Category: Leica M9

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Street Photography and Pink Umbrella’s

If you go to flickr, 500px, or any street photographers website I will guarantee that you will find a picture of someone with a pink umbrella.  I suppose it’s because it sticks out like a sore thumb or because of the contrast in comparison to its surroundings.  Next time you see one, I bet you take a picture.

Here is my “pink umbrella” (the color is close enough).   I like the guy next to her looking at his phone but I wish the “Chicago Sun-Times” dispenser wasn’t sitting there (people still read newspapers???).

P.S.  I’m going to try to add my picture settings to all my pictures now (I’m always interested in others therefore I’m sure some are interested in mine).  Last, since I use a Leica M9 and the aperture is set on the camera lens, sometimes I will not be able to add this info because I can’t remember what I had it set at (exif information in the pic does not include it because it ‘s a truly manual camera and lens).

ISO 160 1/1500 50mm summilux

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Hello

When I attended Steve Huff’s Photography Workshop, one of our assignments was to ask someone on the street if we could take a picture of them.  I think most would agree, this is not an easy thing to do.  Once you do it a few times, like most things, it becomes less awkward.  Probably, the best advice when doing this is to tell your subject why your taking their picture and try to carry a conversation with them for a few seconds to get them relaxed and comfortable with you.

This picture was taken of a lady waiting for the bus at Steve’s workshop.  She actually approached me inquiring why we were all taking pictures.  We talked for a few seconds and she allowed me to take this shot of her.

Leica M9 – ISO 250 1/2000 50mm summilux 

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My favorite pictures of 2011

I started this blog in May and have successfully kept blogging ever since.  I’m averaging more than 1000 clicks a month now, thus the site continues to grow.  I hope to continue posting weekly into the new year and hopefully will make some significant updates in the future (i.e. new logo, more reviews, and a better portfolio).

Last December I went through all my digital pictures and had about 15000 pictures in my library.  After sorting through them and removing around 5000 pictures, I was left with 10000 for the new year.  Over the past year I’ve taken more than 9,000 new pictures.  The reason for taking more pictures is not because of this blog, it’s because of owning the Leica M9/M9-P and having a new beautiful baby girl.  I look forward to shooting even more in 2012.

Below are my my favorite shots of 2011.  It’s hard to narrow down to just 10 (actually 11) but here you go:

You call this talent?    

ISO 160 1/45s f/1.4 50mm summilux

Our Savior

ISO 160 1/250s f/1.4 50mm summilux

Morning Haze

ISO 160 1/4000s f/1.4 50mm summilux

Untitled

ISO 160 1/250s f/1.4 50mm summilux

Essence of Cool

ISO 160 1/4000s 50mm summilux

Dad, who are these people?

ISO 160 1/360 f/8 28mm summicron

Cool

ISO 200 1/30s 28mm summicron

Untitled

ISO 200 1/30 90mm macro

Untitled

ISO 160 1/180s f/1.4 50mm summilux

Our Future @ 6 months

ISO 160 1/125 f/4 35mm summicron

Our Future

ISO 160 1/360 f/2 35mm summicron

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Close up

Recently, I purchased the Leica 90mm Macro Elmar.  Leica 90mm Macro is the only macro lens currently made by Leica.  When you attach the Leica Macro adapter you can shoot within .5 meters from your subject.  Yes, with other dSLR’s you can shoot even closer but for the Leica M9 this is considered very close.

I purchased the lens not only for macro shooting but also for portraits.  Here is one of my first shots with the lens.  I think it turned out well?

P.S.  This image is un-cropped (if interested in seeing the full size let me know).

 

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Time to relax

It can be interesting what you can capture, just holding your camera at the hip and clicking the shutter.  With the Leica M9 you can set your lens focus (using zone focus) distance and can easily capture sharp pictures (this can be done with any camera with manual focus).  It’s also a great way to capture people unexpectedly.

As I was walking in Chicago, I saw these 2 people sitting and smoking cigarettes.  By shooting at the hip, I was able to capture them at their level, which allowed for a better composition.

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The Cross

Recently I decided to sell my Leica 21mm elmarit and move to a 28mm summicron.  This decision didn’t come easily.  I’ve enjoyed  shooting with wide angle lenses (I had Canon 16-35mm on my full frame 5d Mark II) but have noticed recently my interest is beginning to change.  As I have become more educated in photography, I’ve realized that wide angle lenses are not always the best for landscape.  Wide angle lenses can flatten your image and typically have a lot of distortion.  They are best, when you have something relatively close to you in the foreground and are attempting to add some depth of field.  Telephoto or at least 90mm lenses are often times better for true landscape with no subjects in the foreground.

