Rolleiflex 2.8F Planar - Kid at Train Festival

Intense Focus, by Reed A. George

Rolleiflex 2.8F Planar, Kodak TMax 400 Film

 

A while back, I posted a series of images from a local train festival, mostly of kids enjoying the displays. (Click Here) to see those pictures, taken with my Leica IIIG.

 

Well, I just developed the roll of film that was in my Rolleiflex that day, and found this image. I really like how the boy's face contrasts well with the dark shirt of the lady behind him. I also seem to have gotten the focus just about right.

 

Every time I use the Rolleiflex, I get something that I enjoy out of it.

 

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Lion and Dragon Dancers - Leica IIIG Film Shots

Here are some images of the lion and dragon dancers from the Chinese New Year celebration in DC this year. All were shot with my Leica IIIG rangefinder and 50mm f2 Summicron collapsible, on Ilford HP5+ film.

 

And here's my favorite:

 

 

I absolutely love using the IIIG. The viewfinder is wonderful. Focusing is a bit of a pain, but works. The early Summicron really performs.

 

Burning through that 100' of HP5+!

 

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More From the Polar Bear Plunge - Rolleiflex 2.8F

Yesterday, I posted a series of pictures from the Polar Bear Plunge, an event to raise funds for Camp Sunshine, a wonderful place that helps families dealing with childhood cancer.

 

All of the images yesterday were from my Leica M9. Today, I'll show some that I made with my Rolleiflex 2.8 F twin lens reflex (TLR) camera.

 

 

 

And here's my favorite shot - these young spectators were just so cute under their blanket together.

 

 

It was a blast using the Rolleiflex alongside the Leica rangefinder at this event. Perhaps not the optimum equipment, but it sure worked out well.

 

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Polar Bear Plunge - For a Great Cause

 

Last weekend, I happened into an unexpected event in Reston, Virginia, a polar bear plunge. It was a charity event, for the benefit of Camp Sunshine, a place where families with children battling cancer can go to relax and enjoy time together. (Click Here) to read more about the event.

 

As luck would have it, I had my Leica M9 and my Rolleiflex 2.8F with me. This post will show my color pictures, all taken with the M9 and Zeiss Sonnar C 50mm f1.5 lens, and a few with my new Leica Elmar C 90mm f4.

 

While it was unseasonably warm last Saturday, the water was still plenty cold. Here are the safety divers, clearing the diving hole of ice.

 

 

As you can imagine, an event like this attracts an interesting crowd of contestants.

 

 

When the event started, things got lively. I had a great location to shoot from as well.

 

 

People generally looked happy going in, shocked coming out, and downright uncomfortable after that.

 

 

And now, here are two of my favorites. First, my favorite shot of the jumpers.

 

 

And here's one of the crowd reflected in the icy water.

 

 

It was a very nice unexpected surprise, and I'm glad I was there to photograph it. I think I am indeed falling back in love with my Leica M9.

 

I'll post some images that I made with the Rolleiflex 2.8F tomorrow.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Contrasting Styles at the Japanese Ambassador's Residence

And one final shot from the new year event at the Japanese Ambassador's residence. I really like the feeling of this one.

Contrasting Styles, by Reed A. George

Nikon Df, Nikkor 35-70mm f2.8 AF-D Lens

iso 220, f4, 1/250 sec.

 

I could write a good fiction story based on this image. I love the reflected man in a business suit, with a female character, likely his wife, directly behind him, while two women in traditional kimono walk the corridor from the teahouse. There's some mystery in this image.

 

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Reflecting - Japanese Ambassador's Residence

Here's a shot I made at the new year's event at the Japanese Ambassador's residence:

 

Reflecting, by Reed A. George

Nikon Df, Nikkor 35-70mm f2.8 AF-D Lens

iso 100, f4, 1/250 sec.

 

I enjoyed the combination of the traditional Japanese style teahouse in the background and the pine-surrounded pond, and hot it contrasted with the man in business suit, and especially the suited man reflected in the glass at left of center.

 

I have another reflection image from the same scene - come back tomorrow!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

A Special New Year's Celebration With the Japanese Ambassador to the US

I was extremely honored to have received an invitation to attend a new year celebration at the residence of the Japanese Ambassador in Washington, DC a couple of weeks back. This was my first invitation to such an event, and I enjoyed it immensely.

 

Of course, I brought a camera along - the Nikon Df and 35-70 f2.8 AF-D lens.

 

The ambassador's residence is immense, impressive, beautiful. There is room for literally hundreds of guests, and even a full-size Japanese tearoom, situated on a small pond.

 

We lined up and got a chance to say hello and happy new year to the ambassador and his wife, along with other dignitaries.

 

Next was a set of very short speeches (the kind I like), followed by a Japanese sake toast (Kanpai!). Then, on to food and conversation:

Wrapping up with an amazing selection of Japanese sweets (actually, "semi-sweet" in comparison to Western desserts), this was a lovely event.

 

I have a good contact and friend at the Embassy to thank, Mr. Akira Tsugita. My wife and I really enjoyed this event, and hope to be invited again in the future.

 

In addition to these rather documentary shots, I did make two images that I feel are more expressive and interesting. You'll see those soon!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

RoidWeek #2, 2014 - This Week!

