Toyotei, Nachi-Katsuura, Wakayama, Japan. 8 April, 2025
Leica Q2, 28mm, 1/500s, f/5.6, ISO 100.
"A nostalgic, old-style café run by a local family. We were staying in Katsuura for a couple of days and has a fureai tag which allowed us a cup of coffee, tea or a small glass of beer. We both opted for a coffee, and also ordered a slice of Chiffon Cake (with ice cream!). The cake was divine.
Leica Q2, 28mm, 1/500s, f/5.6, ISO 100.
"A nostalgic, old-style café run by a local family. We were staying in Katsuura for a couple of days and has a fureai tag which allowed us a cup of coffee, tea or a small glass of beer. We both opted for a coffee, and also ordered a slice of Chiffon Cake (with ice cream!). The cake was divine.
"The next day, after returning from the Nachi Grand Shrine, we called in again and ordered the same.
No cake!! The disappointment was palpable. I felt my lower lip quiver, almost about to sob. At that moment the door to the kitchen flew open and Grandma (the owner) burst out, baking tin held aloft in triumph. We had Cake. I could have kissed her. I didn't, of course. I bowed as politely as a Westerner could, said "Arigato" and ordered two slices. The day was saved."
Andre H
The Seine, Paris - Leica D-Lux2
Leica SL2-S. 24/90 Studio shot
No cake!! The disappointment was palpable. I felt my lower lip quiver, almost about to sob. At that moment the door to the kitchen flew open and Grandma (the owner) burst out, baking tin held aloft in triumph. We had Cake. I could have kissed her. I didn't, of course. I bowed as politely as a Westerner could, said "Arigato" and ordered two slices. The day was saved."
Andre H
The Seine, Paris - Leica D-Lux2
Brian O
The Red Barons triplane at Stow Maries Airfield
Dave C
“Fighting Fit” - Inspired by Thomas Hoapker’s image of Ali.Leica SL2-S. 24/90 Studio shot
Dave S
“Smoke” Leica SL3 24-90
Harry H
Sticking my neck-out, taken at Pin Mill on the river Orwell on the 16/4/26
SL2-S 24-70 Vario Elmerit 1/200s @ f/4
SL2-S 24-70 Vario Elmerit 1/200s @ f/4
Julian P
The Culbin Sands National Nature Reserve
Panasonic GX8, Leica DG 12-35 f/2.8, ISO 200, 1/800s, f/7.1 at 35 mm focal length - equivalent to 70 mm.
Panasonic GX8, Leica DG 12-35 f/2.8, ISO 200, 1/800s, f/7.1 at 35 mm focal length - equivalent to 70 mm.
Ken G
Shot in Kowloon, May 2026, using the Leica Lux app.
Ken L
“Anatomy of a Chalk-stream Weir” The cropped photo was taken on the River Rother at Woolbeding. The calm crystal clear water, part-shaded by trees, gives perfect vision of the river bed vegetation. As the tree canopy ends the reflection of white clouds and blue sky capture the flow patterns before the water descends into turbulence. Taken with Q3 43, ISO 100, f/2.5, 1/1000s
Malcolm R 
Mark F
Soho. Leica IIIf, Summitar 50mm lens. Ilford HP5.
Peter D
Richard B
“Wild Iris” taken with a 65mm Elmar on a universal focusing mount OTZFO and M to R adaptor on a Fuji XE5, it looks very odd but focuses from infinity down to 1:1.
Soho. Leica IIIf, Summitar 50mm lens. Ilford HP5.
Peter D
Fiat Nuova 500 "Jolly" special - 60 year old Summicron doing its thing, M3 1/500th f16 TMAX400
Phil C
Three Peaks, Regent's Park, London. iPhone16 using Leica LUX App, 120mm
Three Peaks, Regent's Park, London. iPhone16 using Leica LUX App, 120mm
Richard B
‘Fire Hydrant and Snow’ (February 2026) Leica Q2 Compact (28mm)
Alex B deep and moody shot
ReplyDeleteAndre H I really like the composition
Brian O the plane really kicks
Dave C my favourite this month with a crisp and high impact impact. I did buy a signed Hopker Ali print of the Ali shot and he signed a book for me!
Dave S very moody and my runner up
Harry H a strong and overprinted image with punch
Julian P I love the rich bands of colour and my third place this month
Next shot is mine
Ken L clever shot with interesting composition
Malcolm R a richly coloured and technically excellent close up
Mark F this shot really pulls you in
Peter D a charming shot
Phil C fascinating composition with the 3 key points of interest
Richard B enigmatic
June 2026
ReplyDeleteAlex B: What a good story to support the image. From the outside of the cafe you could not imagine this was the stage set for your story.
