a man with a leica

Gliding…

Today some colleagues, friends and me went gliding… a belated Christmas present. It was cold and windy, but beautiful weather. Visibility was incredible and adrenaline was pumping… but the best was the silence up in the air… a natural Zen moment for your self.

I’m still shooting with the 35 mm and 75 mm summicron lenses wich is great because by now I can dream the outcome. Still I don’t mind cropping every now and again when 75 mm isn’t enough or time is to short to switch lenses… as long as the picture says what I want to say.

Again I converted all pictures with Silver Efex Pro, and I have to say… I would love to try out the new Leica M9M…. If only to see what happens if I lose control in conversion, seen the fact that it won’t be necessary to convert ;-)

Up in the air I only shot a couple, for the rest I really wanted to enjoy the moment. Still I took a self portrait with my Iphone as well…

For more pictures and these pictures at a higher resolution, check my flickr account.

Leica M9 with 35mm summicron at f4.0 - 1/2000 sec - 200 ISO

Leica M9 with 35mm summicron at f3.4 - 1/500 sec - 160 ISO

Leica M9 with 35mm summicron at f4.8 - 1/2000 sec - 160 ISO

Leica M9 with 75mm summicron at f4.0 - 1/750 sec - 160 ISO

Leica M9 with 75mm summicron at f4.8 - 1/1500 sec - 160 ISO

Leica M9 with 75mm summicron at f4.0 - 1/2000 sec - 160 ISO

Iphone with the camera+ app.

Liberation day

The 5th of may is the day we celebrate liberation day in the Netherlands. We remember getting back our freedom in 1945. There are different festivals in many cities. A lot of friends and I decided a couple of years ago to start the day with champagne. Really celebrating instead of only having a party at the festival. It started with just a couple of friends, but every year the group is getting bigger, there is more food and champagne is better.

In the past years I made a video, but this year I decided to take the Leica D-lux 4 to take some pictures. I didn’t have the guts to take the M9, because of the party and because of the champagne ;-) Here’s some of the pictures, the video’s of past years you can see here and here.

Those little moments…

The good thing of having your studio at creative hub ‘Klein Haarlem’ is that there are many creative people around to inspire you, work with or just take a snapshot of while they are doing their thing. Here’s Joshua, singer of the Dutch formation Chef’Special, working on some new songs. Sitting at the bottom of the fire escape in the last rays of sunshine for today, he was sitting right underneath my window. Who needs spotify when you can go for Chef’Special live!

Leica M9 with summicron 75mm at f2.8 - 1/3000 sec - ISO 400

Leica M9 with summicron 75mm at f3,4 - 1/3000 sec - ISO 400

Leica M9 with summicron 75mm at f4,0 - 1/3000 sec - ISO 400

The Harbour Club

Today I was asked to make a reportage at The Harbour Club Amsterdam. The lounching of Moët Ice Imperial was the occasion, hip, famous and or trendy Amsterdam were the visitors. Amongst them a huge amount of photographers, all equipped with the big DSLR’s I used to use as well. It felt real nice to just walk around and do what I like most; capture the atmosphere.A great atmosphere it was!

For more pictures and higher resolution, click here

Leica M9 with summicron 35mm f2.8 - 1/350 sec - ISO 200

Leica M9 with summicron 35mm f4.8 - 1/500 sec - ISO 800

(comming from inside, didn’t have time to turn back to ISO 200)

Leica M9 with summicron 35mm f9.5 - 1/350 sec - ISO 200

Leica M9 with summicron 35mm f4.0 - 1/180 sec - ISO 200

Leica M9 with summicron 35mm f3.4 - 1/1000 sec - ISO 200

Leica M9 with summicron 35mm f2.8 - 1/2000 sec - ISO 200

Leica M9 with summicron 75mm f2.4 - 1/1500 sec - ISO 200

Leica M9 with summicron 75mm f2.8 - 1/250 sec - ISO 200

Leica M9 with summicron 35mm f3.4 - 1/250 sec - ISO 200

posted 19 April, 2012
by amanwithaleica
Permalink / Short URL

Dragqueens

Every now and again you get an assignment that, upfront, you know is going to be fun. Today I had to photograph six drag queens in the studio. It had to be done with my DSLR because the art director was watching and a M9 unfortunately doesn’t work thetered.

Never the less, the gentleman needed some time to become ladies. Therefore I decided to do some behind the scene shots with the M9. It was unbelievable to see the great care these ladies put in their appearance.

