M9 Brochure - Cuba images - darkroom work etc.

[Nitnaros]

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Very nice photography work with the boxer story from Cuba.

 

But images are also well lit and seem also well retouched;

nothing wrong with that, just good work, on-location and in the digital-darkroom.

 

I bet there is a fair amount of dodging & burning for more enhanced local contrast going on; e.g. look at the two boxers sitting on the bench, the double page spread on p.14/15: The guy on the right, don't you think that his left biceps and his left cheek have been dodged significantly?

 

The couple on p.72/73, that seems to be a silver reflector on her face and his neck.

 

Again, nothing wrong with all of that, but you would not get images like that right out of the box with the M9 (or any other camera), imo...

 

What do you think?

 

Peter

[zlatkob]

Hi Peter,

 

The photos are well-produced with a fashion sensibility, consistent with the style of the photographer. I'm not sure about any dodging or burning, but there appears to be some strong contrast enhancement and some artistic adjustment of color.

 

By the way, there was some good discussion of the brochure photos in this thread -

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/97458-boxing-photo-essay-m9-brochure.html

[erl]

Peter, I have not had time to closely examine the PDF brochure. I am off now to examine the real thing! A great advantage of living near the starting edge of the "World Clock!"

 

I do agree with your observation about the reflector, a legitimate promotional technique in photography and this is a promotion rather than a 'real' use of a Leica camera. Correction - promotional work IS also legitimate use of a Leica. I aught to know better!

 

Anyway, the photographer, post processors etc have done their job well, as I am sure so have Leica with the M9. Now to confirm the latter assumption.

[psss]

there is obviously a very heavy amount of post production going on.....and i would say a fair amount of fill flash and or reflector....

 

how many of those iconic leica images from the golden years where straight prints from negative?

 

i would not judge the m9 on the look of the brochure or on the displayed tones, detail or DR....this s a pdf file for web.....i would not even judge the camera if i held it in my hands....raw files are the only way....and i am pretty sure by this time tomorrow we will have access to some.....

[sdai]

The photo essay in the PDF is really very well done but it's a pity that some Leicaphiles probably will mistakenly consider heavy PS as the magic of Leica glow (again).

[PeterP]

The photo essay is very nicely done, quality of images reflect the quality of equipment used. But overly scrutinized.

Cheers

[Jamie Roberts]

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The photo essay in the PDF is really very well done but it's a pity that some Leicaphiles probably will mistakenly consider heavy PS as the magic of Leica glow (again).

 

Except in this case, Simon, I don't think the PS was particularly heavy, or heavy-handed. Hard to tell online too--but I think Zlatko got it right: they're commercial images and it's impressive that they're using the M9 to produce them.

 

The simple truth is you can't make a bad shot great with post-production, but you can make a great shot better a lot of the time.