All rights to this photograph is reserved the photographer
Clotilde, Jardin des Tuileries in Paris last september.
This was taken with a M6 TTL and a Summilux 50. Stangely this photo wasn’t my first choice when I went through all the photos we took that day. Few weeks later while I was having a second look at this very shooting, the frame just popped in front of me. Her attitude, the off centered vanishing point, the aura of light surrounding her… there was something that kept calling me in.
I think It’s always good to look back on our work with a fresh eye because there’s a process involved : we live an instant, we forget it and then we remember. And while remembering, reality becomes phantasm. Ten persons might come up with ten different stories about just one picture. Was she sad? Was she bored? Maybe I just asked her to act this way… it’s all about triggering our imagination. I don’t take photos to tell reality and I do like to tell stories.
Why I use a Leica:
First, it’s the glasses. They have something special, I couldn’t tell what it is… maybe it’s the micro contrast, maybe it’s the in focus to out of focus transition. I have a thing for old lenses and old optical designs, I enjoy their so called “imperfections” as perfection (and thus there’s no mysteries that my favorite lenses are a 1967 Summilux and a 1978 Noctilux… I’m even considering a leitz Xenon from 1937 for those very reasons).
Using a Leica camera is about well damped and precise mechanics, everything goes so smoothly when you arm the lever and when the shutter is released, there’s something very sensual to it. When using a rangefinder camera you’re basically looking through it: everything’s in focus and you have to imagine your depth of field, all this gives a sentiment of freedom and it kinds of set my mind to peace. I often feel like I’m just wandering around and snapping scenes and people, there’s no constraints … I think this is what I like about it, no constraints.
Please visit Rapael’s personal web site at raffee.blogspot.com and his Flickr photo stream for more great Leica shots.
Would you like to be a Featured photographer? You can – here’s how
this is a really nice shot, i like it
This is an extraordinary shot – the light framing Clotilde’s head and her downcast expression are just wonderful.
this is an amazing shot. i love the gesture, the soft lighting, her attitude, the background… i love em all!