Lately with all the discussions going on with photo friends in the monochrome guild about importance of testing it reminded me of this old tale. I found it online written by a person named Lithos at this link:
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http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-film-slr-discussion/55795-b-w-film-rules-adages.html
There's a story about a compatriot of Arbitrary Adams, a man by the name of Wynn Bullock. Adams nagged and begged and cajoled Bullock into getting a light meter and a densitometer, so that this errant sheep of a photographer would better be drawn in the flock of the Holy Church of the Zone System, and all would be right once again with the world of photography.
So, one night, Bullock's wife hears the door to Wynn's basement darkroom fly open, and the crash and clang of something being thrown into the garbage can. "To hell with the damn testing," Wynn yells, "I'm going out and making some pictures!"
Wynn stormed off with his camera gear, and his wife retrieved the meter and densitometer and gave them to Adams.
So, in short, get out there. Take some photos, shoot some frames, and to hell with the Zone.
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Not sure you should throw away the zone system as it can be a valuable tool but what needs to be remembered is not to be pulled into the world of never ending testing and shiny new toys. The goal should always be to MAKE STRONG PHOTOGRAPHS. If you spend your time making photographs instead of continual testing or using countless new cameras, lens and other gadgets your photographs will be stronger. Make your choices and then make photographs!
Here are some wonderful non testing photographs by Wynn Bullock.
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| Fallen Leaves In The Rain, by Wynn Bullock 1951 |
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| Sunken Wreck, by Wynn Bullock 1968 |
