Re: All things technical, not

[Larry Bullis <lbullis@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

> How do
>their infrared images relate to their other work, their other interests.
[...]
>I would be
>interested in hearing from other members why they use infrared film.


1)  I've always thought that the primary motivation for the pictorial use 
of Infrared is that we poor mortals are thoroughly unhappy with our 
pathetic state and really wish that things were, if not better, at least 
other than they are.  At least for awhile, to provide a break in the 
monotony of mortality; you know, standing in line at the ATM and shopping 
at Wal-Mart.  Certainly, I have used it to propel myself (if only through 
illusion, but it's art, isn't it?) into higher realms and even when I 
don't do so intentionally, it tends to satisfy these needs on its own in 
spite of me -- to somehow transcend, in spirit if not in the flesh, the 
human condition.  

I had not written because I've been a bit short on time, but it really 
got my attention when Stanee brought in the topic of YES!  ANGELS!  What 
could be more in keeping with the attitude of transcendence of the flesh 
than ANGELS!  And, using the same coin of the realm with which you 
normally rent movies and buy fuel for the car, you can even buy Wings 
from the Mother Plucker company!  

Seeing this, I decided to wait awhile and see if anyone came in with 
anything else.  Now, maybe someone is out there waiting in the WINGS, but 
so far, the Angels have it.  Not only that, but Stanee reports a lively 
traffic in requests for the supplier of these angelic appendages, which 
come in three (3) models.  Pick your own transcendent attitude!  Thus, it 
seems to me that my hypothesis is probably correct.  We shoot infrared 
because it helps us break, imaginatively, our fetters to this hard, cold 
world.  Most photojournalism is, if you really look at it, only a few 
steps from fantasy anyway.  So what about infrared?  Seems to me, you're 
basically either going to be trying to bust marijuana growers or hang out 
among the heavenly hosts. 

2) Also, I had meant to speak to this question of technical (thank you 
Bill for your courage in bringing it up), because it, too, is one that 
interests me.  Even more than the issue of what else there might be 
besides the technical, I am fascinated by the need to place the technical 
apart from any and everything else that might be discussed.  This seems 
to me to speak direct to the basic assumptions that provide the 
underpinnings of our society (by which I mean European/American).  We 
TRUST the technical, by golly.  We can count on it.  And we have to set 
it up as one pole of a duality, because against it everything else must 
be measured.  We can't just talk about angels without a lead.

Having been a part of any number of mailing list discussion groups over 
the years, especially ones relating to photography, I have seen a lot of 
discussion about this division between technical and AN other, which 
often is so-called "aesthetic", but could just as well be just simply 
about human interaction within the group itself.  Recently, in a sibling 
group of this one, there was a very strident exchange which resulted in 
the departure of one of the principal contributers and a great deal of 
ill will.  It was not the first time I had seen it happen, but it was the 
most heartbreaking.

The fact is, to discuss the technical is pretty safe.  In another time, 
it would have been much safer to talk about angels, and discussions of 
physics may well have been an invitation to burn at the stake.  But now, 
to tread in other areas is to take a risk (as you, Bill, seem to be well 
aware).  Personally, I don't have a lot of trouble with the technical 
because I don't tend to buy into the duality, I do in fact enjoy it, and 
I've had a lot of experience and can talk about the "technical" with 
almost anyone.  But I do get a bit tired when it dominates discussions 
for months on end without a break.  

As breaks go, I don't think the Mother Plucker Company can be beat with a 
stick.

3) That is all I'm going to say about it right now, but I do want to ask 
a question.  Some time ago, these New Member Bios started coming in.  
Now, I've only been on this list for a couple of months, and I can't 
remember having been offered one of these to fill out.  Have others 
somehow escaped this fate, or is it simply myself?  Where do they come 
from?  Is there some place that they are stored to be retrieved and 
perused at leisure, such as on the archives?  Shall I fill one out now?  

4) As far as my interests are concerned, I can refer you to my webpage 
(sorry, I know you asked for print references) for part of it: 
"http://www.halcyon.com/cif/Kingfisher/Kingfisher.html".  While it may 
seem from some of my posts that I, too, am a technical geek, I'm really 
much more interested in the question "Why do we make images in the first 
place".   The process of perception and its implications for us as A) 
human beings and B) image makers are of primary importance to me.  This 
hits at philosophy and esoteric psychology.   I can certainly fill in 
some more, later, if anyone wants, but if not, I won't elaborate.  A few 
of my past writings are available in Pinhole Journal and Petersen's 
Photographic but are getting hard to find, since they are long out of 
print.  I am working on getting some of it up on the website, and getting 
the bug to write again.  Infrared is only a small part of my activity and 
really, it would be hard to seperate it out enough to make it fit the 
topic.  

As it may be hard to get most of this to fit the topic.  Thanks for your 
patience.  I know it's too long.  

Larry Bullis
Skagit Valley College


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End of Infrared-Digest V0 #258
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