2014 PAW (Picture a Week)
My 2008 PAW is here
My 2009 PAW is here
My 2010 PAW is here
My 2011 PAW is here
My 2012 PAW is here
My 2013 PAW is here
As usual, I continue to tweak the basic framework of my PAW. It seems that I'm allowing it to become looser and looser, in terms of what images are allowed to be used in a given week, every year.
For this year, the rules will be:
- Any image from the calendar year may be used. If I shoot 52 knock-the-lights-out pictures in January, I can use them all year.
- For January, the previous 30-day rolling calendar is in effect. i.e. I can use images stretching back into December 2013.
- For the two wildcards, any image from any time in the past, even previous years, may be used.
- For film, any shots taken during the calendar year are eligible. In addition, any previous-year's images are eligible during the week in which I first examine the developed images (for example, I have still have several boxes of Kodachrome transparencies, unlooked at, still sitting in their boxes).
That's it. I'm looking forward to the seventh iteration of this project!
This is one of several images I captured over the holidays that I particularly like. In this one, the combination of an angelic little girl interacting both with the adult holding her and something outside, in magic light, makes the image. (Leica Monochrom, Noctilux, iso 320, 1/125 at f0.95)
I captured this image duirng the 2014 DC Motorcycle Show. I love pictures of little kids interacting with their moms and dads. This little fellow is being introduced early to the joys of motorcycling! (Leica M, Noctilux, iso 800, 1/350 at f0.95)
You're more likely to glimpse the magic of life in a little child than anywhere else. Like here. (Leica Monochrom, Noctilux, iso 800, 1/350 at f0.95)
I captured this image during a very quick test shoot trying out a lighting setup. I liked the pose and countenance of my subject, and the serendipity of the character in the background exhibiting a similar pose added to it. (Leica M, Summicron 50/2.0 APO, iso 200, 1/125 at f2; single strobe bounced off umbrella above and to the left of subject)
Sunday was the beginning of the Chinese New Year. I drove into DC and walked over to Chinatown, where I strolled around for a couple hours and took in the sights. The colorful, unique preparations for the parade were fun. And I have never seen so many photographers in one small area before. Seems like everyone with a DSLR within a ten-mile radius was there. But the thing I most enjoyed capturing was the little children and their reactions to the day's events. (Leica M, Summilux 35/1.4 ASPH (ver 1), iso 200, 1/350 at f2)
Another image captured during last week's Chinese New Year celebration. I loved the curious-but-slightly-plaintive look on this little girl's face. (Leica M, Summilux 35/1.4 ASPH (ver 1), iso 200, 1/2000 at f1.4)
I got several shots of this pretty little girl. She stood there politely looking back at me, seemingly oblivious to the pomp and paegantry that was going on all around us. (Leica M, Summilux 35/1.4 ASPH (ver 1), iso 200, 1/1000 at f2)
I'm not sure what this little boy was sad about, but the tears slowly edging down his face told a tale of something. (Leica M, Summilux 35/1.4 ASPH (ver 1), iso 200, 1/750 at f2)
Walking the streets of DC you encounter many things. Some happy. Some sad. Some mundane. Some tragic. (Leica M, Summilux 35/1.4 ASPH (ver 1), iso 200, 1/1500 at f2)
I've always loved this window table, in this cafe. Otherwise dark, the light from outside bathes anyone sitting there in an angular, beautiful way. Shooting a formal portrait would have you putting kickers in the front and on the sides to bring out the subjects' features in a more fulsome way. But I actually prefer this more natural, all-ambient-light kind of rendition. In this case, hurrying to get the shot, I cranked up the iso rather higher than needed, but it still turned out fine. (Leica Monochrom, Summicron 50/2.0 APO, iso 5000, 1/4000 at f2)
