The M10 and portrait photography

[OR120]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

This highlights what we mean by PORTRAIT.  The more I see and the more work I do, the more I find that (unless you're doing passport "portraits") setting the subject in context usually gives a much more satisfying image than the "head and shoulders" aesthetic that seems to drive many of the images presented here.  

 

Consider:

https://www.magnumphotos.com/arts-culture/fashion/henri-cartier-bresson-photoportraits/

http://pro.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&VBID=2K1HZO4NLCQCQC&SMLS=1&RW=1329&RH=880

 

While there are shots that are head and shoulders (like the one of Cantona you'll find if you scroll lower down), I'd say the majority of images here are taken with the 35 / 50 focal length lenses.

 

Likewise, check the Taylor Wessing Portrait Competition images:

https://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/twppp-2017/exhibition/past-winners/

 

Moral?  If you're doing very conventional bread & butter studio portraits I'm not sure that Leica is always the best anyway.  Large or medium format with highly controlled lighting might be the way to go.  If you like contextualised portraiture (which I do), then a 75 is always good to have in the bag (I'm VERY happy with the new 75 Summarit 2.4), but 35 & 50 are essential.  Sell my 50 lux for the older beast-to-focus 75 lux, no way.  Put down that much capital for the new iteration of the 75 lux?  I'd take a lot of persuading!

 

Just my 2 cents

Chris ----- thank you for those links ---------- you can see so much from the past that appears again in similar ways in the future ----- what is old is new again.

[Advertisement]

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