Day Sleepers - Cool Project

My Day Sleepers (NYC), by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

iso 800, f1.8, 1/125 sec.

 

I captured these guys sleeping on the subway in NYC. It's interesting to see people sleeping in public places, especially when they're not unfortunate homeless people.

 

I read an interesting piece on the Leica Camera Blog about Eric Leleu, a Frenchman who did an extensive project, photographing "day sleepers" in China. Interestingly, Eric used a Leica M6 for many years, and more recently a digital Leica M240, but in both cases with just one lens - a 35mm f1.4 Summilux.

 

(Click Here) to read the story on the Leica Camera Blog. Knowing he shot all of these with a 35mm wide angle impresses me. He had to get pretty close in many cases.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2014 - With Rolleiflex T

Two of my photography buddies have taken a (re)new(ed) interest in shooting Rolleiflexes. Both of them now sport Rolleiflex f2.8 cameras, while I shoot a Rolleiflex T f3.5 model.

 

Together, we all went to check out the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, whose focus in 2014 was on the countries of Kenya and China.

 

(Click Here) to read about the festival.

 

One of the events in the China program was flower, drum, lantern dancing. I captured these images of one of the group's leaders, who I believe is named Yue Ying (I can't seem to confirm that).

 

 

Flower Drum Lantern Dancer, by Reed A. George

Rolleiflex T f3.5 Twin Lens Reflex (TLR) Camera, Kodak Portra 160 Color Print Film

 

I used my Rolleinar 1 closeup lenses on the T for these shots. Actually, I could have done them without the need for the Rolleinar, as I was at the long limit of focus with them installed. That said, I like how they reduce the depth of field for portraits like this. So, no harm done.

 

It was fun getting the old TLR out again. You'll be seeing more TLR images in the near future, including some from the Kenya portion of the festival.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Vicarious Travel, Luoyang City, China

From time to time, I see a forum post that really makes me want to see some place new, a place I've never been. This time, it's thanks to Martin Tai's post on photo.net, about Luoyang, China. He shows us several pictures of a mountainside and caves (Longmen Grottos), literally covered with an estimated 100,000 sculptures of Buddha.

 

(Click Here) to read Martin's post on photo.net.

 

Here's where Luoyang is located (thanks to Google Maps):

 

 

 

Image Source: http://photo.net/leica-rangefinders-forum/00cYk0

 

I wonder how one gets to the grottos? I've never been to China, at least beyond a short business trip to Hong Kong many years ago. I'm always amazed at the size of the country, and the diversity of regions and people there. I work with many Chinese scientists, from many different regions within the country. I enjoy talking with them about the specifics of their local areas. Languages, religions, food, all vary widely depending on where in China they live.

 

Maybe a China tour is in my future, once I get to the phase of life where I have time for such things.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Mimo Khair - Artistic Fall Photos, Shanghai

Fall Games - Shanghai, by Mimo Khair

Image Source: http://mimokhairphotography.com/2013/11/25/the-inevitable-change/

 

Mimo Khair's is one of the blogs I try to keep an eye on. She has posted a beautifully creative set of autumn pictures, from Shanghai.

 

(Click Here) to see the complete set of photos and some words on Mimo's blog.

 

In this case, Mimo has combined several aspects of fall, and of her chosen city, to say something about the season. Very nicely done.

 

Mimo ran her blog as a 365 project for one year, the second year was a photo per day as well, but from her archives (rather than shooting one every day). 2013 was her third year, and she dropped the strict 365 (a photo per day) requirement. While I think about where I want DMC-365 to go next year (my third year), this has me thinking. On one hand, I think the consistency of a post each and every day is good for me, and perhaps for my readers. On the other hand, I'm not sure it's stimulating creativity on my part the way I intended. No decisions yet, just thinking.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Image Admiration - Mimo Khair's "The gift of sleep"

 

The gift of sleep, by Mimo

Image Source: http://mimokhairphotography.com/2013/05/22/the-gift-of-sleep/

 

I read a lot of blogs and look at a lot of images. Every once in a while, I see one that is worth sharing on its own.

