All rights to this photograph is reserved the photographer
Not the most action-packed photo ever taken but one that I spent a long time visualizing. This was the second attempt at this shot. The first was a year earlier, taken the day before I was leaving the country (U.S.A.) for 3 months. It looked almost exactly like the one you see here except that the L in LUNCH was slightly off the edge of the table. Unfortunately I noticed and took the shot just a few moments too late. After seeing the negative I planned to take the shot again as soon as i returned home. But when I was finally able to stand in front of that window again it was an entire season later and the sun had shifted. LUNCH was no longer being projected onto the center of the table. It was way off to the side on the the red vinyl booth divider. I believed that in order for this image to work the alignment had to be as exact as possible or there would be no MAGIC. So I had to wait almost an entire year for the scene to come together again. When everything was right I made sure to be there early. I stood watching the shadow move slooowly to the center. and then… after all the waiting… CLICK !
LUNCH was taken with a Leica M3, 50mm f1.4 Summilux V.2 , and Kodak Ultracolor 400
Why I use a Leica:
My grandfather Eloy Chanyungco was a Leica collector and photographer in the 50s – 70s. After he passed away his M3 and collapsible Summicron spent a few years with an uncle of mine and then some years locked away in my fathers camera collection. After some negotiating, a little sweet talking, and a lot of begging it found its way into my hands. After a thorough cleaning, adjustment, and shutter replacement the M3 was ready for action. As soon as I saw the negatives from my first roll through it I knew I had something special. I’ve been using Leica Rangefinders and Lenses ever since.
Lemuel was born in Metro Manila, Philippines, raised in Rockland County N.Y. and is now living in Berlin, Germany. Please visit his personal web site chanyungco.com for more great shots.
Eloy would have been very proud; not only of the quality of your photos, but also how well and lovelingly you’ve taken cared of his favorite leica. He had a name for it: “over my dead body”.
-Dad
Beautiful shot. One of my favorites of yours. Congrats man.
Awesome! Exactly what your dad said – Lolo would be proud.
the M3’s in good hands
I leicat!
Nice to see that your M3 is being used. Salamat from another Filipino Leica user :).
Great shot! I love your photos.
Neighborhood pride..
I love it !!!!!
Very good shot !! I can imagine to sit there have a coffee and ….
It was well worth you revisiting this place 12 months on. Superb. Wonderful composition, lighting, colour rendition and mood. All the better that it was taken with your grandfather’s camera.
Amazing story…I think I would have just moved the table!
Lovely pic and great to know there are some other M3 users out there.