Meeting Frank "Tico" Herrara

Last night, I had the good fortune to meet master black and white photographer and printer, Frank "Tico" Herrara. I had shown up way early for the hanging of my images for the exhibit "Coffee and Critique: Exposed" at Glen Echo Park in Maryland. More on that below.

 

Happy to at least find the building open on this cold, windy night, I had to wait for a long while in the dark lobby, until someone showed up and unlocked the gallery and darkroom space where Coffee and Critique is held. Along comes this gentleman, who happens to have a key, and is willing to let me follow him in. When he asks why I'm there, I tell him I'm there for a hanging. He says "Oh, good. I haven't been to a good hanging in so long. I thought they were outlawed nowadays." or something to that effect.

 

Anyway, it turned out that this was none other than Frank "Tico" Herrara, the most senior staff member at Glen Echo Photoworks, winner of a Guggenheim fellowship, and excellent photographer and printer. We sat and chatted for about an hour, which gave me the opportunity to learn about his Guggenheim project, "The West Virginia Crosses," among other things.

 

In this project, Tico used the Guggenheim fellowship to "document clusters of Roman crosses that were being erected all over West Virginia by a millionaire businessman as part of a religious mission called "Cast Thy Bread.""

Image Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEiZGouJYA1UUbb2WQ54ZVCSgFdbEaE-NN9YQHUTqfMPSMfAWMEaGb_d66MXvaG1Q-R3oI02LRjI1o2PLPs6brCPyi9UJwwXqUnifU7EeGXfND0NEOuyai_yVnFvmcjqYGiJEt21STQ0HO95Gfo1gomIzZ2XMoDelUepAGEbdiM=s0-d-e1-ft

 

After we'd talked for a while, I screwed up enough courage to ask Tico for input on the pictures I'd come to hang, those of my meditation practice, shot with large format film and old cameras, including a pinhole. I posted a slideshow of those images previously. (Click Here) to see that post.

 

I was pleased to hear that Tico sort of "got it," meaning the idea of what I was trying to communicate with the images. He said they definitely communicated a meditative message. That was really nice to hear.

 

So, all in all, I'm glad that I arrived so early to the exhibition hanging. My reward was to meet and spend some time with a real photographic master, one on one. Tico is a really nice guy, and I hope to get the chance to meet up with him again.

 

If you're interested in seeing my exhibition, along with about fourteen of my colleagues that take part in the Coffee and Critique sessions at Glen Echo Park in Maryland, you can (Click Here) for the details. My work will be up until January 5, 2015.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

M.T. Sullivan's Project: "People On The Bus"

Image Source: http://cargocollective.com/newnormalphotography/People-on-the-Bus

As you may know, I'm always looking for new project opportunities. What I find interesting is that some of the most successful projects are not extravagant subjects or faraway places. In fact, sometimes the subject doesn't matter that much at all; it's the photographer's interpretations that matter.

M.T. Sullivan posted about this project, "People On The Bus," on our LHSA (International Leica Society) Google+ community page. I administer the page, which may be found by going to:

plus.google.com or (Clicking Here) and searching for "LHSA."

Everyone is welcome to join the community page, but we hope it will help to convince you to join LHSA as well. For more information on the LHSA, please (Click Here).

Back to M.T.'s project, he's having a gallery showing from January 10 to February 13, 2014 at Tamarkin Camera's Rangefinder Gallery, located at 300 W. Superior Street, Chicago, Illinois. If you're not near Chicago, you can (Click Here) to see the whole project online.

 

I'd like to congratulate M.T. on a successful project, website, and gallery show. Way to go!

 

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

 

 

We Don't All Have to Focus on One Style to Be Successful! Leica Photographer Carlos Rene Perez on the Leica Blog

 

Image Source: http://blog.leica-camera.com/photographers/interviews/carlos-rene-perez-a-life-creating-art-for-arts-sake-part-1/

 

Developing a personal style is one of the more difficult creative tasks for some photographers, perhaps even harder than learning the technology and mechanics. I have read and been told over and over that in order to really make a name for yourself, you must specialize, focus on a type of photography.

