Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Whole Lotta Leica (WLL) Results - Contemplative Photography With the Summicron 35mm f2

I have pursued the concept of "contemplative photography" on and off for a couple of years now. I enjoy it, finding it to be a nice form of meditative concentration, along with making some interesting pictures if I get lucky.
 
My daughter's dive class was finishing up their checkout dives today, and I decided that I didn't feel like diving. So, I spent an hour or two hanging out, writing, and trying to focus on contemplative photography.
 
After the group went into the water, I started trying to look for interesting compositions around the quarry. Here's the stairs leading into the water.
 
Down Into the Blue, by Reed A. George
Leica M9, Leica Summicron 35mm f2 version 3
iso 160, f8, 1/60 sec.
 
 
Up Into the Blue, by Reed A. George
Leica M9, Leica Summicron 35mm f2 version 3
iso 160, f11, 1/500 sec.
 
In this shot above, I really missed an opportunity. I heard a flock of geese coming, but assumed I wouldn't be able to see them through the trees. As I was picking up my camera, they flew right across this area of open sky. I really wish I'd been ready, but that was that. Deciding not to cling to an image that never was, I kept exploring.
 
I find that whenever I sit and think, limiting my options (in this case sitting in one place for thirty minutes), I start to play with moving the camera. This does get overdone, but can lead to some interesting abstracts.
Foliage Abstract, by Reed A. George
Leica M9, Leica Summicron 35mm f2 version 3
iso 160, f16, 1/4 sec.
 
In the image below, I tried to sync the camera motion to the speed and direction of the plants blowing in the wind.
Wind Motion, by Reed A. George
Leica M9, Leica Summicron 35mm f2 version 3
iso 160, f16, 1/2 sec.

 
Glare and Motion, by Reed A. George
Leica M9, Leica Summicron 35mm f2 version 3
iso 160, f16, 1/4 sec.
 
I finished up by trying something pretty unconventional - photographing butterflies with a wide angle lens and rangefinder camera. I didn't get the exact image I wanted, but found it intriguing. I'd like to try this more:
 
Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies, by Reed A. George
Leica M9, Leica Summicron 35mm f2 version 3
iso 320, f4.8, 1/350 sec.
 
This was a fun morning. I need more time like this.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 

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