Re: [Leica] IIIa Photos

[drb@MIT.EDU]

Phong & Martin-

> I beg to differ: 3 is a shot of someone sleeping, 4 is a hurried shot
> (out of focus), and 5 is a shot in the back

Phong pegged 2 out of 3, but #4 isn't out of focus because it's hurried.  I
found that 25-30% of my shots were slightly out of focus.  I think it's
because I was focusing in one window, and then moving the camera when I
composed in the other window.  The narrow depth of field showed no mercy.
Shooting at 1/30 on a moving train probably didn't help either - I have 2
other frames of that guy and both of those are motion blurred.

> But, this brings us to the core of the matter (and remember -- it takes
> one to know one).  While all are examples of consistently good
> photographic composition, good technique, good utilization of the
> format... I'm left with the question: why?  Why did you take these
> pictures?  What drove you?  What are you trying to communicate?

I'm not quite sure.  I'll be graduating in a few weeks and at that point I
can sit down and ponder what I want to do with photography.  Martin is
right - I did just throw a few rolls into the camera (easier said than done
with a III...), and go shoot whatever I could find.  I'm not sure why I
picked those things to photograph - I guess they just caught my eye.  Since
I'm graduating in December, I have a few months before grad school starts in
September.  I was thinking about trying to get a photography internship with
a newspaper.  It's not the same type of photography, but at least it would
be some direction, instruction, and money.  If anyone has any ideas about
what I could do between December and September, I'd be interested.  I've
been looking at photo internships and volunteer opportuntites all over the
world.  Any leads/ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks for the comments and feedback!

- --Dan



- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Phong" <phong@doan-ltd.com>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Monday, December 02, 2002 7:38 AM
Subject: RE: [Leica] IIIa Photos


> Dan/Martin,
>
> > 3 & 4 in particular showing that you don't have that "I don't dare
> > take a picture"-angst  that many seem to be plagued with.
>
> I beg to differ: 3 is a shot of someone sleeping, 4 is a hurried shot
> (out of focus), and 5 is a shot in the back.  You may not be angst-ridden
> but none of the 5 photos shown are good examples of street
> photography, although 4 in particular shows you are willing to push
> yourself.  By the way, I don't think I can do any better than you.
> #2 is my favorite of the bunch.  An air of mystery.
>
> Re. loading the IIIa, if it is the same as loading the later IIIg, you do
> get used to it.  I remember when I first used an M camera, how I thought
> these Leica camera designers have a really sick mind;  this was the
> early 1990's for crying out loud.  :-)   I did get  used to loading it, as
I
> did later with the IIIg.   The IIIg probably took longer to get used to,
> and of course you have to trim the leader. On the other hand, I loaded
> it again a couple of weeks ago after a long time of not using it, and
> there I was, cursing the camera, and wondering why I would want to
> keep this useless fine piece of junk.  :=)
>
> And I don't really understand I haven't had a misload on an M6 in a long,
> long time.  It's true Zen.  You trust the process and yourself, and it all
> works.
>
> - Phong
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> > [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of Martin
> > Howard
> > Sent: Monday, December 02, 2002 12:07 AM
> > To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> > Subject: Re: [Leica] IIIa Photos
> >
> >
> >
> > Some quick and initial impressions (from someone who largely doesn't
> > know what they're doing, but that's not going to stop me... ;)
> >
> > The FED 55mm may not be a brilliant lens, but you sure seem to put it
> > to good use.  Nice utilization of the format.  You have an eye for 35mm
> > photography, especially the kind that Leicas seem to get put to:
> > documenting life around us everyday.  (1) is a good composition, if a
> > bit bland in subject matter, but I like the quirky humour in the shot;
> > (2) is the best of the lot IMO: I love the mystery in the shot.  Would
> > work great as a B&W with the silhouette printed really black; (3)-(5)
> > all competent examples of street photography, 3 & 4 in particular
> > showing that you don't have that "I don't dare take a picture"-angst
> > that many seem to be plagued with.
> >
> > As for the exposure meter, given what you've posted, why would you want
> > one?  They're all well executed.
> >
> > But, this brings us to the core of the matter (and remember -- it takes
> > one to know one).  While all are examples of consistently good
> > photographic composition, good technique, good utilization of the
> > format... I'm left with the question: why?  Why did you take these
> > pictures?  What drove you?  What are you trying to communicate?
> >
> > This may sound overly critical, but it seems to me that you have what
> > it takes to be a very good photographer -- what you need seems to be
> > direction, or focus, or drive.  Perhaps even a point of departure.  How
> > you get that, I don't know.
> >
> > OK, sure, I understand that you probably just loaded up the IIIa with
> > Fuji Press 800 and pointed it more or less at random at things just to
> > see what it could do.  But, given that these are this good as random
> > shots, imagine what they could be if they had been part of a more
> > focussed whole.
> >
> > Loading an LTM is a pain in the arse.  It always was.  Which is why
> > every single manufacturer in the world, and Leica too eventually, about
> > fifteen years after everyone else, came up with a different way of
> > doing it -- one that relies on being able to open the back of the
> > camera.  And why everyone who tries to use one eventually stops and
> > runs off and buys modern camera instead.
> >
> > Unless they settle for an M, of course.
> >
> > M. (you may now all slap me with a large trout)
> >
> > --
> > To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html
> --
> To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html
>

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