Leica M9 with summicron 35 mm at f2.0 - 1/180 sec - ISO 800

Leica M9 with summicron 75 mm at f3.4 - 1/125 sec - ISO 800

Leica M9 with summicron 35 mm at f2.0 - 1/30 sec - ISO 800

Leica M9 with summicron 75 mm at f3.4 - 1/180 sec - ISO 800

Leica M9 with summicron 75 mm at f3.4 - 1/45 sec - ISO 800

After the official shoot, witch was studio lit on a pink background, I decided to take them all outside and make a quick portrait there as well. Here they are, but ofcourse you can check them in higher resolution here

Miss YogY

Leica M9 with summicron 35 mm at f2.0 - 1/1500 sec - ISO 200

Miss Windy Mills

Leica M9 with summicron 35 mm at f2.4 - 1/4000 sec - ISO 200

Miss Ginger G-spot

Leica M9 with summicron 35 mm at f3.4 - 1/350 sec - ISO 200

Miss Janey Jacke

Leica M9 with summicron 35 mm at f2.4 - 1/2000 sec - ISO 200

“name to be anounced”

Leica M9 with summicron 35 mm at f2.8 - 1/750 sec - ISO 200

Miss Fucksia

Leica M9 with summicron 35 mm at f2.0 - 1/1500 sec - ISO 400

When all pictures were taken, and some empty bottles of wine were on the table, the girls decided to go and have a snack in the city. So off we went. To see some more pictures and these ones in a higher resolution check here

Leica M9 with summicron 35 mm at f2.8 - 1/250 sec - ISO 400

Leica M9 with summicron 35 mm at f2.8 - 1/125 sec - ISO 400

Leica M9 with summicron 35 mm at f3.4 - 1/60 sec - ISO 400

Leica M9 with summicron 35 mm at f3.4 - 1/90 sec - ISO 400

Toques et Clochers part 4

The last day in Carcasonne, people could sleep in a little bit. The first activity of that day was planned in the garden of the local Charcutier (butcher) Pierre Vasquier. Sitting at the pool, drinking wine, enjoying fresh made ‘saucisson’ and getting a tan in the sun. How tough can life be?

Leica M9 with summicron 35mm at f4.0 - 1/2000 sec - ISO 200

After enjoying for a bit we were invited in the garden were an abundance of salads and barbequed meat was waiting for us. The artist that had painted a masterpiece on one of the wine barrels the night before, started to make portraits on our plates. Again there was wine. This was a brilliant way to forget about the hangover of the night before.

Leica M9 with summicron 35mm at f4.8 - 1/500 sec - ISO 200

Leica M9 with summicron 35mm at f5.7 - 1/180 sec - ISO 200

Leica M9 with summicron 35mm at f4.0 - 1/750 sec - ISO 200

Leica M9 with summicron 35mm at f8.0 - 1/90 sec - ISO 200

Still after a couple of hours it was time to go to work again. The auction of the wine barrels… The whole reason of being here. A huge crowd was gathered, from all over the world wine experts or lovers had come to witness this auction.

Leica M9 with summicron 35mm at f3.4 - 1/25 sec - ISO 800

Leica M9 with summicron 35mm at f2.0 - 1/30 sec - ISO 800

Leica M9 with summicron 35mm at f2.4 - 1/45 sec - ISO 800

Luckily I had things arranged so I could walk around freely to take some pictures. This is, again, where I found my Leica of brilliant use. During the auction I could freely photograph without making lots of noise (no mirror clicking up and down) and no intimidating big camera nearby. Because of the low light, therefore the slow shutterspeed, I again needed to think before shooting. I’m starting to like this approach. Making less pictures, but to see it coming as it unfolds in front of you.

Leica M9 with summicron 35mm at f2.4 - 1/30 sec - ISO 800

Leica M9 with summicron 75mm at f3.4 - 1/30 sec - ISO 800

Leica M9 with summicron 75mm at f2.0 - 1/45 sec - ISO 800

The day would end like it is supposed to end. A gala dinner. Everybody dressed up, live music, food, wine, dance. We even got the chance to have a look in the kitchen that night. As this was the official end of carnival the atmosphere in the end was one of craziness. It was a brilliant weekend!

Looking at the pictures now, I can clearly see how the M9 is influencing my way of photography. Different angles, getting in closer, more thought in composition… it has brought me back to, what is for me, the essence of photography.

Leica M9 with summicron 35mm at f5.7 - 1/250 sec - ISO 200

Leica M9 with summicron 35mm at f2.8 - 1/30 sec - ISO 1000

Leica M9 with summicron 35mm at f2.8 - 1/45 sec - ISO 1000

For some more and higher resolution pictures click here

Toques et Clochers part 3

That same night, there was a nice party organized in Carcassonne, near the hotel we were all staying at. Preparations took some time during the days before, but it was good fun.

During the party, I had a special mission. I had to take some staged pictures of the guest in a room that was close to completely dark. That’s what you do when you want people to dance and have a good time… red, blue and yellow lights, loud music by dutch radio DJ’s that were flown in… making for a great night, but a nightmare shoot.

Therefore I had called the dutch importer of Leica, who happens to also be the importer of broncolor light systems. They hooked me up with a single DW 200 unit. Continuous daylight on a stick so to speak. A small suitcase had everything in it, including a small softbox. This way I could shot with the M9 from tripod at 1/25 and f4.0 or at ISO 800 in an almost dark room. I couldn’t put the light any closer because we opted for a head to toe portait of up to 4 people. Looking back it might have been smarter to go for a DW 400 unit but… I made it.

