Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/11/30

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Subject: [Leica] PESO: Carver
From: jshul at comcast.net (Jim Shulman)
Date: Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:06:10 -0500
References: <017901ca7200$b5307a20$1f916e60$@net> <CC189DDD3E52420EBD64B115FEF54D7A@syneticfeba505> <018401ca720b$22930e70$67b92b50$@net> <EFD449A6E63A4B6CB8684B469DCBE57F@syneticfeba505>

Maybe that's where I differ in approach.

One reason that I adore using RF cameras is the ability to see life on
parade.  When I consider a subject such as the wood carver, I might spend
several minutes observing him through the viewfinder.  When I feel right, I
push the shutter button.

On those occasions when I've shot multiple images of the same subject, I've
found that my initial instinct of the best shot was almost always right. It
is also almost always the first picture!  When it isn't the first picture,
it's usually one when I've moved in closer.  Years ago I remember reading
about some photographer who said that if your pictures aren't good enough,
you're not close enough.  He was right, so far as my stuff's concerned.  

I usually only like wider angle lenses when I'm shooting a "ballet" of
activity--with many things happening within a frame.  Sometimes a 50 doesn't
allow enough flexibility.  However, this year I've fallen in love again with
the basics: my M3, Summilux 50 (gad, what a lens!), and b/w film.

On most days I wind up with about ten really nice shots per 36-exposure roll
(or at least shots that I'd like to share with others).  In fact, I have a
backlog of about 300 images from the past year (which is why my PESOs are
more like PADs!)  A single event will yield quite a few decent shots.

The other day I photographed a friend's three year old son, during the
intermission of a Thanksgiving dinner production (we were both a little
bored).  I only shot seven images; two were screwed-up exposures, one was of
a wall (misfire), but all the others were keepers (at least acc'd to the
parents.)

In the case of the wood carver I was far more interested in the complete
scene--the hat, the tent, the carving, the boots and the way the light was
slanting into the enclosure. When I had the shot I wanted, I was satisfied. 

About the only portrait session this year that didn't work involved an old
friend and his wife.  The pictures all showed him smiling--but missing about
eight teeth on his upper jaw!  After the implants go in next year we should
be fine <g>.

Jim


-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+jshul=comcast.net at leica-users.org
[mailto:lug-bounces+jshul=comcast.net at leica-users.org] On Behalf Of
tedgrant at shaw.ca
Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 5:49 PM
To: Leica Users Group
Subject: Re: [Leica] PESO: Carver

Jim Shulman offered
Subject: Re: [Leica] PESO: Carver


> Easy for you digital guys to say <g>.
> For a film devotee, it was one shot and done.  Sometimes two if I screw up
> focus or exposure.<<<<<,

Oh no no don't say that as I shrivel and die! Particularly when you have 
such an incredible subject sitting there not going anywhere!!! That's part 
of the reason he makes for a great subject... "HE IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE!" We

are going to have a discussion behind the wood shed on this one young man! 
:-( :-)

Film or digital, Jim I'd have sat there for an hour, if not more, clicking 
at every little motivating moment of the scene. However I must say with film

all the dang darkroom work would've been a big pain in the butt along with 
cutting the film, sleeving, contact printing, editing for selection. Back 
into darkroom for print making.

Right there is reason alone to go digital! :-)

When I lived the life of a film photographer I never let the amount of film 
deter me from shooting everything that I felt in my heart or soul!  Yeah it 
got dangerously low in rolls at times, but I always kept a couple of extra 
rolls in other pockets as a kind of insurance.

Of course now I've gone digital it's a living piece of cake with a couple of

cards, a spare battery and one can blow their brains out snapping away! :-)

So back to this incredible carving subject? Man you can't just shoot one or 
two frames when you have such great picture potential before you. Obviously 
from your answer it would be... "Yes you can shoot just one" :-( :-(

So let's say the next time you run into something like this you will make a 
major effort to shoot more than one, maybe two or go whole hog and shoot it 
to the last possible interesting story telling photograph you can possibly 
squeeze out of it! Like man, everyday you find some of the most interesting 
characters for your photos it's quite amazing. And yes many wouldn't give 
you two seconds of extra time for more pictures.

But a situation like this complete with such a visual character to go with 
it. Hell if you run out of film I've got some film lying around in the 
cupboards here I'll mail to you. But you have to shoot more! OK so we have a

deal? Right?:-)

cheers,
Dr. ted :-)





> -----Original Message-----
> From: lug-bounces+jshul=comcast.net at leica-users.org
> [mailto:lug-bounces+jshul=comcast.net at leica-users.org] On Behalf Of
> tedgrant at shaw.ca
> Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 5:13 PM
> To: Leica Users Group
> Subject: Re: [Leica] PESO: Carver
>
> Jim Shulman showed:
> Subject: [Leica] PESO: Carver
>> http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/focusit/carver+sm.jpg.html
>
> Hi Jim,
> What a great subject character to photograph! I'm sure you must have 
> pumped
> a few dozen images of him covering all the aspects of doing his carving,
> hat, face, his hands at his age must be incredible to shoot after all the
> years of carving.
>
> And the face for expressions? Must be dozens of images. Like you could 
> just
> sit back with maybe 90 or an f4 80-200 zoom and blow yer brains out as his
> expressions changed. :-) And as the light changed on the scene. Endless
> photo options!
>
> Please tell me you did work him for every picture possibility possible? 
> You
> did , didn't you? I knew you would! Good on you!
> cheers,
> Dr. ted :-)
>
>
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>
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Replies: Reply from steve.barbour at gmail.com (Steve Barbour) ([Leica] PESO: Carver)
Reply from tedgrant at shaw.ca (tedgrant at shaw.ca) ([Leica] PESO: Carver)
In reply to: Message from jshul at comcast.net (Jim Shulman) ([Leica] PESO: Carver)
Message from tedgrant at shaw.ca (tedgrant at shaw.ca) ([Leica] PESO: Carver)
Message from jshul at comcast.net (Jim Shulman) ([Leica] PESO: Carver)
Message from tedgrant at shaw.ca (tedgrant at shaw.ca) ([Leica] PESO: Carver)