Josh I think you need to do a piece to camera..!

[Dave (Isle of Skye)]

Josh I think it is time for you to tell us directly all about YOU and your goals for the future of the site!

So why not do a piece to camera and explain to us who you are, what your ideas are, what kit you are using and a general get to know your audience type of thing.

Your father used to do a thing he liked to call "The Toy Shop", where he would look at his most recent equipment and perhaps show us a few shots he had taken with it.

So come on Josh, reveal to us all who you really are and the direction you and your new team intend to lead us..

all the best

Dave

[john beardsworth]

Time for a Monty Python clip?

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Time for a Monty Python clip?

+1.

[Dave (Isle of Skye)]

Time for a Monty Python clip?

And this Monty Python clip is representative of what will happen if he doesn't come out and talk to us 

Dave

[Rob C]

Well, what do you want the cat* to tell, you that he hasn't already indicated to be his intention?

Haven't we had enough of all the gear stuff already? It's what some have been knocking Kevin for indulging himself with, and even then, not without claims of partisan biases etc. etc, ad nauseam. Everybody already knows the names of the couple of sites that do all the number crunching beloved of gear freaks; does homely LuLa need to dip her toes into that particular pool too?

Personally I have no love at all for the type of synch.-flashed contemporary street stuff we have been seeing, but that's just my personal reaction to what looks like (to me) unimaginative and poor lighting techniques. That said, there's no reason at all why it shouldn't get an airing here as it does in magazines; times change as do tastes (chickens, eggs), conditioned as they are by these new photographers' beliefs and attitudes. I see no reason on Earth for anyone willingly to go out there and photograph ugly people in even more ugly places; for that, all I need's a mirror, even if the location ain't ugly and is, in fact, remarkably beautiful. But I accept that, for many, it's a lure they can't resist. For me, the art of photography is pretty synonymous with the quest for beauty, but that's just my take.

Landscape gets a great airing here, especially from a couple of talented regular members; why expect - or hope- for Michael's son to share his Dad's photographic characteristics? Kevin didn't, but nobody semed to object too much. Michael's landscape and street were both incredibly above the average in quality, and I'd say his sense of street way beyond anything that we, as members of LuLa, have ever posted. He is not going to be replaced; get over it.

As has been pointed out time and again, the best thing about LuLa for active snappers is that it allows us to post both comment and images; for those seeking practical advice, it has great, unpaid people always willing to answer questions and help. I got loads of assistance when I needed it most. We already have a wonderful thing here; let's contribute ourselves, each to the best of our abilities. If your want to say something, this isn't a classoom where your grammer is going to be - or should be - criticised: it's about the sentiment of what you want to express, not the bright semantic path to that.

Contribute, and don't just wait for Mama's tit.

Rob

*Stick with me if you wanna dig some hip, second-hand, 40s/50s jive, daddio. No contemporary corruptions in this juke joint; no sir!

;-)

[LesPalenik]

Contribute, and don't just wait for Mama's tit.

Rob

Best suggestion so far.

[Paulo Bizarro]

Rob:

Sure, Lula is a great resource for a lot of us. And you describe that adequately. But...

1. Contributing/paying members have a right to be told whether the business model/content of Lula will change, and if yes, in what direction (I am not in this category).

2. The reputation of Lula was built around a lot more than what you describe, a lot more than a simple place to post pics and get valuable critics and insight thereof.

3. During the transition to digital, Lula was a pioneer in their analysis, testing, reviewing, and technical input. This was also the case with the transition towards imaging, that is, both stills and video have become important for manufacturers; photographers had to become imagers, proficient in all the imaging chain and workflows.

4. I feel that the relevance of Lula in the previous point has been diminishing in the last few years.

[Paulo Bizarro]

Best suggestion so far.

I am a pragmatic fellow, so I like facts. Right now, if one goes to the Home page of Lula, the only practical information is in the "About" page. Inside, a big part of the content is about "legacy"; not much about the future. In fact, about the future, this is all I could gather:

"We will be launching a fresh series of workshops over the coming months and do hope that we will be able to meet you on one of these journeys.

