1) Bernd H
Wintertime: The river Isar runs through the city centre of Munich. It is a beautiful oasis for recovering in summer and winter time. Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all members of the Leica Society
2) Bill S
Youth's Socialisin
3) Dan B
No photo this month
4) David F
Victoria Station on a Sunday. D-Lux 5 f8 0.6 secs.
Bath Market - Christmas Must be Close!’ - taken in Bath. It was taken with my Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux f/1.4 asph Lens - exposed for 1/250 second at f/8.0 (ISO 800).
6) Duncan K
'FIRST UK TWENTY POUNDS COIN'
See the NOTES section for details...
Snow storm clearing Bell Rock Lumix FZ100 with a Leica lens
8) Howard F
No photo this month
9) Jim C
The Head: Summilux 25mm f1.4
Natural History Museum - Leica M(240) / Summilux 35mm
11) Malcolm R
Consulting the Map
12) Michael E
At the Beijing Opera, November 30, 2013: Leica X-Vario at 70mm, taken at ISO 3200, f/6.3 at 1/60s
13) Phil C
Aber Falls, North Wales. Leica C - Set to Toy Camera Mode!
14) Robert H
That's Your Lot : Leica M9P 35mm Summicron ISO 320. This is the last pen of sheep to be sold at Abergavenn
15) Rob S
Day One, Saxon Shore Way, X1
16) Theodore D
Leica ME with 35mm - Dark Horse (literally!)
17) Tony M
'Sweep' - one of the characters at the Salford Quays (Lowry Centre) Victorian Christmas Market.
'C' camera processed in lightroom.
That's it for this month. Would members please vote and comment as usual.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.... Here's to 2014, the third year of Circle D.
1) Bernd H: Wintertime
ReplyDeleteGood dynamics and exposure; picturesque sky; foreground rather empty but it works as emphasizes the beach. A lot to look at and can see two potential crops which might also work well. A very pleasing composition.
2) Bill S: Youths Socializing
An ‘almost’ photograph. The figure on the LHS intruding into the scene is distracting; the lad at the back looking towards the camera might have more impact if more in focus. A lot of potential in the scene for a very powerful social statement showing how modern youths use their time but the distracting LHS element needed eliminating – maybe with/from an alternative camera position.
3) Dan B: image awaited
4) David F: Victoria Station on a Sunday
The central positioning of the blurred ghostly figures make a very strange looking image. Insufficient pictorial appeal and no obvious message; cannot reconcile the ‘Sunday’ part of the title. But maybe I’m missing something that others might see?
5) David K: Bath Market – Christmas must be close!
Unfortunately the rear views of the shoppers, relatively isolated from the stalls, are rather too ordinary and uninteresting. The tea stall and customers might have had some image potential. As it is, insufficient going on to make a box office image.
6) DK … mine.
7) Elaine J: Snow storm clearing Bell Rock
Good composition with good atmosphere; interesting mystical sky and clouds. But I’m wondering if a polarizing filter might have brought out more sky detail?
8) Howard F: No photo this month
9) Jim C: The Head
I can see this as a greetings card image. An unusual treatment of a glass mannequin head and I’d like to know more of how the image was achieved. Would benefit from the central mold line being eliminated.
10) Keith W: Natural History Museum
Superb architectural detail very well seen and the framing/symmetry is spot-on. The figures are distracting but are an inevitable encumbrance.
11) Malcolm R: Consulting the map.
I’d prefer to see more of the tourist’s face. The sentry box and railings appearing out of the head are distracting. Not the best viewpoint; a lone tourist looking at a map with a not so interesting background does not convey a sufficiently strong story – especially as no facial expression is visible.
12) Michael Evans: At the Beijing Opera
Superb colourful image attained with the XV’s very usable high ISO mode. Theatrical atmosphere very well conveyed and I can imagine the music.
13) Phil C: Aber Falls, North Wales
Sorry Phil but I do not like the ‘toy camera effect’ in this type of image ... too gimmicky for my taste. Would have its uses for a vignetted Edwardian or Victorian style portrait – but the effect could be achieved in PP and with more control.
14) Robert H: That’s Your Lot
Good record picture but the auctioneer on LHS looks posed and static – as if posing for the camera. Would prefer to see a more candid view of him in action looking away from the camera.
15) Rob S: Day One, Saxon Shore Way
Sounds as if you had a long hike! Difficult contre jour photograph handled well but there is detail in the wreck’s hull which could be brought out with post processing.
