The elegant imagery of Cynthia Copper.
I can think of no better way to kick off the New Year than to celebrate the work of Cynthia Copper. Here is a photographer who concentrates on what is important, setting an effectively simple stage for her subjects and beautifully framing them with room to breathe and space to tell their stories. In Cynthia's photographs, the individual is paramount. Through her camera's eye, we gain insight into their lives. Cynthia's images do not dazzle with style or technique but, like the subjects they exquisitely reveal, exude sensitivity and truth.
An exhibition of her work curated by Robert Hébert and entitled Timbuktu, Discovering an Ancient City and Its Manuscripts, will take place at the Monument National, Café Quebecor, 1182 boulevard St-Laurent, Montreal, from February 1st to April 23rd, 2010. Look forward to seeing you there.
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Capturing the |
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geist of 2010. |
Blame Canon if you must. The 5D Mark II facilitated the convergence of filmmaking and photography. The ability to capture high-definition video with a relatively compact, full-frame DSLR will change forever the way we gather news, make documentaries and even produce Hollywood blockbusters. The new opening title sequence to Saturday Night Live was filmed using EOS 5D Mark II and 7D cameras, and that’s just the start. TV commercials, music videos and feature length motion pictures are all being filmed today using Canon DSLRs. |
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Expect rapid refinement and advancement in video capability as DSLR manufacturers grow more attuned to the needs of high-definition videographers. What won’t change is the importance of using nonpareil manual-focus lenses for these cameras. That is where the Zeiss lineup will be cast in the leading roll. Unlike other optical manufacturers producing lenses for cinema, Carl Zeiss has in its |
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35mm SLR lens lineup a range of lenses that covers the circle of confusion of the 24x36mm format. Expect to see more prime lenses introduced in both Canon ZE and Nikon ZF.2 mounts. (A modern iteration of the 180mm Olympic Sonnar would be nothing less than a world-beater.) |
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On the quality of Zeiss SLR lenses, we stand by what we have previously stated. These manual focus prime lenses represent the finest in optical engineering and construction. They exhibit outstanding sharpness, a subtle and natural tonal range, accurate color, superior correction for distortion, remarkable bokeh, and virtually no fringing or fog from reflection. They deliver the ultimate in sharpness, tonality and color rendition for both film and digital photographers, and now, for high-definition videographers and cinematographers as well. |
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Zeiss Days postcript.
We wish to thank Richard Schleuning, National Sales Manager for Carl Zeiss USA, for co-hosting our very first foray outside the Leica cocoon. His enthusiasm for the outstanding lineup of SLR and rangefinder products helped bring about the success of the event. We were so impressed that we’re asking him back in the springtime. We hope he will agree to participate in an M Vision atelier. Not only is Richard a tremendous technical representative for Zeiss, he is a fine photographer in his own right!
Many rangefinder cognoscenti would eagerly anticipate the arrival of another full-frame digital rangefinder camera. We put the question to Richard and received a frank assessment. While there are no plans to introduce a digital rangefinder at this time, Zeiss continues to be enthused by rangefinder photography. Its aggressive investment in optical research and development will benefit both film and digital M mount and SLR users. |
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Zeiss-Zimbel Friendship Contest redux.
With entries from as far west as Calgary, Alberta, we can say that friendship knows no boundaries. On December 4th, 2009, during our Zeiss Days get-together, George Zimbel announced the winners of the contest.
Our three honourable mentions and four winners produced unique and strong images that captured our imaginations. Congratulations to Judith Lermer Crawley, David Hopkins and Jacques Robert who are deserved recipients of our Honourable Mentions; Italo Camerino and David Jourdan who tied for Third Prize with very different and equally irresistible images; Second Prize winner Linxi Jiang for a straightforward photo of friends on a porch; and Grand Prize winner Joel Labbée who turned the background of La Fête Nationale into an irresistible, multi-layered photograph that captures both the casual nature and special camaraderie that is friendship. View these exceptional photographs at our Zeiss-Zimbel Friendship Contest Gallery. |
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Oskar Barnack Award: photojournalism’s Holy Grail.
Leica announces the call for entries for the prestigious Oskar Barnack Award, 2010.
