Thanks for the vote of confidence, Kirk. World leading? Maybe if I keep busting my butt for the next ten years.
And I agree, Willem, Griffith's work is really quite nice.
I have a simple test to determine whether someone has ascended to this level:
Google their name. If your results reveal pages upon pages of articles, galleries representing them, various exhibits and publications while not actually leading you to their own website... BINGO!
I've stated all my personal preferences here before. I prefer to work with a view camera, that means I use a digital back. It allows me to shift independently of rise, swing independently of tilt, have several really excellent lenses with no gaps in the focal lineup and all of this actually makes my work faster than if I was using a dslr. When trying to work the way that I am used to, I have actually found dslrs / pc lenses to hinder my workflow. Maybe if I was required to make a lot of pictures on my shoots and if I got used to the little cameras I would eventually be more productive/comfortable with them. But until circumstances require me to change, I'm still going to shoot with the system that gives me the best files achievable.
I'm really happy with my current system. For me, it all just works. None of us are the same, though, and this end-all-be-all argument is superfluous.
Merry Christmas, People. Have a great holiday and then get out there and shoot, with whatever gets your pictures!
-C Barrett