16) Theodore D: Dark Horse
My eye immediately went to the leaning building i.e. the distracting converging / leaning verticals which could be straightened. And there is a detail in the horse head sculpture which could be brought out with post processing. The head has potential for a good photo but needs a higher camera position to prevent the leaning verticals – or more post processing.
17) Tony M: Sweep
Good facial expression captured. I like the dynamics/pose of the tilted head and the worn hat but the sweep needs some soot on his face. Unfortunately the modern haircut is not sufficiently Victorian looking and seems out of place … so although a fun looking character, he lacks credibility.
Seasons Greetings and Happy New Year to everyone … and wish you all good photo opportunities throughout 2014. Sorry to learn that James C and Keith M are leaving Circle D.
For Duncan K. The base is the bowl from a Halogen Cooker, The background. a blue PVC art board. Rose held by a glass vase, stem removed by P?S. The mold line, Is it a spun casting, maybe.
ReplyDeleteLighting, halogen light from a top reflector. Small halogen reading light front left. Camera Panasonic GX.7 Summilux f1.4 25mm.
The Camera is a dream come true. The TLR Rollei . The M6 ttl, The SL2 with a Summicron. The L1& L10. with Vario Emarits. and the Darkroom are all redundant and are resting on the shelves at Ffordes in Beauly. I use Panasonic equipment in the Physics Lab at Lancaster Uni.,Why ? simple answer. they are miles ahead in the field of electronics. for technical equipment. I think their Optics side is gaining speed.
Regards from Jim C MAWTE. MCEI now 81 but still playing with the toys at Lancaster Ultra Low Temp facility. we are now very close to 'O' Kelvin !!! all good Fun. and a wee little bit for the Monel cooling system for the HLC in Cern.
PS. By the way the picture is Rubbish, just playing with the toys.
Thank you Jim and hope the world does not fall apart when you achieve Zero degrees K :) Best wishes, dunk
ReplyDeleteKeith W
ReplyDelete1. Bernd H
A fine b&w image with a great sky. I find the leading lines tend to take the eye past the wonderful Cathedral.
2. Bill S
We are seeing so many images of people texting it is almost becoming a genre.I like the perspective in this grouping, but a shame about the knee encroaching on left edge.
4. David F
Super image which gives a good sense of the scale of the place. The movement of the central figures indicate the dynamics of the station but wonder if there was a better view slightly to the left completing the arch and moving the main movement off centre.
5.David K
Great setting with Abbey as background, but a line of five backs doesn't work for me.
6.Duncan K
A great macro shot and educational - I had missed we were getting £20 coins! A technically superb shot with excellent lighting to show relief of coins with no edge shadow. Clever!
7. Elaine J
Fabulous sky and good foreground detail. Would a slight pan to left improve composition?
9. Jim C
Another technically good shot that would work in any catalogue or book on the subject.
10. Me
11. Malcolm R.
Great image with spot-on timing to get the Guardsman positioned between the railings.
12. Michael E
Lovely saturated colours and a fine testament of camera performance at high ISO. I guess a fine personal reminder of event as well as a strong image in its own right.
13. Phil C
Does “Toy” = heavy vignette. Good to try these modes and personally I think it works very well here, with such rich colours on an around subject and nothing of spectacular interest in secondary areas.
14. Robert H.
Taking the title literally, presumably recording a historic moment.
15. Rob S
Great b&w subject but shame some of the lovely trxtures that were undoubtably there lost in shadow.
16. Theodore D
Personally think image would be stronger with “Converging vertical” on left cropped off.
17. Tony M
Great expression well caught with the eyes clearly directed to you. Like the diagonal orientation and tight crop.
1) Bernd H
ReplyDeleteNicely composed picture. Perhaps it might have been improved had there been more emphasis on the fine cathedral. Great seasonal image!
2) Bill S
Interesting street scene photograph. The person/knee on the left does slightly distract from the whole
3) No submission
4) David F
The photograph does illustrate the scale of the Station concourse, but the ‘out of focus’ figures do seem to distract from rather than strengthen the overrall picture
5) Mine
6) Duncan K
Whilst acknowledging that there may well be a deal of technical achievement in producing the image, the picture does little to excite and seems more akin to an image found in a numismatics’ magazine. I am sorry but not for me
7) Elaine J
Good atmospheric composition with a strong sky
8) No submission
9) Jim C
An unusal image strengthened by the strong colours
10) Keith W
The well composed photograph shows wonderful architectural detail of the Museum interior, although the bottom (cut off) head/shoulder figures are somewhat of a distraction
11) Malcolm R
A well caught image of the tourist at the Palace, strengthened by the Guardsman in the background
12) Michael E
The strong colours clearly enhance the image taken at the Beijing Opera
13) Phil C
An interesting picture, which is well composed and strenthened by the strong foreground colours
14) Robert H
A well caught image taken at the Market, which is ideal in monochrome
15) Rob S
A nicely composed picture of the old hulk. However, it would have been preferable to have seen more specific detail of the old timbers. It is not clear whether the power station (Tilbury?) is incidental or illustrating a time gap?
