Can you shoot Portraits with the Q2? Is it Art? Or is it an Adventure? You decide! PRINTS HERE - staley.darkroo... Website: benstaley.com/ IG: / staley Music by Bo Blount
Nice work and good exemple that’s there is nothing like a portait lens or a landscape lens ... would you consider showing us your post processing for the q2 dngs ? Thanks
Thanks Bo. I hadn't considered that but... Maybe? I didn't really want to do that kind of channel but if folks are really interested I could show the editing fairly easily. Spoiler alert, I do very little editing most of the time... Would you rather see Portraits or Landscapes. Or both?
@@adventureStaley thanks ! please don't turn your channel into a boring tech one :-) . I m just curious to see how much other Leica's owners push the sliders in Lightroom ( or whatever software) as I feel Leica DNG's don't need as much processing as other RAW files . So I am not that much after a specific genre but more how to boost gently and in a natural way the Q2 files . many thanks
@@adventureStaley When given the options, the answer would almost always be... both? :D Great video! It might help to have a Instagram link as well in order to promote your channel.
@@adventureStaley I’m late, but both. I’m in the beginning process of trading up to the Q2 Monochrom from the Typ 246 Monochrom with the 35mm Summilux; which I also had committed to for a year a - my year was up this past September and I’m still shooting with it and love it. The low light capability alone of the Q2M has me ready to give it a go.
One of the best videos about photography I’ve ever seen. This is not about the Q2. This is pure photography. Everyone can apply what you are saying on an iPhone. Really inspiring.
I loved it! I like especially those portraits when the light hits the faces from above, it gives some extra symbolic meaning. I also believe we are made of energy and that we may and do project it to our surroundings. When I photograph my family or friends is definitely about light and shadow. Light is something that I notice first and then search for the perfect angle. Best portraits "happened " to me when there is mutual acceptance and both photographer and the person photographed are on same frequency, love frequency.
YES! Awesome observations Lucy! When we start looking at the light all the time we become tuned to it and can capitalize on opportunities. Thanks for always showing up here!
Great vid the last 2min was pure gold. I do wish people in these comments would focus more on the process than the fancy German camera, guys you can do this with any 28mm lens on any camera, you dont need a Q2, save your money and go shoot something cool.
Thank you very much Joe! Glad you stopped by. I agree in sentiment but this 28mm lens IS something special. You buy the lens and get the German camera for free. Heh. Cheers.
Brilliant work. The photographer is always the most important element. However, as a Q2 owner, I can sincerely state it's the first camera I've owned that makes me look like a better photographer. You are 100% correct on the angles. Shooting up close with this great wide angle lens, I have produced the best potraits of my life.
You created a wonderful world with beautiful people. I can’t thank you enough. Your love and respect is clearly shining through the portraits you take. … and of course I want a Q2 now.
Just stumbled upon this and instantly loved it all! I've been thinking to try my Ricoh GR (2013 one) for portraits and this video has really inspired me. Thank you sir, subscribed! All the best, -Jay.
What is the most important component in a portrait? It is the eyes. Getting the connection between the subject’s eyes and the viewer is the most important.
Matt! Dude, thank you very much! Long time watcher of your content. Been wanting to start this for years and you were one of the OG dudes who helped me believe this could be done without being a total DB. I love your authenticity. In fact I reference you in the next video - it's already uploaded and will be live next week. Dude, thanks!
I agree with your thoughts. I went off portraiture because it became “same, same”. I used 85s and 135s, which was like shooting fish in a barrel. I now have a Q2 as a carry around camera, and you have inspired me to go back to portrait photography. Great video, BTW.
Yes. Everything has it case. I’m selling my 135 though, as it sees little use. I also have some tiny Voigtlanders: the 35 Skopar and the 50 Heliar. These are small and light with a vintage rendering. I also have a Voigtlander 28 Ultron. I believe that rendering is as important as focal length. Clinical is not always best.
The connection IS the most important part. Everything else matters of course, but if there is no connection then it isn't going to be as great of a portrait. So many great shots, but I truly loved the locals and the dive bar ones the most.
A huge thank you ! You have opened my eyes. I have just acquired a Leica Q , I love portraiture, I paint portraits…. You have educated me today. More please!
Hi Ben, Thank you very much for this great "introduction" into portrait shooting with a 28mm lens (and the Leica Q2). Just 5 days ago I had my first portrait session with the Q2. I bought the camera 8 months ago and used it mainly for street, landscape, cityscapes. Not having my DSLR plus 85mm lens available, I now used the Q2 for that purpose. And I was stunned about the outcome. Lovely pictures, fantastic technical quality and yes, some distortion because the photographer did not have the knack of it yet. But this is clearly worth pursuing further. Thanks a lot for this nice "subjective" intro into the subject with this camera. Oh and your portraits are fab, top notch....
