Halloween's Coming

Pumpkin Time, by Reed A. George

Leica M3, 50mm f2 Summicron Collapsible Lens

Kodak Ultramax 400 Film

Processing and Scanning by The Darkroom (thedarkroom.com)

Manipulated in Snapseed

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Posing - Not So Easy for Me

I've been reading and working on posing techniques recently. It's not easy for me, but I do believe I'm learning some important tools.

Christine, by Reed A. George

Leica M3, Summicron 50mm f2 v.2 Lens

 

Out of all of the things I've learned so far, getting the arms to be part of the composition, and not just in the way, is one of the most important.

 

I'm definitely continuing to learn, and with each image I make, I can find weaknesses, problems with the pose. In this one, I should have moved a little to the left, to make it where her eyes and face were as close to the camera as her shoulder. As it is, her shoulder draws too much attention.

 

By the way, if you're looking for a good book on the subject, check out Roberto Valenzuela's Picture Perfect Posing. I've included a link to it on Amazon below.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Now That's an Escalator

Woodley Park Metro, by Reed A. George

Leica M3 DS, Summicron 50mm f2 Lens

Ilford HP5+ Film

 

Quick post this morning, as I'm at a conference, writing in the lobby before things get started.

 

This is a very impressive escalator at the National Zoo exit of the DC Metro system. The winches and construction equipment on the right caught my eye, immediately after the slightly disorienting look all the way to the top. This shot challenged my iso 400 film, even at f2. I think I shot it at 1/30 second, with the Summicron wide open. While I would have preferred to catch an escalator rider's face, that just didn't happen. I did time my shot to get the lowest person's legs lit by the escalator foot lights. If I'd had a wider lens, I would have liked to get more of the lower part of the escalator belt, but had to work with the only lens I had. Getting the top of the escalator was more important in my opinion, to show the overall height involved.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

That One Necessary Element

Face in the Window, by Reed A. George

Leica M3, Summicron 50mm f2 v.3

Ilford HP5+ 400 Speed Film

 

I was admiring the contrast of the bright tablecloths and dark shadows, and the potted plants on the railing through the finder of my Leica M3, but just didn't see a compelling image there. Then, the missing element appeared - the face in the window. Snap!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Measuring Up

I Got It, Right?, by Reed A. George

Leica M3, Summicron 50mm f2 v.3 Lens

Ilford HP5+ 400 Film

 

I captured these kids measuring up against the "You Must Be This Tall to Enter This Exhibit" gauge at the National Zoo. I remember those things, back when I had to worry about being tall enough to get on a ride.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

The Fountain at Bryant Park, NYC

I'm getting ready for a quick weekend trip to NYC. I love the place, and can't wait to walk around the City with my camera(s).

 

Here's a rather unremarkable shot I made earlier in the winter at Bryant Park, when it wasn't too cold:

 

Bryant Park Fountain, by Reed A. George

Leica IIIG, Summicron 50mm f2 Collapsible Lens

 

To see a truly remarkable image of the fountain as I assume it looks today, (Click Here).

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Lion and Dragon Dancers - Leica IIIG Film Shots

Here are some images of the lion and dragon dancers from the Chinese New Year celebration in DC this year. All were shot with my Leica IIIG rangefinder and 50mm f2 Summicron collapsible, on Ilford HP5+ film.

 

And here's my favorite:

 

 

I absolutely love using the IIIG. The viewfinder is wonderful. Focusing is a bit of a pain, but works. The early Summicron really performs.

 

Burning through that 100' of HP5+!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

A Shot I Like from Chinese New Year

 

Noodle Shop Spectators, by Reed A. George

Leica IIIG, 50mm f2 Summicron Collapsible

Ilford HP5 Film, Developed for 7 1/2 mins. in D-76

 

The Chinese New Year parade in Washington, DC had much lower attendance in 2015 than last year. I managed to shoot a 36 exposure roll of Ilford HP5, but really spent as much time talking and having lunch with my friend, Charlie, as I did shooting. This is the noodle shop we decided on, where the chef is making noodles by hand in the front window. You can see the ducks hanging on the right.

 

We both had a nice bowl of roasted duck noodle soup, and then stopped at the Chinese bakery next door for a pastry.

 

I do have some more images from this roll of film to share, but this one is one of my favorites.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Going Up

Going Up, by Reed A. George

Leica IIIG, Summicron 50mm f2 Collapsible

 

I'm about to start making regular posts again.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Sikh Pride, NYC

Sikh Pride, NYC, by Reed A. George

Leica IIIG, Summicron 50mm f2 Collapsible

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Street Photograph, NYC

Street Photograph, NYC, by Reed A. George

Leica IIIG, Summicron 50mm f2 Collapsible

 

I just really like all that's going on in this image. The pointing pair on the right, the paired smiles of the kid in the advertisement and the guy in glasses, the flag reflected in the glass.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Happy New Year!

