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Not too sure about the selection for M-campaign


Leicademon

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Congratulations to the winners of the M-campaign photo comp. I don't want to point fingers or take away from the fine work, but does anyone agree with me that there were two excellent shots and two, um, 'good' shots chosen?

Is it an M-campaign or an M-8 campaign? Why all colour? Leica style is synonymous with monochrome but not even one B&W shot was selected. Maybe that's because an M8, or any digital camera for that matter, cannot yet do B&W as well as film.

I'm interested to hear what others honestly feel, because I saw a lot of submissions that in my mind summed up Leica better.

(This forum could surely use a good old subjective 'no one's going to win' discussion.) ;)

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First of all congratulations to the people whose photographs were selected.

 

I think for an ad campaign, as for a portfolio, b&w and colour don't mix very well. So I think it was always going to be one or the other not both.

 

Since the shots I posted were the exact opposite of the ones chosen I can't complain at not being chosen. I have to disagree with the idea that digital can't do b&w as well as film. They look different, but both are equally valid approaches IMHO.

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Yeah, I see your point on the 'portfolio' argument. B&W might be seen as relegeting Leica to the 'old school', an image I'm sure they're trying to shake.

As for 'digital vs analogue', well that debate will no doubt keep raging for as long as the 'CD vs Vinyl' debate (Vinyl still wins IMVHO)...

Leica forumites are such a thoughtful and considerate bunch. I guess I'm trying to stir up a bit of an artistic parry and thrust. The photograph 'Best Friends' by dpattinson is to me what Leica is all about. Full of warmth. A window into the human condition. A very worthy selection.

The cafe shot is well lit and nicely composed, technically faultless but lacking any emotion... and the other 2 leave me cold. But as we're talking about art, it's totally subjective so there's no right or wrong... just interested to hear other opinions :o

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10 different agencies possibly/probably would have chosen 10 times 4 different shots.

I consider the whole process as very positive, the forum members have

contributed in a double sense:

 

> art work

> cost savings

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I just want to publicly congratulate Susan Sermoneta. She has won the Leica M campaign for Robust Image. We will be celebrating our own local NYC Leica winner on Thursday in NYC. Susan is a very accomplished artist and by all accounts, an excellent candidate for the reception of this honor. Please join us, either in person or own your own, in raising a glass in praise of her accomplishment.

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snip.... Leica style is synonymous with monochrome... snip

 

And here's me thinking it was all about the saturation and contrast I've been seeing in LFI all these years. ;) Just goes to show how diverse our views can be. I choose colour because thats how I see.

 

Seriously though, congrats to all that entered, a lot of the images were very inspiring. Well done to the selected few I'm sure you're very proud and have every reason to be.

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No two people would go through the images submitted and come up with the same selections, however, I think all four are excellent and I can certainly see why they made the cut. Congratulations to each of them!

 

So, no, I don't agree with you that there were two excellent shots and two "good" ones chosen.

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Thanks for the kind words all.

 

I am very happy that particular photograph was chosen, as it relies heavily on timing and engagement with the subject, two things I'm working on in my photography.

 

Personally one of the things I like about the choice of images, is that none of them rely on subject matter or secondary equipment that are unavailable to the usual photographer. If you have a M camera with a standard lens, and you are prepared to take your time, you can take any of these photographs.

 

David.

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I don't go in for many 'photo competitions', partly for the following reasons.

1. They automatically, generate a desire to win or be 'chosen' rather than just achieve a 'good' image that you are pleased with yourself.

2. Results are dependent on judges opinions & bias. ie. not always indicative of a good pic.

3. Results may also vary according to daily mood &/or disposition of judges.

 

In the case of the 'M Campaign' comp, I believe the 'topics' were a hinderance to acquiring the best images from Forum members, but then I am not privy to the ad agencies methodology.

 

I do go in for occassional competitions, usually with a hidden agenda. I went into this one primarily to test myself retrospectively on my ability to turn up images that fits as many categories as possible and to satisfy myself that I don't get stuck in just one style of photography. I achieved that to my satisfaction.

 

Later this year, I will participate in the Krakow One Challenge, not with a view to winning, but just to participate and meet personally with Forum members. My personal challenge will be to achieve an image, or images that please me, under the very tight conditions imposed by that competition.

 

To the winners of the 'M Campaign', congratulations! Not only were you selected, but presumably you also have an image that you are able to be pleased with. Doubtless they will be hung at home or office in a place of prominence.

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That's a good point -- many great pictures can be shot using a Leica with standard lens. It also leads on to another thought: Why doesn't Leica publish some of these pics in a book? I think that deserves a separate post. Coming up.

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That's a good point -- many great pictures can be shot using a Leica with standard lens. It also leads on to another thought: Why doesn't Leica publish some of these pics in a book? I think that deserves a separate post. Coming up.

 

David, I think you will find Bill Parsons is organising just that, right now. Check this thread:

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/50441-anniversary-book-no-images-thread-please.html

 

If you rush, I think you may still be able to participate. Submit before Friday (Tomorrow) midnight Boston time.

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Erl, that's only for M8 shots - the campaign was open to any Leica photographs. Also Bill's asking for model releases that may cause some people problems - certainly it stopped me from submitting anything. This isn't a criticism of Bill in any way, he's perfectly entitled to set the conditions for entry given that he's doing all the hard work.

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All four images have their forte, and for the first one is certainly the sharpness all over

and depth of field.

# 2 is really funny and a nice catch, with a strong lines and colors composition.

# 3 (Susan's) is an extraordinary painting in photography, composition, low light contrasts, resolution, saturated colors, the way she mastered the different light sources and the

shadows play (trees) makes it the most appealing to me (even with the fact that no one's visible in the image, reminds a japanese photograph who takes night pics of Tokyo at night, in B/W, where there is never anyone, but you can feel the presence of humanity though.

# 4 is lovely, perfectly exposed, catched right on the spot and draws you a smile and a wish to watch and know more of these two little girls.

 

Overall, it might be a very effective choice to promote our most excellent M8.

 

Congratulations to the many photographers who contributed, I found the gallery really, really interesting.

Johan F.

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