 

Carlos Rene Perez, whose exhibit "Absence and Presence" is currently on display at the Leica Gallery in NY has not followed that recipe. Taking inspiration from sources as wide as "Family of Man" and Gordon Parks' photographic poetry, Perez has remained a generalist. In addition to being a successful commercial photographer, his personal style has remained wide.

 

Perez was born in San Antonio, Texas, but moved to NYC in 1974. His first exposure to Leica was at the age of 18, when he saved up enough to purchase an M2. Now his standard kit is an M7 with 21, 35, and 50mm Leica lenses.

 

(Click Here) to read the full article and see more of Perez's work.

 

I personally cannot focus on one type of photography or one type of equipment. I've tried. Maybe there's hope for me yet.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

 

My Image Selected For the Process: Photography Show at Athenaeum in Alexandria, Virginia

 

Transit to Hockey Practice, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Elmar 5.0 cm f3.5 Collapsible Lens

iso 1250, f3.5, 1/45 sec

 

This image, shot as part of my Whole Lotta Leica column in January, was chosen to be part of the Process:Photography exhibit at Athenaeum Gallery in Alexandria, Virginia, from February 28 - April 7, 2013.

 

Process:Photography focuses on the interplay of photographic technique, equipment, and the resulting image. Sounds pretty much like the focus of this blog, huh? There is a wide variety of equipment represented, from high tech microphotography (using fluorescence microscopes), to flatbed scanners, to plastic toy cameras.

 

I think my image appealed because of the combination of old, less than perfect optics in my ca. 1938 Elmar, matched with the latest in digital imaging technology in the Leica M9. I have to admit, it looks pretty good printed at 20" x 30".

 

Athenaeum is a gorgeous, open exhibit space in a historic building in Old Town, Alexandria (201 Prince Street).

 

(Click Here) to see Athenaeum on the web.

 

There is an opening reception, which I unfortunately cannot attend, on Sunday March 3 from 4:00-6:00 PM (free).

 

I will be there for the "Artist's Show and Tell" on Sunday, April 7, at 2:00 PM.

 

If you're in the Northern Virginia / DC area, please drop by and say hello!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Whole Lotta Leica - January Results - Elmar 5c f3.5 on the Leica M9

Winter Shopping With Mom, NYC, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Elmar 5cm f3.5 Lens (ca. 1938)

iso 640, f6.7, 1/250 sec

 

Back on January 9, I wrote about a new project I'm taking on this year, to help me explore the interface between equipment and creativity in photography. It's called "Whole Lotta Leica," and in this project I'll match up a different "normal" lens (35-50mm) with my new Leica M9 each month.

 

(Click Here) to read my post introducing the project.

 

January's lens selection was a 1938 Leica Elmar 5cm (50mm) f3.5 LTM lens.

 

I got out for three separate shooting sessions with this lens during the month. The first was right near home, at the Udvar Hazy National Air and Space Museum. On a cold winter day, it's a pretty good place to end up.

Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum Building, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Elmar 5cm f3.5 Lens (ca. 1938)

iso 160, f16, 1/160 sec

 

 

Space Shuttle Discovery, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Elmar 5cm f3.5 Lens (ca. 1938)

iso 320, f4.8, 1/90 sec

 

You can see from these two shots that the old Elmar has some haze and scratches. Any light source directly in the field of view flares. I did not use a hood, which may have helped considerably. However, it is quite sharp, and focuses accurately on the M9.

 

My next outing was a little street shooting in Washington DC. I went to Chinatown, which is always good for a shot or two.

 

Making the Noodles, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Elmar 5cm f3.5 Lens (ca. 1938)

iso 320, f5.7, 1/180 sec

 

Here again, you can see the haze at work on those lightbulbs, but otherwise it's a perfectly acceptable image.

 

Now here's where the Elmar shines, in my opinion - gorgeous, warm reds.

 

Chinatown Shop Window, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Elmar 5cm f3.5 Lens (ca. 1938)

iso 320, f5.7, 1/180 sec

 

The detail in this shot is quite impressive. I think the color rendition is hard to beat, even with modern lenses.

 

While in DC, I went to the National Portrait Gallery. The building is extremely nice, and has a huge open courtyard which separates the portrait gallery from the attached Museum of American Art. The courtyard is a great place to hang out in winter - nice, bright natural light, but with the convenience heating.

