I left a daily newspaper job in 1978 to move to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada because Ted Grant said I "out shot him" on the Joe Clark election campaign. He said "Ya shoot that well, you truly need to move." So I did. Also shot for the National Film Board Phototeque, Canadian Press, many dailies, and did a lot of annual report work. Thank you Ted. You are ever the gentleman
0:30 #1 Shoot in B&W and see the soul 3:17 #2 Always carry spares 4:25 #3 Always be ready to 'click' 6:42 #4 Study Rembrandt and find the shadow side 8:14 #5 If you see it, you can shoot it
No mention of what camera to use, no mention of what lens to use, no mention of what shutter speed or aperture to use, no mention of what focus mode to use (I suppose if you are a Leica Rangefinder user focus modes are a bit irrelevant), no mention of what equipment to use at all. How can this be any use to anyone? Well it was awesome, its great to be told that you need to use your eyes, use some common sense, but most importantly be ready to take the picture, don't worry about what the tech is just do what you have to in order to get the picture. Brilliant advice and I don't use Leica.
Hi Ted, I went to your talk in Kuala Lumpur some 20 years ago. It was fantastic when you showed your fast finger film advancer you had attached to your M.
The first tip, I completely agree, I usually change mine to black and white or use a monochrome camera and at most times they're a lot more beautiful then those in colour
I enjoyed this very much. My household as a child was filled with photography and my parent’s wonderful friend Alfred Eisenstaedt. Eisie very much on the same page as Dr. Grant.
Great advice! I always keep two spare, cheap SD cards and one battery in my mid console which I change out every week or two. You never know what can or will go wrong
Goodbye Mr. Leica. Farewell. May you rest in peace and take create photos in heaven as you did here.Thanks for your photos :-( I'll pull out my M246 and drink a shot of scotch for your honor.
When you have a leica, you are automatically elevated to the master level and it doesn't matter if you pictures are out-of-focus, black&white or colours. LOL.
personally I always was more worried about dust/scratches from facing the lens inward and rubbing it against fabric/clothing than the other way around...
IMHO, those tips have nothing to do with “How to use the Leica M rangefinder”. It are just general tips for all kind of cameras and photographers. Lousy title 😕.
If you watched this to learn about his camera, about Leica or the range finder - sorry you wasted your time. This is s great photographer talking about his experiences and giving out tit bits from his wealth of experience - that is priceless. There are enough reviewers who are paid, their gear subsidised and so on - watch them the web is stuffed with them. :)
@@michaelobrien8219 I'll try to ignore your off topic and totally misplaced remark. The title says: "5 tips on how to use a Leica M rangefinder..." #1: shoot b&w #2: carry spares #3: be ready to go "click" #4: study Rembrandt #5: if you can see it, you can shoot it So, follow this 5 steps and you can shoot a Leica M. LOL So yes: lousy title
Hi, just ordered loads of film from amazon Kodak Portra 400 35m 36exp Film Professional 5 Pack £55.99 Amazon. Quite expensive. Should I store the unused film in the fridge ? Ideal temp ?
Hi there! If you are an LHSA member, feel free to use the Ask An Expert portal for this question! Someone there might be able to help you out: lhsa.org/ask-the-expert/#myaccount
John Krill I'm a Fujifilm user. Never owned a Leica but that's besides the point. I think he was pointing out that as a photographer, one doesn't have control over the colours of the scene that's being photographed (except studio photography or any other preplanned photography). So the photographer would have to consider and be aware of any "distracting" colours (in the background, etc) that might divert the viewer's attention from the main focal point/subject(s). By photographing in B&W, it removes that uncertainty hence putting a heavier emphasis on the form (composition) and content of the photograph. Of course, there are photographers who successfully incorporates colour to accentuate the composition. Alex Webb, Saul Leiter, Ernst Haas, and Steve McCurry come into my mind. But that's just what *I* gathered from this video. Cheers
I dont get the tip number four, i dont understand if he is talking about takeing the photo from the shadow side of the street or from the bright side...any help?
