Today on the National Mall

Leica M9, Fujinon L 5cm f2.8 LTM Lens

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Back to Color, Digital, Lumix? Well, Maybe a Little

I've been offline, mostly, working with black and white film in the darkroom. And, enjoying it immensely.

 

But, I decided to give Micro 4/3 a go again, after never being able to quite fall in love with the DMC-GX7 body. The image quality is fine, quite fine, in fact, but the camera feels weird in my hand, and I don't like the electronic viewfinder (EVF) on that particular camera. So, I decided to jump on a Black Friday deal and get the similar but somewhat less full-featured DMC-G7. Much better, for me. I gave up in-body image stabilization (which the GX7 has), but gained a camera that feels right in my hand, with what I feel is a better EVF.

 

Here's a shot I made with the new G7 today, using the Lumix 100-300mm f4-5.6 zoom lens, at 800 iso:

Mockingbird in Winter

 

I'm still really having a blast in the darkroom, but this was SO easy, and shooting color again is also fun...

 

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"Welcome to the United States of America" - Ellis Island

I attended the recent LHSA (International Leica Society) meeting in NYC. One of the activities was a boat ride out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, entry point for 12 million immigrants to the US.

 

Quick - can you tell which two shots are film (Leica M4-2) and which one is digital (Leica M9)? Don't cheat and look at the file names.

 

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Freer-Sackler Museum, Smithsonian

I love the silhouette in the upstairs window...

 

Leica M3.

 

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Someone Loves NY, Barefoot

Leica M4-2, 35mm Summicron f2 v.3

 

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Wrapping Up - LHSA International Leica Society Spring Shoot in NYC

 

It's been a while since I last posted, but I think I feel a wave of refreshed enthusiasm coming on. Springtime is here, and there's plenty to get out and photograph.

 

Speaking of Spring, we just wrapped up the Spring Shoot of the LHSA, the Internatioanl Leica Society, in New York City. (Click Here) to check out LHSA.

 

While I mostly shot black and white film on this trip, the image above, from Central Park, was shot on my Leica M9, with the Elmar C 90mm f4 lens. This is a great little telephoto for travel, so tiny.

 

Anyway, the image won second place in the LHSA contest for the Spring Shoot. The prize is a free 16"x20" print from Digital Silver. (Click Here) to check these guys out. They may silver prints from digitial files, as well as offering film processing services. My plan is to get the image above printed for my prize. It will make a nice memory of this event.

 

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Protest!

On October 16, 2015, there was a march and protest against genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and more specifically, against Monsanto, in Washington, DC.

 

Disclaimer: My coverage of this event does not indicate that I do/do not identify with the protester's position on this issue.

 

The event began at the United States White House, in Lafayette Park. The protesters took to the street, and marched from the park to the headquarters of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

 

The welcome at the EPA (by Department of Homeland Security) was calm, yet firm. This officer informed the protesters that they were welcome to protest on the front lawn, but if they attempted to enter the EPA building, they would be arrested. No one attempted entry.

 

 

Many of the protesters dressed up as honey bees, a species they have identified as being affected by Monsanto's products.

 

 

The honey bees staged a "die in" on the EPA lawn.

 

There was a range of speakers at the event, ranging from the very young (10 years old?) to adult. Their logic ranged as well, and a lot of numbers and statistics were stated without much context, in my opinion.

 

Next, the group marched on to the DC offices of Monsanto. This gentleman was attempting to get into the building, presumably on some sort of official business, when one of the protesters offered him some "Monsanto Bucks," a printed fake currency meant to represent the money that changes hands between government and company officials. He did not accept it.

 

The Monsanto building had prepared well, and had security guards and tape at the doors. They would not let this gentleman in. Apparently disgusted, he seemed to have had no choice but to walk away.

 

 

Interestingly, his security badge lanyard says "Criminal Division." I'm not sure what to make of that.

 

This was the only instance of tension that I witnessed during the protest. The police were present, but as you can see, quite relaxed and friendly with the protesters.

