p.1 #1 · Black and White Family Documentary Images
I am finding myself with so little time to visit FM and that makes me a bit sad. I've spent SO much time here over the years and can honestly say that if not for this very forum, I would have probably dropped photography long ago.
Over the past several months I've all but dropped my DSLR gear in favor of a Leica Monochrom. I only use my DSLRs when I'm shooting a wedding. Any family work is done with the Leica MM and I absolutely love it. I had film Leicas in the past, but really didn't connect with film the way so many are able to…it just wasn't for me. Luckily, I found a "deal" on one in the summer and the rest is history. I shot a bunch in the summer, but I took a job at a new school and there was much to be done. Throw in football and swimming for my sons and well…I'm just not shooting much.
Below are some image over the past few months. I think I might have shared a few of these, but I'm not certain.
p.1 #6 · Black and White Family Documentary Images
There is something very timeless to these, many of them feel like they could have been shot 30 or 40 years ago...to me that makes them have so much character...great memories you have captured...I would say it makes a case for the camera...but I think the operator has a lot more to do with it...
p.1 #11 · Black and White Family Documentary Images
man these are so good. as someone else said above, they have character. I love the documentary feel of them because they literally are well documentary. I think I have seen a few of these before on here and it was your pictures that inspired me to take a few of my own kid on Halloween with B&W in mind.
I shoot nikon D800e and used some custom VSCO presets for mine but love the look, feel and texture of yours. Would love to know your setup and what you use to process your B&Ws
p.1 #12 · Black and White Family Documentary Images
nextelbuddy wrote:
I shoot nikon D800e and used some custom VSCO presets for mine but love the look, feel and texture of yours. Would love to know your setup and what you use to process your B&Ws
its a Leica MM...it only shoots Monochrome...I would love to own one...but I would need to sell an organ...or 4...
p.1 #16 · Black and White Family Documentary Images
I wanted to comment a bit finally have the time to.
These are just terrific. I usually don't like family photos but these are some tf the best I have seen period. Love the honest, straight forward approach. I feel like I am there to. Even more important are the strong visuals.
#31 Walker Evans inspired for sure but the enjoy Coke puts it in our times not his. Drink Coca-Cola would have been his time.
The series is terrific but other explanation points to me (stand outs) are #1 timing and framing are right on the money. Love the way you played with the frame. The line and the pole just seems to pull it all together.
#10 is another one of my favs. Moment well seen and captured.
#14 another great example of perfect timing. Terrific triangular composition. CLASSIC...
#17 is a real gem. I have commented on it before. An image that screams summer and those endless, childhood, carefree days and the strong visual content is a real bonus.
#19 is a great PoV and really accentuates the height of the dive not to mention the wonderful balance.
#20 is just an wonderful group shot. Real and full of the emotion of the moment even though it is loosely posed.
#24 I have also commented on before. Wonderful composition. Terrific use of the frame. The lifeguards gaze to the action. The figure on the left also pushing the eye towards the motion. I like the repeating rigidness of the background pole being repeated by the legs and torso. Also the wonderful line from the floats moving to the action.
#25 SUMMER!!!!
#29 Another wonderful piece to the overall body of work.
#38 another wonderful triangular comp and the lens flare makes one feel the intensity of the sun.
Chuck, this is a wonderful series and outshine a lot of the work I see on forums. The images, for the most part, look like they belong together and the most important part is they look like your images. The way you put your images together visually (compose), the subjects (your family) the vision the overall look of the work all combined to create a personal style. You take this type of work to a higher level because of that. A more obvious approach to the family than say Abelardo Morell or say Sally Mann took but your own way and just as enjoyable to see.
Your family will be so grateful in the years to come that you have done this. I am pleased that I got to peek inside your world. It was inspiring and also nostalgic. Thanks for posting.
My experiences with my MM over the past 3 years has made me wish that Leica would make an M-E with the new sensor so I could switch completely to Leica even for my commercial work. They have just announced the M 262 so with my Canons having over 150K each it is getting to a point of needing new cameras. If I can swing it I would like to pick a 262 up and maybe a used M9 or M-E for backup and I will dump my Canon gear. Anyone interested in a well used but solid 200 2L?
p.1 #17 · Black and White Family Documentary Images
Man, I love this set. It makes me sad that I've missed the boat taking pictures of my son, now 16. In the theme of "it's never too late" I bought a Leica Q (Longtime Canon guy, hauling gear that weighs as much as a small Winnebago) with the intent of ALWAYS having it with me. I've fallen in love with the camera and Leica in general. Taking a hard look at the new 262. I'm a little nervous about losing AF....just wondering about others experience going to MF?
p.1 #18 · Black and White Family Documentary Images
nextelbuddy wrote:
man these are so good. as someone else said above, they have character. I love the documentary feel of them because they literally are well documentary. I think I have seen a few of these before on here and it was your pictures that inspired me to take a few of my own kid on Halloween with B&W in mind.
I shoot nikon D800e and used some custom VSCO presets for mine but love the look, feel and texture of yours. Would love to know your setup and what you use to process your B&Ws
Thanks man! I always enjoy your work!
Some of the VSCO presets are pretty good with some tweaking! I haven't used them in a while. My MUCH preferred method is Lightroom + Nik Silver Efex Pro 2. All of my presets are custom made in SEP2. I adjust for basic tonality in LR and then import them into SEP2 and apply one of my custom presets and tweak from there. I've gone through just about every black and white engine and SEP2 is awesome. It has a GREAT grain rendering engine.
p.1 #19 · Black and White Family Documentary Images
thanks everyone for the words!
and wow wow wow to the amazingly kind words from photographers who's work i find truly inspirational! i don't know what to say, fellas! evan, mike, allen, zalmy! sheesh. you sure do know how to flatter a guy!