In these times of overstimulation and a plethora of options that become too many, leanness is something many strive to achieve. Getting back to simple things, enjoying these to the bone. That is an alternative to the shallow multitude of options everyone wants us to know about, try out and finally buy. After years of using a lovely Canon G7X point-and-shoot, I transitioned to the Leica Q2 last year, and have loved every minute of the camera. I use it for everything from macro over portraiture to landscape photography. I carry it around in a small back pack with 3 Litra Pros, some filters a charger and a battery, in addition to my travel Gitzo tripod. I also get what you said so well about human connections: either beyond our senses, or because of a turbo-charged combinatorial input from all of them, some connections between people are fantastically intense. Your video was an excellent tutorial on all of this. Thank you!
Awesome portraits. It forces creativity, it forces you to be outside of your comfort zone and not play it safe. All of your work is excellent, but my favorites are with this Q2
This was a stellar video and a Master Class on Portraits. You sold this camera for me, and I feel the key to making good portraits is the ability to step out of your-self and immerse yourself in the energy that surrounds you! Yes, sounds very Force sensitive, but the basic premise applies. Enjoy the adventure!
Really enjoyed stumbling across this video... contemplating a Q2 purchase, but I really enjoyed the overall cerebral discussion you bring foreword here.
I don’t know how I got here but you are speaking my language, you are 100% right My perspective I call it entwine with the subject ; thanks for sharing
Thank you for your genuine generous honesty. Your truth truly sheds light on the reality of photography if you will. It really helped me with my own perspective of photography. I’m not much of a talker, however I’m sponging up & learning as much as I can. Sincerely, thank you.
Just discovered and subscribed to your channel whilst researching the Q2. There are some seriously good portraits on this video. The black and white image of the girl in the bar absolutely stopped me dead in my tracks. Awesome stuff!
I still have my father's Leica 111c he used in Korea during the war. Still working, he purchased two lens in wetzlar Germany during WW2 90mm 135mm my father was a artillery captain in Korea. He set up a dark room in a small trailer. His camera and lens were stolen in Korea, but he got them back. Great story.
@@adventureStaley if your available this weekend give me a call at 913-782-5773 love to tell you the story. Ron, I'm south of Kansas City central time. If that matters. GO CHIEFS!!!!!
Cracking set of portraits. Best Q2 review I've watched . I shoot strangers on the street , with permission and usually shoot 50mm 'ish . I am inspired to go wider and may click ' buy ' on a Q2 monochrom 📷
I just stumbled upon your channel today (the camera stories one) and I have to say I'm very glad I did. Your photography is stunning and you also seem like a cool guy, one I'd really like to sit down and have a beer with. Keep doing what you're doing man....
the Q2 was recommended to me by my friend Peter ( a great photographer) as i’m having difficulty in focusing my Nikons and the M10… i’m 78 and a retired( or just tired ) photojournalist for 50 years… i’m developing genetic macular degeneration but i’m not giving up without a fight… ( have a great DR who loves photography so doing some experimental treatments so here’s hoping!) …your work is fantastic! so yeh think i’ll pick up a Q2 !( and after years of lugging around heavy equipment my back and knees will thank you as well!
This I really love. What inspirational, cool and interesting portraits. Especially the ones in / round the bar. Found your channel researching wether to pick up an Q2. Your great content makes the decision lot easier. Really one of the absolute most inspiring channels I've found. Thx a lot.... Greeting from Norway
I'm a long-time photographer who just recently got a Q2 and love taking environmental portraits, so I really enjoyed your video. It was inspirational on many levels!
Hey Ben-just lovely. You have a great "lens-side manner", and clearly establish an excellent rapport with your subjects-just as you do with your audience here. Having been taking photos pretty seriously for almost 50 years (holy shit), I too recently dumped all my other equipment for the zen discipline of the Q2. I have queasy moments-what on earth have I done? But they're outweighed by the rigor and discipline and the strangely liberating limitations of having a finite tool, a finite set of options. So thanks for this, and for the pure inspiration that you've given me. You rock! (And BTW I loved your Shelter piece and the accompanying video.)
In an environment where all we hear is how the q2 isn’t a camera for portraits, you just proved them all wrong. Fantastic work! This just proves that while it might take more work to get the shot, you can definitely get the shot. Thank you!
Wonderful wide angle portraits! So great to see portrait work beyond the usual "85-105 with compression". The ambience of the environment really contributes to the subject rather than detracting or distracting. Your channel is awesome and inspiring - thank you :-)
Exactly what I love about wide angle portraiture. Not only is the connection between you and the subject of importance, but also the connection between the subject and his/her environment. That makes the portrait so much more interesting than the average 85mm shot.
Really nice photos! I enjoy the qay you go about your videos. I purchased the Leica Q on june 25 2022, yes 7 years later. I haven’t been able to put it down. I told myself I would put sone photography work money towards the Q2 but first I have to shoot the heck out of this one
man your photos are great! looking forward to more! I'm surprised at how close you can get onto the subject without distorting it. Especially on a 28mm focal length
Great video. Just bought a Q2. Normally I shoot with a Canon 85 1.2. But falling in love every day more with my Q2. The pics look great. Would love to see more about how you shoot the portraits.