 

 

At this point, the energy of the group started to wane, and I moved on with my evening.

 

This was an interesting shoot for me. I covered it entirely with my Leica M9, 35mm f2 Summicron v.3, and 90mm f4 Elmar C lenses. Great fun.

 

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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

 

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What Do You See?

Here's my favorite shot from last weekend's LHSA meeting in Washington, DC.

 

I call it E(ye)nigma.

 

E(ye)nigma, by Reed A. George

Leica Monochrom, 50mm f1.4 Summilux ASPH. lens

iso 1250, f2.4, 1/125 sec.

 

What do you see in this image? I hope you'll see two very different images if you look at it from a distance (or with you eyes squinted a little), and then look close up at some of the details.

 

It's a complicated, busy composition. I know that. That is part of why it works for me.

 

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I Got to Borrow a Leica Monochrom Camera - and I Liked It!

As part of the LHSA (International Leica Society)'s annual meeting in Wahington, DC, Leica camera offered the "Leica On Loan" program to us members. I got to borrow a first version Monochrom camera and 50mm f1.4 Summilux lens. Here are two shots I made with that combo.

 

I am very impressed with the results. Now that the new, improved Monochrom is out, I am really interested in that, too. Purely in an academic sense, that is; I don't have $7,500 laying around...

 

Leica On Loan is a wonderful benefit of being an LHSA member. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all of my LHSA friends in DC.

 

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Walking Tour Itinerary and Plan - LHSA Annual Meeting - Georgetown, Washington DC, Thursday October 15, 2015

On Thursday, October 15, 2015, I will lead a walking tour as part of the program for the International Leica Society (LHSA)'s annual meeting. This year, the meeting will be held in Washington, DC. My tour will be a nice walk through Georgetown, and will last from 8:30AM to noon.

 

Here's the itinerary (total 2.8 miles walking), with likely photographic interests listed below each location:

 

8:30 AM: I will meet the group in the Marriott Lobby; we need to leave promptly at 8:30AM to catch an 8:45AM train at Crystal City Metro Station (8 minutes transport time). Fare is $3.20 (cash/fare card). For those who can, it will be very helpful if you can purchase Metro fare cards before the tour. A total of $6.40 per person should cover the Metro ride both ways.

9:00-9:20 AM: Begin walk from Rosslyn Metro Station across Key Bridge to Georgetown.

- nice views of the Potomac River, Roosevelt Island, Georgetown Waterfront from above

9:20-9:50 AM: Georgetown University (37th Ave NW from Prospect St North to O St NW).

- campus architecture, students

9:50-10:15 AM: Walk East on O St NW to Wisconsin Ave NW

- Cobblestone street, neighborhood architecture

10:15-10:45 AM: Walk South on Wisconsin Ave NW to Georgetown Waterfront

- people, street scenes, cross C&O canal

10:45-11:15 AM: Walk along Waterfront, up 33rd St NW to M St

- Potomac River, park

11:15-11:45 AM: Walk M St NW back to Key Bridge, back across bridge to Rosslyn Metro Station. Trains returning to Crystal City leave at 11:35AM and 11:47 AM (8 mins. transport time). Fare is $3.20 (cash/fare card).

- Street scenes

 

Here's a map of the walking portion of the tour:

 

 

The red dot in the image above is Rosslyn Station.

 

Here are some teaser images from my practice walk, to give you some ideas of what you may see on the tour:

 

Key Bridge:

 

Wisconsin Avenue:

 

 

Georgetown Waterfront:

 

 

Looking forward to seeing everyone in Washington, DC!

 

Reed

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Who Would've Thought Autofocus Would Be Important? Apparently Not Leica

Image Source: http://www.cultofmac.com/383779/leica-invented-autofocus-then-abandoned-it/

 

The blog Cult of Mac has run a piece on how Leica invented autofocus, only to abandon it. Apparently, they were not able to perfect it to the level that they thought their exacting customers would be satisfied with it. I never knew this before reading this article.

