An apology re:CFN's (Classic Female Nudes)

[P3D <scooter@xxxxxxxxxx>]

I went to the last Oakland Camera Club Meeting, and there again was 
another example of the "Classic Female Nude".  The gentleman who's 
pics I was referring to has been a member of the club for many years, 
and clearly no one was taking exception to the subject matter except 
me. I realized that without the dedication of these people who have 
been shooting stereo many years, there would be no Oakland Camera Club 
Stereo Division, and I would still be taking my pictures alone and 
sharing them with uncritical (& often bored) family members. I resolve 
that if I can't be enthusiastic about the subject material, perhaps I 
can go beyond that and look at composition, exposure and technique and 
try to learn as much as I can to apply what I like (or don't) in my 
own shots.

I overheard a conversation of two of the older women at the group. It 
was remarked that this group of friends had been meeting for over 20 
years. Some of the original group had moved, some had died, and the 
club meetings and functions were the only opportunity they had to get 
together.  I started to feel pretty bad about my own limited 
contributions to the group as a newcomer--and me being critical of one 
guy's taste in images. (A man who,by the way, is a major reason the 
club is still around today and functions as well as it does.)

It was way too easy for me to take an abstract idea and run with it 
without realizing when it becomes personalized and one looks at the 
people involved, real people with feelings and their own sincere ideas 
of art and beauty, the whole thing becomes much more complex. 

The charges of censorship especially stung.

So, whack me (lightly, if you will) over the head with Dr. T's 
run-over-by-a-car but fully functional Realist camera.  I repent!


Steve Owsley


------------------------------