The days ahead are going to be as interesting, fun and informative as those in the past."

Venturing further, into the Workshops page, it says that Lula have partnered with Rockhoppers Workshops, from Kevin.

And that is about it. So indeed, contribute is a good advice, but without the framing from the CEO, a bit useless at present date.

[LesPalenik]

I am a pragmatic fellow, so I like facts. Right now, if one goes to the Home page of Lula, the only practical information is in the "About" page. Inside, a big part of the content is about "legacy"; not much about the future. In fact, about the future, this is all I could gather:

"We will be launching a fresh series of workshops over the coming months and do hope that we will be able to meet you on one of these journeys.

The days ahead are going to be as interesting, fun and informative as those in the past."

Venturing further, into the Workshops page, it says that Lula have partnered with Rockhoppers Workshops, from Kevin.

And that is about it. So indeed, contribute is a good advice, but without the framing from the CEO, a bit useless at present date.

Not necessarily. Supervision and guidance is indeed needed, but with the expertise of many LuLa members and their articles/essays into new areas and also their expert posts, we can prime the pump, shape the direction and content, and get going again.

[Dave (Isle of Skye)]

Well, what do you want the cat* to tell, you that he hasn't already indicated to be his intention?

Contribute, and don't just wait for Mama's tit.

Rob

;-)

Part one above - I just thought it might be nice to meet the guy (virtually of course) and see what he has to say for himself - so surely you can't say that is such a bad thing for me to have suggested to Josh is it?

Part two above - I think you will find Rob that I do just that whenever I can - go and look in the landscape section for examples, such as this for instance.

You know Rob, if it wasn't for the wink at the end of your reply, I would say after initially reading it, that you are obviously having a really good old man grump about something and how the world is obviously getting you down in some way - so if this is the case, then cheer up man, as we only get one go at this thing called life, so try to enjoy yourself you old grump!

NOTE the smiley, winky face here Rob... 

Dave

[Rob C]

Part one above - I just thought it might be nice to meet the guy (virtually of course) and see what he has to say for himself - so surely you can't say that is such a bad thing for me to have suggested to Josh is it?

Part two above - I think you will find Rob that I do just that whenever I can - go and look in the landscape section for examples, such as this for instance.

You know Rob, if it wasn't for the wink at the end of your reply, I would say after initially reading it, that you are obviously having a really good old man grump about something and how the world is obviously getting you down in some way - so if this is the case, then cheer up man, as we only get one go at this thing called life, so try to enjoy yourself you old grump!

NOTE the smiley, winky face here Rob... 

Dave

But you are just one guy; we have many people visiting without adding their bit. I also throw in a snap now and then, but it's not enough: we need more stuff from the readership that will convert it from a passive presence to an active one.

Smiley notwithstanding, that post has nothing to do with feeling or being of a grumpy disposition, far from it. The disposition is what it has been shaped into becoming by life experiences, which mainly convinced me that the smile of the positive salesman as he sits in his car in the client's car park, slitting his wrists, does nothing for his reality. Ms May also notwithstanding.

:-)

[jeremyrh]

So come on Josh, reveal to us all who you really are

What on earth is that supposed to mean?

[Rob C]

Rob:

Sure, Lula is a great resource for a lot of us. And you describe that adequately. But...

1. Contributing/paying members have a right to be told whether the business model/content of Lula will change, and if yes, in what direction (I am not in this category).

2. The reputation of Lula was built around a lot more than what you describe, a lot more than a simple place to post pics and get valuable critics and insight thereof.

3. During the transition to digital, Lula was a pioneer in their analysis, testing, reviewing, and technical input. This was also the case with the transition towards imaging, that is, both stills and video have become important for manufacturers; photographers had to become imagers, proficient in all the imaging chain and workflows.

4. I feel that the relevance of Lula in the previous point has been diminishing in the last few years.

2. It appears the managerial changes happened very quickly; having no insider info. it is impossible to know whether there was time for a pre-planned schedule of alternatives and additional features to LuLa and so we all have to do the sensible - unavoidable - thing and wait and see. I have already written that it has been, and still is a magnificent technical resource.