16) Theodore D
An interesting image but it might peraps have been preferable to see more detail of the horse head features and somehow lose the distraction of the ‘leaning’ building to the left
17) Tony M
Super shot of the chimney sweep. It captures the man’s expression well and the orientation strenthens the picture
1. Bernd H
ReplyDeleteThis is a very pleasing winter scene. I particularly like the clouds which help break up the blue sky. Good definition of the church which stands out well from the background due to the lighting. The sweep of the bank of the river also leads the eye into the distance and the people give a sense of scale.
2) Bill S
A typical scene of the way young people communicate today. Well captured but overall the picture is a shade unsharp which is a pity which unfortunately detracts from the picture.
4) David F
The blurred figures make this photo with travellers in a hurry to catch a train. Nice muted colours aided by the soft light coming through the skylights. An interesting photo.
5) David K
A good record of the Christmas market in Bath. However I feel the message could be made even stronger by moving in to one of the stalls which could tell the retail story of Christmas. A good clean image from your M9.
6) Duncan K
An imaginative technique used here to depict the new £20-00 coins. The Leica Vario has again produced a stunning image. The coins certainly do seem to float in air.
7) Elaine J
Certainly looks wintry. Your camera has captured a moment in winter and the pink tone with the sun trying to push through gives added atmosphere to the scene. Pity a few sheep were not wondering around in the foreground.
9) Jim C
I always think these glass heads are fair game for an image. However it needs to be sharper it is a little soft. Interesting colour combination.
10) Keith W
This is nice and bright with plenty of detail in the brickwork. The verticals are nice and straight and it seems you picked a moment when this area of the museum was not too busy. A lovely quality picture.
11) Malcolm R
Well caught and executed. I like the guardsman being framed in the railings which gives a sense of place. Would make a good promotional picture for Visit Britain!
12) Michael E
No problems with noise here at the high ISO rating, very impressive. I like the vibrant colours which add to the performance of the artist you are photographing.
13) Phil C
The foreground figures gives a sense of scale to the overall picture. Interesting setting on the C camera, presumably it gives a very vibrant colour as depicted here. The distant waterfall looks impressive
15) Rob S
Your main subject certainly fills the frame though it looks rather sad and forlorn. Lighting has helped you here to give detail/texture to the craft. The clouds and aircraft trails gives some tone to the sky.
16) Theodore D
This would be a very good record of the Horses head except it is not sharp. I would have blurred the background to make it stand out more as it is somewhat distracting. Worth another go I think.
17) Tony M
Another picture from the C camera. You have filled the frame with your chosen subject. The lens on the C camera seems to deliver the goods. I like this a lot.
Happy New Year to everyone. Sorry if I had not replied to Jacquie Lawson cards but my internet connection is on the blink again. Hope you are all safe from the bad storms.
Thanks for the comments re the "toy effect". I agree, it's not really to my taste either, but I had the camera on loan so tried out a number of the options. Plenty to choose from that's for sure. Phil
ReplyDelete1 Bernd H
ReplyDeleteA lovely print, and though in black and white it seems to radiate a feeling of bright colourful days. A panoramic crop could work well, just taking off the bottom section perhaps.
2 Bill S
I agree with Duncan in that I’d take the figure just entering the frame out, but otherwise I like it. A group of friends, possibly interacting with each, just out of sight and online.
3 Dan B – No photo
4 David F
A lack of passengers so as you say, it is Sunday. My experience sis that there are also few trains on a Sunday, usually replaced by buses due to engineering work.
5 David K
Bath is lovely at Christmas time, I hope you managed to buy something in the market.
6 Duncan K
Another technically perfect shot and an interesting subject too.
7 Elaine J
Lots of atmosphere and pleasing colour palette. Very nice indeed.
8 Howard F – No photo
9 Jim C
Very mysterious, and could make a good poster. Well lit and executed shot.
10 Keith W
Lots of detail and nicely printed, does justice to an amazing building.
11 Malcolm R
Well timed with the Guardsman between the railings of the gate. I hope the tourist figured out where to go.
12 Michael E
Another cracking photograph, the performer had been well framed and the stage lighting well handled.
