It's been quite some time since I posted here! One major part of that is that all three of my sons just wrapped up baseball season...which means we had 56 games in 50 days (not including practices). The season was a grind to say the least!
I also realized that it's been 10 years since I first joined FM! That is mind blowing to me and has me saying 'where did the time go!?'. I started right here in this very forum not knowing how to shoot manual...no clue what aperture was...not understanding why my photos sucked...etc. I asked a lot of questions and posted a lot of bad photos! Sorry about that!
I've been in sort of a gear reshuffle lately, recently switching from Canon to Nikon (it's really the same stuff at the end of the day, with a sensor advantage going to Nikon). I've also added a camera I've dreamed about for quite some time to the mix just two weeks ago, the Leica Monochrom. Below are some shots over the last two weeks taken with the Leica and then some shots from this past baseball season with Nikon/Sony.
Hope you are all well!
These are from the past two weeks, Leica Monochrom + Voigtlander 28mm f/2:
Absolutely love all your images here. I am jealous, because I know you have connections and are probably well-known with the kids and parents, whereas most of us would have the police called on us for trying to get these great shots. Also jealous of the Leica Monochrom.
You definitely have a talent for recognizing classic American moments. Hard to pick a fav, but I'll say #17.
You ever have any thoughts of putting a book together? I would think you have a large catalog of Americana as shown with children and family.
Hi there! Glad to see you back! I remember you from when I was on FM a few years ago, and your pictures were (and still are) edgy, stark, and full of human emotion. To me you style is a great combination of portraiture and (family) photo-journalism, much as you would see in the pages of Life magazine back in its heyday.
(Are you Katie or Chuck, or both? Just curious.)
For this series #2 really stands out in the first set, as does #10, #16, and #17. In the second set #7 and #9 are PRECIOUS.
Great to see you back. I've watched and commented as you 'grew' over the years just as your family grew too. Finally, my comments became only 'nice shot' comments rather than on some small point where you could improve.
For me, the first two shots (first set) are great compositions and there are so many others in the set that have your imaginative way of composing. You do a lot of wide shots, showing all the surroundings in a way that gives the viewer a sense of being there with you. I also admire your candid shots of the boys in quiet moments.
When you have a moment, I'd like to hear why you are presenting only in B&W. What advantage do you see? It might be worthy of a separate thread.
Missed you Chuck (says a guy who probably hasn't posted in months). The monochrom has a very small target audience, and you Sit squarely in that target.
Sitting in an airport on a phone so will need to look again later, but even at this size 1 is fantastic.
Best,
Dave
I'm so glad to see a post from you and to hear that things are going well! Here's what I like:
1 - that's the perfect Chuck timing and framing.
16 - 2 reasons I really like this: 1 - Ha ha, boys being boys - let's see how much this hurts. 2 - instead of dad saying "hey guys knock it off, somebody's gonna get hurt" It's lemme get right in there with this cool perspective and take a shot instead!
0 - perfect moment
6 - Great spacing and again perfect timing with legs. Also like the timeless feel. The clothes are the only things that give a clue to the time period. Reminds me a bit of your boys lined up on the beach picture.
7 - love how Max is copying bigger bro.
8 - I can't describe *why* I really like this one. I just do.
brianclary wrote:
Absolutely love all your images here. I am jealous, because I know you have connections and are probably well-known with the kids and parents, whereas most of us would have the police called on us for trying to get these great shots. Also jealous of the Leica Monochrom.
You definitely have a talent for recognizing classic American moments. Hard to pick a fav, but I'll say #17.
You ever have any thoughts of putting a book together? I would think you have a large catalog of Americana as shown with children and family.
Thanks Brian for the very kinds words!
Most of the shots here feature my own children...or their friends. But I think a book of my own children's lives would be pretty boring for most viewers outside of my home...so I've never given it any thought!
Puffin Runner wrote:
Hi there! Glad to see you back! I remember you from when I was on FM a few years ago, and your pictures were (and still are) edgy, stark, and full of human emotion. To me you style is a great combination of portraiture and (family) photo-journalism, much as you would see in the pages of Life magazine back in its heyday.
(Are you Katie or Chuck, or both? Just curious.)
For this series #2 really stands out in the first set, as does #10, #16, and #17. In the second set #7 and #9 are PRECIOUS.
Again, thanks for the compliment as Life magazine has been very influential to my development as a photographer!
I am Chuck, by the way. Katie doesnt post much here.
Jim Rickards wrote:
Great to see you back. I've watched and commented as you 'grew' over the years just as your family grew too. Finally, my comments became only 'nice shot' comments rather than on some small point where you could improve.
For me, the first two shots (first set) are great compositions and there are so many others in the set that have your imaginative way of composing. You do a lot of wide shots, showing all the surroundings in a way that gives the viewer a sense of being there with you. I also admire your candid shots of the boys in quiet moments.
When you have a moment, I'd like to hear why you are presenting only in B&W. What advantage do you see? It might be worthy of a separate thread.
You were one of the encouraging ones from the beginning! Hope you are well!
I opted to go with the Monochrom because when I think about my favorite images, they are almost ALWAYS black and white. I find myself fighting to make things color...just because. The Monochrom wont give me that option As far as advantage, I'm not sure there is one. The files are very nice and there is a lot of data to work with, but honestly, the best files I've worked on have been out of the Sony RX1. With that said, I do love working with the Leica camera. It is a very very enjoyable experience for me.
So in short, it's really just a matter of preference. I've been at it for 11ish years and I finally feel like I know what I want...and BW seems to be it... for now
I really enjoyed this set, very impressive Pj skills, I could easily see these in one of those huge coffee table photography books. Class.
Keep going Chuck
As far as advantage, I'm not sure there is one. The files are very nice and there is a lot of data to work with, but honestly, the best files I've worked on have been out of the Sony RX1. With that said, I do love working with the Leica camera. It is a very very enjoyable experience for me.