This was in Old Town Alexandria. Walking past, I first skipped this shot. But I instantly loved the look and the countenance of this young woman, holding her cup and gazing off into the distance. I hadn't taken two more steps when I wheeled around and strode back. Another second and I had it. (Leica Monochrom, Summicron 50/2.0 APO, iso 320, 1/2000 at f2)
Hard to believe we received nearly a foot of snow this late in March. But there you go. This was a shot of one of my favorite signs, made by Ginny a few years ago. I like the justaposition with the snowy scene in the background. (Leica M, Summicron 50/2.0 APO, is 320, 1/2000 at f2)
I've photographed Rene Gagnon's grave a number of times. This is my favorite. (Leica M, Summicron 50/2.0 APO, iso 200, 1/3000 at f2)
I was pleased to have one of my images included in this year's Exposed DC Photography Exhibition at Long View Gallery, in Washington DC. The opening night saw a crush of people at the gallery. I went back a week or so later when it was much quieter and captured this image. I like the light and the way two people can bring very different perspectives to the same thing. In this case the lighthearted little girl on the right juxtaposed against the more serious man on the left. (Leica Monochrom, Summilux 35/1.4 ASPH (ver 1), iso 3200, 1/1000 at f2)
I try to get down to the Tidal Basin every year when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. Of all the years I've gone, this was probably my favorite. A soft overcast made for gentle light, interspersed periodically with just a bit of sun. As usual, I spent more time taking pictures of the other people there than I did of the actual blooms. This one was my favorite. (Leica M, Summicron 50/2.0 APO, iso 200, 1/250 at f4)
This was captured on one of my frequent meanders through Washington, DC. Just across from the White House, this couple was walking a few steps in front of me when they stopped, for just a moment. (Leica M, Summilux 35/1.4 ASPH (ver 1), iso 200, 1/4000 at f2).
I attended my nepehw Aaron's wedding this week (see web gallery of Ashley and Aaron's Wedding for other images). Of the images I took, there were a handful I particularly liked. This is one. (Leica Monochrom, Noctilux, iso 6400, 1/90 at f0.95)
Another from Ashley and Aaron's wedding. (Leica Monochrom, Noctilux, iso 800, 1/180 at f0.95)
One last image from Ashley and Aaron's wedding. This little guy was a hit with everyone. You have to love little people. They encapsulate all our hopes and dreams, even as they elicit in us all of our protective, nurturing, maternal/paternal instincts. What they are, and what they evoke, are the very best of humanity. (Leica Monochrom, Noctilux, iso 6400, 1/45 at f0.95)
Most shots of the US Capitol are the classic, heads-on view from The Mall. Here's one from a slightly different angle. I like it because of the framing the trees provide and the steps leading into the image. (Leica M, Summicron 50/2.0 APO, iso 200, 1/3000 at f2)
This week's selection formally ends a day before Memorial Day. But since I was away on yet another multi-day motorcycle adventure, and hence am a day late in posting this week's PAW, I figure it's not too much a stretch to go ahead and present an image suited to this day of remembrance. Captured a week or so back. (Leica M, Summicron 50/2.0 APO, iso 200, 1/180 at f2)
Well here's some irony. I quit my day job this week in order to be able to spend more time on creative pursuits such as photography and writing. And here I am as late as I have ever been on posting this week's selection. Oh well. It has been busy. This shot was taken last weekend at a family picnic. I love the way the light plays on the face and hair of this pretty young lady. (Leica M, Summicron 50/2.0 APO, iso 200, 1/1000 at f2)
One of the things I like about photography is its unbidden, unpredictable nature. You never really know from whence the images you like will come. In this case, I trekked into DC to photograph some of the goings-on related to this year's Pride celebration. And although I captured several images from that event that I like, this simple image of a mother and her child, totally unrelated, was the one I liked the most. (Leica Monochrom, Summicron 50/2.0 APO, iso 320, 1/4000 at f2)
