Re: [Leica] RE: M7

[Ted Grant <tedgrant@shaw.ca>]

J. Gilbert Plantinga wrote:

>>> I think we're missing something in this whole issue surrounding Ted and
> the M7. I've got two of them, and generally the camera works as Ted says
> it does, and it's only rarely that I use the exposure lock; when I did
> need it, it works, almost without thinking.
>
> But, I have been fooled and had some shots that weren't right. I'll take
> Ted at his word that this hasn't happened to him, but and this is a much
> bigger BUT, the reason that Ted is able to get perfectly exposed shots
> every time with the M7 and without conscious thought, is that Ted is a
> master of reading the light in the first place, and that means before
> the camera is up to his eye. Check the archives, Ted thinks first about
> LIGHT. <<<<,

Aaaaahhh my friend Gilbert, :-)

You have revealed the magical part of all picture taking. ;-)  " The LIGHT!
"

The first most important thing is putting film in the camera.
The second most important thing is  The LIGHT!

Understanding how to make it work for you in any shooting situation is what
sorts out 99% of all picture success. Seeing light for picture purposes is
an absolute must for anyone, not just sufficient for an exposure, but the
light in an enhancing manner.

Generally I look for the "shadow side" much like lighting for portraiture
and move there to see how effective it makes the subject and overall scene
look. Most times it's beautiful, enhancing, captivating, adds form and depth
to the scene or subject whether human or animal. Building or scenic.

And after that, heck it's a piece of cake! ;-) Press button! :-) M7 Picture
perfect. :-)

I suppose it's because I'm in position to shoot and watching the subject
moment to be right with eyes and action that the M7 is giving the great
results it is. But then seeing the light and knowing whether it's good or
bad and in your favour is something to show folks and for those who have my
book, "This is Our Work. The Legacy of Sir William Osler." they can see many
photographs shooting from the shadow side.  And it's all available
non-controlled by me light as what you see is what you use.

>>When I look at my less perfect M7 exposures, it's always that I
> took the wrong shot, not that the camera got it wrong, and not even that
> I should have thought to compensate and lock the exposure. It seems to
> always be that I started with crappy light.<<<<

And Gilbert, unfortunately that's the fault with many pictures we see in the
PAW as the shooter hasn't understood how to make the light of day or night
work in his or her favour. It's a simple learning thing once pointed out it
makes picture enhancement as easy as falling off a rolling log.

At the Leica Seminar my main presentation every year is the importance of
light to successful picture taking. And this year in October it'll be the
lead presentation followed with presentations by Tina and myself over the
following three days. But light is the feature learning experience.

ted



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