wilfredo Posted October 31, 2009 Share #1 Posted October 31, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I haven't really delved into the study of Bokeh too much but it occurred to me the other day as I was flipping through a book of Georgia O'Keefe's water colors that her images resemble the bokeh of a Zeiss lens more than that of a Leica lens. Okeefe - Google Images Her edges have something of a harsher crispness to them which runs contrary to the softer creamier Leica bokeh. I took a B&W shot before the sun went down today to compare with a 35mm Summicron wide open on the M8. The color shot was with a Zeiss lens, @ f/1.4. on a Canon 5D II. Some prefer the Leica bokeh but I wonder what O'keefe would have preferred? Would she have gotten into an argument over this with Stieglitz? I suspect the early Sieiglitz would have preferred the Leica bokeh, the later Stieglitz, I don't know? This comparison is not for the purposes of saying that one is superior than the other but to better illustrate the difference. If you want the O'keefe bokeh, I think you will want the Zeiss look. Perhaps their is an artist who has more of the Leica bokeh in their work? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 31, 2009 Posted October 31, 2009 Hi wilfredo, Take a look here Bokeh. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
leicamann Posted October 31, 2009 Share #2 Posted October 31, 2009 Wilfredo..I like the color shot , but I found I had to download the image to my desktop, the setup/presentation is really distracting and takes away from an otherwise nice shot. Thanks for your posting Cheers, JRM Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted October 31, 2009 Share #3 Posted October 31, 2009 Wilfredo - Lovely and effective. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vdb Posted October 31, 2009 Share #4 Posted October 31, 2009 Very interesting study Wilfredo. If you not visited her museum in Santa Fe I strongly suggest it. I would also highly recommend a tour of her home in Abiquiu. Unfortunately they do not allow photos. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilfredo Posted October 31, 2009 Author Share #5 Posted October 31, 2009 Thank you JRM, Stuart, and Virgil. I'm going to try and do a few more comparison shots of Bokeh today comparing Zeiss and Leica. Virgil, If I am ever in Santa Fe I will for sure visit the museum, I am a fan of O'keefe, her work as an American artist came at a very important time in the history of art in this country and clearly unique. Her images have a very sensual element, it's almost like watching a still life dancing gently in a soft breeze. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
roguewave Posted October 31, 2009 Share #6 Posted October 31, 2009 I like The B&W best, in every way. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauledell Posted October 31, 2009 Share #7 Posted October 31, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Wilfredo, Definitely, the b&w has better bokeh and is better in sharpness also. Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Jackson Posted November 1, 2009 Share #8 Posted November 1, 2009 Both photos have their unique and wonderful qualities. The interesting thing about O'Keeffe, was that she was always experimenting and pushing herself. So it is quite likely that one day it was Leica, and the next day it was Zeiss. If you get the chance to visit her museum in Santa Fe, I think you'll really see what I'm talking about. Even the paintings that seem to have sharp edges have a softness about them, perhaps it is the colors she used. There is no doubt she was a person of pure genius, and I think the greatest American painter to date. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilfredo Posted November 1, 2009 Author Share #9 Posted November 1, 2009 Well, I didn't get a chance to go out and shoot flowers today but I managed a shot of my foot after a two mile walk. This is the price to pay for Leica and other gear (LOL). However, it has a lovely Leica Bokeh so its worth it. These socks will be retired. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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