Interesting juxtaposition is a frequent motif in street photography. In this case I was first drawn to the very large image printed upon the side of the building - itself an arresting photograph. The open - and hence darkened - doorway provided a curious vector into the image. Having moved out into the street to capture it, I saw the guy walking down the street towards the scene. I waited until he crossed the threshhold of the doorway, having now become part of the scene himself, then tripped the shutter. (Leica Monochrom, Summicron 50/2.0 APO, iso 320, 1/1000 at f2.8)
Over the years I have made countless strolls through old town Warrenton, camera in hand. The old courthouse has always been one of my favorite subjects. This week's image was captured right at dusk, when the light levels had fallen enough for me to shoot it at f0.95. This very fast, very open aperture - along with letting the highlights go hot - gives it the slightly dreamy, old-time feel that I like. (Leica Monochrom, Noctilux, iso 320, 1/3000 at f0.95)
Few things are as intriguing as a pretty young girl on a motorbike. And it's even better if she's riding a bike I'm familiar with (I own a Suzuki GSX-R, among others). This was down on the waterfront in Old Town Alexandria. I like the image because of the questioning look that the girl, the guy in the center, and the man and boy on the right all have, gazing at something out of the frame; and balanced by the women in the window, oblivious to whatever it is. (Leica M, Summicron 50/2.0 APO, iso 200, 1/1000 at f4)
This rather iconic image was from the 4th of July parade in Lovingston, Virginia. In keeping with the day, I shot mostly in color. (Leica M, Summilux 35/1.4 ASPH (ver 1), iso 200, 1/4000 at f2)
This is a recent image from Arlington Cemetery, depicting the conclusion of a burial. (Leica M, Summicron 50/2.0 APO, iso 200, 1/2000 at f2)
There are few images as compelling as an angelic little girl. (Leica M, Summicron 50/2.0 APO, iso 200, 1/1000 at f2)
Chess is one of my life-long loves and so when I came upon this statute during one of my DC walkabouts I knew I had to photograph it. I like the image especially because of the out-of-focus man - presumably the opponent of the man moving the bishop - in the background. (Leica Monochrom, Summicron 50/2.0 APO, iso 320, 1/750 at f2)
I'm very late this week but, finally, here it is. Ginny and I flew out to Missouri last week. This is my favorite image of the week. (Leica M, Summicron 50/2.0 APO, iso 250, 1/125 at f2)
Indeed, this image, this iconic figure, is a photograph taken by me some weeks ago. She remains the eternal mystery. RIP, Norma Jean. (Leica M, Summicron 50/2.0 APO, iso 200, 1/3000 at f2)
One of the things I love about street photography is you never know what you're going to encounter. Here, I was walking back to my car after a nighttime stroll through DC and happened upon a small wedding party. (Leica Monochrom, Noctilux, iso 8000, 1/250 at f0.95)
I was fortunate to be able to take a workshop this week with Sara Lando, an incredibly gifted Italian commerical and portrait photographer, upon her visit to the States. This shot was one of several images I obtained during the day. The model is Evaa Kay. (Leica Monochrom, Noctilux, iso 320, 1/3000 at f0.95)
This was another image I liked from the portrait workshop last weekend. This model is Christine Riley. (Leica Monochrom, Noctilux, iso 320, 1/750 at f0.95)
Another image from the portrait workshop a couple weeks ago. This model is Anne Alquist. Anne was terrific to work with and I have several more images from my session with her that I will be sharing in coming weeks. (Leica M, Summicron 50/2.0 APO, iso 200, off-camera strobe, 1/180 at f2)
Another image from the portrait workshop a couple weeks ago. Another shot of Anne Alquist. (Leica M, Summicron 75/2.0 APO, iso 200, off-camera strobe, 1/180 at f2)
An image from several weeks ago, when Ginny and I travelled to Missouri to visit Risa and Josh. (Leica M, Summicron 50/2.0 APO, iso 200, 1/350 at f2)
