Photo Shoot

Levels.

Inspiration, Leica 50mm Summicron f/2, Photo Shoot, Teaching point

This shot is unsuccessful.

The scene is from the lobby of the Royal York Hotel in Toronto where an interesting vantage point is afforded by the arrangement of the floors and spiral staircases – it sets up an almost Escher-like effect on the brain.

(please click on the image to view)

↑Leica M9 and Leica 50mm Summicron @ f/2.

My goal was to capture the bustling movement of people, on each level, including the connecting staircase.  The first strike against success was the lens  – I had a 50mm, and I needed a 35mm.  Consequently, the frame is tilted in order to try to “fit” more of the scene into the field of view (this somewhat contributes to the general visual disorientation so it’s not such a bad thing).  The second – and more fatal – strike was that, despite the constant flow of human traffic, there was never any satisfactory simultaneous distribution of people amongst the levels.  Despite waiting for it to happen, it never materialized.

Still, I kept this shot as a token for my efforts.  I do like the fact that the man in mid-step (bottom right) has spotted me, despite being two levels beneath me.

Sammy’s Service Centre.

Leica 35mm Summarit f/2.5, Photo Shoot, Portrait

This is Sam Koundouros, the owner of Sammy’s Service Centre, an independent automotive repair facility located in Toronto.

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(Photo above taken with the Leica M9 and Leica 35mm Summarit @ f/2.5.)

Sam is one of those rare business owners who knows how to communicate with his customers – with respect and honesty.

And this photo isn’t part of a paid project.  I’m actually posting this as a “thank you” to all the wonderful people at Sammy’s who work hard every day making sure the vehicles are running properly.

I first learned about Sammy’s through a recommendation from a neighbour.  So strong was the recommendation that I chose to have my new vehicle, which is still under warranty, serviced by them instead of my dealer.  I haven’t been disappointed.

I have been to Sammy’s several times since then and have dealt with many of the service personnel and, without exception, they have all been professional, competent, and extremely courteous.  All of them.

I have never received this kind of service at any of the auto dealer service centres I’ve dealt with in the past, including Honda, Toyota, and even BMW.

I really can’t believe how good this place is, but it is.

If you want to learn more about Sammy’s, have a look at their website here.

Eunice’s Swim School, revisited.

Konica Hexanon 60mm f/1.2, Leica 135mm Tele-Elmar f/4 (1966), Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH f/1.4, Photo Shoot

I previously shot some images for Eunice (see here) at her swim school and was asked yesterday to create a cover image for her about-to-be revamped brochure.  The front cover is to feature Eunice engaged in her greatest passion – teaching.

(please click on both of the images below)

↑Leica M9 and Konica Hexanon 60mm f/1.2 @ f4.

Here is another image that, although not intended for the cover, may be used as part of other promotional material:

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↑Leica M9 and Leica Tele-Elmar 135mm f/4 @ f/5.6.

As an aside, I’ve taken other images while at the school:

The above images were taken with the Leica M9, the Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH f/1.4 @ f/1.4 (first two) and the Konica Hexanon 60mm f/1.2 @ f/1.2 (third).

Boy and breakfast.

Inspiration, Leica 50mm Summicron f/2, LFI Master Shot, Photo Shoot, Portrait, Print

There was something about the way the natural light filtered through the window and shone upon the figure of this boy, who was quietly busy buttering his toast.  The crispness of the white table cloths juxtaposed with the dark and textured bricks also caught my eye.  And the orange juice looks as vitally orange as it did the morning this photo was taken.  Normally, the mixture of natural and incandescent light sources creates a white balance nightmare, but thankfully not this time.

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

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Leica M9 and Leica 50mm Summicron @ f/2.