13 Phil C – Me
14 Robert H
I like this one, another in your series that captures the market. A really good Leica style shot.
15 Rob S
That’s a sad looking vessel in the foreground, though it could have some tales to tell. Nicely framed and the lighting has been handled well.
16 Theodore D
A good record of the statue and its setting, the dark horse head is well exposed against the lighter background.
17 Tony M
A lovely portrait capturing some of the character of the sweep.
1) Bernd H: Another of Bernd’s excellent landscapes. The composition is perfect to my mind and I love the cloud treatment as well as the overall harmony.
ReplyDelete2) Bill S: Well-seen subject which says a lot about modern communications. I find the partial figure on the left rather distracting but overall this ranks as a good street snap.
3) Dan B: No photo
4) David F: Nice station station view and some interesting blurry characters to signify bustle. However, this should could have benefited from more crowds to create a busier effect.
5) David K: A nice shot of the Christmas market but I would have preferred to get in closer to give us a better impression of the atmosphere and excitement. The serried ranks of backs are distracting and dominate the foreground.
6) Duncan K: Magnificent rendering, no doubt from Dunk’s X Vario. I’m a great fan of Dunk’s macro work and this is a particularly fine example. I, also, did not realised we had been blessed by a £20 coin, so this is instructional as well as beautiful.
7) Elaine J: I like this landscape very much. The lowering sky and the sun streaming down through the clouds has been perfectly captured. The overall composition is dramatic and compelling.
8) Howard F: No photo
9) Jim C: Technically excellent “portrait” with wonderful colour contrast
10) Keith W: This is an outstanding indoor architectural scene with wonderful tone and clarity. I like the central figure descending the stairs, a live complement to the higher statue.The shot would have benefited from total symmetry instead of the existing slight bias towards the left of the frame. In other respects the camera seems to have been positioned dead centre. Despite this, I really like this shot which has that typical Leica feel to it.
11) Malcolm R: A good street shot that leaves us in no doubt about the location. The guardsman dead centre between the railing is a bonus. It’s difficult with street work to get things just right, but I feel that the subject’s hair across the face rather detracts from the shot overall. But we cannot always get what we want in street photography.
12) Michael E: My Beijing Opera picture
13) Phil C: Now this is an interesting one. I love the composition, the three figures on the bench and the distant waterfall apparently leading straight down to the road which could almost be mistaken for a river. I am not entirely convinced by the toy camera effect but the whole is harmonious and compelling. I am a great fan of the Leica C which consistently produces results that exceed expectations for such a small beast.
14) Robert H: Rich detail and toning. I like the juxtaposition between the penned sheep and the penned farmers in the background. Who, I wonder, is enjoying the event more? It’s a nice composition and a good descriptive photograph.
15) Rob S: Impressive detail to the wood of the rotting hulk. I like the composition and the balance of the interesting sky (with its criss-cross vapour trails). The power station (?) in the distance might be thought of as a distraction but I see it as a sort of dismembered funnel for the hulk. Then again, I see the strangest things. Outstanding shot.
16) Theodore D: Impressive subject but the side-on view is perhaps not the best. I would have preferred to be in a bit closer in order to emphasise and draw out the texture of the sculpture, perhaps with a three-quarter front view. The slightly blown sky to the top left is rather distracting against the dark horse subject.
17) Tony M: Excellent portrait taken from an interesting angle and we are left in no doubt as to the occupation. The eye contact and wry expression couldn’t have been ordered better.
1 Bernd. A pleasant enough shot of the river with the people enjoying the seasonal snowfall as evidenced by all the tracks. I would like a touch more space at the top to avoid clipping the clouds.
ReplyDelete2 Bill. A great piece of social commentary, I wonder if they are texting each other. All very sad.
3 Dan. No Photo.
4 David F. Not over-excited about this one. A slightly different position and we could at least read which station we are looking at and perhaps discover what it is that there is only one of! Sorry.
5. David K. I have to wonder why you chose this viewpoint and this moment.
6 Duncan. A very competent piece of record photography, the lighting has given an extraordinary definition to the modeling on the coins. You must get a great deal of fun and satisfaction in setting up these shots.
7. Elaine. Pity about the flat light on the trees and mountains but the fire in the sky makes the shot worthwhile. I like the fact that the grey cloud on the left just manages to meet the mountainside to give a frame to the pale blue of the sky.
8 Howard. No photo.
9 Jim C. Colours are somewhat OTT but at least it stands out! A fun messing about shot as you suggest, focussing a transparent object is not always easy.
