So, here’s our young lad eating some yummy gelato.

(please click on the image to view)

↑Leica M9 and Konica Hexanon 60mm @ f/1.2.

I am always in awe at what fast rangefinder lenses – in this case, the Konica Hexanon 60mm f/1.2 LTD – can do @ f/1.2.   Firstly, there is the subjective dream-like quality to the images.  Secondly, on the technical side, the sharpness wide open is remarkable.  Have a look at the 100% crop, where the focus is on the eye:

(please click on image to view)

↑Leica M9 and Konica Hexanon 60mm @ f/1.2 (100% crop, no sharpening).

With all the difficulties in nailing focus manually, on a moving target at f/1.2 with a back-focusing lens, it’s this sort of result that inspires me to keep shooting.

I often try to photograph in an unobtrusive manner because there is a natural rhythm to people and events to which the shutter release should be timed.  Snapping a photo at the wrong moment is like cutting against the grain, singing off key, or attempting to be somebody you’re not… it just doesn’t feel right.

When shots are planned – more likely than not – the smiles will be strained, the postures will be tense, the natural rhythm will be off.  This is of course unless you’re dealing with professional models, though even then introducing some spontaneity into the proceedings is a good thing.

Having written all this, I sometimes plan a shot, such as this one:

(please click on the image to view)

↑Leica M9 and Konica Hexanon 60mm @ f/1.2.

I asked C to jump.  That’s the planned part.  However, the act of jumping creates some fluidity because she’s concentrating on jumping and not posing.  Also, creating this image on the street allows for other elements to be introduced into the scene.  In this case, the passing couple wonderfully completes the composition – something for which I didn’t plan.

Lucky for me.