Weekends at Lake Anne

Weekend Visitors to Lake Anne, by Reed A. George

Leica M9 Titanium, Leica Summicron 35mm f2 (v3)

iso 200 Color Print Film

 

For today's post, I'm simply sharing a couple of images that I took at Lake Anne in Reston, Virginia a few weeks back. We've had an incredibly nice August for this region. This particular morning was sunny, cool, and relatively low in humidity. Not what you'd normally expect in Northern Virginia in August.

 

Lake Anne has a nice farmer's market on the weekends, and has that great symbol of real culture, a used book store. It's the only used book store I know of around here.

 

As you can see, I shot these with my Leica M6 on color print film. I just decided that black and white looked better, so went with it. Hope you enjoy the images.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

New Orleans, Latrobe Park at Sunrise

Latrobe park is dedicated to architect Benjamin Latrobe. Located in the French Market, it's on the former site of a waterworks designed by Latrobe. Now, it's a cool place to relax in the shade of a hot day, just a few steps from the Mississippi River, and on the edge of the French Quarter.

 

I was walking through on my morning exploration when the light through this statue caught my eye.

 

Latrobe Park Statue, by Reed A. George

Leica M6 Titan, Leica Summicron 35mm f2 v.3 Lens

Kodak TMax 400 Film

 

Man, I could sure spend more time in New Orleans. Friends who visited a week after me told me of the torrential rains during their trip; not a drop of rain while I was there. In fact, I'd love to shoot the city in fog and rain. Maybe my next trip to New Orleans will be selected for moodier weather.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Royal Street, New Orleans - 13 Strings and a $2 Bill

New Orleans is such a musical city. While I was there, the Jazz Fest was happening, but I decided not to go in. I figured that I can attend a music festival in any city. I wanted to experience New Orleans music, the music that's there every day. I was not disappointed.

 

This is "13 Strings and a $2 Bill," playing at sunset on Royal Street:

13 Strings and a $2 Bill, by Reed A. George

Leica M6 Titan

 

Having a dog along with your act seems to be a real revenue increaser. This guy looked just a little bored, even with Nora tapping away right next to him.

 

Check 13 Strings and a $2 Bill out - (Click Here) to visit their facebook page. Youtube has several videos of them as well.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

More New Orleans Street Art

I have a thing for artists who make their living sharing creativity on the street. This gentleman was most gracious when I asked if I could take his picture at Jackson Square in New Orleans.

 

Street Artist, New Orleans, by Reed A. George

Leica M6 Titanium, Kodak 400 Color Print Film

 

I honestly can't remember if I was using my 35mm f2 Summicron or 50mm f1.4 Summilux for this shot. I must learn to record my film shooting parameters better.

 

What attracted me to this man as a subject was the combination of beautiful morning light bouncing from his sketch pad and lighting his face, and his intense concentration on his subject. In composing the shot, I got down low, hoping to use the line of the fence to align somewhat with his line of sight. I think I achieved that reasonably well. I was able to get in and out of their way very quickly, and captured exactly what I wanted with the M6.

 

Nope, I'm not ready to give up film yet.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Under Cover of Darkness

Under Cover of Darkness, by Reed A. George

Leica M6 Titanium, Summilux 50mm f1.4 Lens

TMax 3200 Film, f1.4, 1/30 sec. (?)

 

I shot this through the window of a very dark bar on my walk home from a show on Frenchmen Street in New Orleans. I feel that it's quite mysterious, and knew at the time that it would make an interesting image if it came out. I love the blazing bar light at right in the shape of a lion (or something), and the hands with no visible attached body at left. I also love the eyes of the person on the left looking upward.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

French Quarter Reflection

French Quarter Reflection, by Reed A. George

Leica M6 Titanium, 50mm f1.4 Summilux Lens

 

I shot this image early one morning in New Orleans. It's a little cliche' to shoot reflections all the time, so I don't. In this case, I like the difference in emotion that it gives, as opposed to shooting the balcony itself directly in the early morning warmth. I like how it has an almost night time feel to it. Don't be afraid of black shadows in your pictures, if that's the emotion you want to communicate.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

New Orleans Street Poet

Performing Poet, New Orleans, by Reed A. George

Leica M6 Titan, Summilux 50mm f1.4 Titanium Lens

Ilford Delta 3200 Film

 

I really love creative people. This poet was set up in the French Quarter, and would write about anything you asked. He was asking for donations if you liked what he wrote. I very much respect him for using his creativity and skill to make a living here.

 

I asked him to write about my daughter, Christine. I only told him a few things - her age, her interests, that we are very close. He asked me to give him 15 or 20 minutes. When I returned, here's what he had written:

 

"Christine

 

The paintball warrior

with art in her blood,

jumping into the flood of

emotions, running toward

adulthood.

 

A family well in tune,

a room, a canvas,

Christine sees with an

artist's eye, drinking in

the colors and textures,

becoming the young woman she

was meant to be.

 

A Renaissance woman in training

determined to put her mark

on the world,

one ball of paint at at time"

Perfect. Couldn't be more correct.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

My Leica M6 Titan is For Sale!

 

My Leica M6 Titan (factory titanium coated, ca. 1992)

 

(Click Here) to read the ad on rangefinderforum. All the details are there. I bought this from KEH last year in EX condition. If you know KEH, you know that means it's really nice. There is one ding, highlighted and labeled in one of the pics in the ad.

 

This is a wonderful user camera. I would keep it, but I just got another, in order to get the matching titanium lens. The serial number dates match between the new body and lens, so I'll keep the second one.

 

Oh yeah. The same ad contains a near-new silver grip for the Leica M8. Nearly half-price from new.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com