Andre H: Good composition. There is nothing that suggests a French location.
Brian O: Great plane. I would have preferred the lower wing edge to be distinct from the horizon.
Dave C: You have handled to contrast in the final image very well. I do not know the “famous” image you were inspired by, so can’t comment on the interpretation.
Dave S: Why do folk give “clever: titles to their pictures. What the viewer (me) wants to know are the circumstances of the exposure. (Where, when, why, your interaction with the subject etc….). Compelling image.
Harry H: Wow. What a judicious moment. Perfection.
Julian P: Mine
Ken G: Spontaneous or posed? I hope the former, and that you were happy in getting the location (Kowloon) nicely included.
Ken L: I cannot relate your description to the image. That said, it is a very satisfactory image which hangs together well.
Malcolm R: I had the 65mm Elmar in the 1970s (I think costing £18), and thought about reinvesting for use on the M240 via the adapters I still own. I am now more encouraged. Nice image.
Mark F: For me this is the wrong moment, but for some perhaps the eye brushing incident is what makes it real “street”.
Peter D; 60 years young. Not an old lens! The M3 will be 60 years old plus. At the resolution available on this site, 1600 pixels wide, few lenses would be deficient. What is impressive is you development of the image into its final digital form.
Phil C: iPhone SE with Leica Lux (free edition) is my reserve camera for traveling totally light. So easy but with just a 28 mm lens. So in London I would feel less vulnerable without a separate camera. You have used yours well. Phil.
Richard B: The subdued colours are perfect for this still life.
Totally spontaneous grab shot as I walked back to my hotel in Kowloon after a lunch meeting. Shot for the joi de vivre of the lady in contrast to the anodyne background
DeleteAlex
ReplyDeleteThe story behind a picture is so important and something I believe adds to the enjoyment of photography and understanding of the moment recorded. Pleased you managed to get your cake!
Andre
I like the structure of this shot, the two people engaged in conversation which another starts to ascend. Good light too.
Brian
The light shows off the bright red triplane, marvellous machines.
Dave C
A powerful portrait, great light and I assume some post processing, dodging and burning. You should be pleased with this one.
Dave S
Well timed shot of a face that has lots of character, the smoke adding depth but the eyes are not obscured.
Harry
Boats that have seen better days, but it is the wildlife that makes the shot. The neck seems to be raised in protest at the poor condition of the craft. Works well in black and white.
Julian
I like the strands of colour and texture running across the frame, it looks peaceful.
Ken G
A celebration of a city, or just a morning stretch, it’s a clever shot either way.
Ken L
Lovely tones and patterns, looks like an abstract oil painting.
Malcolm
The flowers stand out well against the background, sounds like a complex setup but it certainly works.
Mark F
The three chaps stand out well from the background and there is no mistaking where this was shot, nice to have another screw Leica shot in the mix.
Peter D
A fun car that looks set for a good day out in the country, though the seats don’t look like they will offer much comfort for long journeys. But more fun than the modern cars you have shown in the frame.
Mine
Richard
This feels like a scene from Star Wars. I love the bleakness and you can make up all sorts of stories as to what this is. Lovely tones too.
Alex B.
ReplyDeletePleasing monochrome capture.
Andre H.
Well seen, but needs some compositional cropping.
Brian O.
A good red record.
Dave C.
Mine.
Dave S.
Interesting portrait, would like to see more of the hat.
Harry H.
A well toned monochrome.
Julian P.
Pleasing layered image.
Ken G.
An image with depth, plus I like the happy pose.
Ken L
An unusual image, maybe rotate to the left, to put the brown and green texture at the top.
Malcolm R.
A good capture, but a bit busy.
Mark F.
I know street photography is hard, but this one just misses.
Peter D.
A very sharp monochrome image, very clean for a TMAX 400 film.
Phil C.
A well composed scene.
Richard B.
A good study of Muted colours, I like the negative space.
1. Alex B. There is much to enjoy in this busy scene. The cafe is an integral part of the whole yet, to a non-Japanese speaker, it appears discreet, self-effacing, its presence announced by a modest sign only.
ReplyDelete2. Andre H. The embankment, bathed in sunlight, arguably with a suggestion of romance, bears the hallmarks of a Parisian scene. For me though, it is all rather too distant, the precise subject unclear, appearing to be the masonry wall rather than figures.
Perhaps I’m missing the point.
3. Brian O. The stationary triplane is recorded in detail, in all its preserved glory. There is good subject separation. A slightly lower angle would have also separated visually the middle wing from the tree line beyond; a minor point.
