Here is the latest set of pictures, so please vote and comment as usual.
1) Bill A
Tradition
2) Bill S
In different worlds: Taken through the window of a train when it stopped at Stockport station with a Leica lensed Panasonic FT4
3) Dave S
It's Broken: Leica M8 50 Planar
4) David F
I whistle a happy tune: Leica IIIf bd + 13.5 cm Hektor, taken at a VSCC driving tests at Brooklands in January 2009.
5) David K
Royal Crescent' (a different viewpoint of the much photograph
6) Del B
Padlock: Leica M9 with 50mm Summicron-
7) Duncan K
Our Split Screen Van Ain't Spick & Span! : Olympus E-5, Leica 25mm f1.4 D Summilux, 1/400 @ f4.5, ISO 100
8) Elaine J
Farm Scene: taken with a Lumix FZ100 with a Leica lens
9) James C
Little Langdale, evening Xmas day. Dmc L1 50mm Summicron
10) Malcolm R
The Red Arrows, Panasonic DMC-TZ20 August 2012, Sywell Airshow.
11) Phil C
Can you see what it is yet?No, nor can I... Leica M6, 21mm Voigtlander Color-Skopar
12) Robert H
It's a Dogs Life: Leica D-Lux 5 ISO 800. Taken at Monmouth Show by our stand.
13) Rob S
Memorable Encounter, Leica X1
That is it. Look forward to seeing your comments.
Bill A
ReplyDeleteWell spotted and a good result considering you were shooting from the hip. I particularly like the chap gazing out of the window. Was he going for the Breakfast option whilst everyone else went for Liquid refreshment!. Good and sharp where it needs to be.
Bill S.
Again another grab type shot which really works. The young man immersed with his phone whilst the young lady in the background is also immersed with her book. The clash of two different mediums. This picture is well balanced and the tight crop helps tell the story. I like it.
Dave S.
An apt title. The choice of monochrome is well suited to this particular subject as I feel colour would have been distracting. I like the tones in the sky as it gives some depth to the image a bald sky would not be helpful here though at times it cannot be avoided. A simple motif which works well in this instance.
4) David F.
The choice of sepia works well for this particular subject. You have filled the frame with your trusty lllf. Nice one.
David K.
A very pleasing view of The Royal Crescent. The sweep in the foreground ultimately leads the eye to the main crescent and the inclusion of the shadow of the railings is an added bonus.
Del B.
I have recently read about these padlocks appearing around London. The red one certainly stands out. Simplicity of subject matter always seems to work. Well spotted.
Duncan K.
This VW van seems to have seen better days. The two girls playing guitars on top of an old delivery van gels rather well and you have filled the frame with your chosen subject.
Elaine J.
Lovely sky and textures in the round bales. However I find the piece of farm machinery an annoyance and I think you would have been better concentrating on the bales and the deep blue sky.
James C.
Lovely atmosphere created by the smoke coming from the cottage chimneys. What a shame those cars get in the way, clone them out in Photoshop! However I do find the image rather peaceful with the colours very much a part of this time of the year.
Malcolm R.
Well captured with nice rich colours. I like the way the ladies hands are held up applauding the Red Arrows. A nicely balanced photograph.
Phil C.
This is quite a conundrum, indeed What is It? Interesting and thought provoking.
Rob S.
You have certainly captured a sense of awe on the young lads face. However it would be nice to see the face of the medal holder but in these circumstances it is not always possible. Good sharp result from the X1.
1) Bill A
ReplyDeleteAnother wonderful moment captured. The man in the window makes the shot of course, and all the characters seem to be in their own world. Excellent.
2) Bill S
Here again we have separate figures in their own spaces and times, yet bought together within the frame. It works well with one on their phone and the other enjoying a good old fashioned paperback.
3) Dave
Nicely composed and with few elements in the frame this is well balanced and leads me to want to know more or perhaps to make up a story around the image. What looks like a gap in the fence adds to the drama and feeling of being locked in.
4) David F
This has a timeless quality to it. The treatment adding to that and the simple background makes it feel like a studio shot of some kind, very nice indeed.
