Color Photography and the Leica M (New article at overgaard.dk)

[Overgaard]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I've added Page 41 to my Leica M article series, this one about something that is refreshing different from the usual black and white and new camera models:

 

 

Page 41 - "Color Photography and the Colors of the Leica M" by Thorsten Overgaard

 

It goes over the use of WhiBal cards, color meters, the history of color photography, exposure of color photographs, lens coatings, CCD vs CMOS sensors, film vs digital colors and much more!

 

Enjoy!

 

Feel free to comment. I will be adding one more page to this, mainly about editing color photographs, so any comments and questions you would like covered, please. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Delcredere]

^{Thank you Thorsten. This is a full, helpful and practical discussion. In your next article about editing I would welcome guidance on obtaining correct skin colours for differing ethnicities.}

[Bill Livingston]

Great article... I was supposed to have started re-ordering the books in my library as they are all over the place after a recent house move. I picked up your email this morning, got into the article, and got so involved I completely forgot what I was supposed to be doing and then had to deal with an angry wife!

 

Worth it though... fabulous article.

[geotrupede]

A lot of information! May be worth adding a reference to the EBU TLCI12 index for colours, when you speak about the reds and LED.

And BTW, LED are not so good for reds in 99% of the cases. A little like HMI/FL...

G.

[jaapv]

In the digital age, I question the remark that 70% of Leica photographs have been finished in Black and white. It is certainly not supported by the contributions in our Photoforums.

[Overgaard]

In the digital age, I question the remark that 70% of Leica photographs have been finished in Black and white. It is certainly not supported by the contributions in our Photoforums.

I haven't actually counted the contributions here, or on Facebook. But I know from my workshops that 70% tend to end up in black and white "for no particular reason" and it is often asked why black and white looks so cool with Leica. 

 

 

[jaapv]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I would suggest that somebody taking your workshops is not the average Leica photographer

[jmahto]

Lots of good info. Thanks.

[cgiammona]

Another excellent article!  Looking forward to the 5 full pages on focusing the M!  

[bocaburger]

In the digital age, I question the remark that 70% of Leica photographs have been finished in Black and white. It is certainly not supported by the contributions in our Photoforums.

Even in the film age, 95% of my Leica photographs were in color (slide).  Because the Leica was always my travel kit.  Most of my B&W was shot in medium format. 

[Overgaard]

Even in the film age, 95% of my Leica photographs were in color (slide).  Because the Leica was always my travel kit.  Most of my B&W was shot in medium format. 

 

How do you find the digital age for color photography, compared to the film days, bocaburger?

[wattsy]

But I know from my workshops that 70% tend to end up in black and white "for no particular reason" and it is often asked why black and white looks so cool with Leica. 

 

 

 

An unrepresentative (and somewhat predetermined) sample if ever there was one.

[jaapv]

How do you find the digital age for color photography, compared to the film days, bocaburger?

Coming to think of it, monochrome should be more popular in digital, as it does not involve a predetermined choice of film any more. Except when taking out a Monochrom of course.

Like Bocaburger, I always had my camera loaded up with slide film in the past, except for special B&W occasions.

[Peter H]

Whilst I expect 70% overstates the case, I get the impression that a higher proportion of Leica photos end up B&W than is generally the case.

 

I have no facts on which to base this.

[Mornnb]

Whilst I expect 70% overstates the case, I get the impression that a higher proportion of Leica photos end up B&W than is generally the case.

 

I have no facts on which to base this.

 

Which is madness, the colour reproduction from the M240 and Leica lenses is too good to throw away. And is a standard above most other camera systems.

[Stealth3kpl]

You'll have a massive number of hits if you do a "Getting Skin Tones Right With The M 240" page.

Pete

[MT0227]

Interesting discussion here, figured I'd add in some additional content.

 

I'm new to Leica (about 30 days in).  Prior to adding the M platform to my bag I was solely a Nikon SLR/DSLR guy for many years, shooting predominately Sports with some Street/Travel/Landscape mixed in when I had the time and opportunity.  

