Suggestions for Leica Film Photographers to Follow?

[jsrockit]

But it's all very vague; there's so many fields of photography that the best techniques in one field are the worst in another. I can think of some types of photography that are all about glamour and not about realism and vice versa.

A glamorous series of pictures showing how to repair a camera would be very wrong as you want blatant realism, etc.

And talented usually means what someone likes most; especially celebrities...

Regards, David

Very good points David. Seems this question is better asked in reference to the style of photography you like vs. which camera was used. Many people don't ever say which camera they use and make great photography.

 

[Ambro51]

Here’s my suggestion: Study LIFE magazine images from the 40’s to the ‘60s. You’ll see the “decisive moment” concept illustrated. Have your Leica zone focused and preset. Shoot Fast and Hurried. Ignore composition and precise focus. Shoot Sloppy. Pick the mages you spend extra seconds looking at. Grow a beard, leave your iPhone home. Fondle your Leica often.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Very good points David. Seems this question is better asked in reference to the style of photography you like vs. which camera was used. Many people don't ever say which camera they use and make great photography.

This Mary will never stop going round.
If you are after flowers, nudes and cheese sunsets, sure.
But why GW, HCB, A. Myakishev and other as of now photogs I have posted links for are choosing Leica. Simply because they told it is better for them with Leica M.
But many like you, even at RFF could not get it and repeating their miss understanding over and over again like broken records.
Anna Bicharova has her pictures in museums and her pictures in sales catalogs. She is paid for special items photography with DSLR, but her street, candid photography is taken with Leica.
Please, try to understand...

 

[jsrockit]

This Mary will never stop going round.
If you are after flowers, nudes and cheese sunsets, sure.
But why GW, HCB, A. Myakishev and other as of now photogs I have posted links for are choosing Leica. Simply because they told it is better for them with Leica M.
But many like you, even at RFF could not get it and repeating their miss understanding over and over again like broken records.
Anna Bicharova has her pictures in museums and her pictures in sales catalogs. She is paid for special items photography with DSLR, but her street, candid photography is taken with Leica.
Please, try to understand...

Huh? ........

 

[css9450]

Huh? ........

Its something about Mary...

 

[jsrockit]

Its something about Mary...

And the fact that if someone uses a Leica is more important than the style of photography they do...either Ko.Fe didn’t understand me or he truly thinks using a Leica over another type of camera makes the photography magically better. I used Leicas for many years. It’s just another type of camera.

I can’t believe some only want to know good photography if it was only made with one type of camera.

 

[css9450]

And the fact that if someone uses a Leica is more important than the style of photography they do...either Ko.Fe didn’t understand me or he truly thinks using a Leica over another type of camera makes the photography magically better.

Indeed. I am perhaps an average photographer at best, but even I know that buying a Leica won't make me any better of a photographer. It just won't.

I think of the great photographers I admire, and it occurs to me I don't even know what kinds of cameras they use; come to think of it, I don't really know if they use (or used) 35mm or medium format (or maybe 4x5?). Maybe I should look into it.... But the ones I admire aren't the "alphabet soup" of GW, HCB, XYZ or whoever it is Ko.Fe. seems to like.

 

[Larry Cloetta]

And the fact that if someone uses a Leica is more important than the style of photography they do...either Ko.Fe didn’t understand me or he truly thinks using a Leica over another type of camera makes the photography magically better. I used Leicas for many years. It’s just another type of camera.

I can’t believe some only want to know good photography if it was only made with one type of camera.

After saying that he realized that there were fine photographers who used digital, the OP merely asked for this bit of help: “I am looking for suggestions for interesting/talented contemporary Leica photographers who primarily use film to check out/follow (Instagram, websites, etc.). Please post your suggestions! Thank you!”

He had a simple request, made for his own reasons. And I assume he came here thinking it might be a good source of suggestions.
Am thinking that he didn’t deserve this kind of snark for his trouble: “I can’t believe some only want to know good photography if it was only made with one type of camera.”
Especially since there was absolutely nothing in his request to indicate that he thought good photography could only be made with one type of camera.