Hundreds of thousands of photographic images were made during the Civil War. These were all made with wet plates in large format cameras and their etheral, low depth-of-field qualities have become iconic of that era. Capturing that same look in modern, small format (35mm) photographic systems is hard. Here, I've approximated it by using a very fast lens (f0.95), shot wide open, using a six-top neutral density filter. (Leica Monochrom, Noctilux, iso 320, 1/350 at f0.95)
Another image from the Sara Lando workshop a few weeks ago. (Leica M, Summicron 50/2.0 APO, iso 200, 1/500 at f2)
I captured this image during Warrenton's annual 'Evening Under the Stars' celebration. (Leica Monochrom, Noctilux, iso 1250, 1/125 at f0.95)
An image from the old Warrenton jail. I took a series of pictures there about a dozen years ago (using my Leica M7 and Tri-X film). I wanted to reprise that series, using a modern, high-resolution digital camera. (Leica M, Summilux 35/1.4 ASPH, iso 1600, 1/60 at f1.4)
An image captured during one of my strolls through Old Town Alexandria. To get the look I wanted I had to let the exposure go hot, blowing out detail on the wall and contrasting sharply with the spray-painted letters. (Leica M, Summicron 50/2.0 APO, iso 200, 1/4000 at f2.8)
Another image of Evaa Kay from my very fruitful portrait shoot back in August. (Leica M, Summicron 50/2.0 APO, iso 800, 1/350 at f2)
Next to the courthouse in Old Town Warrenton is an old, angular stone that legend has was once used as a slave auction block. I've photographed it a number of times over the years. One can imagine the lives that were changed as men, women, and children stood upon that rock. (Leica M, Summilux 35/1.4 ASPH (ver 1), iso 200, 1/1000 at f2)
Using my first (and probably last) wildcard of the year. This was an image from two years ago. At the time, I posted a related image The Pain That Never Ends). There was one other image in the series, which I'll probably use as a wildcard next year. (Leica Monochrom, Summicron 50/2.0, yellow filter, iso 320, 1/750 at f2)
Another shot of model Anne Alquist, from my portrait workshop back in August. That 20-minute session with her produced quite a few images that I really like. Anne is a terrific model and I highly commend her to any photographer seeking a lovely, very experienced collaborator able to quickly produce any number of different looks. (Leica M, Summicron 75/2.0 APO, iso 200, off-camera strobe, 1/180 at f2)
During the Civil War, Fauquier County was the locus of much of the activity of John S. Mosby, the famous Confederate guerilla chieftan. His exploits were so numerous and so impacted the Union war effort that the whole area was termed "Mosby's Confederacy." After the war Mosby became a Republican, was friends with (former Union General) Ulysses Grant, and lived in a house on Main Street in old town Warrenton. He is buried in the cemetery there. (Leica M, Summicron 50/2.0 APO, iso 200, 1/2000 at f2)
This shot was from one of my late-night excursions in DC. A small crowd had gathered to watch several street performers do their thing. I took several pictures before being drafted by those performers to assist in their late-night sidewalk gymnastics. I liked the contemplative expression on the girl's face, and the posture and expressions of several of the secondary subjects. (Leica Monochrom, Noctilux, iso 1600, 1/350 at f0.95)
Well, I don't do many set shots. I'm much more a found-image photographer. So here's the exception that proves the rule. A simple little tableau on the table next to my bed. I deliberately chose what to some would seem a disturbing dichotomy. And, yes, that is a very real .45 Colt Single Action revolver, one of my favorite handguns. (Leica Monochrom, Summicron 50/2.0 APO, iso 640, 1/125 at f4)
While waiting underground on the platform for the train that would take me back to Virginia, I cast about, as is my usual wont, for interesting images. I liked the light in this one. Also notable is the high iso used. You couldn't get this image with film. (Leica Monochrom, Summicron 50/2.0 APO, iso 10,000, 1/125 at f2)
For my final selection of the year I'm picking this shot from Warrenton's Christmas celebration in Old Town. (Leica Monochrom, Noctilux, iso 10,000, 1/125 at f0.95)