4. Dave C. A powerful, posed portrait. For me, this image has the strongest visual identity of all this month; the power in the glove, the eyes mostly obscured, the model’s right eye suggested in outline only; all indicating a rapport with the photographer.
5. Dave S. The smoker’s smoke is caught facially and used to visual effect in the moment, interpreted as a sense of personal enjoyment. Occupying much of the frame, it is also used as a filter, adding some mystery through loss of definition. Who is this character, a seasoned cigar-smoker wearing jewellery, and carrying a feather in his cap?
6. Harry H. Monochrome has been well chosen to convey the mood of the stricken boats under a threatening sky. The lighter tones of the swan, caught in unusual posture in the foreground, add visual interest.
7. Julian P. I like the emphasis on horizontal lines, the banding in the sands, the lighter tones drawing me in. Would a more extreme panoramic crop add energy?
8. Ken G. Whether tai chi, or a private moment of celebration, inclusion of the foreground figure has added interest to what otherwise might have gone unnoticed as a rather bland cityscape.
9. Ken L. A clever composition: pure abstract both with and without the accompanying written narrative. It throws new light, literally and figuratively, on our globally threatened chalk streams!
10. Malcolm R. Beautifully composed and executed, the photographer immersed in nature’s detail. With excellent separation, the subject of enquiry is beyond doubt.
11. Mark F. Welcome, Mark. A bustling familiar scene, typical Of London’s Chinatown. The highlighted figure in the foreground is effective in introducing something more intimate to this energetic scene.
12. Peter D. I like the tiny Italian car, nostalgia coming to the fore. Unfortunately, to my mind, the composition and framing do not combine to create something special.
13. Phil C. The moment in any photo can never be repeated. I’m reminded of it here; the unique combination of the seated figure in a beanie hat - back to the camera - a female pedestrian and the gaze (perhaps of the seated figure) to the former P.O Tower and London’s ‘Shard’ beyond. A good orientation image: look south!
Alex B: The choice of mono adds atmosphere and the story about cake further connects us to this interesting scene
ReplyDeleteAndre H: Strong composition with the steps creating a natural visual journey through the frame, the figures adding punctuation to the bold diagonal
Brian O: The vivid red triplane perfectly fills the frame, its middle wing neatly bisecting the horizon. A historic plane shown to its best
Dave C: A powerful portrait, the pose, framing and treatment literally adding punch - and greater depth of field than Hoepker’s portrait of Ali’s fist
My picture
Harry H: Moody mono to savour - the hulks’ offset angle, threatening skies and solitary bird surveying the wreckage - very powerful
Julian P: bands of colour and texture combine to create an appealing landscape - very much as Mondrians seascapes evolved into abstract grids
Ken G - joyful moment captured perfectly to frame the distant buildings, inviting us to share her pleasure at the view
Ken L: painterly abstract image which completely transcends the original view to create a pleasing combination of colours and textures
Malcolm R: Well executed study capturing the vibrancy and delicacy of the flowers with focus and exposure just right
Mark F: the busyness and bustle of Gerrard Street conveyed in the hectic mono and the fleeting connection with the young man
Peter D: nostalgia in equipment and subject, the lens clearly performing well in capturing the retro reboot car to good effect
Phil C: well seen, caught and signposted, a fleeting moment of alignment conjuring a pleasing image from the everyday
Richard B: fascinating minimalist study, the simple symmetry just right to convey the solitary device in its austere environment.
Alex B: Mine (Toyotei, Nachi-Katsuura, Wakayama, Japan. 8 April, 2025)
ReplyDeleteAndre H: Nice diagonal, and I presume the river is at the bottom of the steps. Although I’m not quite sure what I’m looking at. A tighter crop perhaps?.
Brian O: Lovely vibrant image. Red Blue Green.
Dave C: Excellent portrait. Very dynamic.
Dave S: Great character portrait.
Harry H: Excellent moody shot. The bird (goose/swan) adds to it.
Julian P: A quiet, pleasing landscape.
Ken G: A pleasant shot. The foreground figure brightens an otherwise bland cityscape.
Ken L: A nice abstract image.
Malcolm R: Excellent nature shot. Lovely colours, the light bringing out the flowers agains the shaded background.
Mark F: A very busy shot: there seems to be a lot going on.
Peter D: A nice shot of an iconic vehicle.
Phil C: Good shot. Nice alignments.
Richard B: Excellent image. I love the muted colours - they make the pink of the hydrant marker stand out.