Extraordinary photos. So much for the ‘expert’ advice that you can’t do portraits with a 28mm lens. This might just push me over the edge and ‘make’ me buy a Q2. Can I ask, did you use the crop mode at all?
Thank you very much Ken! There are a few shots I cropped in lightroom. I never use the in camera crop - But always shoot raw so it wouldn't really matter. Thanks for stopping by! Get that Q2! I'll never get rid of mine.
This video works supremely well because you're relating deeply with your subject, namely your audience. The vibrations set up are always friendly and encouraging but because your path is experimental and ever-searching it is also challenging and demanding . Let us know when your follow-up video on photographer-subject relationship is available. Thank you.
Thanks very much Gerry. Portraits are my favorite thing to do. Once the world gets back to normal I will be having lots of videos of me shooting people. Appreciate your support.
Hay... I love your stayll to take the picture of people with the Leica Q2. I use the canon 5D mk3 end 28mm bet some time I use the 50mm 1.4 or 35mm L but I go back to the 28mm and wen I se your work 😍 love it. I must work more ...
Agree with you Ben, but it also helps to have very interesting faces and people in front of the glass, as you clearly show. There’s a big difference between the facial expressions of the regular dude whom you may encounter and make a photo of, and the dancer or actor, who understand expression and are loved by the lens and need no direction. Keep the feed and the great content rolling!
Totally get it Tad, thank you! Lots of interesting folks around here to shoot! My fave subjects though are "real people" I meet out in the world. Appreciate you stopping by man!
I stumbled here looking for portraits done on the Q2 and now I’m leaving as a subscriber. I appreciate your knowledge, experiences, and your philosophies. Thanks for the video.
I decided to keep my Q2, instead of downsizing to the new Fuji x100vi. Couldn't go without the full frame goodness. Videos like yours inspired me to fully utilize it's capabilities. I'm upgrading my SL2-S instead, for the SL3.
By far the best video on photographic approuch & understanding. what you say and how you say it is on point. highest, most significant level. (i hope my english writing makes sense and i managed to express what i tried to say - ... ) ... i am going to subscribe now. looking forward to watching the next videos. Thanks so much. Kind regards, Kubi
Ben, your work is intriguing but your insight about “what makes a great portrait” is powerful. The energy dial is a brilliant way to visualize the power of this tool. How do we learn more from you on this subject? The 28mm produces that need for intimacy and I am very curious to learn more about your approach. Good stuff!
OK! i'M iNSPIRED! I shoot mostly film these days and these 28mm shots are just incredible. I'll be using a Supa Tak 28mm f3.5 to start off. Ive been in the 40mm to 45mm work range. Thanks for gettn me off my ass!
Amazing portraits. I just bought a q2 this week. Im curious are you shooting wide open at 1.7 most of the time. Also are you always shooting in raw. Thank you. This was an awesome video
Thank ya! For portraits almost always wide open. What a great lens it is! And always Raw! Several more Q2 vids on the channel, and some more on the way. Cheers.
Subscribed! Fantastic shots! Cool you do BJJ too, I trained ages ago at BHJJC in LA with Marcus and years back before that up in the bay area at Ralph Gracies. Funny story, first person I ever rolled with there was a prodigy, BJ Penn! A white belt at the time tapping out some purple belts! May I ask what metering mode you are using for these shots and are you manually focusing or using single point af, face detection etc?
Thanks so much Bruce. I mostly use selectable spot for focus. Occasionally manual focus. Especially for real close shots. Meter manual mostly and sometime auto shutter priority. Usually manual though because I often underexpose a bit to save highlights.
I'd like to give this or any other prime lens a long term exclusive go. Walked across Spain with just a 35mm and it was transformative. Missed a lot due to restrictions, but gained more.
Glad I found this channel, something of quality to binge :) Man, the last 3 minutes were the best! I'm heavy into intuition and vibrations and trying to ease them or ease someone elses before a shoot. So you were spot on, nobody really talks about this side of photography. Also, you may have sold me on shooting my lifestyle/fashion stuff on a 28mm (I only do it for street). I usually like a 50mm to just give me enough context. But I loooove context with my shots, and you showed 28mm just gives me more of that.
Q2 is a great camera, without a doubt and your work is wonderful. However, why should I choose a Q2 rather than a Z7 + 50 F1.8 Nikon for Portraits (and all kind of pictures) ?
Thank you so so much. I am trying to make a massive switch from a fuji gfx 50 with a zoom lens to a q for a more creative commercial portrait style. This is exactly the content I needed. Given you a like and a follow
Congratulations for your wise toughts about portraits with a 28mm lenses. Are you taking photos with normal 28mm or you do the zoom to 50mm. If you are taking the portrait shot with the 28mm, how many meters you stand from the subject? Thank you very much!
Thanks so much. Always shoot raw and full size. I shoot all different distances, from macro to super wide depending on what I want to see. Very versatile lens.