3. But that's history: the thing's done, and film a distant memory for most peope or an absolute unknown. Nobody currently enjoys the opportunity for novel input that the birth of digital once presented writers in the photo world; as I indicated, it ain't news no more. Not even yesterday's news.

Regarding motion, Cooter and others provide lots of detailed, technical information about camera choices, editing, storage and all the rest of that different world, information that comes from the mouths of actual photographers doing it for big clients, which it is unlikely to be the case with stuff that people running photography websites are likely to be able to do to the same degree.

[Dave (Isle of Skye)]

What on earth is that supposed to mean?

All I am saying is that so far, is that all I really know about Josh, is that he is the son of Michael... and so I thought it might be a good idea to listen to him discussing his photographic view of the world with us, which is something his father did repeatedly and which (I believe) we all thought was rather valuable and which greatly added to the value of this site.

I find it difficult to understand how what I thought was just a simple idea and very much inline with how this site has worked since its inception, is receiving so much apparent hostility.

I deeply respected Michael and his ideas and his photographic view of the world, and I would also like to give Josh the same respect albeit he has such a hard act to follow - so is that such an unreasonable request/idea to put forward?

I didn't think so at the time I put this suggestion forward, but perhaps I was entirely wrong.

Dave

[Dave (Isle of Skye)]

But you are just one guy; we have many people visiting without adding their bit. I also throw in a snap now and then, but it's not enough: we need more stuff from the readership that will convert it from a passive presence to an active one.

Smiley notwithstanding, that post has nothing to do with feeling or being of a grumpy disposition, far from it. The disposition is what it has been shaped into becoming by life experiences, which mainly convinced me that the smile of the positive salesman as he sits in his car in the client's car park, slitting his wrists, does nothing for his reality. Ms May also notwithstanding.

:-)

I totally get that Rob and yes I also have many days when I have to wonder what the hell is happening to the world and my body as it changes through the ravages of time. Yet I have also found that the best cure I have for this deep feeling of gloom and general everyday ennui, is to grab my camera and go out and shoot the hell out of something, even when I know all I will end up doing is to format my memory card, without even looking at its contents as soon as I get home.

Talking of the current political tribulations in the UK, I find it difficult to comprehend how those who are supposed to be representing us, are so unable to respect the democratic will of the majority of the people. They say they will when we elect them, then as soon as the electorate make a democratic decision the politicians don't like, then democracy goes straight out of the window it seems - so tomorrow I am going to go out and photograph the hell out of something...

Dave 

[josh.reichmann]

Hi,

If you can imagine my upbringing, one could accurately picture a life growing up as a photographer. It has, and continues to be, my main modality of expression. I am curious and, yes, passionate about pictures - who takes them, how they were taken, what they mean - and I continue my father’s work to facilitate this site to ensure that there is a place where photographers find community; where people can find the photographer in them.

Our approach is to serve this community, opening the doors to new contributors, new points of view, new tools on the site to better experience the content. Also, it is for us to invite senior experts to share their knowledge, passing along their wisdom to new cohorts, hungry to learn how to capture their vision.

Josh 

[jeremyrh]

Talking of the current political tribulations in the UK, I find it difficult to comprehend how those who are supposed to be representing us, are so unable to respect the democratic will of the majority of the people. T

Google "representative democracy".

[Jonathan Cross]

On my iPad I have two icons, one for the Lula main site, and one for the forum.  They seem rather separate in that only one part of the forum, Site and Board matters, relates to the main site.  Even then it is the subset, About this Site, that really refers to topics on the main site. The forum is a largely self-managing area, with minimum supervision, run by members for members and non-paying viewers.  Josh’s arrival seems to be mostly about the main site.

To me the title, Luminous Landscape, indicates that it concerns itself with all that  we see (the Landscape).  It is concerned with how we record and communicate that landscape, so also covers the tools and media for doing that.  That means that is about images, although text may be added to explain, contextualise, comment, etc.    Over the years that I have been looking at Lula, it has changed as the environment has changed.  When I started Michael seemed to focus on stills and printing the images.  I remember his articles on different papers, now mostly covered by Mark Segal. He did use video, and there were his video journals, but both of those were only parts of wider coverage including cameras, lenses and software.  As others have commented the recording and communication aspects have changed dramatically; cameras are often hybrid still and video, and the latter seems as important as the former.  This reflects the increase in the use of electronic communication rather than printed.

