Rumor Mill

Selected from my "Leica School, 1963" folder. Tight cropping here

would remove some of the context, (store front, downtown Wetzlar).

Since a retake is out of the question I'll entertain any and all

suggestions for improving this (full frame) shot. Perhaps I'll even

leave it as is. Best, LM.

Thank you very very much for sharing!

An old Leica picture taken in the old country. Charming.

 

I have a suggestion for you. It is the image I focused on when I first looked at the picture. It will give the image a humorous poignancy. Crop it to a portrait-orientation: crop the figure to the left out of the picture so the women's right ear is the left-most part of the picture; then crop the right side in a pleasing aspect ratio, but ensure that the entire framed photograph in the store window fully appears as well as the soft out-of-focus area to the right of the frame. The two young lovers in the framed photo juxtaposed behind the older couple, she to the left, he to the right . . .

 

BTW what city or town in what country was this photo taken in?

Marcelo, Thanks for your comment. Best, LM.

Howard, Your comments and cropping suggestion are just what the doctor ordered. I hadn't considered such a severe crop before but it seems to work. I tried both horizontal and vertical crops but much prefer the vertical. I like the juxtaposition of the couple on the street and the couple in the ad. This is pure serendipity as I'm certain that when I took the shot the store window wasn't a consideration. If you check out the 'details' you'll see this was taken in Wetzlar, Germany with a Leica M2 and Leitz 135mm lens. Doesn't get any more German than that! :-) Best, LM.

Hi Len, interesting trio and duo on the wall. I think that Howard's crop is very good and concentrate the image, cropping out parts that does not add to the saying. If you want to keep the trio though , here is my suggestion ;-))

 

I hope you are well, Greetings Pnina

Pnina, Always a pleasure to have your input. Your crop simply emphasizes the range of possibilities here. Taken over 40 years ago with an untrained eye (I'm afraid I've not made much progress since :-)) I only saw a group of people engaged in conversation and, with the aid of a 135mm lens and the feeling of anonymity it provided, risked a candid that I still enjoy today. Though technically mediocre the original does contain many elements which say 'Germany', a reminder to me that I actually was there. Keep safe. Best, LM.

Len, I really like the new image which now has broad, universal humorous & poignant appeal, quite apart from the strong nostalgia of those times in Germany for you personally.

 

One additional cropping suggestion: consider cropping the bottom so the man's third coat button is just inside the bottom frame of the image (and the women's two lower coat buttons and that close by white speck -- a dust spot? -- do not appear). I believe this will give a more regular and pleasing aspect ratio to the overall image, plus it will remove the white speck and some of the unnecessary rougher store front masonry well below the window ledge. Give it a try and see what you think. If you prefer it the way it is, then definitely remove the white speck.

Howard, Thanks for your positive follow up. I agree with your further cropping suggestions and will include them when I decide to print this one. Best, LM.