M6/ZM 35/2 - Seeking comments on photos

[Samuel Wo]

Hi,

I recently purchased my first Leica - an M6 Classic with a Zeiss Biogon 35 / f2 lens. I scan the negatives and slides with an Epson v500 flatbed.

Enjoying it so far - but am looking for some advice / feedback on how other people view im doing.

I have uploaded shots of my first 5/6 rolls of a variety of films on flickr - and was after some constructive critisism / comments on the shots.

I put a set together here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/samwo/sets/72157618695848601/

It would be great to here some feedback, and advice on how to progress.

The other pictures on flickr account were taken with a Nikon D40x and before that a Canon Powershot P&S.

Apologies in advance if I have posted on the wrong forum.

Cheers in advance,

Sam
http://www.flickr.com/photos/samwo

 

[papasnap]

hey sam, I just stumbled upon this post while searching for something wholly unrelated - just a quick note to say you've got some lovely pics up on your flickr with that combo, the 35mm biogon sure draws nicely - like in this shot:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/samwo/3558107168/in/set-72157618695848601/

cheers!
papasnap

 

[Paddy C]

I'm impressed. And I don't think I have the expertise to level any constructive criticism at this selection.

The lone watering can is particularly nice – good use of DoF and the tones are very nice. And I really like flight of the birds. Good work.

There's a few shots where you've tilted the camera (eg: waterlily house and the breakfast shot). I know some don't mind this and possibly think negative reaction to it might be outdated and overly conservative. I'm not one of them. Almost any shot I've seen like this would be better if taken normally. After all, we don't generally go around with our heads at an angle looking at things. I always find these shots to be uncomfortable.

 

[hans voralberg]

I like the portrait and breakfast shots, very nice lighting there. And it's always good to see another UK member

 

[CC72]

Hi,

I really like your pictures. They're well-framed, distinct and evoke emotion from the viewer.

What software did you use with the V500. I just bought one and am about to give it whirl.

Best,

CC

 

[Papercut]

Tilts generally don't bother me over much. In the "Throwing Stones" and the rock island in the sea shots I don't mind the tilted horizon at all. But with the lighthouse shot, I'm with Paddy: I think it detracts from what you were trying to do.

My only other observation was that some of the colour images seem either underexposed or post-processed too dark. It's not egregious, but several times I thought the darkness was crushing detail. I had no such feeling with your black and white images, so perhaps that was the mood you were going for.

I really enjoyed the informal portrait of your mum in the greenhouse -- a lovely shot! It looks like you're on your way. Shoot lots and enjoy the Biogon -- it's a stellar lens (and that goes double for colour)!

 

[Samuel Wo]

Wow, Thanks for the comments from everyone, I forgot all about this thread.

Its great to get some constructive responses, thanks for taking the time to do so!

On the off angle comments - for some reason I have a tendency to want to do this a lot! I like finding obscure angles, and new perspectives of things, but I do tend to go too far as well!

For the V500 scanner, I used the Epson scan software itself, scanning without any of the Unsharp mask, or dust control settings on, at 3200 dpi, cant remember the other settings off hand but can check if you need any help - I do level adjustment in Pixelmator / Photoshop on my Mac

I would like to do more colour photography, Velvia 100 is very nice with the Biogon 35/2 - any recommendations bar Peak Imaging for colour processing?

Thanks for taking time to view my photos, I have recently moved to London and have a backlog of rolls to scan in and put on Flickr, hopefully by the weekend I might have something new online.

Cheers, Sam