Guest BigSplash Posted September 28, 2009 Share #1 Posted September 28, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I met with Brett at the new Leica UK Mayfair facility and was priviliged to be pupil No1 at the workshop he is running for M8 and M9 users. Let me say at the outset I took the course as I had some time spare in London. I have used as an amateur film Leica for 30 years and think I am quite good. That said I recognised that I could do better with the M8 I recently bought. Most of my shots with the M8 have been excellent with pin prick focus, and good angles...but others had a colour cast, or needed significant level adjustment in Photo Shop....so I wanted to learn in particular how to get the best out of and exploit the versatility of my M8 camera. I learned a lot from Brett and would point to the following in particular: I have tended to shoot everything at ISO 160 as I see that as giving the best detail. However with available light photography such as london underground shots I now agree that this is ridiculous. I now use as a result of Brett's advice a much wider range of ISO to ISO 640. It works! All summer I have suffered over exposure in parts of many outdoor scenes of people in a garden etc. This has been due to the strong sunlight this summer in the South of France. I found the need to correct with Photoshop (auto levels) in most of my shots even though I was carefully monitoring the exposure. I frequently have taken light readings and then manually selected the shutter speed. Brett confirmed to me that this is a good technique. However he also showed that it is better to underexpose to avoid losing detail that can be corrected in post production. He suggested selecting -1/3 EV (Good in UK) or even -2/3 EV (in the very harsh sun of S.France). I have been doing this all weekend and I no longer need to auto level correct in post production. Great! Thanks Brett! Brett recommends selecting the colour temp of 580'K for outdoor usage and this I have been doing all summer with great results after a phone call Brett and I had, where he suggested this value. If there is a colour shift he then says it is easy to bulk correct in Photoshop or Lightroom which makes sense. The alternative of using Auto white balance effectively is like selecting a new film for every single shot making slide shows tough to implement. Selecting 580K does not work in a restauarant with different types of lighting (Halogen, Tungsten, LED, Fluorescent mixturs) and here he suggests to frame a picture of a white table cloth and shoot with white balance manual selected...thereafter the camera is calibrated for that restaurant!. I actually learned a great deal more but the above gives a flavour of a very worthwhile 3 hours that has greatly already improved my own abilities. I saw various slide presentation that Brett has done where the angle of shot, and "captured movement" of subjects were inspirational. Thanks Brett for a very useful session. I strongly advice anyone who is in London to make the investment and spend time with Brett...in that way I am certain that you will push the boundaries further with what is after all an expensive yet very versatile camera system. Brett likes both the M8 and M9 ( plus M film cameras) so I had no problem that I was not yet a M9 owner but a mere M8 proud user. One word of warning it is all too easy during the course with Brett to use the latest lenses on your camera as they are all on site ....so yes I am now thinking about some ASPH new lenses to supplement my old glass. Leica seem to understand the power of marketing all too well! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 28, 2009 Posted September 28, 2009 Hi Guest BigSplash, Take a look here Brett's Leica UK workshop M9 / M8 feedback. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
andybarton Posted September 28, 2009 Share #2 Posted September 28, 2009 Maybe Brett doesn't want all his tips and tricks broadcast for free on the Internet Just a thought... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted September 28, 2009 Share #3 Posted September 28, 2009 Maybe Brett doesn't want all his tips and tricks broadcast for free on the Internet ...no shit... Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BigSplash Posted September 28, 2009 Share #4 Posted September 28, 2009 Maybe Brett doesn't want all his tips and tricks broadcast for free on the Internet Just a thought... Andy, believe me the tips and tricks I mentioned in my OP was just the tip of the iceberg and in some ways the more obvious ones. I remain overwhelmed by what I learnt against a backdrop of 30 years of taking photos ....I guess it goes to show that in life one never stops learning. I frankly believe that reading about it on the internet is not like attending the course and I urge people who are thinking of buying a £5000 camera plus lenses to meet up with Brett if they are able to so that they can quickly grasp the techniques. I would also add that Brett is a Leica fan and really seems to enjoy this part time activity with Leica....His main activity is as a professional photogarpher and frankly if I needed a pro I would not hesitate to hire him. He seems to be able to find angles of shot, and choose low shutter speeds to accentuate movement etc etc. He showed me a giant print ...A2 (I guess) taken with the M9 ......astounding detail, exceptional colour depth (hue and saturation) .....well the bar has just gone up in terms of where i want to be in photographic ability. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted September 28, 2009 Share #5 Posted September 28, 2009 I'm more astonished to learn that BigSplash might actually be 'real' and not one of Vinnay/Jay/etc.'s various trolling noms de plume. Can Brett actually corroborate Frank's existence? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bybrett Posted September 28, 2009 Share #6 Posted September 28, 2009 Andy and Bill thanks for your concerns, I'm quite happy with Frank sharing the information above as it is mostly anecdotal and tailored to the end user's needs. A lot more is achieved on a session in a practical sense which is why workshops are to some extent internet protected. We take photographs to improve our photography. Frank, I'm pleased that some of the tips have proven useful for you already, and thanks for your kind comments about my work. Cheers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bybrett Posted September 28, 2009 Share #7 Posted September 28, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm more astonished to learn that BigSplash might actually be 'real' and not one of Vinnay/Jay/etc.'s various trolling noms de plume. Can Brett actually corroborate Frank's existence? Ha! Yes I can confirm there is a real Frank. I have had the pleasure of meeting several Forum members in person recently through M9... and I have learned you should never judge the person by their posts! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BigSplash Posted September 28, 2009 Share #8 Posted September 28, 2009 Frank, I'm pleased that some of the tips have proven useful for you already, and thanks for your kind comments about my work. Cheers. Below is a photo taken at Harvey Nicholls restaurant with a MATE with low ambient light. I had the courage to use ISO 680 for the first time, and a slow shutter speed to demonstrate movement, I also manually fixed white balance off the table cloth ...so whites are white.. Sorry if this is "old hat" for many forum members...for me I was pleased that my daughter and her girl friend show "movement", The fixed objects are static and properly exposed, the table cloth is white (not yellow), and I did NOT need to do any post processing! For me that is all progress in the right direction. Brett many thanks! Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/98364-bretts-leica-uk-workshop-m9-m8-feedback/?do=findComment&comment=1053123'>More sharing options...
Marty Posted September 28, 2009 Share #9 Posted September 28, 2009 May I join Frank in his praise of Brett's intro workshop. Time well spent! Pupil no. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM82 Posted September 28, 2009 Share #10 Posted September 28, 2009 Add me to that! Pupil #3 As a rangefinder novice (with an M9), I found the half day to be very rewarding and opened my eyes to the possibilities of engaging brain rather than auto-exposure, auto-focus, auto-everything photography. Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted September 28, 2009 Share #11 Posted September 28, 2009 I have used as an amateur film Leica for 30 years and think I am quite good. You're nothing if not modest, Frank. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BigSplash Posted September 28, 2009 Share #12 Posted September 28, 2009 You're nothing if not modest, Frank. Thanks for that Mark ....it always nice to hear positive supportive feedback after I have publicly identified many of the difficulties I have had going digital after I thought I knew a thing or two about photography. I honestly think many people will be struggling with digital to get the most out of a Leica camera. and they should take the portunity to go on Brett's course......... I of course do NOT mean you Mark because you well know the M8 inside out as we have all seen! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
delander † Posted September 28, 2009 Share #13 Posted September 28, 2009 I honestly think many people will be struggling with digital to get the most out of a Leica camera. and they should take the portunity to go on Brett's course......... And how does one arrange that Frank? Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianman Posted September 28, 2009 Share #14 Posted September 28, 2009 And how does one arrange that Frank? Jeff Yes, I'm interested too ! Do you have a url ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevelap Posted September 28, 2009 Share #15 Posted September 28, 2009 Call the Leica Store Mayfair, the courses are held upstairs in their seminar rooms (there are separate M9 and M8 sessions if/as numbers allow). Leica Camera AG - Home Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BigSplash Posted September 28, 2009 Share #16 Posted September 28, 2009 Call the Leica Store Mayfair, the courses are held upstairs in their seminar rooms (there are separate M9 and M8 sessions if/as numbers allow).Leica Camera AG - Home Brett I guess the above advice is correct.. I would add that UK dealers can also help lubricate the Leica UK wheels as RG Lewis was involved in my contact with Leica UK.. That said Brett ....you may want to advise people on how to get booked and /or give some dates of your availability. From my side I unfortunately cannot help ...all I know is that it is good to hear that others in the forum feel the need I had ......and have now via your help Brett have managed to become satisfied. Good luck to all of you who wish to learn more and shame on those who know it all already.....I envy you! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leica007 Posted September 28, 2009 Share #17 Posted September 28, 2009 That said Brett ....you may want to advise people on how to get booked and /or give some dates of your availability. I second this. is it free ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted September 28, 2009 Share #18 Posted September 28, 2009 For those of you near Manchester it seems that there is still one place left on the course run by Brett and another forum member on Saturday the 17th of October at Stephens in the centre of Manchester. Scroll down this page for details... Home There is no charge for the course. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted September 29, 2009 Share #19 Posted September 29, 2009 That image looks very yellow on my monitor and the background is in focus not the subjects. Hmmmm Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbaron Posted September 29, 2009 Share #20 Posted September 29, 2009 I honestly think many people will be struggling with digital to get the most out of a Leica camera. and they should take the portunity to go on Brett's course......... You should be in advertising Frank! With copy like this how could anyone resist? Just like slapping someone in the face and telling them how to stop it hurting! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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