5) David K
Such a lovely city and all those curves in the frame echo the crescent itself. Well spotted and executed.
6) Del
These padlocks seem to be spreading though I notice some are now being removed in Paris.
7) Duncan
A beautiful van. What was the music like? A fun shot and thanks for the extra details in the Notes section, good to know more about the event.
8) Elaine
Not sure I can remember the sun shining during the summer, though I'm told it did happen. This is a well framed shot and the low angle adds drama and a desire to climb the bales and catch some sun.
9) Jim
A typical English scene and the title adds extra resonance with the hope of a warm fire and maybe a pint in a country pub.
10) Malcolm
A top shot of the Arrows. The woman in the foreground makes it, perfect timing.
12) Robert
A tired dog indeed, though one that you feel has had a good day and plenty of exercise. Shame he didn't look round at the moment you pressed the shutter. Perhaps the old Elliot Erwitt trick of barking would have attracted its attention!
13) Rob S
A lovely moment well captured and I'm sure treasured by the children.
1) Bill A - Super grab shot, real mix of characters. Well seen and timed to catch the different expressions.
ReplyDelete2) Bill S, Another well seen and executed shot, love the juxtaposition between the girl reader and the guy presumably sending a txt, the old and the new.
4) Love the treatment of this shot. The old Hektor performs really well.
5) Nice shot of a much photographed location. The opposing curves work well.
6) Eurostar has a lot to answer for, the parisian traditions coming across the channel, as Phil says thouhj interesting we are now taking this up just as the French are beginning to move away from the concept. Concentrating focus on the red really lifts the shot. Like it a lot.
7) Shabby chique,the new in thing. Pity about the guy with the beige baseball cap and would have prefered a little more selective focus jut to throw the background out a bit.
8)All safely gathered in. like the combination f colours in this one.
9) Jim C. Nicely executed peaceful scene. Love the colours in this but would agree with other comment about cloning out the cars, particularly the red one.
10) Malcolm - Well positioned and timed to get the aircraft leading out from the girls arms - have to wonder did the pilot/engineer of the plane on the right get into bother for lacking smoke!
11) Phil - An intriguing shot, what is it - the 20$ question. Everytime you look you come up with something different. Like it.
12) Robert H - Really only thing I can say about this one is would have cloned out the extraneous detail top right.
13) Rob S. One of those shots thats difficult to get in all aspects amongst the crowd.
Has been well timed to get the interaction between the kids and the athlete and the medal.
1) Bill A
ReplyDeleteA fine street shot ‘from the hip’ with spot-on pre-focusing. Although an interesting set of characters, they are certainly not a very happy bunch?! Presumably the chap inside is the only one going for that traditional bargain breakfast
2) Bill S
A spontaneous shot taken from a train. Well balanced with the characters deep in their respective reading materials. The red column adds weight to the composition
3) Dave S
An interesting picture, which is the stronger for being in monochrome. It certainly leads to questions about the location, being fenced off but all rather run down
4) David F
A most interesting composition which, produced in sepia, presents a timeless photograph giving echoes of Brooklands of old
6) Del B
A most interesting shot of ‘Urbanalia’. The red padlock certainly stands out and gives strength to the picture
7) Duncan K
A picture of a wonderful old ‘relic’. I am sure that the old VW could tell a tale or two from the days when it shipped musical instruments around. There appears to have been an event on, looking at the flags; was the vehicle an exhibit or the girls ‘precious’ mode of transport?
8) Elaine J
This is a nicely composed picture of a rural scene. The unusual deep purple colour of the farm machinery creates interest and the bales give good balance
9) James C
A most interesting country scene, which presents a calm and relaxing atmosphere. The white smoke is a nice feature point. Nice picture
10) Malcolm R
This is a well-framed shot of a familiar sight of ‘celebration’ in the skies.
The girl’s hands are nicely positioned in and adds balance and strength to the picture
11) Phil C
A truly intriguing picture. Looks rather like a gear wheel or a ‘nasty’ cutter…. certainly interesting and most mysterious?!
