Review of Leica Akademie Workshop "The Truth About Photographs" Washington, DC, USA June 7-9, 2013 - AND - More WLL Results From The Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f1.5!

 

I attended the Leica Akademie Workshop, "The Truth about Photographs - Developing a distinctive visual style." at the new Leica Store DC on June 7-9, 2013. The workshop consisted of a Friday evening lecture and introduction session, a full day of shooting on Saturday, and a review and critique on Sunday. Assisted by Leica Akademie North America Manager Tom Smith, Instructor Quinton Gordon packed a lot into the relatively short time of a weekend.

Gordon is a professional photographer from Victoria, British Columbia. His work has been exhibited in international shows, books (including a handmade monograph, Mile Zero: A Place Uncertain), and many high-tier publications, including Canadian Geographic, National Geographic Adventure, and Action Asia.

(Click Here) to go to Quinton's website and blog.

 

At the outset, Quinton told us that the goal of the workshop was not to make pictures like his; the goal was to make pictures like ours. In order to discover what our own style was, he told us to stop thinking about themes or photographic types. We had to stop taking photographs of things and take photographs that show how we felt about things. He also introduced a concept attributed to photographer Sam Abell:

• Know when you're in the presence of a good photograph.
• Compose and wait

This concept rang true as we practiced our craft over the weekend.

I won't share more of the ideas that make up this very unique and intriguing class. Suffice it to say that Quinton will give you new ways to think about photography, and plenty of assignments to challenge you to practice what you've learned.

Here are some images that I made over the course of the weekend in the workshop.

I shot the entire weekend with one camera (Leica M9) and one lens (Carl Zeiss C Sonnar 50mm f1.5, my Whole Lotta Leica lens for June). This was helpful in getting the equipment out of my way, another tip from Mr. Gordon.

I was quite satisfied with this workshop. I feel that the subject of developing an individual style was well-treated, and was the true focus of the lectures and exercises alike. The workshop is scheduled for a few more locations over the next several months, culminating with one in Los Angeles, California, in January 2014. I can give this workshop my full recommendation.

(Click Here) to go to the Leica Akademie website for more details.

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Leica Stores - When Camera Stores Are Disappearing, Leica Stores Are Multiplying

Image Source: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-06-14/why-leica-is-opening-so-many-stores

 

I've written a few times about how much I enjoy having a new Leica store in DC. I've taken a couple of Leica Akademie classes there, and always enjoy dropping in for a chat with the experts, and to view the latest equipment.

 

BusinessWeek has posted a brief article about the stores. (Click Here) to read it.

 

Apparently, the plan is to increase from the current number of 37 stores worldwide to over 200 by March 2013 2016. That's a business I'd actually consider running.

 

The Leica stores include retail space (obviously), studio space, which is also used for lectures in the Leica Akademie workshop series, and a gallery.

 

My experience in the Leica Store DC is that this is no snobby jewelry store atmosphere. The staff are true enthusiastics (which reminds me of Aziz, who proudly brings his early Barnack Leica IIIF and Summaron 50mm lens to work). They're intent on sharing Leica camera capabilities and unique features, not on getting your wallet out of your pocket.

 

The gallery space is always interesting, inspiring.

 

You've perhaps already read my thoughts on the Leica Akademie. It's really quite good. I've just finished a three day workshop there, "The Truth About Photographs." You'll see a review on that very soon.

 

So, in a time when brick and mortar camera stores are disappearing, Leica stores are expanding. I hope this is a good direction for the company. Apparently, something is going right. According to the BusinessWeek article, Leica's revenue increased 57% last year ($310M). I'm not sure exactly what this means, but the article also says that income increased 10X. Income can be defined in more than one way, but regardless, this sounds pretty good to me.

 

Welcome to the neighborhood, Leica Store!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

June Results - Whole Lotta Leica - Carl Zeiss C Sonnar 50mm f1.5

In the month of June, I shot my Zeiss Sonnar C 50mm f1.5 lens on the Leica M9.

