Favourite

‘Twas the night before Christmas.

2015, Favourite, Inspiration, Leica 35mm Summilux ASPH FLE f/1.4, Leica M9(P)/M-E (CCD Lives!), Life's Little Moments, Portrait, Teaching point

And the children were tracking Santa.

Merry Christmas to All.

—Peter.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

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Technical Commentary:

The sun was quickly setting as this scene was unfolding and the the vestigial rays of light coming in through the window were creating a pink, gold, and red speckled glow on the wall behind our trio of Santa trackers.  The glow of the smartphone screen also helped set the mood.

 

 

14 of my favourites from 2014.

Favourite, Inspiration

It’s time for the annual culling of my images down to only a few that I consider my favourites.

I had to be ruthless this year, given I was determined to list only “14 of 2014”.

On another note, it is striking that although I shot with film only about 5% of the time, 50% of these images were produced with that venerable medium.

It is also humbling to know that I no longer own a film camera.

Lastly, I’m not sure that I learned as much as I did in previous years, photographically speaking.  I believe part of that was secondary to frequent cycling through new gear, but a large part of it was secondary to having a lot less time to photograph.

Unfortunately, my photography time constraints will continue to increase in the new year.

Thank you for taking the time to visit the site.

Sincerely,

—Peter.

P.S.  The images below are dedicated to my family who continually inspire me.

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My favourite “14 of ’14”

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–aquarium

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aura

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brushing-honey

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dream

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i-see-stars

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love!

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shadow-cascade1

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sisters

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tender-is-the-knight

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the-sunlit-wall-of-sunny-souls

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the-truth1

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time-painting

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train-of-thought

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tree-portrait-part-3
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Related posts:

31 of my favourites from 2013.

21 of my favourites from 2012.

11 of my favourites from 2011.

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Thanks,

—Peter.

Homework.

2015, Favourite, Inspiration, Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH f/1.4, Portrait, Q&A, Sony (Alpha) a7S, Teaching point, Voigtländer VM-E Close Focus Adapter

This image was taken with the Sony (Alpha) a7S.

I wish to thank my good friend Ashwin Rao who was absolutely correct about three things with respect to this camera:

  1.  The a7S digital files are the most CCD-like CMOS files I’ve encountered (not quite like the magic of CCD, but very close — even in their behaviour during post-processing).
  2.  I need to re-acquaint myself with the “tunnel vision” viewfinder the a7S shares with most other cameras.  This is a significant limitation, since unless the camera is a rangefinder, it’s not (yet) possible to see “the world outside the window frame” to better anticipate photographic opportunities.
  3. The a7S sensor and Leica lenses play well together.

Additional notes:

  • The focus-peaking is quite accurate and very user-friendly.
  • The auto-ISO function, in combination with the exposure compensation dial, actually improves upon my set-up with the Leica M8/M9/M-E.
  • The silent shutter option makes me weep tears of joy — bravo Sony.
  • The advertised high ISO capabilities are not just marketing hyperbole.  This sensor was tailor made for dark Canadian winters.
  • This latest Sony still feels like a computer to me vs. a “real” camera.  But it’s undeniably a “real” camera and a formidable photographic tool.

 

—Peter.

 

Homework