If you look at the example photo at 8:03, you can see that the photo was taken from the shadows, so that's what I would say he meant - take the photo from the shadow side.
Thanks for pointing that out, Carl! If you are interested in more technical tips and you're a member of the International Leica Society, we have an "Ask the Expert" feature!
Very useful to see photos of Rembrandt’s actual studio. Showing how he USED LIGHT with drapes, baffles, etc. And how the windows were. BTW, Rembrandt never went to “the shadow side” of his model. Usually there was 3/4 front light from above. However, the light was spotted-so the subject sat in a pool of half light or dark. Caravaggio who is probably closer to Fred’s light and dark aesthetic very dramatically used full front light sometimes- see “St. John” (the one in the woods with the lamb). As for color vs. B&W-color never hurt Saul Leiter, or Joel Meyorowitz any. If you’re at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon at 5-7PM are you really going to shoot B&W? You can, but really! They don’t call them the “Vermillion Cliffs” for nothing. However, Fred is great with B&W. He has a talent for finding unexpected grays in just the right balance. My teacher said you build a career around your strengths. Doesn’t mean everything else is wrong.
The way he explained why black and white over colour - OK, _that_ made sense. I finally got it. I could see it, but the way he articulated it: "With colour, you'll look at their clothes..." All of his advice here is dead simple, but well-articulated and vital. Thanks for this!
Look at that shot at 2:18 - the landscape in the background may have had lots of colour, but in B&W my eye skips all that and goes straight to the soldiers' faces.
@@james-p If there was no emotion in color, why is all advertising in color? Change the Afghan girl portrait into B&W. Are you telling me it evokes the same emotions? If that photo had been taken in B&W it would’ve been ruined.
His famous thing was the color vs bnw... Tell that story to the late great Saul Lieter.. Or Martín Parr.. Come on.. !!!!!! Why didn't he photograph canadian sports in bnw ... BS
Ted Grant is a fabulous photographer. Anything he has to say about photography is worth listening to.
Agreed!
Wake up and smell the coffee.. Great portraits is about it.. Where was his humanity work.. Please typical canadian photojournalist
I absolutely love his ”in your face” attitude toward technology! Use the tools you have and don’t worry about it. Take the picture!
I left a daily newspaper job in 1978 to move to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada because Ted Grant said I "out shot him" on the Joe Clark election campaign. He said "Ya shoot that well, you truly need to move." So I did. Also shot for the National Film Board Phototeque, Canadian Press, many dailies, and did a lot of annual report work. Thank you Ted. You are ever the gentleman
0:30 #1 Shoot in B&W and see the soul
3:17 #2 Always carry spares
4:25 #3 Always be ready to 'click'
6:42 #4 Study Rembrandt and find the shadow side
8:14 #5 If you see it, you can shoot it
No mention of what camera to use, no mention of what lens to use, no mention of what shutter speed or aperture to use, no mention of what focus mode to use (I suppose if you are a Leica Rangefinder user focus modes are a bit irrelevant), no mention of what equipment to use at all. How can this be any use to anyone?
Well it was awesome, its great to be told that you need to use your eyes, use some common sense, but most importantly be ready to take the picture, don't worry about what the tech is just do what you have to in order to get the picture. Brilliant advice and I don't use Leica.
Hi Ted, I went to your talk in Kuala Lumpur some 20 years ago. It was fantastic when you showed your fast finger film advancer you had attached to your M.
He had me at "single malt scotch"
Single malt scotch is often a good choice!
@@LeicaSociety Never learned to appreciate Scotch of any malt - I won't fight anyone for the stuff. Bleagh.
@@Hirsutechin I'm more of a Cognac guy :)
Don't go all techy! Words to live by.
Wise words!
Very nice discussion. Thank you.
Try turning The Afghan Girl into B&W and see the “soul” fly right out of it.
I’m a street / documentary photographer, this video 3 years ago changed my life
Not a single word about Leica or even rangefinder, pheew.. but great advises! Thanks, Ted!
BIG THUMBS UP FOR THIS VIDEO, from a veteran Chicago photojournalist...many thanks!
Fantastic advice from a master, thank you for this video.
