Green Anole - Audubon Park, New Orleans, Nature Shot with Leica Rangefinder

Carolina anole (Anolis carolinensis), by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica 90mm f2.8 Elmarit (v.1)

iso 200, f6.7, 1/350 sec.

 

I shot this image of a Caroline Anole (aka Green Anole) in Audubon Park in New Orleans. I used my early Elmarit 90mm f2.8 lens on my Leica M9 digital rangefinder. Rangefinders are not used for nature photography all that often, as you're limited in the longest telephoto lenses that are practical (135mm is reasonable, though very hard to focus). I usually shoot a 90mm as my rangefinder telephoto. Rangefinders also don't have good closeup capabilties, without going to great lengths with accessory lens googles or reflex housings, which essentially turn your Leica rangefinder into a single lens reflex camera.

In this case, the 90mm was a fine focal length, and I didn't need to get any closer than the lens normally allows. In fact, I like the context of the leaves around the lizard. They help the composition. I love how his body is silhouetted from the other side of the leaf. I got the focus just right as well - a 1:1 zoom shows his eye is really, really sharp.

I printed this at about 7.5" x 10" and it looks great. I think I'll make a 12" x 18" print of it.

 

So, use the camera you've got in your hand, rather than worrying about if the gear fits the subject. I couldn't be much more pleased with this shot.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Sometimes the Light Just Happens - Strong Directional Lighting Portrait With Leica M9

How Long Will He Make Me Sit Here? #1, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Elmarit 90mm f2.8 Lens

iso 400, f5.6, 1/180 sec

 

Feeling limited by the gray days and cold weather lately, I was very pleased to walk into my dining room and see this lovely, warm, directional light coming in from the sunset. So, I called my favorite model (who happened to be home with me at the time) and made her sit for a few pictures. Eleven years old, she's not exactly patient with my need to get a photograph of her whenever the moment happens. Lucky for her, this light only lasted a few minutes.

 

I shot a few images of her with the lens that was on my camera, the W-Nikkor 3.5cm f2.5 that is this month's pick for Whole Lotta Leica. You'll see one or two of those images in my next Whole Lotta Leica post. Then, having at least a few shots in the bag before the light disappeared, I ran down to grab my 90mm Elmarit. The images you see here are all from the 90mm lens. Oh yeah, I also shot a couple with my Super Ricohmat, the camera I selected for February's Skeletons From The Closet project.

 

In any case, I love the warm directional light. There's just enough to see the outline of her hair, and the normally bright room behind her went nearly completely black. The picture above, and this next one, are both warm in tone.

 

How Long Will He Make Me Sit Here? #2, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Elmarit 90mm f2.8 Lens

iso 400, f5.6, 1/180 sec

 

Looking back on it now, it would have been good to reflect a little light back with a reflector. The shadow from her nose is very distinct and dark. But, I didn't have enough time or hands to make that happen.

 

I think this type of light can also be a little mysterious and moody. That was my goal for the shot below. Converting the image to black and white makes it a little less warm. I suppose I could've taken that further with some cooler toning of the monochrome image, but I kind of like it like this:

Mood, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Elmarit 90mm f2.8 Lens

iso 400, f5.6, 1/180 sec

 

So, the next time you see some interesting light in an unexpected place, don't just walk by it. Inconvenience someone you love so that you can get the shot! :).

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

 

More Emotion - Neither Smiles Nor Grimaces

I spent a few minutes photographing my daughter on a "boring" Sunday afternoon. In order to get her to drop the canned front-on smile, I asked her to imagine things - testing for her black belt and the related anxiety, driving for the first time when she gets her license in a few years, coming home to tell me that she's wrecked the car...

Thinking - Wait For It..., by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Elmarit 90mm f2.8

iso 1250, f5.6, 1/125 sec

 
I can't help but think these types of images will mean more to me than school portraits in years to come. Just the detail of her superhero t-shirt reminds me of who she is.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com