Me and my Leica

About a year ago I decided I would like to find a camera which was lighter, less bulky and far less obtrusive than my current Nikon kit. It had to be full-frame and top quality in all respects. The obvious choice was a Leica M and so, despite its eye-watering price-tag, I bought one. After a month's use I really hated it. While beautifully-made I found it slow and fiddly to use with an unimpressive ISO range, difficult to focus and generally ergonomically inept. All in all, I found it down-right quirky. However, I persevered and gradually came to realise that, despite my initial misgivings, I was, for the first time in years, really enjoying taking photographs again. Now, not only do I feel more in control of the image-making process but also I am much more involved with my subject. No longer am I peering into a black box with an image in it, I am sharing the space with my subject. The lenses are expensive but their quality is truly spectacular; low distortion, sharp without being coarse and with great colour rendition and they really do stand out when compared to Canon and Nikon. These days the Nikon kit only comes out of the cupboard when really needed.

Trafalgar Square

It was quite moving to see the Belgian flag projected onto the National Gallery last week, in sympathy with those who suffered and continue to suffer as a result of the Brussels bombings.
Here is an image I took some time back. A similar shot worked better in black and white and features in the monochrome section of my new web site www.mikeroles.co.uk But this one just has to be seen in colour too....

Varanasi

In the middle of editing my India pictures. This one - taken on the ghats at Varanasi - reminds me a bit of Canaletto....

Shadows and Windows

Since I have been working on my My London project it has taken many twists and turns in direction. As it is growing at such a rate I've decided to break the collection down into categories.
Here are a few images from Shadows and Windows:


Fitzrovia

Leicester Square

Regents Park

Whitfield Street

July 2015 Work in Progress

Finally the trilogy I have been working on for at least 18 months is nearing completion. Here is the third piece awaiting the addition of photographs, a small framed print bottom centre and 2 large black and white prints - the image right is a rough mocked-up of Epson prints. I've been having difficulty finding the best place to get the printing done and rather wishing I hadn't got rid of my huge wall-mounted enlarger or I could have done them myself!

Currently in preparation

THIS BLOG IS CURRENTLY STILL IN PREPARATION.   PLEASE COME BACK SOON....

Surprise on US web site

I just discovered that a piece I sold for £250 has been on sale on a US web site for $33,000!