Over-processed, not.

Leica M2, Teaching point, Voigtländer 40mm f/1.4 Nokton

I always have to remind myself not to over-process my images.

It used to be the domain of poor HDR photography practitioners, but now I see “over-cooked” images everywhere.  What’s worse is that few people are objecting to it.

Don’t get me wrong, I shoot in raw format and process ALL of my images, sometimes using various software plug-ins – which I suspect are the most popular tools employed by the offending photo-chefs.

And, especially in my novice days, I have been guilty of over-processing too.  Moreover, I’m sure in a few years I’ll look back at my current digital output and label it as garish.

However, I’ve been shooting a lot with film lately.  I’m doing this mostly because my mood and creative juices are calling for it…. something to do with the darker, cooler season of autumn.

In doing so, I’m always reminded of how a photograph should look.

–

↑Leica M2 and Voigtländer Nokton 40mm @ f/1.4.

–

Nothing flashy.  Nothing exciting.  But real.

I know digital and film, in their native state, look different so I’m not trying to emulate one with the other.

I still go ahead and process the film images I’ve scanned into my computer, though – fortunately – it’s harder to screw around with them… but not impossible.   This limitation helps me understand what I should be striving for when processing digital images.

Keeping it real, so to speak.

—Peter.

When your mother died.

Film, Inspiration, Leica M2, Portrait, Voigtländer 40mm f/1.4 Nokton

When your mother died… it was four years ago today.

When your mother died… you were only two years old.

Do you remember her?

I have a photo of you hugging her – the one in the kitchen – during that final summer together.  In it, you are overcome with joy, and she – she is forever embracing you.

(please click on the image below to view)

↑Leica M2 and Voigtländer Nokton 40mm @ f/1.4.

Dear S,

Rest in peace, my sweet love.

Running.

Inspiration, Leica 75mm Summilux (Canada 🇨🇦) f/1.4, LFI Master Shot, Portrait, Teaching point

The exhilaration of being, on a sunny autumn day.

This photo was chosen as a Leica Fotografie International (LFI) Master Shot.

(please click on the image to view)

↑Leica M9 and Leica 75mm Summilux @ f/1.4.

As you can see, the 75mm Summilux produces an extremely shallow depth of field at f/1.4.  Nailing focus here – while he is running towards me – is tricky.

Further complicating things is the long focus throw of the 75/1.4, which is designed for precision and not for speed.

I rarely get this kind of shot with this lens, at this aperture… and to have caught him in mid-stride was the icing on the cake.