 

(Click Here) to read my post about the lens.

 

In June, I took a great workshop through the Leica Akademie, called "The Truth About Photos." This was a full weekend workshop, with most of Saturday dedicated to shooting in Washington, DC. I used only the Sonnar the whole weekend. I'll be posting a full write-up of the workshop soon, which will have a lot more images from the Sonnar / M9 combination. Stay tuned for that.

 

In the meantime, here are some other images I took with the Sonnar 50mm on the M9 in June.

 

My Favorite Shot From June, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Zeiss C Sonnar 50mm f1.5 Lens

iso 640, f2.8 1/125 sec

 

The Sonnar renders colors very nicely. The image above is very high contrast, but I'm pleased with the light tonality on the subject's face. It was a tough shot that I think really came out well.

 

 

Leica X-Vario Convert?, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Zeiss C Sonnar 50mm f1.5 Lens

iso 400, f2.4 1/125 sec

 

Barnack!, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Zeiss C Sonnar 50mm f1.5 Lens

iso 400, f4 1/350 sec

 

Dramatic Light, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Zeiss C Sonnar 50mm f1.5 Lens

iso 320, f2.8 1/180 sec

 

Dinner Discussion, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Zeiss C Sonnar 50mm f1.5 Lens

iso 320, f2 1/180 sec

 

Sharing Earphones, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Zeiss C Sonnar 50mm f1.5 Lens

iso 320, f16 1/350 sec

 

These ladies were sharing a set of earphones, laughing, and singing at the top of their lungs while walking down the street. Love it.

 

ELAS?, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Zeiss C Sonnar 50mm f1.5 Lens

iso 640, f1.5 1/60 sec

 

This shot was made wide open with the Sonnar. I love the rendering, and the OOF areas (bokeh).

 

 

Recruiting, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Zeiss C Sonnar 50mm f1.5 Lens

iso 160, f5.7 1/350 sec

Another high contrast scene. There's plenty of detail in the shadows to pull them up, but this shows what it really looked like.

Sweep, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Zeiss C Sonnar 50mm f1.5 Lens

iso 200, f13 1/125 sec

 

Forest of Feet, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Zeiss C Sonnar 50mm f1.5 Lens

iso 200, f1.5 1/250 sec

 

Another shot showing how the Sonnar performs wide open.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed shooting with the Sonnar for the month. It is a special lens, and really helps to give a certain feeling to the images, especially wide open. Mine (which I bought used) is starting to feel a little friction in the focusing ring, which I gather is not uncommon with these lenses. I think I'll send it off to Zeiss for service.

 

The lens works very well with the Leica M9, in my opinion. I don't have a 50mm Summilux (Leica's f1.4 lens), and would really like to spend some time with one. Until I hit that lottery, the Sonnar is doing a fine job in my opinion. I also want to compare the results with my older Canon 50mm f1.4 LTM lens in a future Whole Lotta Leica month.

 

Stay tuned for more images shot with the Sonnar this month in my upcoming post about the Leica Akademie workshop.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

It is Great Having a Leica Store Nearby - Leica Akademie - "The Truth About Photographs"

Image Source:

http://www.cvent.com/events/the-truth-about-photographs-developing-a-distinctive-visual-style-

/event-summary-5fc7d01fea244ac2b7d2fd4e38ec4ce1.aspx

 

I recently signed up for a Leica Akademie course, "The Truth About Photographs," to be held at the new Leica store in Washington, DC on June 7-9, 2013.

 

(Click Here) to read about the course.

 

The course is led by Quinton Gordon, and focuses on the creative aspects of developing your own style in photography.

 

(Click Here) to see Quinton's website. I always like to see the instructor's work before deciding to take a workshop. Quinton's work looks in line with the subject of the course.

 

Here is the list of topics, directly from the course description:

 

• Seeing the light.
• Working in three dimensional space.
• Developing complexity in your images.
  
• The elements of winning images.
  
• The benefits of limitations.
  
