant creativity says, "I'd really like something
>like this...", but the print turns out differently, so they shrug their
>shoulders and say, "Oh well." I can't help but believe that if these
>people mastered their materials that the final images would be more powerful.
>
>Finally, there are those who work hard to master their materials and the
>all the technical aspects of their processes, so they can make a
>*deliberate choice* to throw them out the window. To be truely free from
>the technical process you must first master it. If you have the ability
>to make your materials do whatever you want them to do, then you don't
>have to worry about it. You will be completely free to work creatively.
>It is these people who make truly great artists. Certainly Rembrandt,
>Michelangelo, or any other great artist wouldn't have been so great had
>their technique sucked.
>
>Once technique is mastered you then have the ability to break "the rules"
>as you please. Just because you know how to make a print of full tonal
>range doesn't mean that you have to. You are making a deliberate choice
>when you choose not to, and it's that choice which is important. You are
>using your mastery of technique to *not* follow the rules. Because you
>know exactly how to do it, you don't have to rely on accidental
>happinstance.
>
>This technical mastery does not happen overnight. It requires hard work
>and practice. A great musician must work for years perfecting her
>technique before she is able to full express her creative vision.
>However, should you come upon that musician years before, some might say,
>"Her obssesion with technical perfection is stupid. Doesn't she realize
>that she's totally draining the creative life from her music?" So too with
>photographers. As we see some of our friends here struggling to perfect
>their thechnique we shouldn't ridicule them or try to divert them from
>their path. Rather we should encourage and urge them on for some may one
>day be truly great photographers (some may *already* be truly great
>photographers). ...and others may just be mediocre photographers with
>technically perfect prints. :) Only time will tell. In any case, I have
>serious doubts that those who do not have control over their materials
>will amount to much.
>
>David Fokos
>
>p.s. more Pt in the Pt/Pd mix will change the tone (more neutral black),
>change the speed (lower speed), change the contrast (more contrast), and
>sometimes add a bit more grain.
I think it was the great Paul Strand who said that he thought photographers
should not be allowed to speak as when they did they always talked about
technique, instead of artistry...... The sentiments you expressed are
echoed by myself for one - but when dog-paddling around in the ocean that
is Alt Proc it is helpful if masters/artisans/technicians throw one the
occasional life-belt!
The technique is only the means to the end... As long as we remember this,
all will be well!
Jonathan Anderson