I just found out about this. RoidWeek, which is a celebration of instant photography, starts today and goes through Friday. The event welcomes any instant film shots, but not digital facsimiles of them. They don't have to be Polaroid.

 

I read about it on Snap It | See It. (Click Here) to see the post. Inside, you'll find a link to the flickr page where you can submit images.

 

Importantly, images need to be taken this week, and the "week" is only five days, this Monday through Friday.

 

I'm going to have to load up my Polaroid (or Polaroid back for my MUP) and get some weekday shots to post.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

More From Chalk Fest, Leica IIIC with Summaron 3.5cm f3.5

Here are a few more pics from Chalk Fest, all shot with my Leica IIIC and Summaron, on Fuji 100 color negative film.

 

The Summaron 35 is a spectacular little lens, and I do mean little. I love the subtle color rendition that this lens produces.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Street Art, on Film With Leica IIIC and Summaron 3.5cm f3.5 Lens

Street Art, by Reed A. George

Leica IIIC, Summaron 3.5 cm f3.5 Lens

Fuji iso 100 Color Print Film

 

Man, do I love to shoot my old Barnack cameras. On this particular day, I chose to carry only this camera and lens to photograph "Chalk Fest" in Reston, VA.

 

When I started shooting in the late morning, the light was bright and harsh. The shade was fine, though. I ended up coming back later in the evening to finish up, when the light was much more agreeable. I'll have more to share from this event later.

 

The tiny little Barnack camera and lens, topped with a Russian 35mm viewfinder, caused little or no distraction amongst people at the festival. It is small, quiet, non-threatening. I can see why Barnack's little camera was able to transform photojournalism back in the day.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

What to do on the 5th of July? Smithsonian Folkways Festival.

Image Source: http://startstudioarts.si.edu/2014/07/the-smithsonian-folkways-festival.html

 

Well, as I write this, it's the 4th of July, Independence Day here in the USA. I have time to get out and do some photography tomorrow, but where to go? What to do?

 

While it's not easy to get into Washington DC this weekend, I think I'll explore the Smithsonian Folkways Festival. An annual event, this year's festival is focused on Kenya and China.

 

(Click Here) to read the post on the S+Art blog that got me motivated to fight the crowd tomorrow.

 

I think I'll probably be able to find parking tomorrow if I get into town early enough. Unfortunately, the festival doesn't really start until 11:00AM, when the worst light of the day will be out. But, I'll just get in there early and make the best of the morning light before things get going.

 

Now to decide how and what I want to photograph. I'm sure that the performers will be a great attraction. Maybe I'll shoot Leica. Or, there's that new 35mm f2.8 pre-AI Nikkor that I recently got a deal on and haven't tried yet... Maybe I'll put that on my F2.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

DC Area Photographers - Chinese New Year Walk, Sponsored by Leica Store DC

Chinese New Year, DC, by Reed A. George

Leica M8, Zeiss Biogon 25mm f2.8 Lens

iso 320, f8, 1/125 sec.

 

 

After living in San Francisco, I must admit that Washington DC's Chinatown is a bit underwhelming. However, on the Chinese New Year celebration, it does liven up quite well. Tomorrow (Sunday, Feb 2), the DC Leica Store is hosting a photo walk at 12:45PM.

 

(Click Here) to get the details from the Leica Store Event page.

 

I'm planning to meet several of my friends there for the walk. One week later (Sunday, Feb 9), we're planning to have a local LHSA (International Leica Society) meetup and then head over to the Leica Store to see and share photographic results from the walk

 

If you're in the area (whether you're a Leica user or LHSA member or not), come join us for some fun!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Nikomat FTn at Irish Dance Exhibition - Skeletons From The Closet, September's Camera

My Nikomat FTn and I recently went to Glen Echo Park in Maryland. They were holding an Irish dance event in what used to be the bumper car ride in the old Glen Echo Amusement Park.

 

Very challenging lighting, indeed, the pavilion was ringed with mid-day sun, while the interior remained quite dark. Having not brought a flash with me, or ever attempted to use one with the FTn, I decided to go with the prevailing conditions. This first shot took advantage of the light around the edges, and allowed me to capture some details of the dancers stretching and warming up.

Warming Up, by Reed A. George

Nikomat FTn, Kodak Tmax 400 Film

To really share what the lighting was like, I decided to shoot a few silhouettes. I really like the lines of the wood planks in the floor, and how they created a pool of reflected light in the relative darkness. The rafters in the roof also add to the structure of the shots. In this first silhouette, I also like how the dancer at right is actually not touching the floor; you can just detect that by the shadows under her foot.

Silhouette #1, by Reed A. George

Nikomat FTn, Kodak Tmax 400 Film

What I like about this final shot is how the dancer's arms frame the spectator in the distance beyond them. I also think the electric fans add an element of interest.

Silhouette #2, by Reed A. George

Nikomat FTn, Kodak Tmax 400 Film

 

Hardly documentation of the event or the people involved, these shots are my personal interpretation of what I saw. I enjoyed shooting the Nikomat here, and feel that it helped me to extract some details from a challenging lighting situation.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com