• The significance of editing.
  
• Finding your distinctive style.

 

The course is limited to twelve participants, and runs from Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon. This will be a great little creative retreat for me.

 

While I'm on the subject, I want to say how nice it is to have the Leica store nearby. In addition to being able to walk in and talk Leica with the knowledgeable staff any time I feel like it, they host Akademie courses (I took a street photography workshop there, led by Leica's Justin Stailey, last year), and always have something interesting in the gallery in the way of Leica photographs.

 

(Click Here) to go to the Leica Store DC's description. If you're in town, be sure to stop in.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

10 Stop Neutral Density - What For?

 

Dramatic Reflection, by Sam M. on mu-43.com

Image Source: http://www.mu-43.com/f60/dramatic-reflection-32274/

 
This is timely for me. I have been known to use a neutral density (ND) filter occasionally, usually to lengthen my shutter speed to allow a longer expsosure, as was done by Sam M. in the image above. However, I carry a 3-stop ND filter, which allows 8 times the normal shutter opening time.
 
(Click Here) to see Sam M.'s post on mu-43.com
 
ND filters basically block a substantial portion of the incoming light, in a color-balanced way, allowing you to increase exposure in bright situations (either by lengthening the shutter opening time, or by opening up your f-stop for shallow depth of field).
 
In my Leica Akademie class on the M9 recently, our instructor, Justin Stailey, talked about 10-stop NDs. I had trouble imaging where I'd need that much of an effect. Sam M.'s image above answers the question well. Let's say you're shooting in broad daylight at iso200 - using the sunny 16 rule, you would want to shoot at about 1/200 second at f16. What would a 10-stop ND filter do for you? Well, if you wanted to make a long exposure, you could shoot at f16 for four seconds!
 
The shot above was made at 20 seconds exposure. That's what makes the clouds look so cool.
 
By the way, this effect would be very hard (impossible) to replicate in post-processing. The same is true if you use your ND for decreased depth of field.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 

Leica M9 Class - Interesting Twist With the New Leica M Monochrom

I took a nice Leica M9 user's class at the new Leica retail store in Washington, DC. It was a good chance to meet some fellow Leica photographers, and talk shop. Our instructor, Justin Stailey, Product Specialist for Leica M Products, North America, was a real source of great information.
 
I learned a few key things about setting up the M9 that I didn't know before, and also picked up some pointers on how to recognize great lighting opportunities for street photography.
 
I also got clued into something that wasn't obvious to me, relating to the new Leica M Monochrom. This is an M9-like camera which is designed specifically for monochrome (black and white) imaging.
 

Leica M Monochrome

Image Source: http://us.leica-camera.com/photography/m_system/m_monochrom/

 
Normal camera sensors, designed for color photography, accomplish their job by using filters of Red, Green, and Blue over a set of four sensors, in something known as the Bayer pattern. This means that in order to get all of the color information for a location in the image, the chip must blend information from four sensors on the chip. The new Monochrom does away with the Bayer filters, and uses all of those sensor locations to gather light level information in only black and white. This results in exquisite detail in monochrome images.
 
Well, here's the twist. Until now, digital imaging has sort of rendered those old red, green, and yellow filters we used for black and white film photography obsolete. When converting an image from color to monochrome, we can use our post-processing software to balance the color channels, effectively allowing us to apply filters digitally, after the fact. Since the Monochrom doesn't even gather any color information, that's impossible. So guess what? Dig out those old filters - they're useful again. I think that's kind of cool.
 
By the way - if you're in the area, there's a spectacular exhibition of images by Magnum photographer Jacob Aue Sobol, all taken with the M Monochrom. They are awesome. They really show how this camera can make black and white images that look like the classics, but with detail and tones that are just beyond belief.
 
I can't imagine paying that kind of money for a camera that only does black and white. But, if that's your thing, this is the camera.
 
The regular Leica M digital cameras are no slouches at black and white, either.
 
All in all, an interesting day at the Leica shop.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com