Thank you for watching!
o my God ,this men is amazing,my compliment:-)
We agree!
I approve the skx!
Amazing. I feel really motivated after watching this. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
It's not the camera (technology),but the man behind the camera matters most in good photography.
Salute to the great master🙏
R.I.P., beautiful soul... ❤️
Great video. Love it! ❤
So glad!
Tip 6 - buy a Lecia. (kidding of course, use any f-ing camera you like, all that matters is the WAY you use it)
The first tip, I completely agree, I usually change mine to black and white or use a monochrome camera and at most times they're a lot more beautiful then those in colour
Probably you don’t know how to take pictures in color.
You heard the man "don't get all tecky".
We love this advice!
I enjoyed this very much. My household as a child was filled with photography and my parent’s wonderful friend Alfred Eisenstaedt. Eisie very much on the same page as Dr. Grant.
That is great to hear - thanks for watching!
Agree more meaning when shot in black and white
It's classic!
I love this. Experience is always the best teacher ❤️
Great advice ... can’t justify a Leica, I’m a new photographer, but you couldn’t put a price on the wisdom and experience of this giant!
Great advice! I always keep two spare, cheap SD cards and one battery in my mid console which I change out every week or two. You never know what can or will go wrong
So true! A great trick of the trade.
Thank you, Leica Society and thank you Ted Grant. Great video, I feel inspired to go out and shoot.
So glad to hear that!
Black and white has power, that simple
Goodbye Mr. Leica. Farewell. May you rest in peace and take create photos in heaven as you did here.Thanks for your photos :-(
I'll pull out my M246 and drink a shot of scotch for your honor.
cheers mate
Ted was a great friend, I think it was my wife and I that brought Ted to this Leica meet in Vancouver a few years ago.
He was such a wonderful person. He is greatly missed, that's for sure.
Rest his soul in peace. I revert to this video every once in a while to get some motivation.
I always shoot at ASA 800
God speaks.
He shoots Leica and wears Seiko. Nice combination.
Too bad Epson didn't keep developing the R-D1, then he could have shot Seiko too.
@@jlwilliams He may have shot Seiko, we just dont know that. 😁
Great advice, but not particular to Leicas - so the title is a total misnomer. Any camera.
Thanks for watching!
I needed this!
♡
step one: have money to buy a leica
When you have a leica, you are automatically elevated to the master level and it doesn't matter if you pictures are out-of-focus, black&white or colours. LOL.
Buy a barnack leica.
personally I always was more worried about dust/scratches from facing the lens inward and rubbing it against fabric/clothing than the other way around...
Thank you for the shared knowledge.
Thanks for watching!
Thank you very much;
Thanks for watching!
IMHO, those tips have nothing to do with “How to use the Leica M rangefinder”. It are just general tips for all kind of cameras and photographers. Lousy title 😕.
If you watched this to learn about his camera, about Leica or the range finder - sorry you wasted your time. This is s great photographer talking about his experiences and giving out tit bits from his wealth of experience - that is priceless.
There are enough reviewers who are paid, their gear subsidised and so on - watch them the web is stuffed with them. :)
@@casperitwas yup, and therefore it's a bad title. Undersells the content.
@@casperitwas Yes indeed, I wasted my time because of the clickbait title.
@@PaulVanCaesbroeck if you need a video to use your Leica maybe you should have spent your money on something else - try the User Manual
@@michaelobrien8219 I'll try to ignore your off topic and totally misplaced remark.
The title says: "5 tips on how to use a Leica M rangefinder..."
#1: shoot b&w
#2: carry spares
#3: be ready to go "click"
#4: study Rembrandt
#5: if you can see it, you can shoot it
So, follow this 5 steps and you can shoot a Leica M. LOL
So yes: lousy title
Hi, just ordered loads of film from amazon Kodak Portra 400 35m 36exp Film Professional 5 Pack £55.99 Amazon. Quite expensive. Should I store the unused film in the fridge ? Ideal temp ?