12) Robert H
This shot gives echoes of Elliott Erwitt. The ‘wellies’ certainly illustrate a ‘county’ scene and the spaniel appears to be rather ‘bored’ by his master’s chattering?! Fun picture
13) Rob S
A good shot of very much a ‘current’ event. The children look enthralled by the athlete and the Olympic Medal being shown. It is an interesting, topical and memorable picture. It is a pity that the athlete’s face could not be seen and identified
2
DeleteA well seen juxtaposition between the electronic age and printed page. The pillar separates the two well but is perhaps too dominant in bright red. Not much you can do about that.
3
Certainly broken but a desolate scene overall. The tonal range and composition are good.
4
Everything fits the period including the sepia tone. The car has a most wonderful aged look, though to my mind this has gone way past “patina” on this car. Classic Brooklands and VSCC.
5
The sweep of the buildings is contrasted well by the conflicting curves of the railings.
6
The depth of field and blast of red make this work, there must be many alternative pictures lurking here.
7
Would you buy a used Steinway from this van? Without reading the notes I would not have known it was LHD but what does stand out as the newest items on the van are the wing mirror and number plate. I am sure the period owners would have approved the girls using it like this.
8
There is a striking contrast between the natural gold of the bales and the purple machine and that is the attraction of the image to me. Such a strange contrast. Crop to remove the blue sky from the top right would make it stronger.
9
I do like to see landscapes without sky, it concentrates what is important in the image. A classic scene.
10
Did you ask the young lady to raise her hands like that? If so well done for planning an excellent shot. If not well done for grabbing the opportunity anyway.
11
I have had to look at this many times, at first I saw something mechanical, now I see a circular staircase. Made me look Phil!
12
Ah the English summer, muddy wellies and damp grass. Lose the feet top right?
13
You would think those kids are meeting the Queen from the look on their faces. I like how this photo on the way the Olympics and Paralympics have brought pleasure to “ordinary” people, not just the competitors.
1) Bill A : Traditional Breakfast £2.99
ReplyDeleteShot from the hip with a preset camera - not easy - so full marks for the framing and focus . However, the characters are not doing very much ... just sitting/daydreaming/musing … but they have interesting rugged looking photogenic faces. I can't really make my mind up about the photo - superb street photography technique but I'd like to see a little more going on or being conveyed.
2) Bill S: In Different Worlds
Yes they are in there own worlds … much like Bill A's previous photo … but they are doing something whilst appearing oblivious to the train. Well caught spur of the moment photo. The young lady reading the book looks to be the more interesting character and I'd like to see what she's reading but maybe a bit too far away for a grab shot through the train window.
3) Dave S: It's Broken
Good atmosphere but I'd like to see more contrast especially in the sky.
4) David F: I whistle a happy tune
Another study of a character in his own world. The Hektor is a very under-rated lens but has a good track record (Stephen Dalton used one for his high speed flash photos) and in this study has brought out the textures well. I'm wondering what make of car this is. Interesting photo but I find it a bit static.
5) David K: Royal Crescent
Yes the Crescent is 'much photographed' and I have not seen it from this angle previously. Unfortunately it lacks overall sharpness in the buildings as if the camera has been focused on the foreground rather than a mid-point. At this aperture, and on this format, I would expect sharpness to be better. Furthermore, the photo is rather tilted/crooked and would benefit from straightening up a bit - thus rendering the iron railings in the foreground more vertical, the lawns less sloping and the sweep of the crescent buildings more horizontal. Interesting scarce Leica camera which has quite a cult following and now commands a premium price. Does it have the original sensor?
6) Del B: Padlock
Attaching padlock tokens is a cult pastime in some areas but TTBOMK has not reached Peterborough yet. Differential focus works quite well in this study as does the colour - and not too many padlocks unlike some I have seen. Quite 'box office' currently and would make a good greetings card.
7) -----------
8) Elaine J : Farm Scene
The interesting part of the picture is in the pattern of the bales with the whispery cloud sky - to my eyes the machine is superfluous and detracting - especially as only part of the machine is shown. Sorry Elaine but I find the composition rather awkward - there is a better picture there without the machine.