Setup shot with an Iphone

Leica M9 with summicron 35mm at f4.0 - 1/25 - ISO 800

Leica M9 with summicron 35mm at f4.8 - 1/25 - ISO 800

For the whole serie you can check here

Toques et Clochers part 2

Next day a trip to the wine cooperation was planned. An overview on how the wine is made and bottled, and a round trip through the wine cellars where the barrels are kept. Taking pictures here again was a challenge using high ISO. Also the barrels itself were excellent support. Using the selftimer at 2 sec, it gave me the ability to still make some nice shots in the pretty dark cellars.

Leica M9 with summicron 35mm at f3.4 - 1/15sec - ISO 1000

Leica M9 with summicron 35mm at f2.0 - 1/15sec - ISO 1000

Leica M9 with summicron 35mm at f3.4 - 1/15sec - ISO 1000

Leica M9 with summicron 35mm at f2.4 - 1/15sec - ISO 1000

Leica M9 with summicron 35mm at f11 - 1/250sec - ISO 200

After this round trip we would go on to Antugnac, a village nearby with 324 inhabitants. This day there would be around 40.000, celebrating the end of carnaval, witch takes2 months here. Everywhere people drink wine, celebrate, eat, make music and have fun.

I didn’t take a tripod with me to shoot the fireworks at the end of the day (didn’t want to carry it around and besides by that time I probably would shake to much to even mess that up). Still, during the day I again experienced that I was looking at my work differently because of the Leica. I am more aware of the time I need to take a picture. Also I feel I have more patience waiting for the right moment to take just that one shot. Next to that people are generally less intimidated by this camera, compared to my D3 or D3X. And most of all, specially during these kind of events, I don’t walk around with a 10 KG shoulder bag in a hurdle of drunk people. I travel light, I’m developing a different view, challenging my skills and I’m able to deliver huge resolution pictures… I love this camera.

Leica M9 with summicron 35 mm at f4.8 - 1/250 sec - ISO 200

Leica M9 with summicron 35 mm at f2.4 - 1/350 sec - ISO 200

Leica M9 with summicron 35 mm at f2.4 - 1/500 sec - ISO 200

Leica M9 with summicron 75 mm at f4.8 - 1/500 sec - ISO 400

For all the pictures taken this trip you can keep checking here

Toques et Clochers part 1

So, as I said… it would be an intense weekend with a very busy schedule. In total there were about 50 quest in the Dutch group, visiting Toques et Clochers. To give a raw idea of the program:

Friday we had a wine tasting organized by Cuno van ‘t Hoff. Tasting wines that came straight from the barrels, witch is actually a complete different experience - and taste - than a normal tasting would be. The event was a tasting of wines witch would be auctioned the next day in Limoux. This is done as a benefit for local restoration of the church clock-tours (Clochers) in villages in the neighborhood. The tasting was organized in 2 michelin star restaurant “Le Parc” so naturally it was followed by a beautifull diner in that same restaurant.

Because the tasting was done inside the restaurant where light conditions were pretty tough, I pushed the Leica to 800 ISO. As I know now, doing that, I have to make sure my histogram stays on the right side (whites) to make sure I have as little noise as possible. This to make sure that the pictures wouldn’t differ to much with the pictures taken outside in between tasting (because of the beautiful weather I had to switch back to ISO 200). Even though inside I shot at ISO 800, I was still shooting at 1/15th or 1/30th of a second.

For more pictures of this day you can check here.

Leica M9 with summicron 75mm at f2.8 - 1/2000sec - ISO 200

Leica M9 with summicron 75mm at f4.0 - 1/4000sec - ISO 200

Leica M9 with summicron 75mm at f3.4 - 1/2000sec - ISO 200

Leica M9 with summicron 75mm at f2.8 - 1/90sec - ISO 400 (near open door)

Leica M9 with summicron 35mm at f3.4 - 1/60sec - ISO 800

Leica M9 with summicron 75mm at f2.8 - 1/90sec - ISO 800

Leica M9 with summicron 35mm at f2.4 - 1/30sec - ISO 800

Leica M9 with summicron 75mm at f2.8 - 1/90sec - ISO 800

Carcassonne

Yesterday evening I left my hometown with two friends/colleagues for a trip to the south of France. This weekend there will be a huge wine auction, Toques et clochers, in Limoux and we are there to make a reportage about it.

Because we wanted to have a road trip instead of the regular plane, we left 2 days early in a huge Audi A6 driving all the way down to Carcassonne. So we had a day to adjust to the surroundings. Of course that gave me time to shoot some pictures, look around a bit and prepare for that what will come. Because of the beautiful weather I had all the possibilities to experiment with shutterspeed and f-stops, to see what kind of settings I will be using this weekend. I have decided to use the M9 for all the work this weekend, so it’s nice to prepare some kind of plan. Reasons I’m doing it this way are numerous: first of all, the intention when I started working with it, was to do as much work as possible with it. Second of all, there will be a huge amount of press around here and this way I can stay under the radar and actually get a complete different approach to the whole event. (working with the Leica M9 really makes me look at my job differently.)

Here are some pre-event pictures that I took today, to give you an idea of who I am traveling with, Cuno van ‘t Hoff (wine journalist) and Jaap Baan (sommelier), to show you how I’m trying out different settings and of course to show you a bit of the beautifull place I’m at.