[Leica] B&W Mag This Month

[rpalmier at depaul.edu (Bob Palmieri)]

Folks -

Picked up the current issue of B&W Magazine (the photo collectors'  
monthly) the other day and was pleased to see a piece on longtime 
(although not exclusive) Leica shooter Art Shay.  I was also happy that 
on page 68 is a very good (although small) reproduction of a photo I 
bought last year and have referred to on this forum once or twice (the 
last time was regarding Super XX film, I think.)  It's one of my 
favorite street shots ever, and incidentally flies gently in the face 
of Mike Johnston's statement to the effect that no good street shots 
are taken from cars.

It's dated 1961 in the magazine caption, although I believe the actual 
date is around 1950. Although the beautiful grain structure and 
sharpness aren't really visible in the small repro (the print I have is 
24 inches across) the tonal values are well represented and the 
composition comes across well. (Tech specs Leica II (D) w/ 35mm 2.8 
Biogon - 1/60th @ 5.6 Super XX in Harvey's 777) The shots of Hef 
w/bunnies and the Rat Pack ain't bad either.

Really, for me Art's stuff defines the kind of shooting style that 
classic 35mm B&W is about.  Although that Chelsea Market Oly E-Volt 
snap of BD's last week is lookin' pretty good... maybe this digi thing 
is here to stay...

Bob Palmieri