View to the Courtyard, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Elmar 5cm f3.5 Lens (ca. 1938)

iso 1250, f4.8, 1/90 sec

There is a nice water feature, where the water runs over segments of the flooring in the courtyard. Even though it was sub-freezing outside, the kids loved running and playing in the water.

Playing in the Water, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Elmar 5cm f3.5 Lens (ca. 1938)

iso 1250, f5.7, 1/125 sec

I even gave the Elmar a little workout shooting from the hip, using zone focusing.

Winter Cheer by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Elmar 5cm f3.5 Lens (ca. 1938)

iso 640, f6.7, 1/180 sec

My third and final outing for this month with the Elmar was in New York City.

 

The first shot in this post (above) was again taken with zone focus, walking up behind a mother and daughter out for a winter walk.

 

Hockey Practice Transit, NYC, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Elmar 5cm f3.5 Lens (ca. 1938)

iso 1250, f3.5, 1/45 sec

 

The image of the hockey player waiting on his train was selected for an upcoming gallery show in Alexandria, Virginia. Focused on exactly my interest, how equipment informs and shapes photography, the show at Gallery Athenaeum will be a lot of fun.

 

(Click Here) to read about Gallery Athenaeum. The show will be from Thursday February 28 to Sunday April 7.

 

I'm very excited to be part of the show.

 

Photo Instructor, Zim, from NYC Photo Safaris, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Elmar 5cm f3.5 Lens (ca. 1938)

iso 640, f5.7, 1/640 sec

 

While in New York City, I took a field seminar with NYC Photo Safaris, led by our instructor pictured above, Zim.

 

(Click Here) to go to NYC Photo Safari's website.

 

We met in Central Park for a four hour discussion and shooting session. I must say that Zim and I come at photography from completely different angles. A pro for over 20 years, Zim is a real authority, and I am certain that she knows how to get "the shot" better than I. Her advice for our group was to trust P mode on your DSLR, as the camera companies have spent years and millions on making exposure work for us. She also prescribes only zooms. She really did not understand why I'd be carrying two manual cameras, the M9 and my (film, really?) Pentax K1000, with prime lenses. At one point she said "Why do you people do this to yourselves?"

 

I ended up using my pocket camera, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3, for most of the class. It has a wide angle zoom, autofocus, etc. It fit much better with the style that Zim wanted us to explore. I learned a lot from Zim in a short time. It is differing opinions that challenge us, make us better. It was a friendly, constructive tension at all times. I recommend Zim and NYC Photo Safaris - just be sure to take along an automatic camera.

 

The shot of Zim above feels nice to me. I think it exemplifies what the old Elmar can do. You'll notice the light source is well outside the image, avoiding any flare or haze effects.

 

To see more of my pictures taken this month with the Leica M9 and Elmar 5cm f3.5, please visit my set on flickr.

 

(Click Here) to go to the Whole Lotta Leica set on flickr.

 

In terms of usage, I would say that the Elmar is challenging. Here are a few thoughts from my experience:

• First, you have to keep the flare in mind at all times when composing. Sometimes, it adds to the shot. Other times, it can ruin the shot.
• The f-stop adjustment is very fiddly. On my copy, it's also tight, so you'll literally break fingernails trying to change aperture. You'll notice that many of my shots were made at a single f-stop as a result.
• You have to be mindful not to collapse the lens on the M9, as it can hit the sensor. I cut up a 35mm film canister and made a little ring to put around my lens, to make it impossible to collapse. That would be a disaster.
• If you're out for numbers - high quantities of technically competent shots - this is probably not the best lens. If you like it's unique qualities, it's irreplaceable.
• This was a standard lens for Leica cameras for many years. Many great (understatement) images were made with the Elmar 5cm f3.5 lens.

 

I hope you find this useful and interesting. It's going to be a blast re-exploring all of these nice lenses!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Preparing for a Month-Long Show at King Street Coffee in Leesburg, VA

Train Station, Harpers Ferry, WV, by Reed A. George

Leica CL, Leica Summaron 3.5cm f3.5 lens (ca. 1937)

Exposure unrecorded

 

I am busy preparing for a gallery showing of my work at King Street Coffee in Leesburg, Virginia.
 
