p.4 #1 · Getting the photo vs the experience of getting the photo
chez wrote:
Getting to know a place, the light, the sounds, the smells, the taste and visualizing the mages that would capture these feelings…then going out and capturing the images.
I start every portrait session with a deep, close inhalation near the model, you know, to really get to know her. I tell her it's simply part of my process of attain the TRUE photographic experience.
p.4 #2 · Getting the photo vs the experience of getting the photo
I spent the first part of my life prioritizing 'getting the photo' at any cost. In that world, you use the high-FPS, autofocus monsters because failure isn't an option. When I transitioned to an M with manual primes for my personal and professional work, it wasn't because I wanted a 'slower' experience—it was because I wanted a more intentional one. With a superzoom and high-speed AF, you are essentially reacting to the world. You’re waiting for the camera to tell you what’s in focus.
With a manual prime, you have to do the work of Orienting to the scene before the subject ever arrives. I find that when I build the 'stage' in my head—setting my aperture and scale-focusing—the 'Act' of taking the photo becomes instantaneous. It’s no longer about whether the camera caught the moment; it’s about whether I recognized the architecture of the frame in time.
For me, the 'Experience' of using a manual Leica isn't just a hobbyist’s romance. It’s a diagnostic requirement. It forces me to see the bones of the city instead of just reacting to the motion.
p.4 #3 · Getting the photo vs the experience of getting the photo
RoamingScott wrote:
I start every portrait session with a deep, close inhalation near the model, you know, to really get to know her. I tell her it's simply part of my process of attain the TRUE photographic experience.
p.4 #4 · Getting the photo vs the experience of getting the photo
RoamingScott wrote:
I start every portrait session with a deep, close inhalation near the model, you know, to really get to know her. I tell her it's simply part of my process of attain the TRUE photographic experience.
Yes, your images that you post shows how deeply you inhale…but it seems all you smell is yourself.
p.4 #5 · Getting the photo vs the experience of getting the photo
Jacob Watrous wrote:
I spent the first part of my life prioritizing 'getting the photo' at any cost. In that world, you use the high-FPS, autofocus monsters because failure isn't an option. When I transitioned to an M with manual primes for my personal and professional work, it wasn't because I wanted a 'slower' experience—it was because I wanted a more intentional one. With a superzoom and high-speed AF, you are essentially reacting to the world. You’re waiting for the camera to tell you what’s in focus.
With a manual prime, you have to do the work of Orienting to the scene before the subject ever arrives. I find that when I build the 'stage' in my head—setting my aperture and scale-focusing—the 'Act' of taking the photo becomes instantaneous. It’s no longer about whether the camera caught the moment; it’s about whether I recognized the architecture of the frame in time.
For me, the 'Experience' of using a manual Leica isn't just a hobbyist’s romance. It’s a diagnostic requirement. It forces me to see the bones of the city instead of just reacting to the motion....Show more →
p.4 #7 · Getting the photo vs the experience of getting the photo
olegkin wrote:
I am in get the photo whatever it takes camp.
I just got Q3 and it is easily the worst ergonomics in camera ever created. Grip and thumb rest made it tolerable but OMG I don't get why people like this brick. And I see now why Leica people complain about menus [in other cameras]. You have to use menus with Leica because there are not enough joysticks and buttons on bodies. Unless you zone focusing, you have to go into menus on Q3 to shoot different scenarios. I practically never go into menus with any other camera. So you are right, shooting with Leica is an experience Images are great though. Over-sharpened, over-processed by default, and have to be heavily corrected [software takes care of it], but end result is great....Show more →
p.4 #8 · Getting the photo vs the experience of getting the photo
Jacob Watrous wrote:
I spent the first part of my life prioritizing 'getting the photo' at any cost. In that world, you use the high-FPS, autofocus monsters because failure isn't an option. When I transitioned to an M with manual primes for my personal and professional work, it wasn't because I wanted a 'slower' experience—it was because I wanted a more intentional one. With a superzoom and high-speed AF, you are essentially reacting to the world. You’re waiting for the camera to tell you what’s in focus.
With a manual prime, you have to do the work of Orienting to the scene before the subject ever arrives. I find that when I build the 'stage' in my head—setting my aperture and scale-focusing—the 'Act' of taking the photo becomes instantaneous. It’s no longer about whether the camera caught the moment; it’s about whether I recognized the architecture of the frame in time.
