Re: [Leica] Frustrations!

["Joe Stephenson" <joeleica@email.msn.com>]

Dear David,

[cut]>
>1) Not getting close enough to the subject. This problem struck mostly in
the
>people pictures. I find that what I want to print is usually about 1/4-1/2
the
>total negative. This means that I have to enlarge the negative a lot, which
>makes the grain very visible and seems to soften the overall image. I
wonder
>if I should change over to a 50mm lens - I never seem to back away from my
>subjects - I just don't get close enough. Maybe I could just have someone
>stand behind me and push hard at the right moment...
>
Working with a paid model (in a class) really helped me here. She or he
expected to be treated like a subject. They expected to be told how to pose.
They expected to have cameras pointed at them at close range, etc. Once I
got a bit of practice, it was easier. Actually, I think that most people who
are being photographed like being told what to do. It shows them that you
have a plan, and reduces their self-consciousness.

>2) Depth of Field - not enough. This one really makes me mad. I know how to
>figure this out (though it is a little harder with an M6 than it was with
my
>SLR with DOF preview). I think that I just have to be more thoughtful (hard
>with a moving 3 year old), and for landscapes, pack some sort of camera
>support (a mono pod?) to enable smaller apertures.

Also learn to think of your zone of focus. Imagine a pair of planes in front
of hte camera that determine the near and far limits of acceptable focus,
and keep important subject matter in the zone. Take a lot of photos,
expecially with small children. Don't assume that all parts of every picture
need to be sharp.
>
>3) Camera shake. Is there any way to practice holding the camera still? I
>usually follow the 1/focal length rule of thumb for hand holding, but I
still
>have trouble, especially with the 90. A related question, when you hold the
>camera vertical, do you have your right hand on top or bottom?

I think practice helps, both with and without film. But a tripod helps the
most. Flash, even a little bit, can help. Do what you can to raise the light
level where you are working, or use faster film.
>
>Those were today's problems, with the negatives I thought worthy of trying
to
>print. Of course there were many that were not worth even trying -- but I
>think that is a relatively common occurrence. The final bit of frustration
was
>not having anything worthwhile to practice my printing on - I am relatively
>new to the darkroom (~150 sheets of paper exposed).

If you have anything you like after 150 sheets of paper, consider yourself
to be ahead of the game. Keep working. Show people your work, talk to them
about it. Find an experienced person and show them your work. Take a good
class.

Sincerely,
Joe Stephenson
>
>Anyway, any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance,
>
>David Feldman
>Davis, CA