He asked for contemporary photographers, who were also talented, so, perhaps being familiar with HCB and the work in Life magazine, he was just wondering, because a Leica film RF isn’t the only option today, and because it is a camera with its own determinative set of advantages and disadvantages, if there was any comparable body of work being produced today, and what it would look like. I don’t know what his exact motivation was, as it wasn’t stated, but that would have been one reasonable reason to ask his original question.
I don’t know why he made what sounded like a sincere request for information, but I cannot see that he posited anything that merited the ensuing derision from some quarters.
Especially on a forum loaded with threads like, “Post your Fujifilm X100 photos here.”

 

[Deleted member 65559]

Well said Larry

 

[Filter Factor]

I think the derision is being hoisted at Ko.Fe. mostly, at this point, because its mostly only him furthering the thread in the direction that good photography requires a Leica above all others, and the rest of us who haven't bought into the M yet just don't "get it". His exact words.


I realize English isn't his first language, nor is it mine, but that's what I'm understanding from his message. See Post #23.

 

[robert blu]

After saying that he realized that there were fine photographers who used digital, the OP merely asked for this bit of help: “I am looking for suggestions for interesting/talented contemporary Leica photographers who primarily use film to check out/follow (Instagram, websites, etc.). Please post your suggestions! Thank you!”

He had a simple request, made for his own reasons. And I assume he came here thinking it might be a good source of suggestions.
Am thinking that he didn’t deserve this kind of snark for his trouble: “I can’t believe some only want to know good photography if it was only made with one type of camera.”
Especially since there was absolutely nothing in his request to indicate that he thought good photography could only be made with one type of camera.

He asked for contemporary photographers, who were also talented, so, perhaps being familiar with HCB and the work in Life magazine, he was just wondering, because a Leica film RF isn’t the only option today, and because it is a camera with its own determinative set of advantages and disadvantages, if there was any comparable body of work being produced today, and what it would look like. I don’t know what his exact motivation was, as it wasn’t stated, but that would have been one reasonable reason to ask his original question.
I don’t know why he made what sounded like a sincere request for information, but I cannot see that he posited anything that merited the ensuing derision from some quarters.
Especially on a forum loaded with threads like, “Post your Fujifilm X100 photos here.”

+ 1. I fully agree.

 

[jsrockit]

After saying that he realized that there were fine photographers who used digital, the OP merely asked for this bit of help: “I am looking for suggestions for interesting/talented contemporary Leica photographers who primarily use film to check out/follow (Instagram, websites, etc.). Please post your suggestions! Thank you!”

He had a simple request, made for his own reasons. And I assume he came here thinking it might be a good source of suggestions.
Am thinking that he didn’t deserve this kind of snark for his trouble: “I can’t believe some only want to know good photography if it was only made with one type of camera.”
Especially since there was absolutely nothing in his request to indicate that he thought good photography could only be made with one type of camera.

He asked for contemporary photographers, who were also talented, so, perhaps being familiar with HCB and the work in Life magazine, he was just wondering, because a Leica film RF isn’t the only option today, and because it is a camera with its own determinative set of advantages and disadvantages, if there was any comparable body of work being produced today, and what it would look like. I don’t know what his exact motivation was, as it wasn’t stated, but that would have been one reasonable reason to ask his original question.
I don’t know why he made what sounded like a sincere request for information, but I cannot see that he posited anything that merited the ensuing derision from some quarters.
Especially on a forum loaded with threads like, “Post your Fujifilm X100 photos here.”

I understand. The snark wasn’t pointed at the OP. There were many opinions being thrown around... including mine. I guess some of us just wanted to understand the motivation in seeing photos only made with a certain camera. It’s a good debate.