"Entry submissions must be a self-contained series of images in which the photographer perceives and documents the interaction between man and the environment with acute vision and contemporary visual style--creative, groundbreaking and unintrusive."
First prize is 5,000 euros or Leica camera gear of the same value. An additional Newcomer Award of 2,500 euros will also be given. The Oskar Barnack Award has quite the pedigree. Previous winners include Sebastio Salgado in 1985 and Mikhael Subotzky in 2009. All entries must be submitted online at http://www.leica-oskar-barnack-award.com between January 15th and March 15th, 2010.
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Leica M9 and X1: production’s up, delays are down.
It’s all good news. For the first time in living memory, Leica has streamlined production and increased its work force, thereby reducing the delay between orders and deliveries of the Leica M9 to just three weeks. The Leica X1 will make its appearance mid-January. |
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S2 update: better late than never?
A mere four months before Pentax introduces their 39 MP medium-format camera at a fraction the cost, and four months after Phase One announced a new series of Schneider leaf-shuttered lenses with flash-synch speeds up to 1/1600 of a second, Leica begins deliveries of the S2 sans central-shutter lenses. ‘Nuff said. |
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The perfect Match.
Recently, we began to import a small line of Leica M accessories that continues to impress me with their usefulness and attention to detail. Producing camera grips, soft shutter releases, eyecups and magnifiers is not rocket science, but these products are well thought out, have a quality of fit that is second to none, and really do make a difference. The coder kit provides an ingenious and economical way to temporarily code an M-mount lens.
In a remarkably short period of time, Match Technical Services has built a fine reputation for ingenious, well-crafted accessories that enhance the handling and flexibility of Leica M cameras. I can wholeheartedly attest to their excellence and look forward to offering the expanding product line. |
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Making your opinion count.
While we try our best to assess a new camera, lens or accessory, we are the first to recognize and respect the remarkable expertise of our clientele. Now, we will be able to upload your technical findings and opinions. Show us why you like a product, where it excels and where it does not quite live up to your standards.
Jean recently shot a series of images at maximum aperture that really tested the mettle of the Voigtlander Nokton 50mm F1.1. You can look at the full-frame photographs and extreme crops, examine the minimal depth of field and remarkable sharpness, and understand why he reached the conclusion that this lens is a groundbreaking product in rangefinder photography.
We look forward to posting your product evaluations and insights.
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What will emerge from the digitial noise? |
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As newspapers and magazines shutter their doors, we find ourselves speculating on the future of documentary photography and photojournalism in Web-based publishing. We have quickly grown accustomed to accessing digital information at little or no cost, but that bargain-seekers mentality threatens our ability to fund essential projects previously underwritten by traditional news outlets.
What about those excellent websites committed to photography? Burn, overseen by Magnum’s David Alan Harvey, features some remarkable photojournalism. Michael Mullady’s unforgettable Children of Lead, underscores the power of today's photography to galvanize and incite. Burn also recognizes the importance of a financially viable business plan. Their call for support is understandable and credible. They give a generous $10,000.00 grant per annum to an emerging photographer. It would be great if they could also allocate money to ongoing projects from photographers who otherwise contribute their work.
Much as the music industry and advertising industry are learning and adapting to doing business on the Web, photojournalists must try and come up with business models with solid bottom lines that do not stifle creativity and curiosity. This will prove to be an extraordinary challenge, but our beloved métier has shown in the past that it has unbelievable staying power. I, for one, will not bet against it in the digital future!
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Winter-wonderland impressions.
November was a waltz in the park, but December was cold and January promises to be downright frigid. Before you look longingly to the south, remember that great photographs rarely come from picture-perfect climates. Bundle up, dress in layers, pack a thermos filled with chicken soup if you must, and get outside in our Canadian winter! The images you take will be exciting and your sense of accomplishment well deserved. Remember the days when you had to worry about your camera’s performance when the thermometer dropped below zero? Worry no more. As long as you pack an extra battery, the modern rangefinder or DSLR will handle Mother Nature just fine.
And if you happen to get cold while wandering about Old Montreal, don’t hesitate to drop in to our Notre Dame boutique to warm up. While here, discover our previously repressed barista talents. (Rumor has it that we brew a wicked cappuccino.)
Always looking forward to your comments.
Photographically yours,
Jean Bardaji and Daniel Wiener |
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