Wetzlar Candid

great shot

Hi Bill, Good to hear from you again. Hope you got to see the rest of them also. Most shots in this folder are being seen, even by me, for the first time in almost 43 years. Had the negs tucked away in my files (a shoe box) all that time & the were only brought to life when I got a new (to me) film scanner recently. Best, LM.

Love it ! Priceless their pose and expression, wonderful photography ! I have an archive of old B&W negs somewhere in my parents house, I should try to dig them out. I had an old Voigtlaender Vito B, I got from my father.

BTW, how will we open our RAW files in 10 or 20 years ?

Carsten, RAW? What's RAW? :-) I've just discovered Velvia! I'm still in the 20th Century I guess. Thanks for the review. Best, LM.

Spotted while on a Leica sponsored tour of Wetzlar in the early

60's. More than 40 others in my "Leica School" folder await your

viewing pleasure and your comments\opinions. Best, LM.

This is the best among other children's. I like it very much. I can feel the sound of shutter as welll as the quiet street of Wetzlar.

Thank you for visiting my photo, Len. My apologies, I did not follow up comments long time. Now I am going to use 135mm lens for Large Format in my folder Brass Lens Paradise, a trial for 19th Century way.

This is beautiful! Images such as this are what made me fall in love with photography. Thank you for reminding me the magic of the film days, where regardless of "x" frames per second, and the wait between the click and the print, sometimes you were lucky enough to come out with something as unique and beautiful as this.

Juan Carlos, Thanks for stopping by & taking the time to dig around for this one. The 'Leica School' experience was certainly one of the highlights of my photographic journey. This was a once in a lifetime shoot; not possible for me to duplicate. These girls are probably all grandmothers by now. Best, LM.

Many of your Leica school photos in B/W are very beautiful and interesting, it is really one of the best, looks like the " down" of photography.... ;-))The scene is so natural, great childhood characteristic. I wonder how I missed it as I visit this file of yours from time to time.

Pnina, Thanks for taking the time & effort to uncover this oldie. From time to time I too uncover a previously unnoticed gem in your portfolio. It was taken at a time & location where unfettered street photography was not only accepted but encouraged. Unfortunately the environment has changed over time & I fear that this type of photography, if not prohibited, is certainly frowned on by some. Too bad, as a photographer with a pure heart can stir up hidden emotions & most who view the results will benefit to one degree or another. Best, LM.

beautiful moment you caught here

It was in a different star system, long, long ago. Not sure if I (or anyone, for that matter) could get away with street candids like this of kids today without some serious hassels. Takes on even more meaning for me in that light. Nice to see, even after 3 years, that you still like it. :-) Best, LM.

visiting your Respecting a Classic this one popped up on the side and drew me in... such a lovely photograph... and not just because of the cute kids... the composition... the curves of the pavings and the backdrop... it must have been a holiday with the downed shutter... no adults around, too, to mar the charm... great stuff! ...these are precious photographs, Len.

I suspect photographing such subject matter in today's environment would be looked on with some suspicion & displeasure by the adult population.  Perhaps it was acceptable then because of the era (1963) or possibly because it was Wetzlar where such photographs were taken daily, or at least weekly, due to the close proximity to the Leica School and the continuous stream of photography students from there.   To me, the whole town seemed like a stage on which I was free to photograph anything and anyone.  And I did, without the slightest hint that doing so was frowned upon.  The concerns over photographing children didn't seem to materialize until decades later.  Don't know if we could get away with it today.  Pity!  Whatever, I'm happy to have these images, reminders of more open & permissive times.  Best,  LM.

fortunately, no such problem in India... of course, the photographer's demeanor would matter: click with a smile, a grin, and its ok; do it shiftily and one could have a problem

Good advice.  Keep smiling & wear a good pair of running shoes.  :-)  Best, LM.