I am playing with the Q2 monochrome and own the Q2 as well. Your shooting monochrome or color and convert to black and white. What editing program do you use. I use Lightroom Classic.
Really love your content,I did much the same sold all my canon lenses and my 5dmk4 and boutght the Q2 and yes I love it but recently I've become frustrate and have bought the SL2 with the sigma 85 mm
Thank you Ronald. I edit everything yes. And I’ve had the Q2 about 18 months. Before that I’ve owned a lot of different digital cameras. Thanks for stopping by!
Magnetism with the subject. Darn right. My only criticism of this post? The images went too fast. So I watched it again with my thumb hovering over the pause button. Voila
Absolutely great shots, approach to photography and thoughts on what can elevate a picture to a portrait. In my opinion the most important thing is trust. Trust in that they are safe with you. Trust in that you will make them look their best (if that is the objective).
Fantastic work! Love it.. especially the Namibia work 👌... couldn’t agree more about the connection to the subject... the last bit was very intriguing... looking forward to more of that .... Fantastic work
I rented a Q2 for a week and fell in love. I dig the limitations of a one year Q2 experiment. Or perhaps I dig the idea of you doing it instead of me? :) Thanks for sharing your journey with us.
Hey Ben- Q2 or Q2 monochrome? I’m wavering. The mono has superior low light performance and I favor black and white, but sometimes the option for color is nice. I sold my FujiX100V and want the simplicity of one camera (like you have done). I know it’s a personal choice, but would love your opinion.
Bane is a reason because I follow you. I follow Bane on Instagram and a few weeks ago he shared your video. Nice job and keep doing. All best from Serbia.
Nice work and good exemple that’s there is nothing like a portait lens or a landscape lens ... would you consider showing us your post processing for the q2 dngs ? Thanks
Thanks Bo. I hadn't considered that but... Maybe? I didn't really want to do that kind of channel but if folks are really interested I could show the editing fairly easily. Spoiler alert, I do very little editing most of the time...
Would you rather see Portraits or Landscapes. Or both?
Adventure & Art Portraits 🙏🏼
@@adventureStaley thanks ! please don't turn your channel into a boring tech one :-) . I m just curious to see how much other Leica's owners push the sliders in Lightroom ( or whatever software) as I feel Leica DNG's don't need as much processing as other RAW files . So I am not that much after a specific genre but more how to boost gently and in a natural way the Q2 files . many thanks
@@adventureStaley When given the options, the answer would almost always be... both? :D Great video! It might help to have a Instagram link as well in order to promote your channel.
@@adventureStaley I’m late, but both. I’m in the beginning process of trading up to the Q2 Monochrom from the Typ 246 Monochrom with the 35mm Summilux; which I also had committed to for a year a - my year was up this past September and I’m still shooting with it and love it. The low light capability alone of the Q2M has me ready to give it a go.
Came for the Leica Q2, stayed for the talk on portraiture at the end. Thank you.
Really appreciate that Ijonas 🙏🏻
same here. really grateful to hear what was said about portraiture at the end. same perspective rings true with making music/producing/recording
Absolutely ingenious work Ben! Your portraits with the Q2 are stunning. Images with character telling a story 👍🏼😎
Thanks so much Mike!
One of the best videos about photography I’ve ever seen. This is not about the Q2. This is pure photography. Everyone can apply what you are saying on an iPhone. Really inspiring.
Appreciate that
I loved it! I like especially those portraits when the light hits the faces from above, it gives some extra symbolic meaning. I also believe we are made of energy and that we may and do project it to our surroundings. When I photograph my family or friends is definitely about light and shadow. Light is something that I notice first and then search for the perfect angle. Best portraits "happened " to me when there is mutual acceptance and both photographer and the person photographed are on same frequency, love frequency.
YES! Awesome observations Lucy! When we start looking at the light all the time we become tuned to it and can capitalize on opportunities. Thanks for always showing up here!
Great vid the last 2min was pure gold. I do wish people in these comments would focus more on the process than the fancy German camera, guys you can do this with any 28mm lens on any camera, you dont need a Q2, save your money and go shoot something cool.
Thank you very much Joe! Glad you stopped by. I agree in sentiment but this 28mm lens IS something special. You buy the lens and get the German camera for free. Heh. Cheers.
Brilliant work. The photographer is always the most important element. However, as a Q2 owner, I can sincerely state it's the first camera I've owned that makes me look like a better photographer. You are 100% correct on the angles. Shooting up close with this great wide angle lens, I have produced the best potraits of my life.
Awesome! I love that camera! Thanks so much for stopping by.
You created a wonderful world with beautiful people. I can’t thank you enough. Your love and respect is clearly shining through the portraits you take. … and of course I want a Q2 now.
Thank you sir
Just stumbled upon this and instantly loved it all! I've been thinking to try my Ricoh GR (2013 one) for portraits and this video has really inspired me. Thank you sir, subscribed! All the best, -Jay.