9) James C : Little Langdale , Evening Xmas Day
Good atmosphere and nice colours but the cars do detract .. and the rendering of the cottages' rooves gives me the impression that the photo was taken with the camera slightly tilted? I think the composition needs straightening up slightly as it is sloping down to the left?
10) Malcolm R : Red Arrows
A well framed shot and caught at the right moment - and the lady applauding adds to the drama. However, I have not been to Sywell but I think the horizon should be level and not sloping upwards to the RHS? So maybe it would benefit from straightening?
11) Phil C : Can you see what it is yet? No nor can I
Looks like a ratchet device ? Regret to say it does not strike me as being a very interesting photo and I cannot find much to comment about in it. Leaves me a bit cold and ??? :( However, I am prepared to be enlightened if I have missed something :)
12) Robert H : It's a dog's life
Inspired by Elliot Erwitt?? I like the title which says it all but the top of the photo could be cropped to good effect i.e. to exclude boots at the top RHS
13) Rob S : Memorable Encounter
Delightful and memorable scene which will be treasured by the children so hope they received a copy. Who is the athlete? X1 has given a sharp image.
I would like to have given the children a copy but sadly I was dashing about at the time. The athlete was Alyda Norbruis who won the silver medal in the Women's Individual C1-2-3 500m Time Trial at the Paralympics. Rob S
DeleteSo, lots of guesses, but Bill is correct, it is steps, inside of the Monument to the Great Fire of London.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure it was quite what I intended at the time of taking but for some reason I like the abstract nature and the fact it very different to my usual efforts.
Best wishes, Phil
1 Bill A
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a cast rehearsal for a remake of “ Last of the Summer Wine” + breakfast, I’d like to see a colour version.
2 Bill S
A good comment on communication today. It fits together perfectly.The crop concentrates the viewers attention.
3 Dave S.
Perfect subject for Mono. It needs a third element of interest. Is the broken gate the answer?? Difficult to judge Mono on a small image.
4 David F
The choice of Sepia for the subject fits perfectly with the time? & storey. It has an ominous feel. It could be a 1920’s getaway driver?
5 David K
The repetitive composition of the curves are perfectly in harmony, maybe a small crop off the sky would increase the effect.
6.Del B
The Red Lock with the OOF background adds to the story of the link fence which joins us all. A very thought provoking picture.
7 Duncan K.
The love of music and the joy of youth captured in one frame, The VW is perfectly in character with the girls. Nice one Duncan.
8 Elaine J
The shapes and colours and textures blend beautifully together. The lower viewpoint has increased the strength of the composition. The artist would see this. The “Happy Snapper “ would pass by.
10 Malcolm W
Perfect timing produces a picture that would only be improved by a lower viewpoint to remove the spectators in the foreground. That’s my wonderful gift of Hindsight. 99 out of a 100 would have missed this shot.
11 Phil C.
I thought it was the Film advance ratchet
12 Robert H.
Mud and Wellingtons, a typical farm show day, I think the dog says it all. Time to go home.
13 Rob S
A wonderful moment for the little boy, his expression is the picture. Real photography at it’s best. A Title is not necessary, it’s all in the picture.
A little heads up on a chance to get Silver Efex Pro software for free Mac or PC. Would hasten to add this is totally legitimate and not a pirate version! Not the latest version but its predecessor which is still more than capable of producing excellent Mono Images. Simply got to http://www.mostiwant.com/blog/silver-efex-pro-free-product-key-serial-number/ and follow the instructions. Found this via the Leica L forum
ReplyDelete1. Bill A.
ReplyDeleteA super street photo, my only criticism is the barrier across the lower part of the photo.
2. Bill S.
Great shot well spotted and just the right amount of trimming. I like the ‘balance’ between the gent and the lady in the background.
3. Dave S.
Well balanced but the bright strip of sky detracts from the overall composition.
