One reason that magazines are expected to be able to survive the onslaught of the computer is that we’re better suited for photography. We have the paper quality and size to make images look nice – much better than the collisions of pixels on a screen can do.
This issue provides a study in photography. There are the posed portraits of our People to Watch, shot last month, and then there’s a feature of folks from the past. Those pictures are posed, too, but taken when photography was young.
Back then there was a true art of photography. Subjects had to be posed and then made to stand still long enough for the image to be exposed. Modern portrait photography demands less rigidness, but requires expertise because of lighting and color.
What you’ll see through these pages are images taken by professionals trying to capture the essence of the subjects of their day.
By contrast, there’s digital photography. The art has been replaced by the photographic equivalent of machine gun fire. Once people planned on and were respectful with the number of shots they took. Now the possibility is infinite. Why even bother to pose or set up a shot? Push the button enough times and something is bound to come out right – like the theory of a room full of monkeys with typewriters; leave them there long enough and someone is likely to pound out something significant.
Several years ago I was excited to be experiencing my first hour in Venice. The route of the water taxi along the Grand Canal was lined with magnificent buildings, yet the two girls and guy at the front of the boat would never know. They were too busy taking selfies. At San Marco Square the wall of hands holding cameras high while their screens were being peered through blocked the view, Photography, like most art, is better when it involves work. These pages provide examples. We speak of people to watch, but there could be no watching at all were it not for the vision of the person on the other side of the lens.
OUR NEW LOOK
We debut a new look this issue, including redesigning some sections and using fonts and art elements that are more reader-friendly. Since many of you out there like to dine out, we have also redone our dining guide, starting on pg. 100, with listings that are not only by category, but by neighborhood as well. While we still include the classics and neighborhood favorites, we have also added many of the new rising stars. Check us out – we’re looking better than ever.
