Portrait

She, then and now (film).

2012, Film, Inspiration, Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH f/1.4, Leica M2, Leica M3, Portrait, Teaching point, Voigtländer 40mm f/1.4 Nokton

A few years ago, I realized I had never captured her on film.

It was important to me for some reason.

So I started shooting film again.

_

(please click on the images to view)

2009:

↑Leica M3, Fuji X-tra 400, and Voigtländer Nokton 40mm @ f/1.4.

2010:

↑Leica MP, Ilford HP5 Plus 400, and Voigtländer Nokton 40mm @ f/1.4.

2011:

↑ Leica M2, Ilford HP5 Plus 400, and Voigtländer Nokton 40mm @ f/1.4.

2012:

↑Leica M2, Kodak Tri-X 400, and Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH @ f/1.4.

_

I look at these images now, and follow the path of light:

originating from the late afternoon sun,

filtering through the window,

touching her face before reflecting off,

traversing the distance between us,

bending in the glass elements of a lens,

and finally etching her image onto an organic emulsion.

_

The film, like the viewer, is forever altered.

And it all happens in a fraction of a second — just like growing up.

—Peter.

The twinkle in his eye.

2012, Favourite, Inspiration, Leica 75mm Summilux (Canada 🇨🇦) f/1.4, Portrait, Teaching point

This one was challenging, but ultimately very rewarding.

He was constantly moving, with his back toward me most of the time, making a decent shot difficult (it’s always a struggle at this age when kids start getting mobile, but — on the positive side — they’re still “naturals” in front of the camera).

So, I tried a few times throughout the day to capture him… without success.

Then, at the time of the “golden hour“, he was once again looking out the window.  As he turned here, and smiled, a shaft of soft light from outside acted as a gentle spotlight on his left face and shoulder.

As I couldn’t back up any further from where I was, I could just fit him within the 75mm frame lines.  And I tried my best to hit focus, as this wonderful combination of expression, light, and composition would likely not repeat itself.  Fortunately, it all came together.

A  Life’s Little Moment to be cherished.

(please click on the image to view)

↑Leica M9 and Leica 75mm Summilux @ f/1.4.

Self-portrait (film).

2012, Film, Inspiration, Leica 75mm Summilux (Canada 🇨🇦) f/1.4, Leica M2, Portrait

This self-portrait represents my second lapse in judgment.

As an aside, I was experimenting here with achieving focus with the 75 ‘lux @ f/1.4 mounted on the M2.  Ultimately, it’s no different than on the M9… you need to be equally careful in both situations, but it’s definitely doable.  Focus here was on my eye.

This was the first frame of a 36 roll of Tri-X.

(please click on the image to view)

↑Leica M2, Kodak Tri-X 400, Leica 75mm Summilux @ f/1.4.

My “Photographing your family…” article featured on Steve Huff Photo.com!

Favourite, Inspiration, Konica Hexanon 60mm f/1.2, Leica 35mm Summarit f/2.5, Leica 35mm Summilux ASPH FLE f/1.4, Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH f/1.4, Nikon, Nikon 58mm f/1.2 NOCT, Portrait, Print

My “Photographing your family with the BEST photo equipment” article was featured today on SteveHuffPhoto.com!

I’m once again honoured and would like to thank Steve for his ongoing support of my work!

If you want to see the article, as posted on Steve’s site, please click here.

For convenience, I’m re-posting the images below.

Thanks for reading,

—Peter.

(please click on the images below to view them LARGE)