Posts in Category: 365
Leica M9-365 Week 4: High ISO, Slow Shutter and Wide-Open
So what about my 365 project. I have committed to shooting strictly with Leica M rangefinders sometime later this year. I say sometime because I have commitments to projects ill-suited for the Leica and really requires I use my DSLR equipment. Also, there is a learning process during the transition.
These are the images I created from January 23 to January 31, 2012. My favorite from the week is the image I took of the Hampton Inn in Northern, Virginia near the Maryland Border. It’s not going to win any photography awards but it is a great image to show the capabilities of the M9 and mirrorless cameras in general. The image was taken at night at an ISO of 1600 with the aperture on the 35/2 Summincron wide open at 2.0, the shutter at 1/30th of a second handheld. I did not have the assistance of a wall to brace myself or a monopod. I just stood in the middle of the parking lot.
Not something you would want to try with a DSLR which at that speed would require not only a tripod but having the mirror locked up. 
The rest of the images were taken while I am out and about.
Leica M9 365 Week Three
At the beginning of the year, I started my very own 365 photography project where each day I would create an image using my Leica M9 rangefinder camera. I really thought it would be quite problematic, and this is my first such endeavor, to publish each day so I am batching them instead. So the ensuing images are for days 16-22 on the timeline.
My favorite photograph last week was an image of my friend Pat, who runs a website called Knowledge Adventures, LLC that offers information on how residential real estate owners can reduce their property taxes without the need for outside consultants. Pat has been managing homeowners’ associations, condominiums and other rental property throughout the Dallas Metroplex for about 20 years and has summarized his expertise into a do-it-yourself publication called “How to Win Residential Property Tax Appeals.”
It is one of my favorite shots of the week. It’s not one of my best photography accomplishments, but it does offer some insight into my friend whose portrait I captured in his home office. He’s a light-hearted guy, works hard at what he does, sometimes silly and wants to travel extensively someday, which is reflected in the wall maps behind his desk.
The rest of the images may be summarized as follows.
Day 16: A Partially Frozen Raymondskill Falls taken during a hike where the temperatures where in the low teens. The waterfall is composed of three drops and the combined height is just four feet short of Niagara Falls height
Day 17: Fairleigh Dickinson University Swimming Pool, which was taken inside the student recreation center. It was lit with a single Quantum QFlash Turbo 5D set to full power while the camera was set to ISO 400, f/4, 1/60th. The flash was set off remotely using a pair of Pocket Wizard MultiMax units. This was a test shot for a team photo I need to do at this location.
Day 18: AView from the Hood. I was driving along I-40 in Virginia and snapped a photo from over the dashboard.
Day 19: A Farm Along I-40 Near Nashville, TN
Day 20: Pat at Randy White’s Barbecue on Preston Road in Frisco Texas.
Day 21: Pat at His Home Office
Day 22: Koda Resting on His Side
365 Days With my Leica M9
While a large segment of the population are working on their New Year’s resolutions at this time, photographers have eagerly started their 365 project where they endeavor to capture a image each day. In fact, another blogger highlighted several unique 365 projects that inspired me to start my own.
It seems easy to do so but it’s actually a very big commitment. Richard Radstone’s 365 project is difficult because he actually has committed to photographing a complete stranger every day. Talk about forcing yourself outside your comfort zone. I’ve read several of his posts. He does a wonderful job and I wish him luck.
My favorite project is An AfternoonWith. The author actually spends an afternoon with one individual to create their portrait and document their space, but it really is about connecting with people.
So what about my 365 project. Mine is going to be 365 Days With my Leica M9. I have committed to shooting strictly with Leica M rangefinders sometime this year. I say sometime because I have commitments to projects ill suited for the Leica and really requires I use my DSLR equipment. Also, there is a learning process during the transition.
Since I have shot mostly sports and events, I end to be a run and gun photojournalist. It’s about catching the peak action so I sometimes have difficulty slowing down for portrait shots. The Leica is perfect for portraits, event and street photography. It’s the perfect photojournalism camera because it also allows you to get close to your subject without scaring them with a big honking camera. Also, the Leica has few bells and whistles. In fact, the Leica M9 only shoots aperture priority and manual. You are forced to learn about your camera and photography in particular without all the fancy bells and whistles of a DSLR.
Since I am starting this late, I am going to post eight images at once taken from the last few days. I will post the images I capture in batches or weekly in all likelihood as opposed to each day. Wish me luck. My project is open ended in that I do not have specific images in mind. It’s about learning with my favorite camera that I carry just about everywhere.