(Click Here) to go to the King Street Coffee website. They host monthly gallery showings by local artists. I'm very happy to be given the opportunity to show my work there in the month of November.
 
My theme is going to be all pictures taken within an hour or so of Leesburg.
 
(Click Here) to see the images on my site, creativeobjective.com
 
My goal is to show some images from the area that might not be apparent to newcomers, and may entice people to get out and explore a little. The images were shot with a variety of equipment, and collected over several years' time.
 
I am limited by wall space in the coffee shop to ~8-10 images. I've got them selected now, and will set up my home framing operation today.
 
King Street Coffee will be hosting a gallery opening for me at Leesburg's "First Friday" event on November 2, from 6-9PM. Come by, have a cup of coffee, and chat photography with me!
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 

I Wish I Could See This Gallery Showing In Person - Gordon Parks, 100 Years Since His Birth

Gordon Parks (1912-2006) is perhaps the most famous African American photographer in history.
 
I can remember marvelling at some of his work in one of my first photography books, The Joy of Photography I think it was, when I was about twelve years old. Mr. Parks photographed a wide variety of subjects, including segregation of races in the United States. He also did some spectacular coverage of bullfighting, including gorgeous treatment of motion through blur in his photographs. That early exposure has stuck with me throughout my photographic life.
 
(Click Here) to read a brief biography of Gordon Parks on the American Photography Archives Group (APAG) website.
 
There is a gallery showing at Howard Greenberg Studios in New York to celebrate Mr. Parks' centennial. I am going to New York soon, but will be there on Sunday and Monday, the two days that the studio is not open. Bummer.
 
(Click Here) to read more about the gallery event.
 
In order to respect copyrights, I am not including any of Gordon's work in this post. If you love photography, you owe it to yourself to see it. A simple google image search will yield plenty to look at.
 
While I hesitate to do this, because my work isn't worthy, I'm going to include a shot of my own, inspired by Mr. Parks' treatment of the bullfights.
 

Calf Roping, by Reed A. George

Nikon D200, Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8 at 200mm

iso100, f20, 1/20 sec

 
I didn't think consciously about Gordon Park while making this photograph at a local rodeo a few years back, but I can see the inspiration for it now.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 

Will 3D Digital Photography Catch On?

I read about Panasonic's forays into three dimensional imaging with interest. I wonder if this will ever catch on in any big way?

Panasonic DMC-3D1

Image Source: http://www.dpreview.com/news/1111/panasonic/DMC_3D1_slant.jpg

ePhotoZine has published a review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1, a twin lens camera designed for 3D photography.

(Click Here) to read the review.

3D cameras have been around for a very long time, basically since the invention of photography.

 

Kodak Stereo Camera, ca. 1950s

Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereo_camera

 
In the past, they always required some optical apparatus for viewing. I think this is the major limitation that kept 3D photography from taking off.

Stereo Image Viewer

Image Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1DaSoyKKXSJG4z2POB2MIBAcYYV7cguRm4VJt8UEr_XYVbubYhqEsNeysKTXskhqmuXyCyp_mHuDkMZM9B6sC7Amd_dEeQzOLYR8rTK1tV6WZ5iTuT-38BXhcoE43oDC48JCrA2ag3rf/s1600/Graphic2.jpg

 
In the modern digital world, 3D viewing requires a special display. Panasonic builds 3D capability into many of their Viera displays. It also requires wearing glasses to get the 3D effect. Now, this seems like a serious drawback to home use, and it very well may be.
 
However, I can see a day when digital galleries gain popularity, if not overtaking prints altogether. 3D movies sure have taken off. Maybe when we all have new televisions and displays that include 3D technology basically for free, 3D photography will gain popularity. My current Viera display does not have 3D technology.
 
There is a very inexpensive 12.5mm dual lens available for Micro 4/3 cameras. It's got an aperture of f12, which will seriously limit how it can be applied. However, I'm sure that one could make some amazing 3D landscapes with it.
 
There are also techniques using two synched cameras to capture the paired images required for 3D imaging.
 
I am not ready to go into this, but will keep my eyes open. It would be neat to add a third dimension to my imaging, at least once in a while.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com