What is the most important component in a portrait? It is the eyes. Getting the connection between the subject’s eyes and the viewer is the most important.
Didn’t realize you had a channel! Instantly subscribed, always enjoy seeing your work. This was great.
Matt! Dude, thank you very much! Long time watcher of your content. Been wanting to start this for years and you were one of the OG dudes who helped me believe this could be done without being a total DB. I love your authenticity. In fact I reference you in the next video - it's already uploaded and will be live next week. Dude, thanks!
I agree with your thoughts. I went off portraiture because it became “same, same”. I used 85s and 135s, which was like shooting fish in a barrel. I now have a Q2 as a carry around camera, and you have inspired me to go back to portrait photography. Great video, BTW.
Man that’s awesome Keith! Thanks so much for watching. Go crush it.
Did you keep your 35 and 85mm?
Yes. Everything has it case. I’m selling my 135 though, as it sees little use. I also have some tiny Voigtlanders: the 35 Skopar and the 50 Heliar. These are small and light with a vintage rendering. I also have a Voigtlander 28 Ultron. I believe that rendering is as important as focal length. Clinical is not always best.
The connection IS the most important part. Everything else matters of course, but if there is no connection then it isn't going to be as great of a portrait. So many great shots, but I truly loved the locals and the dive bar ones the most.
Awesome. Thanks for always showing up CC!
Love the dramatic, B&W, high contrast!
Thank you Robert!
A huge thank you ! You have opened my eyes. I have just acquired a Leica Q , I love portraiture, I paint portraits…. You have educated me today. More please!
Hi Ben,
Thank you very much for this great "introduction" into portrait shooting with a 28mm lens (and the Leica Q2). Just 5 days ago I had my first portrait session with the Q2. I bought the camera 8 months ago and used it mainly for street, landscape, cityscapes. Not having my DSLR plus 85mm lens available, I now used the Q2 for that purpose. And I was stunned about the outcome. Lovely pictures, fantastic technical quality and yes, some distortion because the photographer did not have the knack of it yet. But this is clearly worth pursuing further.
Thanks a lot for this nice "subjective" intro into the subject with this camera. Oh and your portraits are fab, top notch....
Thank you very much sir!
I love this video.Very nice photos.
Thank you
In these times of overstimulation and a plethora of options that become too many, leanness is something many strive to achieve. Getting back to simple things, enjoying these to the bone. That is an alternative to the shallow multitude of options everyone wants us to know about, try out and finally buy. After years of using a lovely Canon G7X point-and-shoot, I transitioned to the Leica Q2 last year, and have loved every minute of the camera. I use it for everything from macro over portraiture to landscape photography. I carry it around in a small back pack with 3 Litra Pros, some filters a charger and a battery, in addition to my travel Gitzo tripod. I also get what you said so well about human connections: either beyond our senses, or because of a turbo-charged combinatorial input from all of them, some connections between people are fantastically intense. Your video was an excellent tutorial on all of this. Thank you!
Awesome. YES. Our creativity is best defined by our limitations, not our options. Thank you!
Some people on yotube says you can´t take portraits with the Q2, but you just proved them wrong... Thanks man!
Awesome portraits. It forces creativity, it forces you to be outside of your comfort zone and not play it safe. All of your work is excellent, but my favorites are with this Q2
Thanks very much man.
This was a stellar video and a Master Class on Portraits. You sold this camera for me, and I feel the key to making good portraits is the ability to step out of your-self and immerse yourself in the energy that surrounds you! Yes, sounds very Force sensitive, but the basic premise applies. Enjoy the adventure!
Thank you so much David. Really appreciate that.
So glad I found your channel. Great photographs and great wisdom. Thanks.
I’m glad you found it too Barker. Cheers.
You, as you say in English, nailed it, nailed the connection to other human beings! Recommending this video further on!!
Oooh, YES! Excellent! Such a great video! So many great photos! Love it.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Really enjoyed stumbling across this video... contemplating a Q2 purchase, but I really enjoyed the overall cerebral discussion you bring foreword here.
Thank you so much! I glad you stopped by.
I don’t know how I got here but you are speaking my language, you are 100% right
My perspective I call it entwine with the subject ; thanks for sharing
Glad you made it.
Adding a comment for the algorithm, but also I really enjoy your philosophy on connecting to the subject to make a great portrait.
Thanks for that!
The best camera review ie ever watched 😂! The vibration theory about portrait photography was fantastic.
Thank you for your genuine generous honesty. Your truth truly sheds light on the reality of photography if you will. It really helped me with my own perspective of photography. I’m not much of a talker, however I’m sponging up & learning as much as I can. Sincerely, thank you.
I appreciate that!
Currently renting the q2. Excited to test it out.
Just discovered and subscribed to your channel whilst researching the Q2. There are some seriously good portraits on this video. The black and white image of the girl in the bar absolutely stopped me dead in my tracks. Awesome stuff!
Hey thanks a bunch for the support John!
Yes I totally agree with your vibration and the connexion how ever brief…
Very authentic program. Wonderful pictures. Great Learning. Thank you!