For me, the 'Experience' of using a manual Leica isn't just a hobbyist’s romance. It’s a diagnostic requirement. It forces me to see the bones of the city instead of just reacting to the motion....Show more →
It is a common misconception that a Leica is necessary for this. Any camera with a manual mode and a manually focusing lens requires exactly the same approach.
The difference exists solely in the user's mind.
p.4 #9 · Getting the photo vs the experience of getting the photo
Jacob Watrous wrote:
the 'Experience' of using a manual Leica isn't just a hobbyist’s romance. It’s a diagnostic requirement. It forces me to see the bones of the city instead of just reacting to the motion.
p.4 #10 · Getting the photo vs the experience of getting the photo
Jacob Watrous wrote:
I spent the first part of my life prioritizing 'getting the photo' at any cost. In that world, you use the high-FPS, autofocus monsters because failure isn't an option. When I transitioned to an M with manual primes for my personal and professional work, it wasn't because I wanted a 'slower' experience—it was because I wanted a more intentional one. With a superzoom and high-speed AF, you are essentially reacting to the world. You’re waiting for the camera to tell you what’s in focus.
With a manual prime, you have to do the work of Orienting to the scene before the subject ever arrives. I find that when I build the 'stage' in my head—setting my aperture and scale-focusing—the 'Act' of taking the photo becomes instantaneous. It’s no longer about whether the camera caught the moment; it’s about whether I recognized the architecture of the frame in time.
For me, the 'Experience' of using a manual Leica isn't just a hobbyist’s romance. It’s a diagnostic requirement. It forces me to see the bones of the city instead of just reacting to the motion....Show more →
Where I live it's a goal not to become part of the dead bones of the city. I would not go out in many public places with a Leica and expect not to attract undesired attention.
I'm not sure if you are familiar with Canon and Nikon, but many of the tele lenses have a pre-focus button so you can set a certain position and then rotate the lens control quickly focus back to that position. Other cameras may have other similar options, so you can do normal focusing and then hit a target in a specific location. It's great for sports and wildlife.
p.4 #11 · Getting the photo vs the experience of getting the photo
Nifty Fifty wrote:
It is a common misconception that a Leica is necessary for this. Any camera with a manual mode and a manually focusing lens requires exactly the same approach.
The difference exists solely in the user's mind.
It is a common misconception that you need manual anything to do the same. All you need is you, and some camera helps but does not really matter which one. I don't like to discriminate on tools, even when I shoot with one of the best available. My current favorite street photographer, Eduardo Ortiz, shoots with some old basic Fujifilm camera and AF lenses as far as I can tell. He has youtube channel, I don't think he ever posted a camera review there.
p.4 #12 · Getting the photo vs the experience of getting the photo
olegkin wrote:
It is a common misconception that you need manual anything to do the same.
I never claimed anything to the contrary. Therefore, I have no idea why you're telling me this of all people.
However, if someone prefers to adjust settings manually because he enjoys it more, then he needs a camera that allows him to do so, and that doesn't necessarily have to be a Leica. That's what I wrote, nothing else.
p.4 #13 · Getting the photo vs the experience of getting the photo
Jacob Watrous wrote:
I spent the first part of my life prioritizing 'getting the photo' at any cost. In that world, you use the high-FPS, autofocus monsters because failure isn't an option. When I transitioned to an M with manual primes for my personal and professional work, it wasn't because I wanted a 'slower' experience—it was because I wanted a more intentional one. With a superzoom and high-speed AF, you are essentially reacting to the world. You’re waiting for the camera to tell you what’s in focus.
With a manual prime, you have to do the work of Orienting to the scene before the subject ever arrives. I find that when I build the 'stage' in my head—setting my aperture and scale-focusing—the 'Act' of taking the photo becomes instantaneous. It’s no longer about whether the camera caught the moment; it’s about whether I recognized the architecture of the frame in time.
For me, the 'Experience' of using a manual Leica isn't just a hobbyist’s romance. It’s a diagnostic requirement. It forces me to see the bones of the city instead of just reacting to the motion....Show more →
Nice that you found what works for you and you can explain it in words. I've heard more than once and was amused by, 'I shoot Leica because everything is plastic garbage but Leica, and I like the special texture of vulcanite on my camera.'
p.4 #15 · Getting the photo vs the experience of getting the photo
Jacob Watrous wrote:
I spent the first part of my life prioritizing 'getting the photo' at any cost. In that world, you use the high-FPS, autofocus monsters because failure isn't an option. When I transitioned to an M with manual primes for my personal and professional work, it wasn't because I wanted a 'slower' experience—it was because I wanted a more intentional one. With a superzoom and high-speed AF, you are essentially reacting to the world. You’re waiting for the camera to tell you what’s in focus.
