The decisive moment with the Leica M3

[wgerrard]

Sharing my work without watermarks leaves me open or vulnerable and I refuse to accept the risk.

Realistically, the purpose of a watermark has never been to prevent theft, but to allow the owner to prove that ownership. So, a small unobtrusive watermark on the edge of a photo works as well as a large mark that obscures the central area of a photo. In fact, many paper products have watermarks that are invisible in normal use.

There is no way to prevent duplication of images posted on the web. The fact that an image is displayed in someone's browser means it has already been downloaded to his machine. That's how this stuff works.

Post low-res images (pretty much a requirement here, anyway) and don't worry about it.

 

[dfoo]

They might be nice photos IF I could see them. Now all I see is this GIANT watermark over the middle of the image. Until they are more presentable, I wouldn't make any comment on the content.

 

[dcsang]

The photo of the cat is cool.
Having two cats myself, I know what they look like just before they jump or pounce.
One can be prepared, if you spot the signs, for such an event.

I've said it before, and I will continue to repeat myself on this; while the M system (and other rangefinders) are a great tool at "decisive moment" photography (or PJ or whatever you want to call it), they are not the only tool. Each artist uses the tools that suit, and meet, their own needs.

I have recently seen the work of a number of very good wedding photographers; at least two of which were former newspaper or correspondent photojournalists; none are currently using Leica gear. Their work is all decisive moment capture. It is their instincts and experience that have helped them attune their senses and their eyes to what's going on around them in order for them to capture the moment decisively.

This gear may be great for you, and what you want to do, but it is not the only game in town when it comes to emulating HCB. 🙂

I'm not going to comment on the watermark; if that's how you want to show your images, that's your prerogative 🙂

Cheers,
Dave

 

[jack palmer]

The photo of the older lady being helped to her feet is no more intrusive than the hundreds if not thousands of published photo's showing vulerable moments. If it weren't for these photo's the world might seem somewhat one dimensional. I'm also sure you don't need advise as to where and when to take photographs no matter how well intentioned. You photo's to my eyes are pretty good, when you move the water mark we can enjoy them even more. Keep up the good work.

 

[Todd.Hanz]

Sorry about the blue text guys but the watermark is my compromise for sharing my work in an open forum. Sharing my work without watermarks leaves me open or vulnerable and I refuse to accept the risk. I sincerely hope we can still have a great discussion about the decisive moment. Here is another example taken with my M3 and a 35 1.4 Summilux in a Wal-Mart McDonald's which I'm now banned from for taking photos inside the store. At any rate, I've come to really appreciate the unobtrusiveness and quickness of this M3 and 35 1.4 Summilux combo in the hand up to the eye. Thanks to the Rangefinder forum member who sold me the camera.

Gregory

Yeah, Leicas M3's are great for the decisive moment (so are M2's, M4's, MP's, as well as Nikon FA's, F3's. F2's etc. It's a tool)

Shooting this handicapped lady in a moment of need feels wrong to me, having spent time with people like her I feel she wouldn't appreciate the gesture. That being said, if it was part of a larger project focusing on the needs/ daily living/ whatever or on the disease process where you would get permission to shoot would seem more appropriate to me.

It may be because it appears that you were standing behind the trash bin which gives a somewhat hidden-voyueristic look to your shot. I probably wouldn't have taken this shot, but your not me so do your own thing.

The Cat shot is cool, looks like he's trying to get over your watermark but doesn't quite make it.

It looks like your shooting well with the M3 so keep it up!

Todd

 

[Todd.Hanz]

In full disclosure, I was chastised for this shot pretty severely on another forum.

I was trying to show the dichotomy of the classes... well, actually I thought it was a cool looking composition. Took it with an M6, so I get the feel you have about Leicas being great tools.

Todd

 

[zenlibra]

Todd.Hanz, that is a good shot. I find it hard to believe anyone would find a need to give you grief for it. Isn't this the kind of shot that slice of life is all about?

Cheers

 

[pufy]

HCB's decissive moment was about esthetics, when the composition snapped into place. It was not so much about the action although people usually get this impression, mainly because of this shot . However, pictures like this one or this one show that his pictures are not so much about action, as they are about composition.
just my 2 cents.

 

[dfoo]

I don't see why anyone would chastise you on your shot Todd. Looks good to me. There are whiny people everywhere. Ignore them.

 

[snausages]

Todd.Hanz, that is a good shot. I find it hard to believe anyone would find a need to give you grief for it. Isn't this the kind of shot that slice of life is all about?

Cheers

agreed. it's a pretty amazing scene. surprised you were criticized for it.

 

[Todd.Hanz]

Todd.Hanz, that is a good shot. I find it hard to believe anyone would find a need to give you grief for it. Isn't this the kind of shot that slice of life is all about?

Cheers

Not to highjack the OP's thread but thanks, it was an instance where one guy was offended and everyone else kinda piled on.

Todd

 

[Nikkor AIS]

The first thing i do when I ever get a new camera/lens is shot some photo's around the house to get to know my gear before I go out in the field. This approach has led me to a familiarity with equipment that shortens my learning curve. So when I got my lecai M3 and my Noctilux 50 1.0 about a month later my family and friends are fair game.

When I think of desivve moment I also think in terms of plane of focus and the moment i release the shutter when Im at a moment of stillness. For one reason or another my hands tremble and Im only able to maintain very brief time in which the camera is still enough to take advantage using slower shutter speeds.


This picture of my Son and a display in a mall is a good example of me shooting at a moment of stillness between my tremors.
Taken with a M3 and a noctilux at 1/60 at f1.0



this shot was taken with a M6 and a 21 Super Angulon

 

[snausages]

I've been burned one too many times and feel like you can never be too careful with your work.

 

[kully]

Todd, I really like that.

'Nikkor AIS' - As has already been said - You're posting tiny little photos, if the Magnum site don't have to this then you don't need to do this with your snaps. I'd take a look at your work without the text.

 

[Time Freeze]

Looks like your cat doesn't like the watermark either 🙂

 

[pachuco]

Todd, that's a great picture!

Gregory, I think your watermark smacks of over inflated self-importance. There is no photograph, by you or anyone else) worthy of that blue turd in the middle of it.

I can easily prove I took the shots I did. I have the negatives, and the style of those shots are totally in line with all the other ones I've taken. If I'm going to share my pictures, then I would prefer folks can appreciate them, and not my name.

I agree with my fellow Oregonian. I totally get it that you want to protect your image but do it in moderation. As stated above, you have the negatives to prove ownership. I think the biggest offense is that a watermark that large and bold goes against the culture at RFF. Chalk it up to a noobe mistake and keep shooting. Enjoy your new camera, it is a good one!

 

[jsrockit]

Well, I agree that the M3 is a good decisive moment camera. This fella here is sharing this view, and he puts no watermarks:
http://photohistory.jeffcurto.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/cartier-bresson-hyeres.jpg

He doesn't need watermarks... everyone knows that photo! 😉

 

[WalterM]

That was a beautiful shot, Todd. I understand that some have ethical qualms on photographing the less fortunate, but that photo isn't exploitative.

also, to follow the trend of this topic, I don't approve of the topic starter's watermark either, but that first photo is fantastic.

 

[spkennedy3000]

Dear Gregory, nice shots.

I and most people I know with an interest in photography could remove your watermark in minutes.

Of course I won't but this knowledge does mean I don't tend to use watermarks myself... I just post small resolution images.

 

[Ducky]

Re; Photo #1 - Did the cat knock over the chair when it landed? That would be a decisive moment.