Jump to content

It Only Shoots B&W!


wilfredo

Recommended Posts

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I'm often tickled by the responses I get from people when I tell them my Leica MM is a Black & White camera. They say: "you mean it only shoots B&W?" Then comes the magic moment when they see the photos and say: "Oh wow", not quite understanding what's "wowing" them as they experience an epiphany.

 

The Leica MM is not a camera that "only shoots B&W" as if that was a limitation. The MM is a tool that allows the photographer to totally immerse herself/himself into the magic and luminosity of B&W photography. It has been for me a liberating and freeing experience that allows me to see with my inner B&W eye, with no need to debate whether the image should be B&W or Color. There is a purity here that not everyone will appreciate but in my experience the MM is not a camera "that only shoots B&W," it is an instrument that frees the soul to let go of limitations, and totally embrace B&W photography like never before.

 

The MM is not a camera that will limit your photography, rather it is a tool that can potentially free you to the experience of unlimited possibilities contained in the infinite world of B&W photography. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

 

Cheers!

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/other/255311-leica-monochrom-shots-post-them-here.html

Edited by wilfredo
  • Like 18
Link to post
Share on other sites

The MM is a tool that allows the photographer to totally immerse herself/himself into the magic and luminosity of B&W photography. It has been for me a liberating and freeing experience that allows me to see with my inner B&W eye, with no need to debate whether the image should be B&W or Color. There is a purity here that not everyone will appreciate but in my experience the MM is not a camera "that only shoots B&W," it is an instrument that frees the soul to let go of limitations, and totally embrace B&W photography like never before.

 

It's nice that you are happy with your camera but I think you might be getting a little carried away – there are plenty of other cameras perfectly suited to black and white photography. It's what you have between your ears that counts most.

  • Like 3
Link to post
Share on other sites

Ian:

 

"There is a purity here that not everyone will appreciate but in my experience the MM is not a camera "that only shoots B&W," it is an instrument that frees the soul to let go of limitations, and totally embrace B&W photography like never before."

Edited by wilfredo
Link to post
Share on other sites

Okay, a little carried away, but I understand the enthusiasm. In a digital era when one can do virtually anything with the files that come out of a good camera, the shift in how one concentrates when shooting the Monochrom... the difference in the way one sees... is quite delightful. Because you are deliberately turning your back on color, you begin thinking of the image in classical terms.

 

It was only eight years ago that Leica M users were "limited" to film, but that was a long time ago. By using the Monochrom, and "going back to shooting in black and white," there is a mental return to classic Leica photography. It's a blast. And I for one understand Wilfredo's enthusiasm.

  • Like 5
Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you John. The MM is not for everyone, and that's O.K.

 

I have more than one camera, but it's in the B&W arena where I mostly experience the satisfaction of an image that goes beyond the mundane and ordinary. And, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the MM continues to outperform any of my other cameras in the B&W arena.

 

HAVING SAID THAT I'M WONDERING WHAT THE MOTIVATION IS FOR FORUM MEMBERS, WHEN THEY OPT FOR B&W PHOTOGRAPHY?

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Thank you John. The MM is not for everyone, and that's O.K.

 

I have more than one camera, but it's in the B&W arena where I mostly experience the satisfaction of an image that goes beyond the mundane and ordinary. And, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the MM continues to outperform any of my other cameras in the B&W arena.

 

HAVING SAID THAT I'M WONDERING WHAT THE MOTIVATION IS FOR FORUM MEMBERS, WHEN THEY OPT FOR B&W PHOTOGRAPHY?

 

For the past almost 2 years I have only been shooting my personal work and on occasion my professional work with my MM. The reason I use it for my personal work and a 35 lux is they match the way I see. It is that simple. I have other cameras but for my personal work which is B&W there is not a better tool for the way I work and see period.

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

I think I have always thought of photography as magic.

I was barely out f my teen years when I realized that the magic of photography stems from the fact that it can portray things in a way our eyes cannot.

Primarily it is its ability to display in B&W. We can only see that way via photography.

Extending that, the use of focal lengths, other than 'standard', takes us away from seeing like our eyes.

 

To me, that has always been the magic, but not to the exclusion of colour and normality as well.

  • Like 5
Link to post
Share on other sites

I think I have always thought of photography as magic.