4. Dave F.
5. Dave K.
A very good record shot, I do like the curves of the railings and buildings.
6. Del B.
What can I say, not for me this one.
7. Duncan K.
Superb photo, bring back ‘flower power’ and the mad sixties, only criticism is the background would have liked to see it more out of focus as it is distracting.
8. Elaine J.
Nice composition, well exposed.
9. James C.
A very nostalgic photo, well exposed with lots of atmosphere.
10. Malcolm R.
One of the best Red Arrows photos I have seen in a while, great crowd reaction.
11. Phil C.
My answer is NO, nice guessing though.
12. Robert H.
Nice photo tells a tail or lack of one!!!.
13. Rob S.
Good record shot, would have preferred to see all of the girl on the left though.
1) A great shot with some real characters all well spaced out and faces shown. Prefocusing is a technique that works well, shooting from the hip is much more of a hit and miss affair but here you have definitely scored a hit.
ReplyDelete2) Another well caught street (OK station) scene, the players are united in their solitariness. I like the repetition of vertical lines, column, drainpipe, people and even tie.
3) Not a terribly exciting image perhaps but I like quirky and a lamppost seemingly in the middle of a field is certainly that so worth a shot. The fence (no wire?) and open gate add to the oddness of the scene.
4) The sharp focus on the car and driver combined with the very simple background produces a strong image. If the driver had his hands on the wheel he might have appeared more confident of passing his test.
5) Railings on the LHS disguise the nearest cars and cast a good shadow but I find the large areas of foreground paving and sky diminish the impact of the building themselves - inevitable I suppose given the length of the Crescent.
6) Don't quite know what to make of this one. The shallow depth of field certainly brings our attention to the red padlock but then.......
7) The battered VW with its faded signage make a fitting stage for the guitarists and the tight framing eliminates much of what could have been a distracting background. The atmosphere of the event is well portrayed.
8) I like the geometric shapes here, the muddy tyre complements and contrasts with the straw bales whilst the white hopper does a great job in filling the sky area. Good vibrant colours and choice of low angle both help the picture.
9) Beautiful lighting here, the low sun gives shape to the humps and hollows and lights up the plume of smoke wonderfully. Dusk on Christmas Day, lights coming on in the houses, the turkey is still sitting heavily and the trifle has yet to come.
10)
11) Certainly different, maybe a rachet of some kind but given that it was taken with a 21mm lens more probably a spiral staircase shot from below - but that does not explain the bizarre white halo. I like puzzle pictures.
12) As it stands I would just crop the top to remove the boots and wheel in the top RH corner. Better still to go round the other side to capture the dogs expression. A nice little story but not quite there.
13) A great shot and a good title recording the aftermath of the Games. It is a pity that all the fuss will now die down until the next time.
From Del B
ReplyDelete1. What wonderful characters and the timing of the capture is perfect. I love the composition of the way the different characters are placed. I find the chair and cloth somewhat distracting, but I guess if they were cropped out, the dynamic of the image would change.
2. Nice juxtaposition between the characters. I don’t know why tall thin images bother me slightly in a way that letterbox images don’t – I think I feel that I want to see what’s been cropped out. Notwithstanding, I like the divide that creates a picture "of two halves".
3. Desolate mono bleakness – my sort of landscape. I like the geometry of all the posts. Is it my eyesight or is the horizon just slightly slopey?
4. Lovely retro production of a retro car – reminds me of Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang before her makeover.
5. What a nice change to see the Crescent from this angle!
7. This takes me back in time! Well spotted. It does leave me wondering whether the VW is roadworthy.
8. I really like the tessellation of the hay bales – maybe lopping a bit off the right would keep the circle theme more tightly within the frame?
9. Very nicely captured and composed village-scape – I particularly like the plume of smoke. Strange that although cars look a bt annoying now, in 100 years time, they'll be laughing at them and saying "and look how they used to get around".
10. Perfect timing – the hands and smoke make a very pleasing compostion.
11. I really like the abstract nature of this and its simplicity. I do think we sometimes get a bit carried away trying to capture the busyness of a scene and overlook these wonderful minimalist moments.