🙏🏻🙏🏻
Really enjoy your channel. The shots, the locations, but mainly your sense of humor. Love it!!!!
Thank ya Ronald
I still have my father's Leica 111c he used in Korea during the war. Still working, he purchased two lens in wetzlar Germany during WW2 90mm 135mm my father was a artillery captain in Korea. He set up a dark room in a small trailer. His camera and lens were stolen in Korea, but he got them back. Great story.
Amazing story. You need to tell it.
@@adventureStaley if your available this weekend give me a call at 913-782-5773 love to tell you the story. Ron, I'm south of Kansas City central time. If that matters. GO CHIEFS!!!!!
Cracking set of portraits. Best Q2 review I've watched . I shoot strangers on the street , with permission and usually shoot 50mm 'ish . I am inspired to go wider and may click ' buy ' on a Q2 monochrom 📷
I just stumbled upon your channel today (the camera stories one) and I have to say I'm very glad I did. Your photography is stunning and you also seem like a cool guy, one I'd really like to sit down and have a beer with. Keep doing what you're doing man....
Alex I appreciate that so much! I like beer... Trying to do something a little different here so thank you for your positive feedback.
the Q2 was recommended to me by my friend Peter ( a great photographer) as i’m having difficulty in focusing my Nikons and the M10… i’m 78 and a retired( or just tired ) photojournalist for 50 years… i’m developing genetic macular degeneration but i’m not giving up without a fight… ( have a great DR who loves photography so doing some experimental treatments so here’s hoping!) …your work is fantastic! so yeh think i’ll pick up a Q2 !( and after years of lugging around heavy equipment my back and knees will thank you as well!
Way to keep at it! I think that will be a good fit for ya! Thanks for watching.
Incredible photos...you might just have (finally) sold me on a Q2
My favorite video to date and I’ve prob said it before but your portrait work is top notch always. Yes connection I agree is most important.
Awesome! Thank you!
People watch the full video to know how much content in a small video ... great content.
Thank you!
This I really love. What inspirational, cool and interesting portraits. Especially the ones in / round the bar. Found your channel researching wether to pick up an Q2. Your great content makes the decision lot easier. Really one of the absolute most inspiring channels I've found. Thx a lot.... Greeting from Norway
Means a lot Erik! Thanks you. Norway is one of the places I want to visit most!
I'm a long-time photographer who just recently got a Q2 and love taking environmental portraits, so I really enjoyed your video. It was inspirational on many levels!
Appreciate that
Ben. Thank you. Amazing video and amazing thoughts.
Hey Ben-just lovely. You have a great "lens-side manner", and clearly establish an excellent rapport with your subjects-just as you do with your audience here. Having been taking photos pretty seriously for almost 50 years (holy shit), I too recently dumped all my other equipment for the zen discipline of the Q2. I have queasy moments-what on earth have I done? But they're outweighed by the rigor and discipline and the strangely liberating limitations of having a finite tool, a finite set of options. So thanks for this, and for the pure inspiration that you've given me. You rock! (And BTW I loved your Shelter piece and the accompanying video.)
Thank you very much Jon-Marc. I certainly know that feeling! Appreciate you taking the time.
Just watched your content for the first time and very much appreciate it... I'll be back!🙂
Thank you Frank!
In an environment where all we hear is how the q2 isn’t a camera for portraits, you just proved them all wrong. Fantastic work! This just proves that while it might take more work to get the shot, you can definitely get the shot. Thank you!
Thanks so much Tayler! It's a powerful little tool. Appreciate you stopping by.
You, my friend, are one inspiring human being. Keep up the awesome work, can't wait to see more!
Aww man thank you so much Magnus! Much more is on the way!
Very Inspirational, I have a Q2 and it has been a struggle to find my way in portraiture. Your video was very helpful.
Thank you for the kind words Bill. All the best out there.
Wonderful wide angle portraits! So great to see portrait work beyond the usual "85-105 with compression". The ambience of the environment really contributes to the subject rather than detracting or distracting. Your channel is awesome and inspiring - thank you :-)
Thanks Gordon!
Exactly what I love about wide angle portraiture. Not only is the connection between you and the subject of importance, but also the connection between the subject and his/her environment. That makes the portrait so much more interesting than the average 85mm shot.
Some phenomenal pictures in there. Inspiring to say the least and helped push me over the limit to buy this camera. Looking forward to learning!
Nice!
Really nice photos! I enjoy the qay you go about your videos. I purchased the Leica Q on june 25 2022, yes 7 years later. I haven’t been able to put it down. I told myself I would put sone photography work money towards the Q2 but first I have to shoot the heck out of this one
AMAZING images and story.
Gracias!
man your photos are great! looking forward to more! I'm surprised at how close you can get onto the subject without distorting it. Especially on a 28mm focal length
Thanks Tung! That lens is UNREAL. People get the Q2 wrong. Its not a $5K camera - its a $5K lens with a free camera!
