Portrait

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

Chalk Messages for Santa, closer.

Inspiration, Leica 35mm Summilux ASPH FLE f/1.4, Leica M8 (CCD Lives!), Life's Little Moments, Portrait, Q&A, Street, Teaching point

Photographically speaking, I live for these moments:

The out-of-focus man in the background, in his positioning, is mirroring our foreground chalk messenger.

In actuality, he was reaching down to pick up a fallen football.

As I saw the scene unfold, I shifted myself slightly to the left, in an attempt to “fill” the photographic frame by expanding the spacing between the two subjects.  This further enhanced the image by creating a more pleasing composition.

(In the past, I’ve discussed the importance of filling the photographic frame — see here, here, and here.)

The actual mirroring of his posture, though he was engaged in a completely different activity from our little chalk messenger, is the sort of happenstance occurrence that a photography geek like myself is thrilled to capture.

A second later, he stood.  The moment had passed.

—Peter.

Chalk messages for Santa, closer

Birthday Giggles… oh no!

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

Last year, she messed-up on blowing out the only candle on her cake, and then burst into an uncontrollable fit of laughter.

This year, there were 10 candles, so… no pressure 🙂

Here she is during one of her many attempts.

(The giggles…oh those giggles)

Her friends resumed eating.

It went on for a while.

—Peter.

Birthday Giggles… oh no!

Hockey Girl, in action.

Hockey, Inspiration, Leica 75mm Summarit f/2.5, Leica M9(P)/M-E (CCD Lives!), Portrait, Q&A, Sports, Street, Teaching point

This was photographed through the arena glass and under poor lighting, using the Leica M9/M-E and 75mm Summarit (see my review here).  Not exactly “sports gear” but good enough to get this shot of my daughter.

Technical considerations:

  • f/2.5 | 1/350 sec | ISO 1250
  • The DNG file was “pushed” two stops in LR for an “effective” ISO of 5000.
  • White balance was manually set during post-processing.

—Peter.

Hockey Girl