Holiday Trimmings, NYC, by Reed A. George

Leica IIIG, Summicron 50mm f2 Collapsible

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Going to the Anime Section, Kinokuniya Book Store, NYC

Anime Section, by Reed A. George

Leica IIIG, Summicron 50mm f2 Collapsible

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Street Vendor

 

Street Vendor, NYC, by Reed A. George

Leica IIIG, 50mm Summicron f2 Collapsible

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Subway Musician, NYC

 

Subway Musician, by Reed A. George

Leica IIIG, Summicron 50mm f2 Collapsible

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Alone, Again

Alone, Again, by Reed A. George

Leica IIIG, Summicron 50mm f2 Collapsible

 

I have often thought about a project centered on "Alone in the City," or "Alone in a Crowd." Maybe it's time.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Trip to NYC - Traveling "Camera Light"

My family and I are heading out to NYC for the Thanksgiving weekend. Our plan is to head up on Black Friday, return on Sunday (remember the delay in my posts, usually about a week).

My NYC Kit

 

I've got several cameras that I've acquired recently, which I have not fully explored. One is my Leica IIIG, which I've only used for a single test roll. It will be my main camera for this trip. I'll pair it up with my 50mm f2 Summicron collapsible lens. Since the IIIG has framelines for both 50 and 90mm, I'll also bring along my wartime 90mm f4 Elmar. I plan to shoot all black and white with the IIIG.

 

For color, and for family snapshots, I'm bringing along my Lumix DMC-LX7.

 

All of it fits in this tiny Lowepro bag. It is very light and will be easy to carry.

 

My Packed Camera Bag

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

More From My Leica IIIG

Here are a few more images from the roll I recently put through my Leica IIIG and collapsible Summicron 50mm f2 lens.

I really liked how the light was coming through the leaves at the top of the frame above, and lighting peoples' faces as they walked by against the darker background.

 

This is from a flea market in Georgetown, Washington, DC. I picked up a nice Canonet 1.9 rangefinder camera there for $15. It has a cracked glass over the focusing finder, but after a little lubrication, it's shooting as good as new. I don't think the crack will affect how it functions at all.

And here's my friend, Charlie, with his mint Rolleiflex 2.8F and a IIIG of his own. I believe that's his Cosina-Voigtlander 28mm f3.5 lens mounted up there.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Restaurant Conversation - Shot with Leica IIIG and Summicron 50mm f2 Collapsible Lens

The Leica IIIG is the ultimate evolution of the early Leica camera, designed by Oskar Barnack. The IIIG was made at the same time (1957-1960), and actually introduced after the advent of the M series cameras with the M3 (1955-1968). I used my IIIG with my LTM 50mm f2 Summicron Collapsible and Kodak TMax 400 black and white film to capture these two images.

 

Restaurant Conversation, by Reed A. George

 

The IIIG really is a very nice camera to use. It has a nice, bright viewfinder, and framelines for both 50mm and 90mm lenses.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Following Up On Tips for Shooting Strangers - Wait For It!

Yesterday, I wrote about a post on Digital Photography School's site which gave 8 tips for photographing strangers.

 

One of the hardest practices for me to learn was to take my time and get the right shot, once I'd gotten over the barrier of talking to someone and getting permission to take their portrait. As I mentioned yesterday, many times I used to walk away thinking "If only I'd move a little to the right (or left)." or "I should've bracketed the exposure."

 

Well, I am learning to take my time and wait for the image I want. Here's a recent example. I was in San Francisco, walking around Chinatown with my Leica M6 and Summicron 50mm f2, when I saw this little girl and the woman I guessed to be her grandmother. I rather bravely walked up to them, and asked the older lady if I could take their picture. She smiled, which I took as a yes. As I put the camera to my eye, the little girl figured out what was happening and did this:

 

Oh, No! Not What I Wanted!, by Reed A. George

Leica M6, Summicron 50mm f2 (v.3) Lens, Kodak iso 400 Color Print Film

 

I felt it right on the spot - what a horrible shot I've just made. This is cheesing for the camera of the very worst type. The forced smile turned this sweet little girl's face into an image of stress and tension for me. But, I WAITED. As soon as she heard the shutter click, the little girl relaxed and gave me this:

 

Here's What I Saw in the First Place, by Reed A. George

Leica M6, Summicron 50mm f2 (v.3) Lens, Kodak iso 400 Color Print Film

 

This is what I saw in the little girl's face that drew me to photograph them in the first place.

 

One more note - on asking versus just shooting. Another thing that really drew me to this pair was how the older lady was looking into the face of the little girl (like in the top shot). I really wanted to catch that interaction between them, but while they were looking natural and not posing for the camera. I think you can probably see that in both pictures, on the right side, there are men watching me, rather protective of what I'm photographing. This prevented me from taking the candid that I hoped to get. So, asking directly at least got me the shot. If the situation didn't have this tension, I would have shot a candid first, and maybe then asked permission for a follow-up shot like I got.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com