The Observer - Don

"The Wedding Kiss Observer" The young lady hasn't yet made up her mind about daddy's second marriage.

Camera:	Contax G2
Lens:	Carl Zeiss Planar 45mm f/2
Film:	Tri-X Rated at 320
Exposure:	5.6
Flash:
Support:
Filter:	Pro-Mist #1
Adjustment:	+2 filter compensation and -1 flash compensation. Slight crop
Posted:	25-May-2003

Rating: 8.58 (12 ratings)

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Comments

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Really a beautiful shot, very well composed; girl's glance tells a lot! Who says G2 isn't suited for wedding shots? BTW, you managed very well the flash, a real weak point in the G system.

Enrico Menichini     26-May-2003 at 10:09

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Wedding Photography

Thanks for the comments Enrico. Why shouldn't the G1 or G2 be a good wedding tool? Many weddings have been photographed with the Leica rangefinders (and Zeiss Contax for that matter) dating back to 1930s. Everything conceivable has been shot with rangefinder cameras,some of the greatest images ever captured. If a Leica M can do it a G2 can do it better. The only situation that I know of where a rangefinder might fall short is for fast action sports shot from a distance. But, if one is going to get into the middle of the action(up close and personal) then I think the G2 is the best choice.

Don     26-May-2003 at 11:10

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The Decisive Moment

This image tells a story of jealousy and love. An intense infinite story captured in th time of a flashlight. Fantastic

Carlo Consoli     26-May-2003 at 14:56

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Excellent, Don

As someone who's been shooting a few events myself lately, it's great to see something caught this well. Very good scan for a flatbed as well, and as others have pointed out, very good flash work with the G2. I don't think I've used a flash with my G since I first got it, but nice to see that it can produce such great results.

Robert Mirani     26-May-2003 at 21:39

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excellent

This is an wonderful "wedding" moment, well seen and expertly captured. Did you use one of the Contax G flashes (TLA 140/200) or something else?

Gregg Humphrey     26-May-2003 at 22:30

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Something Else

Although I do use the little TLA 200 for parties,beerbusts,and outdoor fill in flash and find it very handy, most of the time as with this photograph, I use a Metz 54 MZ-3. The Metz does'nt allow for TTL metering on the G2 or my Hassie,but does have a TTL enabling module for my Nikon F-5. I find that using automatic rather than TTL sometimes forces one to make better settings choices .

Don     27-May-2003 at 10:00

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Triangle . . .

Apprehension and intimacy are bedfellows of every relationship--particularly--in a love triangle. Your sense for timing and illustration of the defining moment(s)--is a strong theme paramount in all your images. Metz 54 mz-3: Don I have ordered this model a few days ago. The Metz site and the representative here in Germany assured me that when coupled with the dedicated module, TTL will function I would like to compare notes with you later on that aspect of the 54MZ-3. I have acquired the powerful 54MZ-3 for its 21mm coverage--I was oft disappointed by the slight edge shadows when using the 21MM in close spaces that had not enough ambient light.

Jerome Belthrop     27-May-2003 at 22:52

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Great

I didn't know that there was a module for Contax. I wonder if there is a Hasselblad module also. Thanks for the info.

Don     28-May-2003 at 09:47

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Metz 54MZ-3 SCA

Metz, Don, makes a fairly comprehensive group of SCA (adaptive) modules for the full range of their consumer and professional style flashes. The Metz 54 MZ-3, dedicated adapter for the Contax G2 is the SCA382. The feature supported for the G1 and 2 are limited. The SCA 382 does support: Flash ready light in the camera finder, correct exposure source light in the camera view finder, automatic flash sync, TTL Flash control, TTL Fill-in Flash Control, sadly it does NOT support TTL Fill-in Flash exposure compensation. It does support 1st and 2nd curtain operation. Naturally, anyone that owns a Nikon, canon, or Minolta with advanced features--will find that the right SCA module will enhance their ownership of a powerful flash unit--simply changing the SCA is a good deal. For the hassilblad models that have a dedicated SCA are: 201, 203, 205, TCC; 500 ELX, 503 C2 503 CX, 553 ELX. This information can be found on the English pages of the www.metz.de site--if your German reading ability is rusty. http://www.metz.de/1_metz_2000/m_pages_english/main_index_e.php3?link=4&sub=6&linkname=mecablitz Currently, I am seeking to acquire the SCA 307a cable assembly that allows the flash to be used off camera. Have you found one in the U.S.A?

Jerome Belthrop     31-May-2003 at 01:46

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Thanks For The Info

Valuable information,the fill flash or lack thereof is no problem since I use the TLA 200 for that. I think I bought my sync cord for the Metz at B&H CameraVideo.com. Ofcourse the Metz or the 200 will fire a slave or two such as my Nikon SB 26 or one can use an IkeLite module to slave any unit.

Don     31-May-2003 at 09:40

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Your best...

that I have seen Don. Maybe since I just got married a month ago this one touches a soft spot in me since we too blended families. I like this the best because the interaction, the expression on the little girls face, the sharpness of the entire photo. You really have done some great work in what you have presented here. My wife and I have come back to this one several times and I was surprised that I had not commented on it before.

Warren Dennis     13-Jul-2003 at 18:40

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Great Work Don!!!

Had to say it even after reading so many congratulatory messages above me. It's a great moment frozen in time. Very artfully captured too. I love the way the eyes of the little girl just lead you back to the kiss.

Wee Yeh Tan     26-Nov-2003 at 00:38

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