It is into this changed world that Josh has suddenly appeared.  He has given his intentions and aspirations and stated the obvious that he is his father’s son, but has not hit the ground running in regard of the main site.  The forum keeps going, though some contributors have indicated that they will subscribe no longer.  What is keeping ‘the shock of the new’ going is that unlike his father and Kevin, I have not seen any video of him explaining his philosophy and his photographic credentials and experience for occupying the position he has in Lula.  He has yet to show he is part of the Lula community as his father, Kevin and Chris were. To calm the waters I think he needs a more visible presence, so I agree with Dave’s original post.

Best wishes,

Jonathan

[Rob C]

On my iPad I have two icons, one for the Lula main site, and one for the forum.  They seem rather separate in that only one part of the forum, Site and Board matters, relates to the main site.  Even then it is the subset, About this Site, that really refers to topics on the main site. The forum is a largely self-managing area, with minimum supervision, run by members for members and non-paying viewers.  Josh’s arrival seems to be mostly about the main site.

To me the title, Luminous Landscape, indicates that it concerns itself with all that  we see (the Landscape).  It is concerned with how we record and communicate that landscape, so also covers the tools and media for doing that.  That means that is about images, although text may be added to explain, contextualise, comment, etc.    Over the years that I have been looking at Lula, it has changed as the environment has changed.  When I started Michael seemed to focus on stills and printing the images.  I remember his articles on different papers, now mostly covered by Mark Segal. He did use video, and there were his video journals, but both of those were only parts of wider coverage including cameras, lenses and software.  As others have commented the recording and communication aspects have changed dramatically; cameras are often hybrid still and video, and the latter seems as important as the former.  This reflects the increase in the use of electronic communication rather than printed.

It is into this changed world that Josh has suddenly appeared.  He has given his intentions and aspirations and stated the obvious that he is his father’s son, but has not hit the ground running in regard of the main site.  The forum keeps going, though some contributors have indicated that they will subscribe no longer.  What is keeping ‘the shock of the new’ going is that unlike his father and Kevin, I have not seen any video of him explaining his philosophy and his photographic credentials and experience for occupying the position he has in Lula.  He has yet to show he is part of the Lula community as his father, Kevin and Chris were. To calm the waters I think he needs a more visible presence, so I agree with Dave’s original post.

Best wishes,

Jonathan

Jonathan, perhaps he has learned a valuable modern lesson, even here within the tender embrace of LuLa video: not all those who appear on our screens are suited to that gig.

The wrong mug, voice or body language can ruin everything, and often does. Taken to the limit, do you think HC-B was good on screen? He did not come over as a guy you'd want to spend a few hours chatting with, and he one with a huge reputation and with much history about which one could chat. They didn't talk about people having good faces for radio for nothing.

I have no idea what Josh and friends look like, and they may all be Hollywood stars in all departments. I just wouldn't want anyone to feel rushed into going visible unless they want to do so and have reason to think it a good idea.

Why do I get the sense that some people want this site to be a video slot instead? I, for one, wouldn't bother tuning in: I prefer being able to search for exactly the topics that interest me, easily avoiding those that do not. As with radio, the voices in my head that give life to the words I read are my voices and created to make my life here comfortable.

Rob

[Paulo Bizarro]

As I wrote before, this is what is showing in the "About" page:

""We will be launching a fresh series of workshops over the coming months and do hope that we will be able to meet you on one of these journeys.

The days ahead are going to be as interesting, fun and informative as those in the past."

All the rest of the introduction is "legacy". I think the above is quite scarce in terms of informing both old and new comers about the future of the site.

And as someone has mentioned already, the Forum is a different entity from the Main Site itself. It is the latter that is a bit stagnant and apparently lacking information about where it is going.