With a manual prime, you have to do the work of Orienting to the scene before the subject ever arrives. I find that when I build the 'stage' in my head—setting my aperture and scale-focusing—the 'Act' of taking the photo becomes instantaneous. It’s no longer about whether the camera caught the moment; it’s about whether I recognized the architecture of the frame in time.
For me, the 'Experience' of using a manual Leica isn't just a hobbyist’s romance. It’s a diagnostic requirement. It forces me to see the bones of the city instead of just reacting to the motion....Show more →
All of the virtues that you attribute to using your manual focus Leica gear are about choices, not the gear. And you can make those same kinds of choices with any brand or type of camera and lens. It is entirely possible to make intentional, engaged photographs while using a super-tele on a modern, automated camera… and it is entirely possible to turn off those automated features when you think that your objectives will be better met without them.
The implication that a photographer using modern, automated equipment and a feature like AF is necessarilynot “doing the work” is nonsensical and disproven by all of the fine work done by photographers using that sort of gear… and basically every other kind of gear and approach known to the world of photography.
p.4 #17 · Getting the photo vs the experience of getting the photo
Doing friends senior photoshoots/family pictures/sports pictures for others ='s just get the shot they're expecting and hoping for.
Sitting on the beach on Maui or on a hike in some remote location with my camera ='s experience for the most part. If I go home with a wall hanger, great. If not, there's always next time and I have plenty of 'em to choose from already. Not gonna put too much pressure on it unless I'm in one of those "probably won't get back here" locations, at which point the focus is increased until I know I have something decent in the bag.
p.4 #18 · Getting the photo vs the experience of getting the photo
gdanmitchell wrote:
All of the virtues that you attribute to using your manual focus Leica gear are about choices, not the gear. And you can make those same kinds of choices with any brand or type of camera and lens. It is entirely possible to make intentional, engaged photographs while using a super-tele on a modern, automated camera… and it is entirely possible to turn off those automated features when you think that your objectives will be better met without them.
The implication that a photographer using modern, automated equipment and a feature like AF is necessarilynot “doing the work” is nonsensical and disproven by all of the fine work done by photographers using that sort of gear… and basically every other kind of gear and approach known to the world of photography....Show more →
Most AF lenses don't have the same ergonomics and hepatics as MF lenses, so the choice Jacob was speaking to may not be available on AF lenses. Also, he indicated his preference for being forced to using MF rather than having the option. It can certainly be debated whether relying on an externally-imposed restriction "should" be necessary, but if you live long enough you learn such debates are more about preference than necessity, so it's like arguing whether "blue" is a better color than "red". To each his own.
p.4 #19 · Getting the photo vs the experience of getting the photo
snapsy wrote:
Most AF lenses don't have the same ergonomics and hepatics as MF lenses, so the choice Jacob was speaking to may not be available on AF lenses. Also, he indicated his preference for being forced to using MF rather than having the option. It can certainly be debated whether relying on an externally-imposed restriction "should" be necessary, but if you live long enough you learn such debates are more about preference than necessity, so it's like arguing whether "blue" is a better color than "red". To each his own.
If I’m manual focussing, I want a manual focus lens…the throw on autofocus lenses is just a pain in the ass to get critical focus.
p.4 #20 · Getting the photo vs the experience of getting the photo
For me it's the experience but not uncoupled from getting the shot. It requires the creative process to kick in which opens up new ways of seeing the play of light. The physical process of picking up the camera, looking through the lens and creating an exposure is mechanical which doesn't satisfy the creative process.
Allowing the artistic process to develop helps me visualize the end result and it either scratches that itch or it doesn't. Sometimes there is just nothing there which could be attributable to my mood or lack of sleep, lol, at which point there is nothing achieved by pushing it further. I have often seen the same scene several times and felt there was something there to explore but just didn't connect at the time, but I always go back to allow myself to explore possible views and it often just works out.
Images are great though. Over-sharpened, over-processed by default, and have to be heavily corrected [software takes care of it], but end result is great.