Favourite

Snow Bunny.

2015, Favourite, Inspiration, Portrait, Q&A, Sigma DP3 Merrill, Teaching point

I’m quickly learning how to process Sigma DP3 Merrill files.

For example, I’m constantly resisting the temptation to apply sharpening, since the images have an abundance of sharpness and micro-contrast (two qualities that are not necessarily flattering for portraits).

Yet, this particular image proves one thing:  it is possible to post-process DP3 files to produce a sharp and smooth portrait.

Oh, and the tonality possible with the Foveon sensor… wow.

—Peter.

Snow Bunny

↑ Sigma DP3 Merrrill:  1/15 sec (hand-held, but braced), f/2.8, ISO 200.

Winter Solace.

2015, Favourite, Inspiration, Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH f/1.4, Leica M9(P)/M-E (CCD Lives!), Life's Little Moments, Portrait, Q&A, Teaching point

Cozy and hidden from the cold.

On another note, if there’s a better way to digitally record such Life’s Little Moments, then I’d like to know.

As it stands, the Kodak CCD inside the Leica M9/M-E remains my sensor of choice.

Won’t you please sign My Open Letter to Leica, if you haven’t already done so?

—Peter.

Winter Solace

Sigma Love-Apalooza on Planet Earth.

Favourite, Inspiration, Q&A, Sigma DP1, Teaching point

This is an example of the image output from the original Sigma DP series camera, the DP1:

(28mm equiv, F4 lens)

Love-Apalooza

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The DP1 was an excruciatingly slow compact camera, but it helped me capture one of my favourite images, Planet Earth:

planet-earth

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The camera and software from Sigma were both challenged (and continue to be), so much so that I never purchased any of the subsequent DP offerings.  Still, the image quality from the Fovean sensor has always called out to me, like a Sirens’ song

The Siren that’s been singing the sweetest song over the past 18 months: the DP3.

–Peter.

 

‘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.