I was barely out f my teen years when I realized that the magic of photography stems from the fact that it can portray things in a way our eyes cannot.

Primarily it is its ability to display in B&W. We can only see that way via photography.

Extending that, the use of focal lengths, other than 'standard', takes us away from seeing like our eyes.

 

To me, that has always been the magic, but not to the exclusion of colour and normality as well.

 

I resonate with your comment Erl. On occasion I opt for color but overall find the experience of B&W photography richer. When you shoot in B&W you cannot rely on color to dazzle, you need to dig down deeper. There is always the exception to the rule, but I suspect many of us have similar feelings about B&W photography. I also enjoy endless B&W shooting now without concern for running out of film.

Link to post
Share on other sites

HAVING SAID THAT I'M WONDERING WHAT THE MOTIVATION IS FOR FORUM MEMBERS, WHEN THEY OPT FOR B&W PHOTOGRAPHY?

 

Kind of a curious way of looking at things. I think the majority of forum members who use B&W do so as an instinctive default response to they way they see the world, the 'opt' is when they choose to use colour.

 

Steve

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Ian:

 

"There is a purity here that not everyone will appreciate but in my experience the MM is not a camera "that only shoots B&W," it is an instrument that frees the soul to let go of limitations, and totally embrace B&W photography like never before."

 

Yes, I read it the first time (no need to quote yourself) and I still think it is nonsense.

 

[Note: my earlier comment was moderated out:mad:]

  • Like 4
Link to post
Share on other sites

I'M WONDERING WHAT THE MOTIVATION IS FOR FORUM MEMBERS, WHEN THEY OPT FOR B&W PHOTOGRAPHY?

 

I do not "opt" for B&W any more than I opt for taking photographs at 1:5.6; I select the parameters which I think are called for for the picture or occasion at hand. At times, I even decide on a whim.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

My M9 has gotten very lonely since the MM arrived two months ago. It's hard not to go right to the MM when leaving the house unless landscape shooting cries out for color.

I agree completely on the 35mm FL with the MM. I've acquired a Canon 35 1.8 LTM and 2.0 LTM, which were built during the golden age of manufacturing, when B+W ruled our craft. They work so well with the MM because of their contrast, tonality and relative softness, although modern Leica and Zeiss glass is excellent (but more clinical / harsh) on the MM.

Rich

Edited by rcerick
  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

I hear you Rich. I have a Canon 5DII which I hardly ever touch anymore. The MM is my "go to" camera.

 

The appeal for B&W photography is not for everyone. Those who who focus their craft on this form of expression, I believe have a deeper appreciation for the richness of B&W tones. My whole point here is that it is not a limitation when a camera is Monochromatic. For those who have a deeper appreciation, it is liberating, and the sky is the limit!

 

Yes, other cameras can do B&W photography, but...

 

Cheers!

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

My M9 has gotten very lonely since the MM arrived two months ago. It's hard not to go right to the MM when leaving the house unless landscape shooting cries out for color.

I agree completely on the 35mm FL with the MM. I've acquired a Canon 35 1.8 LTM and 2.0 LTM, which were built during the golden age of manufacturing, when B+W ruled our craft. They work so well with the MM because of their contrast, tonality and relative softness, although modern Leica and Zeiss glass is excellent (but more clinical / harsh) on the MM.

Rich

 

I would love to see some of the photos with the Canon lenses. If you don't wish to post them here please send me a PM and I can share my e-mail with you. I don't think there are any bad lenses on the MM. These older lenses probably give the image a very classic look. That's a plus IMHO.

 

Cheers!

Link to post
Share on other sites

The appeal for B&W photography is not for everyone. Those who who focus their craft on this form of expression, I believe have a deeper appreciation for the richness of B&W tones. My whole point here is that it is not a limitation when a camera is Monochromatic. For those who have a deeper appreciation, it is liberating, and the sky is the limit!

 

Yes, other cameras can do B&W photography, but...

 

But what? A photographer successfully working in black and white will have an "appreciation for the richness of B&W tones" that is independent of, and goes way beyond, the camera that they are using. It seems to me that you like the Monochrom camera so much that you think it is some kind of key to a greater understanding and appreciation of black and white photography. It's a fine camera but it's just a bit of kit. Black and white photography was around for a few years before the Monochrom was released in 2012.:rolleyes:

Edited by wattsy
  • Like 4
Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...