Inspiring, thank you.
Fantastic images man!! I’ve been looking at this camera for a while now! Can’t wait to get my hands on one!
It's an awesome little machine. Do it!
Angle is all with a short lens, tiny shift in viewpoint makes a big difference.
Truth
Great video. Just bought a Q2. Normally I shoot with a Canon 85 1.2. But falling in love every day more with my Q2. The pics look great. Would love to see more about how you shoot the portraits.
Lots of videos about that here. Dig in.
Extraordinary photos. So much for the ‘expert’ advice that you can’t do portraits with a 28mm lens. This might just push me over the edge and ‘make’ me buy a Q2. Can I ask, did you use the crop mode at all?
Thank you very much Ken! There are a few shots I cropped in lightroom. I never use the in camera crop - But always shoot raw so it wouldn't really matter. Thanks for stopping by! Get that Q2! I'll never get rid of mine.
Amazing work wow !
Thank you! Cheers!
you are a great man and a great photographer. The way you present these people is remarkable.
Thank you pal
I was surprised by the lack of distortion when you were framing tight with the 28mm.
Looks cropped
This video works supremely well because you're relating deeply with your subject, namely your audience. The vibrations set up are always friendly and encouraging but because your path is experimental and ever-searching it is also challenging and demanding . Let us know when your follow-up video on photographer-subject relationship is available. Thank you.
Thanks very much Gerry. Portraits are my favorite thing to do. Once the world gets back to normal I will be having lots of videos of me shooting people. Appreciate your support.
Really awesome work and very inspiring!!
Thank you!
Hay... I love your stayll to take the picture of people with the Leica Q2. I use the canon 5D mk3 end 28mm bet some time I use the 50mm 1.4 or 35mm L but I go back to the 28mm and wen I se your work 😍 love it. I must work more ...
Awesome! Thank you!
Agree with you Ben, but it also helps to have very interesting faces and people in front of the glass, as you clearly show. There’s a big difference between the facial expressions of the regular dude whom you may encounter and make a photo of, and the dancer or actor, who understand expression and are loved by the lens and need no direction. Keep the feed and the great content rolling!
Totally get it Tad, thank you! Lots of interesting folks around here to shoot! My fave subjects though are "real people" I meet out in the world. Appreciate you stopping by man!
Uhuhu, what a content!!! Bravo! Also interesting choice for a channel. Thank you.
I stumbled here looking for portraits done on the Q2 and now I’m leaving as a subscriber. I appreciate your knowledge, experiences, and your philosophies. Thanks for the video.
Thank you very much 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Would love to see your B&W editing process for these portraits, I have a CL with a 23mm not much resolution as Q2 but it does the job.
Stay tuned. I’m going to make one. Lots of people asking. Thanks for stopping by!
I’m sold!! But can you do the same with the regular Q since the Q 2 is out of my budget ( also I’m using a Leica sl) I just needed a second body
Same exact lens. I’d get a Qp!
Thanks.
I decided to keep my Q2, instead of downsizing to the new Fuji x100vi. Couldn't go without the full frame goodness. Videos like yours inspired me to fully utilize it's capabilities. I'm upgrading my SL2-S instead, for the SL3.
🤘🏼
By far the best video on photographic approuch & understanding. what you say and how you say it is on point. highest, most significant level. (i hope my english writing makes sense and i managed to express what i tried to say - ... ) ... i am going to subscribe now. looking forward to watching the next videos. Thanks so much. Kind regards, Kubi
Really appreciate this Kubi.
Ben, your work is intriguing but your insight about “what makes a great portrait” is powerful. The energy dial is a brilliant way to visualize the power of this tool. How do we learn more from you on this subject? The 28mm produces that need for intimacy and I am very curious to learn more about your approach. Good stuff!
Great question Juan. It’s too deep for a comment. I’ll answer this in an upcoming video. Thanks so much for watching.
Awesome, love your work.
🙏🏻🙏🏻
OK! i'M iNSPIRED! I shoot mostly film these days and these 28mm shots are just incredible. I'll be using a Supa Tak 28mm f3.5 to start off. Ive been in the 40mm to 45mm work range. Thanks for gettn me off my ass!
Hahaha Awesome! Go crush it man!
I like wide angle portraits. No Leica yet. Great work!
Appreciate it!
Amazing portraits. I just bought a q2 this week. Im curious are you shooting wide open at 1.7 most of the time. Also are you always shooting in raw. Thank you. This was an awesome video
Thank ya! For portraits almost always wide open. What a great lens it is! And always Raw!
Several more Q2 vids on the channel, and some more on the way. Cheers.
Subscribed! Fantastic shots! Cool you do BJJ too, I trained ages ago at BHJJC in LA with Marcus and years back before that up in the bay area at Ralph Gracies. Funny story, first person I ever rolled with there was a prodigy, BJ Penn! A white belt at the time tapping out some purple belts! May I ask what metering mode you are using for these shots and are you manually focusing or using single point af, face detection etc?