Hi there! If you are an LHSA member, feel free to use the Ask An Expert portal for this question! Someone there might be able to help you out: lhsa.org/ask-the-expert/#myaccount
Shoot in B&W and see the soul - Leica Propaganda
John Krill I'm a Fujifilm user. Never owned a Leica but that's besides the point.
I think he was pointing out that as a photographer, one doesn't have control over the colours of the scene that's being photographed (except studio photography or any other preplanned photography). So the photographer would have to consider and be aware of any "distracting" colours (in the background, etc) that might divert the viewer's attention from the main focal point/subject(s). By photographing in B&W, it removes that uncertainty hence putting a heavier emphasis on the form (composition) and content of the photograph.
Of course, there are photographers who successfully incorporates colour to accentuate the composition. Alex Webb, Saul Leiter, Ernst Haas, and Steve McCurry come into my mind.
But that's just what *I* gathered from this video. Cheers
I dont get the tip number four, i dont understand if he is talking about takeing the photo from the shadow side of the street or from the bright side...any help?
If you look at the example photo at 8:03, you can see that the photo was taken from the shadows, so that's what I would say he meant - take the photo from the shadow side.
Deceptive title. He presented general photography tips (all good ones, btw). I was expecting technical tips that pertain specifically to the Leica M.
Me too.
Thanks for pointing that out, Carl! If you are interested in more technical tips and you're a member of the International Leica Society, we have an "Ask the Expert" feature!
Same
Yup. Classical click bait. A sad norm in attention economy.
@@LeicaSociety If you are grateful for him pointing it out to you, why is the title not changed to reflect the actual content of the video?
Very useful to see photos of Rembrandt’s actual studio. Showing how he USED LIGHT with drapes, baffles, etc. And how the windows were. BTW, Rembrandt never went to “the shadow side” of his model. Usually there was 3/4 front light from above. However, the light was spotted-so the subject sat in a pool of half light or dark. Caravaggio who is probably closer to Fred’s light and dark aesthetic very dramatically used full front light sometimes- see “St. John” (the one in the woods with the lamb).
As for color vs. B&W-color never hurt Saul Leiter, or Joel Meyorowitz any. If you’re at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon at 5-7PM are you really going to shoot B&W? You can, but really! They don’t call them the “Vermillion Cliffs” for nothing.
However, Fred is great with B&W. He has a talent for finding unexpected grays in just the right balance. My teacher said you build a career around your strengths. Doesn’t mean everything else is wrong.
That is a great sentiment that can be applied to so many things in life.
I mean....Ansel Adams shot practically nothing but black and white landscapes....Good enough for him, good enough for me, vermillion cliffs or not.
the link to tedgrantphoto in the description goes to another site
Thank you for flagging that - it seems Ted Grant's site no longer exists.
The way he explained why black and white over colour - OK, _that_ made sense. I finally got it. I could see it, but the way he articulated it: "With colour, you'll look at their clothes..." All of his advice here is dead simple, but well-articulated and vital. Thanks for this!
Look at that shot at 2:18 - the landscape in the background may have had lots of colour, but in B&W my eye skips all that and goes straight to the soldiers' faces.
@@james-p If there was no emotion in color, why is all advertising in color?
Change the Afghan girl portrait into B&W. Are you telling me it evokes the same emotions? If that photo had been taken in B&W it would’ve been ruined.
Awesome tips Sir...
I would not part with my Monochrom and Noctilux not even for not a milion bucks...!
We feel the same!
@@LeicaSociety
...and my 240...
...and my MP...
...and my M 6...
with my 90 and 35 and my Tri Elmar 28-35-50...
A million bucks leaves you with approx. 985.000 after getting another Monochrom+Noctilux... Don't see your point.
@@phl0w666
...then it is not worth explaining...!
Then I wouldn't want you as my business partner, but perhaps as my photographer LoL! ;-)
Bernie 2020!
now Sony HAS 61MP..... SONY STILL 24MP.....HAHAHHAHAH
His famous thing was the color vs bnw... Tell that story to the late great Saul Lieter.. Or Martín Parr.. Come on.. !!!!!! Why didn't he photograph canadian sports in bnw ... BS