 

Mimo Khair is a Shanghai, China-based freelance photographer who writes a regularly-updated blog and shares a lot of pictures.

 

(Click Here) to go to Mimo's blog "Images and Journeys of a Searching Mind."

 

I really like this image for several reasons. First, I love street photography. I am also very interested in composition, which is especially interesting in this shot. You see, the sleeping subject on the right is almost diametrically opposed to a calendar photo in the top left corner, which shows a family laughing and having fun together. I love that opposition.

 

Finally, the image makes me wonder. I wonder if Mimo planned this composition, or if the subject is on the edge of the image purely because she was concerned with waking her up and being caught taking the photo. I've done that before, especially when using a wide angle lens. You can make it look like you're pointing at something else while including someone in your frame. In any case, Mimo admits that the woman did wake up as a result of the shutter sound. She bought bottled water from her by way of apology.

 

Man, I really love street photography.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Learn how to set up the amazing Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 for street (and other) photography with my Kindle ebook - only $2.99 on Amazon, or free loan for Prime members

 

 

Shanghai Rings in the Year of the Snake with a Blanket of Snow

 

She Battles the Snow in Her Unique Way, by Mimo Khair

Image Source: http://mimokhairphotography.com/2013/02/08/one-day-left-till-the-year-of-the-snake/

 

Mimo Khair posted this really interesting shot and a little prose on the experience of being in Shanghai on the eve of the year of the snake.

 

(Click Here) to read the post on mimokhairphotography.com

 

I went out for the Chinese New Year parade here in Washington, DC. Due to poor planning, I was there early with my daughter and my friend James McKearney. We got to see a few lion dancers preparing for the parade, but we were chilled and ready to go long before the parade truly began. So, I don't have much to show. Here's a shot of a street vendor, selling miniature lion decorations, and, of course, rubber snakes.

 

Get Yer Rubber Snakes!, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, W-Nikkor C 3.5cm f2.5 LTM Lens

iso 400, f5.6, 1/125 sec

 

The W-Nikkor 3.5cm lens is my choice for my "Whole Lotta Leica" feature in February. I definitely need to get out more with it soon.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Ricardson Williams - Fuji XPro-1 Street Photography in China

 

Image Source: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128638

 

I'm intensely interested in the directions that Fujifilm is pushing photography. The XPro-1 is a break from the normal, as are several of Fuji's latest cameras. And the excitement continues with the announcement of the X100S. Fuji produces first-rate optics, and has for a very long time. Now they are pushing the standards of sensor technology, and fitting it all into product designs and form factors that appeal to serious photographers.

 

Ricardson Williams has posted some street shots from where he lives in China, taken with the XPro-1.

 

(Click Here) to read Ricardson's post on Rangefinder Forum

 

In my opinion, the Fujfilm cameras do a very nice job with color rendition. What would you expect from the company that brought us Velvia and Provia slide film? Obviously, they translate into black and white just fine, as well.

 

There is an adapter to mount Leica M lenses to the XPro-1. While I have seen a lot of information about the adapter online, I haven't seen too many pictures with Leica lenses on the XPro. Ricardson's shots were made with the Fujifilm 35mm f1.4. I imagine that the high quality of Fuji's optics, together with the autofocus capability, which you obviously don't get with the Leica M lenses, convinces most people to shoot with the Fuji lenses.

 

I'm watching for the first reviews of the X100S; it seems that it could be a very nice companion to the Leica M9.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

On Curiosity, by Mimo Khair

 

Curiosity

Image Source: http://mimokhairphotography.com/2013/01/23/on-curiosity/

 

Mimo Khair has a very nice blog about creative photography. Like me, she started a 365 day blog project in January 2011, and is continuing on past that initial year.

 

Mimo has a very interesting personal story, born in Lebanon, now living in Shanghai, China.

 

(Click Here) to go to her blog.