10 Keith. Nicely symmetrical shot with the apex of the roof just held and the verticals about right.
11 Mine.
12 Michael. Quite a character and quite a costume, The stage lighting has done you proud although I guess exposure was still not very easy?
13 Phil. An image that manages to be vivid and dull at the same time, Toy Camera mode, not something for Leica to be proud of.
14. Robert H. So yet another livestock market closes, where are the sheep etc to be sold now - Ebay? This is a good shot, the sheep are (mostly) facing the camera and there are at least four clearly visible faces in the crowd behind the auctioneer. A poignant moment for the local farmers well recorded.
15.Rob S. A sense of changing times here with the old wooden wreck in the foreground and the con trails in the sky and the power station(?) on the far shore.
16 Theodore. I think for this to work it really needed more light on the head (the other side may have been more favourable?).
17 Tony. Great expression and very well framed against the sky to get rid of distractions ( I would be very tempted to lose the red berries top left).
1) Bernd H - Wintertime
ReplyDeleteLove the grand scale with everything nicely in balance. It's great the people are grouped in the far distance as it gives the nice expanse of open snow (I guess). The clarity of the clouds also adds to the nice balance. Like it.
2) Bill S - Youth's Socialising
It's a shame the guy with the hat and those to the left are slightly fuzzy as this is the kind of photo I like. I also like the person creeping into the photo on the left. Great commentary on today’s world and the fact they're not eating and drinking! Very nice.
3) Dan B - No photo
4) David F - Victoria Station on a Sunday
The motion blur works really well, particularly contrasted with those standing still. Something to obviously date it would have been good but otherwise an interesting photo.
5) David K - Bath Market - Christmas Must be Close!’
Doesn't have a main reference point for me and there are too many backs but a nice capture before Christmas.
6) Duncan K - 'FIRST UK TWENTY POUNDS COIN'
I didn't know they were out. Very nice close-up work.
7) Elaine J - Snow storm clearing Bell Rock
The sky is amazing. Nicely observed. A bit too distant for my liking but otherwise a nice photo.
8) Howard F - No photo
9) Jim C - The Head
Weird, but lovely colours.
10) KeithW - Natural History Museum
The detail is fabulous and the people nicely spread out, doing interesting things. Shame you couldn't get the people on the floor in but a lovely symmetrical photo.
11) Malcolm R - Consulting the Map
The soldier obviously makes this but for my tastes it's a little too 'grabbed' with not real composition. Sorry.
12) Michael E - At the Beijing Opera
Amazing - just for you! Love the colours, textures and his expression. A bit too much floor for my liking but wonderful nevertheless.
13) Phil C - Aber Falls
This is where people's backs really work. Love the 'yellow brick road' feel with the saturated colours and the path leading to something special. Very nice.
14) Robert H - That's Your Lot
Brilliant. Love it. Clarity is great and the picture tells the complete story. The fact one person is look in your direction but the others not makes this very special. Good job.
15) Rob S - Day One, Saxon Shore Way
Me
16) Theodore D - Dark Horse
Dark Horse but not really in focus!!
17) Tony M - 'Sweep'
I like the square format but it doesn't quite work for me. I have nothing really to 'ground' the image and it looks too staged to give it any authenticity. Sorry.
1, Bernd H
ReplyDeleteA very nicely composed landscape, lovely processing.
2, Bill S
Good street shot, I'd be tempted to crop out the partial figure in the extreme left though.
4, David F
Well held, the blurred figures give an impression of the busy nature of the station.
5, David K
Two ladies obviously on a mission there! Have you noticed how similar all our Christmas Markets are?
6, Duncan K
Lovely sharp close up shot, very well lit, I was not aware they were to be minted.
7, Elaine J
That's a really good winter landscape, perhaps a slight increase in contrast / saturation would give more impact.
9, Jim C
I like this, it's interesting and different, like the colour also.
10, Keith W
A great shot of one of my favourite museum interiors, sharp and well exposed / processed.
11, Malcolm R
Another good street shot, getting the guardsman in just about the right place makes this.
12, Michael E
Excellent shot of the character on stage, and not easy to do – well done!
13, Phil C
I like this, and that's (another) mode I've yet to try on my 'C'!
14, Robert H
A great reportage shot, the way all the sheep are looking, the faces of the farmers in the background and the auctioneer's poise makes this special.
15, Rob S
A nice peaceful landscape, including the wreck adds impact, well seen and photographed.
16, Theodore D
Dark indeed!Interesting shot, perhaps a touch more lightness / contrast could give it extra presence.
17, Me