Last night I was watching the cloud formations as the sun was going down and grabbed a few images. Here is a shot from the same place take a few years ago.
ISO 320 2 sec f11 35mm (Leica M Monochrom, Leica 35mm summilux FLE, Lee big stopper & .9 ND grad filter, Silver Efex Pro 2, Lr5)
It seems every time I go to Iowa I have to stop by this old railroad bridge and take pictures. This time I decided I would include myself in the picture.
ISO 200 1/30 sec f1.4 35mm (Leica M typ 240, Leica 35mm summilux fle, Lee seven5 filters, LR4)
We didn’t have much time to visit this lighthouse during our trip to Holland Michigan but I was able to take a few quick shots. It was around 4pm in the afternoon therefore the shadows were somewhat harsh. I used my Lee graduated filters which helped a lot.
ISO 200 1/180 sec f8 21mm (leica m typ 240, leica 21mm super-elmar, LR5 beta)
Here is the same image from yesterday but shot with the Leica M Monochrom. Honestly, I’m unsure which shot I like best? I think it really depends on my mood.
ISO 320 .5 sec f16 21mm (Leica M Monochrom, Leica 21mm super elmar, Lee seven5 filter set, Lee seven5 .6 graduated filter, Lee .6 solid filter, LR4, Nik Software, Define 2)
Continuing with the theme from a few days ago, here is another picture from Lake Erie (Huntington Park). This picture was again taken using the Lee seven5 filter system. What I like about this system is how compact it is (fits in my pocket) and allows me to shoot at any time (even mid-day). I also like the fact that I can see immediately on the viewfinder what the image looks like. The only other way to make images like this is to shoot HDR and you will not know how it will turn out until after you have layered the different exposures.
This first image was taken with my Leica M typ 240 and the image tomorrow will be from the Leica M Monochrom, taken in the exact side spot with the same filters.
ISO 200 1 sec f16 21mm (Leica M Type 240, Leica 21mm super elmar, Lee seven5 filter set, Lee seven5 .6 graduated filter, Lee .6 solid filter, LR4, Nik Software, Define 2)
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to use my new Lee seven5 filter set (they were purchased from 2fillter.com. I’ve never used graduate filters before and in the past it was difficult with the M9 because looking through the viewfinder would not help in lining up the graduated filter to where you wanted them. With the M (240) this can easily be accomplished with either the live view of the LCD or EVF. Here is a link to Lee’s website if you are interested in looking at them. Also, I want to give a huge thanks to Byron Beer of Australia who has given me a lot of useful information on how to best utilize these filters.
P.S. In the coming days I hope to post more pictures and give a small review on these filters.
ISO 200 1 sec f16 50mm (Leica M Type 240, Leica 50mm summicron APO, Lee seven5 filter set, Lee seven5 .6 graduated filter, Lee .6 solid filter, LR4, Nik Software Color Efex 4, Define 2)