The Million Dollar Shot, Leitz On and the Fifties (5 photos)

Photographers, newsmen, and all the other visual artists want the million-dollar shot.

In the context of Midland/Penetanguishene and Up The Shore, it might be a phenomenal view, painting or photo of a Cognashene sunset.

The scarce historic and extraordinary view creates excitement, interest and questions as well.

In one of the accompanying photos we see that first hand with Guenter Leitz, centre, flanked by president Walter Kluck, on our left, and photographer Budd Watson. They are examining what appears to be a promotional giant Leica camera.

The Leitz Company, in an audacious move post WW II, relocated to Midland, just beyond Stalin’s reach.

Ostensibly organized by the Office of Strategic Services, to prevent these assets falling into Russian hands, we, as a community, benefited enormously from the fallout.

In 1952,during the growing Cold War, Midland received a gift of specialized tooling, lens designers and some brave souls who pulled up stakes to live in a small town in Ontario.

Strange. Improbable. It happened just like in a movie where all of a sudden the place is filled with specialists and they set up stuff you’ve never seen before. It is like a John Le Carré novel. Placid on the surface and roiling beneath.

Suddenly, in your midst, the enemy you had been fighting for the last seven years was here. It may have taken some getting used to after all the propaganda about the evil empire.

Hold off on the goose stepping and trains running on time jokes, there may be more to the picture than we realize.

Ever heard of Jesus’ picture appearing on a piece of toast? The term is Pareidolia….that phenomenon of perception seeing a pattern that is not there?

We all fall into the habit of viewing events or people, through the  lens of history and propaganda. We make assumptions about what is actually being seen or said and we blithely carry on with these prejudices neatly stored in our minds.

Is this the “Million Dollar Shot?” No, it is the Billion Dollar shot. Can you see the value?

Yes.

René Hackstetter, June 22, 2021.