Leica 28mm summicron is still considered to be a wide angle lens but it doesn’t have any noticeable distortion.  On the Leica M9 it also will allow you to use the internal viewfinder versus an external (needed for anything wider than 28mm).  This lens is very popular with journalist because of its wide angle, no distortion, low light performance, and sharpness.  So far i have to agree with their assessment.  Hopefully soon I’ll post a few more pics using the lens.

A few days ago I drove to a small rural Catholic church.  Behind the church lies a small cemetery.  I captured this image using my 28mm summicron at sunset. I really like the sharpness  and bokeh produced.

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Motion – Silver Efex Pro 2 (short review)

I thought today I would show a before and after picture taken in Chicago using Nik Software Silver Efex Pro 2 for post processing.  All my pictures that become black and white are processed through Silver Efex Pro.  I’ve been using it since the first version.  The second version is far better because it has more control sliders and has “U point” technology.  “U point” is unique to Nik Software programs because it allows you to edit only certain parts or colors of your picture instead of making global changes.  I highly recommend the software if you are going to be making black and white pictures.

This picture was taken with my M9.  I was hoping to get a since of motion with the car. I was able to get this by making sure the rest of the scene was in focus.  The initial color picture is boring, changing to black and white and adding some vignetting makes it much more interesting.

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Part 2: Pics from Leica Akademie Workshop – Chicago

As I mentioned yesterday, I really enjoyed the Leica Akademie workshop and also meeting with the participants.  Here are a few more pics taken during the workshop. The first one I was trying to focus in on the gal sitting but I think what makes the picture is actually the 3 people all trying to take pictures. The second pic was taken while waiting to cross the street. I usually wouldn’t find this interesting but I like how the crowd of people are so content in looking in different directions. The last pic was taken of a guy near our hotel street corner who was attempting to entertain the crowd with his multiple musical abilities.

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Leica Akademie: M9 Shooting Experience – Chicago

This past Saturday I participated in the Leica Akademie M9 Shooting Experience Chicago.  I wasn’t sure what to expect.  I’ve never met any other Leica users with the exception of speaking to Steve Huff, of Steve Huff Photo (the online Leica guru!).  Simply put, the experience was wonderful and could not have expected a better instructor, Leica representative, and professional photographer to guide us through the workshop.  What made the meeting even more pleasurable was interacting with the other participants.

Before the workshop started, I ran into Steve Huff of Steve Huff Photo.  I frequent his site daily and have spoke to him via email a few times and felt he was a terrific guy and after meeting him, it confirmed it.  He reviews many Leica products and other cameras, mostly rangefinders and micro 4/3’s.  He does a phenomenal job and I have to give him credit for guiding me towards Leica.

The workshop started out by meeting the Leica representative Matt Butzow and the instructor Tom Smith.  Next, Matt allowed us to pick a Leica lens to borrow (I wanted to get my hand on the noctilux but unfortunately someone got to it before me).

Next, Tom Smith spent the remaining morning going through the ins and outs of the Leica M9 system.  All I can say is that I learned a tremendous amount and if you are new to Leica or rangefinders in general this is a must do class!

After lunch, Carlos Javier Ortiz presented on his work as a photojournalist and showed many of his ongoing projects.  Some of these projects are listed on his website.  He also showed us a current project that him and other photojournalist around the country are participating in.  The project is called “Facing Change” (I don’t consider it politically motivated) and you can see pictures from the project here.

Next we went out and shot for about an hour.  Like most participants I followed Tom around and he showed us his perspective in street photography and also taught us some invaluable camera tips.

Last, we came back and Tom showed us his typical workflow when downloading pics from his computer and uploading to Lightroom.  I found this info useful, but I have to admit I’m a die hard Apple guy and use Aperture 3.0.

As stated above, I found the workshop a great learning experience and 100% worth the cost.  I’ve heard rumor of maybe a 3 day Leica course in the future in Chicago, I will definitely be there.

If you are interested in Leica Akademie you can see upcoming events here.

P.S.  I mentioned that we did go out and shoot for a while.  Here are a few pics I took (more in the next few days) and you can go to Michael Sullivans flickr page to see pics he took (another Leica shooter at the course, great guy).

 

 

 

 

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Mother & Daughter

We drove up to Chicago this weekend for a short 3 day vacation and for me to participate in the Leica Akademie M9 Shooting Experience.  I’ll post my thoughts and some pictures from the event in a few days.

We’re staying at the Allerton Hotel.  So far it’s been good.  It’s an old hotel but the rooms are very nice.  Here is a pic of Lyla and mommy resting on the bed after a long day of traveling and shopping.

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