 

Hence the acquisition of my M-P 240; I can take it to work with me every day which now provides access to opportunities that I would routinely miss.  Yeah...yeah, common line, but 100% fact in my case and the purpose of my purchase.  I wanted a tool that rendered wonderful imagery that I could take to the streets; my D810 kit is just too big for me to lug around to work every day.  Over the past 30 days of shooting my Leica, I've uploaded 10 photos to this forum:  7 B&W, 3 Color.   Now, of the 7 B&Ws, a few started as color in the editing process but just looked better in B&W to me.  This is coming from a dude who's catalog has less than 1% of B&W inventory. 

 

The explanations I have, in my case,  are the following:

 

1) Perhaps the type of photography lends or leans itself to one side or the other for a given individual.  As I develop a better understanding of how to shoot the street, I find that B&W tends to work for me more than color.  Maybe it's what I'm shooting at this point that's driving this, not sure.

 

2) Perhaps a new tool adds a new perspective; driving you to adopt a new photographic direction which in turn produces new results that are appealing to your eye.

 

3) Perhaps it's forums like this which promote new ideas, direction and vision..giving members ways to stretch there boundaries a bit and try new things.

 

 

I've not had the opportunity to participate in one Thorsten's workshops, however my experience seems to be consistent to his findings -- " black and white looks so cool with Leica." 

 

I haven't actually counted the contributions here, or on Facebook. But I know from my workshops that 70% tend to end up in black and white "for no particular reason" and it is often asked why black and white looks so cool with Leica. 

 

[Steve Ricoh]

Thanks for the excellent addition covering colour. I've found it both informative and helpful, eg auto WB cf Manual grey or white reference. Your explanation goes way beyond the normal 'do it and it'll work' sort of thing, and once I know the reason it sticks better in my thinking box!

For me colour adds another layer of complexity to composition, for instance a dominant colour in a 'street' shot; you either get the shot or reframe and maybe loose the opportunity. On the other hand, B+W provides the ability to reduced an annoying colour to a tone, hence becoming a non-issue. Colour has its place of course.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[BigBabyEarl]

I just read it. Thank you. A lot of good information. I would really like to know your up to date opinion on which Monochrom you prefer now after using them so much. I also find it interesting that you prefer the 50 apo for color and not b&w. I've used the lens and found it incredible on the MM1 wide open, but I feeling like I like the summilux ash 50 more for colors- maybe because it's just softer. Anyhow, thanks for taking the time.

[Overgaard]

I just read it. Thank you. A lot of good information. I would really like to know your up to date opinion on which Monochrom you prefer now after using them so much. I also find it interesting that you prefer the 50 apo for color and not b&w. I've used the lens and found it incredible on the MM1 wide open, but I feeling like I like the summilux ash 50 more for colors- maybe because it's just softer. Anyhow, thanks for taking the time.

 

Thanks BibBabyEarl 

 

I am not the Monochrom type, meaning I can't do with a camera that does only b&w. That was the lesson from both MM and M246 which I both found irresistible and had to get. Looking back, I might hold onto the MM from a perspective of simply the images it produce. But it's hard to sit still when something new is coming. 

 

My monochrom is the M240. And next up next will be the new M which will have much of the same speed, ISO and all as you see the SL and Q points towards. And a thinner body than previous digital M cameras.

 

I am a little uncertain if the SL and Q sensors point towards how the future M will deliver B&W files; I hope they are staying closer to the M240 as either the Q or SL have great b&w files straight out of the camera. All subject to change with future firmware versions. Just have a look at the b&w photos Leica posted on their flickr from the Wetzlar release party. 

 

As for the 50mm APO, that's what I am using if for. Accurate colors in the details and overall. It does have the look of the 50mm Rigid in an updated flawless look a Monochrom body. But I seem to prefer the Noctilux also for b&w.

 

The Summilux was never my lens but it's a great lens and easy to get fantastic results from, compact and the best industrial design of all Leica lenses.