In my approach to portraiture, I try to make the subject feel at home with the camera, have them relax, and focus the camera on their eyes. To me, the eyes convey the essence of the person, that is, who they are.
I had ChatGPT write a two-page essay on portraiture, with a special focus on the eyes and a person’s emotions. I decided not to publish it because it seemed rather repetitious. So my two-sentence explanation above will have to suffice.
The Equipment
I have been taking people’s portraits for some time now. I started in earnest in 2017, when I purchased my Leica M10 and both a Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH and later a Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 35mm f/2.0 Aspherical lens.
I especially like the M10 paired with the Summilux-M 50mm lens. I have also taken portraits with the Leica Q2 which has a fixed Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH lens. Additionally, I have used the Leica SL series to take photos with SL-lens, such as the Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.
More recently, I had a chance to try the SL2-S body with a Leica APO-Summicron-SL 75mm f/2 ASPH lens.
Santa Fe, New Mexico – Leica Society Spring 2018
I took several photos while in Santa Fe, New Mexico for the Leica Society’s Spring Shoot in 2018. These were taken with an M10 and a Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH lens. I shot with the aperture wide open at f/1.4.
California Dreaming
I asked this young lady if I could take her photo and she agreed.
We were at the Plaza Restaurant on the Santa Fe Plaza. She told me she was from California, but I didn’t get her name.
I like her blond hair which is a bit out-of-focus.
Leica M10 and Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH Lens
Robert Naranjo
I met Robert Naranjo the same morning at the Plaza Restaurant on the Santa Fe Plaza. We talked about his Vietnam experiences and only when he gave me his name, did I realize he is a Santa Clara potter and I have one of his pieces in my collection.
Leica M10 and Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH Lens
Tom Rael
Tom is a friend and I asked him to pose for a portrait. We were in a small cafe situated in the Santa Fe Rail Yard next to the Santa Fe Market’s water reservoir. I think his eyes give us a glimpse into his soul.
Leica M10 and Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH Lens
Santa Fe Hat Woman
I wandered into a hat store and asked this woman if I could take her portrait. Her smile is very warm and captivating.
Leica M10 and Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH Lens
Leica Society International – Fall 2021 Meeting
I attended the Leica Society International meeting with my partner, Ronnie Beth Sauers, at Bellevue Washington.
We also visited friends at Vashon Island, Washington after that meeting. I include two portraits shot with a Leica Q2.
Ronnie Beth Sauers
It was a rainy day in Seattle, so we took a break at a cafe to dry out and warm up. Ronnie looks like an explorer here. She attended all the conference meetings with me, and we explored several great restaurants near the venue.
Leica Q2 with fixed Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH Lens
Thomas E. Baker
Tom is a college classmate, so we have a long history together. Ronnie and I visited Tom and his family on Vashon Island. Tom loves the sea and his house is right on the Puget Sound. When not on land he is captaining his sailboat.
Leica Q2 with fixed Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH Lens
Friends and Family
Here are some portraits of family and friends taken recently.
Zachary Kerschberg
Zach is my nephew and we took this shot at an Afghan Restaurant in Washington DC. He is a talented film maker and screenwriter.
Leica M10-R and Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH Lens
Amitava ‘Chats’ Chatterjee
‘Chats’ is my friend and a Leica enthusiast. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Leica Society International.
He receives and tests the latest Leica gear before it is available to the general public.
He wrote a wonderful review of the recently-released Leica M11 Monochrom. The images from that camera are stunning, especially in low-light conditions!
Leica M10-R and Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 35mm f/2.0 Aspherical Lens
My Dance Teacher
This photo was taken at a Fred Astaire Spring Fling at Dulles, Virginia. I entered a competition for my age group – there were two other competitors – dancing three dances. They were Fox Trot, Rhumba, and Tango. We won first place in that competition!
Leica M10 and Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH Lens
Leica Society International – Spring 2023 Meeting
I attended this meeting held at the Marriott Hotel at Teaneck, New Jersey. I borrowed a Leica SL-S body and a Leica APO-Summicron-SL 75mm f/2 ASPH lens. I was experimenting with this lens for portraiture. Here are a few photos I took.
Wilbur Norman
Wilbur is a Santa Fe-based photographer and a Board Member of the Leica Society International. He likes to lead small groups on photo expeditions to far-off places such as Papua New Guinea and Africa.
I purchased one of Wilbur’s photos of the Ranchos de Taos Church, taken in very low light.
Here is a link to his website.
Leica SL2-S and Leica APO-Summicron-SL 75mm f/2 ASPH lens
Sean Sweeney
This was my first encounter with Sean, and he is quite a dapper man in his various berets and capes.
Sean hails from Boston, and from the comments of other conference attendees, he is well known and liked.
Leica SL2-S and Leica APO-Summicron-SL 75mm f/2 ASPH lens
Brandon Andre
Brandon is the manager of the Leica Store Bellevue, Washington.
I asked Brandon to pose for a portrait and I was able to get not only his face but also his hands. The backdrop shows the Leica Red Dot, but it is clearly out of focus.
Leica SL2-S and Leica APO-Summicron-SL 75mm f/2 ASPH lens
Conclusions
My approach to taking people’s portraits is to have them relax and get used to the camera. I like to shoot with the lens aperture wide open, and focus primarily on the eyes. I will let the photos speak for themselves.
Congratulations, Mister Leica !
Marvellous result for a good idea.
Laurence Clémer ( Rousset family)