Ava in Crissy Field in fine, devil-may-care, wind-blowing-through-the-hair form …

Leica M6, KM 50 M-Hexanon f/2.0, Ilford XP-2

More Ava …

Ava at the Discovery Museum …

Ava and Naomi at the hostel … I dubbed this shot “Pine Cone Perkins sitting at the ivories” : )

and Ava sharing a tender moment with Kimberly …

And if you’re so inclined, you can see the full series here

Leica M6, 50 KM M-Hexanon, LegacyPro 400

f/2 @ 1/30

Little Naomi tinkling the ivories at ArtBeast last month.  We met up with Isaac and Naomi for a playdate and

as usual I chased the kids around with a camera.  I hadn’t used the Hexanon in awhile so I thought it was due

for a workout.  Just a beautiful lens and a stellar performer as well.  Some people speak of it as a poor man’s

Summicron, but I don’t feel like I’m missing much.  Just as well, since chasing gear rarely leads to better art.

One mostly ends up with empty pockets instead of fulfilling art.

M6, 5cm Hexanon-M, Kodak Portra400NC

f/5.6 @ 1/125 or so

Little Naomi at East Portal park.  I saw her and saw the grass and said “I know how to take this shot!”.  Luckily she cooperated and gave me two frames.  The other one is pretty good too but it’s hard not to show the big smile.

Way backed up on personal stuff lately.  Supposed to be putting together a karate sampler for consideration.  Just scanned the visits to Pigeon Point lighthouse and Stinson Beach, lots of fun things plus about a month’s worth of stuff to review.

M6, 5cm Hexanon-M, Kodak Portra400NC

f/4 @ 1/100 or so, opened up quite a bit

Naomi came home from the Rice’s birthday party last weekend with the coolest face paint.  The outfit doing the paint had a very nice setup with quality brushes, sponges and paint.  It looked like a movie studio on location with big foldout makeup cases, mirrors and lots of little colored tubes of paint.  Naomi chose the butterfly design and then got it glittered for that extra touch of fanciness that pleases little girls so much.

Technical notes – This was a deliberate attempt to use a little more “contemporary” framing.  The dramatic coming-in-from-the-top view is overused but it is eye catching.  I thought the green grass behind her might complement the color in the face paint.  I have to say that I think I got pretty much what I was going for, a nice feeling.  Also, the 50 Hexanon-M shines here by giving a little more contrast, sharpness, and “pop” than the Sonnar.  I happen to think it shows nice bokeh with the open aperture as well.  And last but not least, a shout out to Portra400 NC.  Great film with great color.  I’ve been tempted to try some Ektar or Fuji Professional but with results like this it’s not worth the effort.  Shoot a few rolls of drugstore color film and then shoot Portra and there difference is clear.

Leica M3, KM 5cm f/2 Hexanon-M, Kodak Portra400NC

f/4 @ 1/250

Isaac and I always take the kids to the park on Fridays.  On this day, he brought his guitar and made a little music for the birds and flowers.  I happened to have three shots left on the roll and wouldn’t you know it but one of them turned out all right.  I think this shot shows what I’m always looking for – a signature moment when you get a glimpse of someone’s inner world.  This is where the Leica, and a good fifty, shine brightest.

Hat’s off to you my friend, thanks for letting me be there.

#1 – Flower crusher

Leica M3, KM 5cm f/2 Hexanon-M, Kodak Portra400NC

f/4 @ 1/250

#2 – Glamour twins

Leica M3, KM 5cm f/2 Hexanon-M, Kodak Portra400NC

f/4 @ 1/250

#3 – Supermodel in training

Leica M3, KM 5cm f/2 Hexanon-M, Kodak Portra400NC

f/5.6 @ 1/500

The Hexanon gives a nice, contrasty modern look – but not too modern.  It handles color and B&W equally well.  It’s light, quick to focus and looks wicked sharp in shiny black.  They call it the poor man’s Summicron but I feel like a million dollars when I mount it on the M3.  I’m always happy to shoot a few rolls with the Hexanon and then a few with the Sonnar, then a few with the Summaron, then back to the Hexanon.  Lather, rinse, repeat …

For the full set –> click here

Leica M3, KM 5cm Hexanon-M, Kodak Portra400NC

f/5.6 @ 1/250, intentionally exposed +1 stop – slightly high key and desaturated.  Not sure if it’s a look that works everywhere, but I wanted to try it out.  As usual, a good subject renders the details meaningless.

A little lag on the notice, but I’ve had a full photographic schedule lately.  A nice problem to have : )

Without further ado, here are the March and April family photos:

Main page

March 2010

• Land Park
• East Portal Park
• At the zoo
• Alyssa’s birthday
• Ava Rae
• Inside playtime
• ArtBeasties
• Little Dragon

April 2010

• Tahoe Park
• Bertha Henschel Park
• Backyard Babies

Ava Rae collecting flowers and sticks in the park

M3, Kodak Portra400NC, 90 Hexanon at F4, 1/250