 

(Click Here) to read more about how Leica invented then abandoned autofocus, and how it was made a commercial reality by other companies, chiefly Minolta.

 

Thanks to my friend Bill for hooking me up with this interesting article.

 

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Yearning for a Trip to the City - the Real City - NYC

 

City Dweller, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Summicron 35mm f2 v.3

iso 320, f6.7, 1/125 sec.

 

It's time. I will start planning my next visit to NYC.

 

It's such a vibrant place, literally full of stories and photographs waiting to be made.

 

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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.

 

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Andy Summers of The Police on the Leica Camera Blog

Image Source: http://blog.leica-camera.com/photographers/interviews/andy-summers-del-mondo-at-the-leica-gallery-sao-paulo-jj-ready-to-review/

 

 

I didn't know that Andy Summers, guitarist of The Police, was also a photographer. The Leica Camera Blog interviewed Summers, regarding an upcoming exhibit of his work in Brazil.

 

(Click Here) to read the interview. I think some of his reponses are a little self-centered, but are probably also tongue-in-cheek. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. Some of his photos do look quite good.

 

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Another Person Who Appreciates the Zeiss ZM Sonnar 50mm f1.5 Lens

 

by Reed A. George

 

The Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f1.5 lens engenders a lot of debate in the photo community. Acknowledged by Carl Zeiss as an updated build of a classic Sonnar design, it does not have all the technical performance of say a modern Leica Summilux. It does have character. I own both lenses, and love them both. But, the Sonnar has more character than the Summilux. If I want near perfection, I use the Summilux. If I'm willing to take a chance and maybe make something more unique, I use the Sonnar.

 

(Click Here) to read an account of using the Sonnar on the blog DearSusan. I think it's nicely done.

 

Thanks to my friend Bill for alerting me to the DearSusan blog!

 

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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.

 

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"Captured by Chance" - Inspired by the Work of Masahiko Kishino

 

Weekend at NYC Fish Market, by Reed A. George

Leica M8

 

As you may know, after many years of photography, I have yet to narrow my focus on a particular subject, style, or approach. Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever grow up and narrow my definition. For now, the answer appears to be no. I love street, event, wildlife, even landscape photography. That's why I'm so impressed when someone else focuses and perfects just one thing.

 

That's the case with Masahiko Kishino. He shoots Leica M film cameras, PolyPan F black and white film, and that's it. He's an expert at photographing people, capturing a tiny bit of their personality without ever really getting to know anything about them. I feel that I kind of pulled that off in the image above, and would like to do more of it.

 

(Click Here) to read about Kishino's work on the Leica Camera Blog. Be sure to take a look at his images. The lead image, of a young lady in a coffee shop, is just astounding.

 

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Kids at the Manassas Train Festival - Leica IIIG, Summitar 5cm f2 Uncoated Lens

Last weekend, some friends and I attended a train event in Old Town Manassas, Virginia. I focused on photographing kids at the miniature train displays with my Leica IIIG and wartime Summitar 5cm f2 collapsible lens. All of these were shot on Agfa APX400 film, exposed at iso 200 level.

 

 

It's great to see these modern kids so deeply interested in trains and mechanical things.

 

Speaking of mechanical things, shooting with the IIIG was a pleasant challenge. Focusing quickly is not the forte' of Barnack cameras, especially in shade, but I did pretty well overall. My Agfa APX400 did pretty well here, as well, if a bit on the low contrast side. All in all, a very enjoyable photographic experience.

 

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Dancer - Leica IIIG and Uncoated Summitar 5cm f2

Dancer, by Reed A. George

Leica IIIG, Summitar 5cm f2 Collapsible Lens

Agfa APX400 Film @ iso200

 

I think I have figured out this film. I actually like the grain it produces. Shooting it at iso 200 and developing for 10 minutes in undiluted D-76 does the job.

 

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