This new section in FILM RICK got a nice reception, which I’m thankful for—and that’s the reason we have a new issue.
In this issue, I’d like to briefly discuss:
- First Time Using Leica Monopan 50
- “Sharpness is a bourgeois concept”
- Learning from the GOATs
- Reads of the week
First Time Using Leica Monopan 50
I’m normally shooting high-speed rolls or pushing them. Light is rarely ideal when you’re into street photography. However, we’re starting to get some sunny days in Mexico City after a million days of rain, so I pulled the trigger and picked up an ADOX HR-50, which is the actual Leica Monopan 50 according to the internet.
The good:
- Sharp as hell. No surprise here, as low ISO film normally has this characteristic.
- Beautiful tones. The gallery pictures are straight from the scanner. I’ve just enhanced the contrast a bit, but even without it, the pictures are pleasant to see.
The “bad”:
- Shooting ISO 50 is ok while the sun is up. One or two clouds later, and you’ll need to start opening your aperture.
- Feels like a roll for special occasions: studio work or really sunny days.
Verdict:
- I don’t think I’ll reach for this one often just because of the low speed. Even if I push it, I’ll get around 200 before it gets weird.
These are some of the best pictures I got with it. I’ve tested various subjects, as you will see.
“Sharpness is a bourgeois concept”
What do you do with your out-of-focus shots?
Do you set them aside to discard them as soon as possible?
Do you archive them to not look at them while thinking what to do?
Do they create rage inside you for not being what you remember from the scene?
Honestly, I did all of the above. However, they’ve been slowly growing on me. It’s like I’m not used to shooting blurry pictures on purpose. They’re normally accidents:
- You forget to focus properly (more common in rangefinders)
- Your point-and-shoot picks a low shutter speed, and you get camera shake.
- You shoot even if it’s dark as a cave, hoping the ISO holds a bit more.
Then you develop, and there they are: pictures that don’t look like “our style,” but somehow, they’re moderately interesting.
This is what also happened to me. They slowly grew on me, and now, even though I don’t shoot them deliberately, I cherish them—because even though they’re not sharp, they capture what I was actually seeing: motion.
Here’s a small gallery of the ones I’ve overlooked from the last few weeks, but now they have a new album in my Lightroom. When I have some more that aren’t complete trash, I’ll create a new collection on my portfolio.
If God himself, Henri Cartier-Bresson, claims that “sharpness is a bourgeois concept,” who am I to say otherwise?
Learning from the GOATs
I don’t have formal photography education. All my findings are through trial and error. However, I enjoy reading. I read a lot, and for photography, it’s no different. Yesterday I was able to grab some interesting ones! I haven’t read them enough to do a proper review, but I took a quick glance, and I love what I see.
Also, one of many reasons I shoot (mostly) black and white is because the masters shot it. I can relate to and learn more from images without color. I know there are plenty of masters who shoot color, but black and white is my choice, and I enjoy those books even more.
French masters.
Fun fact: I noticed while writing this issue that all three photographers are French!
P.S. I’m looking for Russian photographers, meaning the “Russian version” of the French ones. If you have a recommendation, I’d love to hear it!
Reads of the Week
My friend David of Stillness in Focus dropped a superb article about his latest road trip. It’s been a while since I’ve read such a great long-form piece of this quality. There were passages where I felt I was there with David, witnessing the same things he was seeing. Read it and give him a follow. The man delivers.
From Silence to Sky: A Road Trip of Expectations — Stillness in Focus
Another great read I made as soon as I got the notification was this one by Mr. Søren K. Harbel. He’s a gem in the photography community, always sharing content about great photographers. On this occasion, we find out what it’s like to meet one of those renowned artists: Marc Riboud (another Frenchie!). I got obsessed with his photography, and now I’d like to have a small book like the ones I’ve shown.
Two Photographs, One Career — søren k. harbel
See you next time!
I hope you enjoyed this issue of Weekly Exposure. For the next one, I’ll be sharing some Cinestill 800T love. I love the cyberpunk genre, and when I want color, that’s my first choice. Also, I have some news regarding printing my work professionally and things I’m thinking about for the next year.