Thanks so much Bruce. I mostly use selectable spot for focus. Occasionally manual focus. Especially for real close shots. Meter manual mostly and sometime auto shutter priority. Usually manual though because I often underexpose a bit to save highlights.
I'd like to give this or any other prime lens a long term exclusive go. Walked across Spain with just a 35mm and it was transformative. Missed a lot due to restrictions, but gained more.
This is the way
Glad I found this channel, something of quality to binge :) Man, the last 3 minutes were the best! I'm heavy into intuition and vibrations and trying to ease them or ease someone elses before a shoot. So you were spot on, nobody really talks about this side of photography. Also, you may have sold me on shooting my lifestyle/fashion stuff on a 28mm (I only do it for street). I usually like a 50mm to just give me enough context. But I loooove context with my shots, and you showed 28mm just gives me more of that.
Really appreciate that man. Things are def gonna get weird around here....
Q2 is a great camera, without a doubt and your work is wonderful. However, why should I choose a Q2 rather than a Z7 + 50 F1.8 Nikon for Portraits (and all kind of pictures) ?
So many cameras. So little time.
Thank you so so much. I am trying to make a massive switch from a fuji gfx 50 with a zoom lens to a q for a more creative commercial portrait style. This is exactly the content I needed. Given you a like and a follow
Really appreciate that Matt. There will be a follow up to this vid coming in a bit. Cheers.
Congratulations for your wise toughts about portraits with a 28mm lenses. Are you taking photos with normal 28mm or you do the zoom to 50mm. If you are taking the portrait shot with the 28mm, how many meters you stand from the subject? Thank you very much!
Thanks so much. Always shoot raw and full size. I shoot all different distances, from macro to super wide depending on what I want to see. Very versatile lens.
I am playing with the Q2 monochrome and own the Q2 as well. Your shooting monochrome or color and convert to black and white. What editing program do you use. I use Lightroom Classic.
I shoot raw color and grade in Lightroom classic. Thanks for watching.
Sooo great portraits. 😍
Thank you! Cheers!
OMG I love your photos. You've convinced me to get a Leica Q2.
Cool. Thanks for watching!
Really love your content,I did much the same sold all my canon lenses and my 5dmk4 and boutght the Q2 and yes I love it but recently I've become frustrate and have bought the SL2 with the sigma 85 mm
Thanks so much Roy! Those sigma lenses are awesome !
Nice video, thanks for sharing
Did you edit the black whites?
I have also seen your pics on Instagram, so beautiful. Are they also made with the Q2?
Thank you Ronald. I edit everything yes. And I’ve had the Q2 about 18 months. Before that I’ve owned a lot of different digital cameras. Thanks for stopping by!
Magnetism with the subject. Darn right. My only criticism of this post? The images went too fast. So I watched it again with my thumb hovering over the pause button. Voila
🙏🏻🙏🏻
I dig the way you think and your photography is outstanding. I think you'll appreciate my mother's stuff 👌 I'm sending links...
Thank you very much
Thank you so much, it ist so inspiring!!!
🙏🏼
Absolutely great shots, approach to photography and thoughts on what can elevate a picture to a portrait. In my opinion the most important thing is trust. Trust in that they are safe with you. Trust in that you will make them look their best (if that is the objective).
Thank ya! Trust is key!
Fantastic work! Love it.. especially the Namibia work 👌... couldn’t agree more about the connection to the subject... the last bit was very intriguing... looking forward to more of that .... Fantastic work
Much appreciated!Thanks so much for stopping by.
I don’t know you, Ben, but I really like you. Your images are a delightful bonus.
Thank you sir
Excellent works with the Q2! Using that Leica, did you find yourself doing a lots of focus then recompose?
Thank you. I use the selectable spot so only sometime do I need to recompose.
I rented a Q2 for a week and fell in love. I dig the limitations of a one year Q2 experiment. Or perhaps I dig the idea of you doing it instead of me? :) Thanks for sharing your journey with us.
Haha. Thanks for stopping by John, it’s an awesome little tool! Take the plunge!
That was AWESOME.. and shout out to JiuJitsu. 🤙
Hey Ben- Q2 or Q2 monochrome? I’m wavering. The mono has superior low light performance and I favor black and white, but sometimes the option for color is nice. I sold my FujiX100V and want the simplicity of one camera (like you have done). I know it’s a personal choice, but would love your opinion.
You
Know the options man. I’d love to have a mono for the low light. Follow your heart bro.
@@adventureStaley Many thanks!
This video is inspiring man 👍
🙏🏻🙏🏻
Bane is a reason because I follow you. I follow Bane on Instagram and a few weeks ago he shared your video. Nice job and keep doing. All best from Serbia.
Awesome man! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Great video. Are cropping in camera or in post?
Thank you sir. I always shoot raw and crop in post.
Hi, were the portraits shown here really all taken with the Leica Q2? I can hardly believe that.
Greetings XARE
Believe it Xare. It’s a very capable little camera. Thanks for watching.