Alex A
ReplyDeletelovely image blending light, shadow and textures. Made all the more special by your personal connection to the family-run cafe.
Andre
A simple composition that makes a connection with the subjects whilst at the same time having a remote, almost voyeuristic, feeling to it. Makes me wonder what the conversation is. The exposure is just right to highlight the figures amongst the park. Nicely captured moment.
Brian
What a magnificent subject for a photo! With It’s simplicity of build, and uniform strong red colour, it really makes a statement.
Dave C
A brilliantly captured moment of pure power. I find myself spending time flitting between so many features on the torso that minutes go by and I still haven’t seen everything. Well done to both you and the ‘model’
Dave S
Super portrait of someone who looks as though he has lived a long and hard life. A bit too cropped for my taste - I would like to have seen more of him.
Harry
Excellent observation and timing to get a swan apparently mourning the passing of these once great boats. The stormy sky adds to the atmosphere but does the shard of light in the clouds signal a faint sense of hope?
Julian
The landscape composition has beautiful proportions. The colours remind me of the bottles of Alum Bay coloured sand we used to fill on the Isle of Wight in the 1970’s.
Ken G
Nicely framed shot. I particularly like the contrasting textures in the foreground.
Ken L Mine.
Malcolm
Beauty of Nature well captured. Excellent isolation of the flowers from the background and a 3D feel to the composition. If there was no need for an external light source then you have been very fortunate to have the perfect lighting!
Mark F
A timeless shot…. Except the banner at the top tells us it is London 2026. I myself would like to see the same image in colour, to enjoy the [imagined] red lanterns but it certainly works in B&W. Welcome to the Group.
Peter D
I always love a classic car photo and this is very pleasing to my eye.The wicker seats and picnic basket are a welcome contrast to the white bodywork. Only the masking tape hanging over the number plate loses it a concours point!
Phil C
Pleasing well-balanced composition just taken at the right moment. The ‘art’ of the Photographer depicted in a single image.
Richard
I have a sense of Deja Vu here Richard, having in mind your March submission photo “In the snow” which featured an orange figure. I think it was my favourite that month. The framing of the fire hydrant is perfect but has none of the intrigue that the orange man had for me. Great photo nevertheless.
Well recognised, Ken. Yes, the two photos were taken on the same promenade under snow, with the sea as a simple backcloth. Richard.
ReplyDeleteAlex B:- “ Toyotei, Nachi-Katsura Japan”
ReplyDeleteThe story definitely adds depth to this Image.
Andre.H:- “ The Seine Paris”
Nice composed image, the lower third person , adds balance to the photograph.
Brian.O:- “ Red Baron”
Awesome flying machine, nicely captured.
Dave.C:- “ Fighting Fit”
Fighting fit indeed! A very powerful image, excellent tones and lighting.
Dave.S:- “ Smoke”
Great close-up Portrait, the smoke works well, with the shallow D.O.F,! Just showing enough detail in the face.
Mine:-
Julian.P:- “Culbin sands”
I love the banding of colours in this image.
Ken.G:- ‘Kowloon”
Nicely Capture.
Ken.L:- “Anatomy of a Chalk-Stream Weir”
Very abstract, I am glad you explained what it is, I wouldn’t of had a clue.
Malcolm.R:- “Wild Iris”
Nice Shot of a wild Iris.
Mark.F:- “ Soho”
Nice Image of a street scene in the centre of London, I love the tones of Ilford HP5 film.
Peter.D:- “Jolly”
Lovely shot of a classic car.
Phil.C:- “ Three Peaks”
Nice Shot,Well spotted
Richard B:-“ Fire hydrant and snow.
Nice combination of colours, makes this image.
Alex B: I really like this shot.
ReplyDeleteAndre H. very much the Seine as I always think of her. Toujours Paris!
Brian O: I thought he was shot down ;-) he needs grounding at his age!...wasn't it his anniversary a few weeks ago?
Dave C: Fearsome. Every time I look at this I am not sure whether to praise it as a well-posed and taken shot, or just tremble!
I know the Hoapker shot and can see the inspiration, but this looks even more agressive, but how long would he last with
The Greatest
Dave S: That's some face! I would have liked to see a bit more of it, but the smoke is brilliantly caught.
Harry H: Was it really that sombre? Catching the swan like that makes it.
Ken G: Opportunity taken! Well caught street!
Mark F: Great to see another IIIf in action!
Peter D: Since someone asked: conversion dev -> scan -> .tif -> DarkTable -> .jpg - Peter D ;-)
Phil C: I really like this. Perhaps a little rop to both left and right sides, to emphasize the peaks more. Very much
like to figures too