12. Amazing how a dog and a few pairs of feet can tell us so much! I like the main part of the image very much for this reason. I’m not so sure about the pair in the top right hand corner, but either way, I would just slightly desaturate that rather distracting red blob in the top right.
13. Nice lines and a well-captured happy moment.
1) Bill A - Traditional Breakfast £2.99
ReplyDeleteGreat street shot but I wonder if a tighter crop would have not only got rid of most the barrier but also brought you in closer. Because of the prices I suspect this photo will stand the passing of time and become more and more interesting.
2) Bill S - In Different Worlds
My initial thought is this is too 'ordinary' - I 'feel' I see this all the time - but I'm convinced by other comments made here and I'm appreciating it more. Personally I'm also split between the thought the subjects have seen the photographer, and therefore engaging in some kind of eye contact, and a passing shot such as this. To my mind I wonder if eye contact is a kind of blessing, or agreement, to the photo being taken. Of course I don't follow this myself however!
3) Dave S - It's Broken
The monochrome does work well but I think I would like to have seen the sky doing something more.
4) David F - I whistle a happy tune
Yes, the sepia works well and I've learnt something about the Hektor lens!
5) David K - Royal Crescent
I'm not too keen I'm afraid. Looks too uncomposed for me; the horizontal and 'spaces' don't look right.
6) Del B - Padlock
There has been quite a bit about this on the radio recently and I think without this prior knowledge this photo wouldn't have made much sense. I understanding some people engrave the padlocks with messages of commitment or love which would be good to capture as this would explain more. The red padlock is the most interesting here and I like the depth of field. Hmmm...on the other hand the red and blue one looks even more interesting!
7) Duncan K - Our Split Screen Van Ain't Spick & Span!
This stands out as a great photo for all the reasons others have mentioned. I'm troubled though, irrationally I suspect, by 'authenticity'. At Glastonbury this photo would have been fantastic but at a vintage car show I loose interest a bit.
8) Elaine J - Farm Scene
I like the viewpoint and the colours very much. Perhaps less ground and more sky (so you could also see the top of the 'skip') would have worked too.
9) James C - Little Langdale, Evening Xmas Day
Lovely scenery. The smoke adds something comforting but personally I would leave in the cars as the spoil the landscape so often and we shouldn't disguise the fact.
10) Malcolm R - Red Arrows
Yes, like others have said, the hands maketh the picture. Nice.
11) Phil C - Can you see what it is yet? No nor can I
I guess this was a surprise from a developed roll of film? Great image but I need to know what it is!!
12) Robert H - It's a dog's life
A tighter crop would have helped and I would like to have seen the dogs, hopefully expressive, face
13) Rob S - Memorable Encounter
Me
Just seen Phil's explanation as to what his picture is. Yes knowing does help.
DeleteFollowing the retirement of the Society’s webmaster I have taken on the job and am in the process of building a whole new web-site. I urgently need content from members so could anyone who is able please provide;
ReplyDelete• A personal portfolio of pictures, ideally 800 px on the long side and in sRGB but if a member is unable to resize etc. I will do this from larger files. A portfolio can be up to 12 picture which best represent the individuals photography.
• Articles on matters Leica in this context I particularly need factual articles on individual models, ideally with pictures.
• Anything else which a member feels would be of interest to others.
Hi Bill, one volenteer ...... Could you not use some of the photos in Circle D, I know I would be happy to give my consent to use the ones that I have submitted.
ReplyDeleteDavid F
I'm sure we'd all be happy for them to be used. They are all in Picassa so can be downloaded easily.
ReplyDeleteSorry for delay in this month's set of pictures, it should be with you soon.
Good Man Bill! I will get a set together. Jim C.
ReplyDeleteThanks peeps!
ReplyDeleteI have grabbed a random selection of 20 images, many thanks. I hope the site will go live in the next week or two. At that point I will let you have the address and if anyone wants their picture taking down just let me know.
ReplyDeleteI don't know all your names so at that time please let me have that information to add a credit to your pictures.