 

I love this shot of the little girl standing on tiptoes to peer at something. It has a tension, but not in an ominous or dark way. I would have been very tempted to convert this one to black and white and boost the contrast, but it does very well in color as well.

 

This is one of those shots that depends very little on equipment or technique, other than capturing the moment. I can guarantee you, two seconds later and the little girl would have been off her toes, moving on to the next thing. You can't be fiddling with camera controls when a shot like this appears.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

Shanghai's Yuyuan Garden Tea House at Night by Adam Allegro

 

Shanghai's Yuyuan Garden Tea House by Adam Allegro

Image Source: http://catchthejiffy.com/2013/01/09/yuyuan-garden-district-at-night/

 

I'm on the hunt for new and inspiring photography blogs. There are a lot out there. I just found Adam Allegro's "Catch the Jiffy" blog, with amazing travel photography.

 

(Click Here) to go to Catch the Jiffy

 

Adam is a Nikon shooter, and explains his equipment choice on his blog (link above). He has a real talent for night photography, and uses the awesome Nikon D800 to great advantage.

 

This guy gets around a lot. So, he may be a source for more of my "travel photos from places I've never been" in the future.

 

Enjoy his site!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Nadav Kander, Guest Photographer on Tim Ashley Photography, Documents the Changing Yangtze River

I like to include at least one image with every post. Since my subject for today is from a site that doesn't allow sharing of images, and for good reason (proceeds of use fees go to a non-profit organization serving challenged individuals and communities), I decided to include one of my own.

Potomac River, Modified by Man, by Reed A. George

Rolleiflex T Twin Lens Reflex

 
This shot was from one of my first semi-cohesive projects, about the C&O Canal. The project went no where, but I'm sure I learned a few things from it.
 
Anyway, my subject today is a series of photographs by Nadav Kander, posted on Tim Ashley's photography site. Nadav photographed the Yangtze River in China, from it's urban terminus in Shanghai to it's source far inland. It is a sublime series of photographs.
 
(Click Here) to see Nadav's photographs on Tim Ashley's site.
 
The Yangtze's banks, according to the text, are home to 18% of the world's population. I guess it all comes down to how far from the river you include in that calculation, but in any case, it's an amazingly large number of people. The river has succumbed to the wants and needs of man in many ways, including pollution, bridges, and dams. Mr. Kander's photographs show this, with relatively bleak colors and amazing contrasts in scale of subjects, many times with enormous structures overshadowing human figures. However, the images also show people improvising and adapting to their new world. My favorite image shows people sitting at a large round table under a giant highway overpass. It is entitled "Chongqing IV (Sunday Picnic), Chongqing Municipality."
 
Nadav shot all of the images on 4x5 film, which lends a nice uniformity to the style.
 
Even though it was not his objective at the outset, Nadav has produced an important visual narrative on the state of our world, yet without bitterness or despair. In fact, I find the people interacting with the new river encouraging, even though it's true that whole villages of peoples' homes have been lost to the "progress."
 
I need to re-commit myself to photo projects.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 

Panasonic Among Japanese Companies "Sabotaged" in China

 

Image Source: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/japanese-companies-shut-china-offices-as-islands-row-escalates-8145211.html

 
Panasonic is among the Japanese companies whose factories have reportedly been "sabotaged" in the current international dispute between China and Japan regarding the Senkaku islands.
 
(Click Here) to read more on the Independent's news site.
 
I've seen one post on regarding worries that Panasonic's cameras that are made in China may be affected. I doubt very seriously that this is a concern. If you're so inclined, you can see the debate here:
 
(Click Here) to read some hand-wringing and argument about potential quality issues related to these activities.
 
Me, I'm not worried. I have a lot of faith in Panasonic's Quality Assurance, and that's borne of real experience, both in their factories, and in their products, which I use regularly.
 
Now, if someone told me their online and phone services for customers, or warranty department, had been sabotaged some time back, I may have to agree... Sorry, that's a snarky comment, yet also borne of real experience.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com