Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2018/05/06
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I attended a Leica Master Class with Ralph Gibson at the Leica shop in San Francisco with nude models. I have admired the path Ralph took early in his career by publishing his own work. My wife of 42 years convinced me to take the course. She?s worked with male and female nude subjects for her sculptures. None of us are getting any younger and the class was an opportunity to spend 3 days with a photographer who?s photographs have made me think about developing my own vision. I have read Edward Weston?s day books many times and felt his nude images appear timeless. I shot with a Leica M240, 50/1.4 pre-aspheric Summilux, 90/2 pre-aspheric Summicron. I also borrowed the 50/2 Apo Summicron and the 135/3.4 Apo Elmar from the Leica shop. If I could have afforded the two apo lenses, I would have taken them home. Wonderful optics. Concentrating on Ralph?s technique of pre-visualization was a requirement. I went back to the hotel exhausted each evening after the class to review images with my wife. She?s a much better artist than I?ll ever be. I?ve never photographed anyone who wasn?t wearing clothes. There were about 30 photographers in the class (both men and women). There were four women models that were more comfortable without clothes than I was wearing them. I was a bit uneasy the first day: how do I react, how do I photograph subjects with a unique vision standing next to 29 other photographers. The experience was a valuable lesson. Using northern window light was a revelation. I wrote an article detailing my daily experiences along with a portrait of Ralph, many ?Ralphisms" and a some nude images from the master class. His photo critique could be devastating but also revealing. I have not found a publisher for the article yet. If anyone would like to read it, I can provide the PDF. Spending 3 days with a world class photographer who has strong opinions on the creative process was a unique treat for me. I realize I may never photograph nude models again. It taught me a lot about myself and photography. I also thanked the models for their kindness in posing for the class. Here is a link to the 4 nude images in the LUG Gallery. My apologies in advance if anyone is offended. That is not my intent. I printed a portfolio of my best work from the class that remains on a shelf in my home. Comments welcome. http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/rclompus/L1006623.jpg.html <http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/rclompus/L1006623.jpg.html> Be well, Richard Richard Clompus California