Re: [APML] Mission Statement Change?

[Jerry Lodriguss <jml@astropix.com>]

>
>Film astrophotography has its own completely unique set of challenges, 
>that in the advanced stages, are every bit as formidable as the skills 
>required for CCD imaging.  It needs its own focused discussion group.


I am in complete agreement with Philip. We need to keep our focus here both 
metaphorically and literally.

Some people may think that film for astro-imaging is completely dead, or 
will be shortly. It doesn't matter. This list is about film 
astrophotography.  If CCD is better and is the future, that is fine, but 
this list is still about film astrophotography.

Let me make up an example that may help illustrate this point. Let's say, 
10 years ago, someone started a mailing list about daguerreotype 
photography. It's a pretty obscure type of photography. It's antiquated. 
It's obsolete.  It's difficult to master. But, it is still practiced, and, 
to its practitioners, it has its own appeal, for whatever reason, and THAT 
is what they are interested in.

Then, a couple of years later, digital cameras become popular. Some new 
people start posting to the list about how they can take much better 
pictures of the same subjects with their digital cameras. Are the digital 
pictures "better"? It doesn't matter, because the list is about 
daguerreotype photography.

Are some of the digital photographs unarguably beautiful and technically 
wonderful?  Yes, certainly. Should the digital photographers be encouraged 
to post "hey, here's another digital picture" messages to the daguerreotype 
photography list?  I don't think so, because the list is about 
daguerreotype photography, not digital photography.

I strongly feel that the list needs to stay fundamentally film 
oriented.   If this means discouraging Rob to post his "here's another one" 
messages, then so be it. Don't get me wrong, I love looking at Rob's 
pictures, they are incredibly beautiful. I just don't know if his 
announcement messages belong on this list. For those who don't want to miss 
any new pictures by Rob, just get on his personal announcement mailing list.

For the aesthetic enjoyment of the wonders of the universe that photography 
reveals, I personally don't care whether they were shot on film or digital 
or whatever. I love them all the same. However, this list is about film 
astrophotography. Perhaps a new "announcements of new pictures" list is 
needed, open to all comers.

If something from the CCD guys is directly applicable to film, then by 
definition, it is ok on the APML list. IF THEY TELL US HOW IT APPLIES TO 
FILM, and not just, "here is what I did with the CCD digital files.  There 
are certainly a lot of techniques, especially in the digital processing, 
that are applicable to both.

I think it's important to keep the focus on film. There are other lists for 
the CCD guys.

And Glen, if the list was about covered wagons I would not want to hear 
about how much better the latest Lamborgini Murcielago was either even if 
it goes faster and rides better than a covered wagon. You are missing the 
point.

The point is that the APML is about FILM astrophotography.

Jerry


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