 

[aizan]

The main reason I look for photos taken with a certain camera is while I'm shopping to get a sense of its "performance envelope." The caveat here is that many cameras have pretty much the same envelope.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Leica film M will give you different pictures, only if you are capable of fiddling it. Sorry, but "I used Leica for years" is not the argument. Many could play on the piano, few could make is sing.
Have a look at VM photos taken with Leica, they are different from Rolleiflex pictures. If you can't see it, don't blame on messenger.
Winogrand told in recorded meet with students how only Leica could cut it for him.
SLR were available, including Nikons. His students were switching from SLRs to Leica.
Another photog in the links I provided used Nikon RF, no go, he switched to Leica.
One who is capable of selling his prints. He is using Rolleiflex as well, but for completely different photos.
Look at Garry Gumanow photos in the link I provided. The difference between his Leica street photography and his street photography with Rollecord or whatever 6x6 he is using is clear.
Just as VM and GW street photography is different. Or you can't see it as well?
I didn't grow as street photographer with DSLRs, I can't use FujiX because it is AF camera.
Many times, if not always, I see and like street photos, bang, they were taken with Leica M. Most of street photography books I have are from Leica M master users.
I could take picture with everything. But street photography works best for me with M and not only for me. And somehow I prefer photos taken with Leica M. Not nudes, flowers, and over done sunsets with extremely boring scenic landscapes. Not shadows, colors and else mix, which isn't RF photography for me, but street, candid, life where people are not posing, but in the moment of life. Real life, no posing.
Yes, I looked at FujiX, GR street photos in thousands, not my thing. And not just for me, but for others.

 

[jsrockit]

Leica film M will give you different pictures, only if you are capable of fiddling it. Sorry, but "I used Leica for years" is not the argument.

It has a framing device and an image capturing device like all other cameras. It might be the best for you, but it is not the best for everyone. And having experience with a few Leicas in the pass does let me speak from experience. It’s a great camera and so are so many other cameras. They all are capable of great imagery.

.

Many could play on the piano, few could make is sing.
Have a look at VM photos taken with Leica, they are different from Rolleiflex pictures. If you can't see it, don't blame on messenger.
Winogrand told in recorded meet with students how only Leica could cut it for him.
SLR were available, including Nikons. His students were switching from SLRs to Leica.
Another photog in the links I provided used Nikon RF, no go, he switched to Leica. .

Winogrand used a Nikon F as well. This was shown in his color exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum. VM, Winogrand, etc could have used anything... let’s not pretend they couldn’t. Of course a tool might be preferred but the main ingredient is they had talent not a cool camera. I can see... I assure you of that. But since I use Fuji, you think I can’t.

 

[robert blu]

Somebody could be curious to know what an M film camera can do in the hands of a professional photographer, which style of photography is suited, if it is “compatible “ with his needs (desires) and what the limits are.
I find this normal, maybe more interesting that just to know technical data’s before buying.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Winogrand used a Nikon F as well. This was shown in his color exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum. VM, Winogrand, etc could have used anything... let’s not pretend they couldn’t. Of course a tool might be preferred but the main ingredient is they had talent not a cool camera. I can see... I assure you of that. But since I use Fuji, you think I can’t.

He did not used it as main camera. Period.

I have seen few of your pictures with FujiX, good pictures, but it just not my thing. I'm not into it. If I ever would, I would ditch Leica in no time.

I have tried all possible film cameras and many kind of digital. Just as Winogrand told students (it is available on you tube) it is not my thing.
And for others, not just me. I have two current, well alive Leica photogs books. I didn't choose to have these books because it was taken with Leica M, I'm not gear fascist, it is photos in them I like.

 

[Filter Factor]

I'm not gear fascist....

Oh, no, not at all! 🙄

 

[Ko.Fe.]

https://anna-sush.photographer.ru/
Anna Bocharova a.k.a sush.
Film M user. She is using some old LTM lenses.

 

[David Hughes]

I understand. The snark wasn’t pointed at the OP. There were many opinions being thrown around... including mine. I guess some of us just wanted to understand the motivation in seeing photos only made with a certain camera. It’s a good debate.

Agreed and what I see us doing is trying to refine the question before we get focused on answering it; nothing wrong with that, is there?

Regards, David

PS FWIW, most of today's photos that I like/admire are posted on RFF but I seldom look at the technicalities just the picture.