This photo was also part of a recent post I shared here on 35mmc. Apologies for sharing it twice in quick succession, but this image also fits the idea of my favorite photo of the year. I’ve shot almost 50 commercial jobs this year but this one was just for me. I looked through my favorite images from all those commercial shoots and there are a handful I really do like. I just keep coming back to this one.
I own one of the very first Leica M4-P’s produced but didn’t have a 50mm for it. I will let the other post tell the story of picking out a lens. But I did and it’s a 1968 Summicron.
My lovely wife and I were headed to a local NO KINGS gathering. She even asked me what camera I planned to take. She knows me well. I had considered various configurations of gear but decided to just go with my iPhone since I would have a sign to carry as well. Then just before the day of the event the new Summicron arrived so I loaded up a roll of Tri-X and off we went. I shot too many photos with the phone but only 25 frames with the Leica and 50mm.
But something about that camera and lens combo forced me to contemplate each frame whereas the iPhone was just like taking quick notes. This man was in the crowd but seemed separate too. He was standing erect and at attention during all the speeches. Nobody was with him. I spotted him and walked over asking for permission to photograph him. He just nodded politely and I shot two quick frames. I thanked him and left. But I knew even then that this image would look and feel different than almost anyone else’s NO KINGS images. It’s so simple, direct and clean. It does everything a 50mm does so well. And his determination and pride shine through.
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