Re: [Leica] London lurker surfaces with a bit of a ramble

["Mike Durling" <durling@widomaker.com>]

Hey Mike

Your story reminds me of two interviews (video) we did with David
Rockefeller.  What a contrast.  In the first one we were directed to a
loading dock in Rockefeller center and had ample help bringing up our
considerable amount of gear.  We set up in his empty office among the
original oil paintings.  When Mr. R. arrived he came around and shook all of
our hands.  Throughout the whole thing he couldn't have been more gracious.

The second occasion we interviewed him and his wife outside of the house
where they were staying.  It was a cool morning and the woman who was
conducting the interview hadn't dressed very warmly.  Mrs. Rockefeller
immediately went inside and fetched a jacket.  She was nearly 80 at the
time.  About half way through the interview they stopped us and we all had
coffee served in fine china.  Only time THAT's ever happened.  Lotsa class!

Mike D

- -----Original Message-----
From: Mike Stone <mike.stone1@virgin.net>
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Date: Sunday, January 23, 2000 10:42 AM
Subject: [Leica] London lurker surfaces with a bit of a ramble


>Hello all
>
>I've been lurking here for a couple of years on and off and thought I
>should introduce my self.
>
>I'm Mike stone and a professional shooter based in London specialising
>in corporate and celebrity portraits with a variety of kit, mainly
>Hasselblad but also Linhof for large format and of course my Leicas for
>35mm.
>
>On the Leica front I have an M6, M4-2, 90mm Elmar-c ( about to become a
>new 90mm Elmarit-M ), 50mm Summicron-M , 35mm Summicron-M and a Heliar
>15mm.
>
>The Heliar recently saved my skin on a shoot the week I picked it up
>actually, I was booked to shoot Bill gates on his trip London at the end
>of last year and had bee told I would have a half hour slot with him to
>shoot some set up portraits.
>
>
>On arrival at the location Phil my assitant
>complete with all our lighting kit wasn't even allowed in the building
>by the first wave of P.R. and security bods and I was told that I
>couldn't even use any flash on camera.
>
>So in I go with just a bag full of Leicas to meet the great man only to
>hit the second wave of goons who politely inform me that when Mr Gates
>arrives I can introduce myself but that I cannot talk to him whilst
>taking his picture, that I can have five minutes and have to work whilst
>the interview is taking place. I am also told that I should only take
>head shots because he is a little concerned about his waistline.
>
>
>In walks Bill and I think if they are going to mess me around his
>waistline is
>no longer my concern and out comes the Heliar, of course they have no
>idea what I'm using or in fact that after the five minutes are up
>I'm still shooting which I do right through the half hour interview,
>result a great set of pics including some nice wide ones with all his
>goons lined up on the walls around the room thinking they are out of
>shot. Unfortunately the magazine I was working for didn't have the
>courage to use those but it was a great gig at the end and the Heliar
>was a peach at f 8.0 1/30 on tri-x at 800.
>
>I hope I have not rambled on too long and  must say I love the range of
>debate on and off topic and do declare an unhealthy interest in the
>delights of Talisker, picked up whilst at art college in Edinburgh back
>in the 80's.
>
>If you want to see some of my stuff have a look at
>
>http://business.virgin.net/mike.stone1
>
>Not too many Leica shots on the
>site but you may like it and any feedback is always welcome.
>
>
>
>Mike Stone
>
>