Kaisern Chen- Kaisern Chen
Behind and in front of my camera
Updated: Nov 1, 2021
A camera was once perceived as a magical and obscure device many believed it will capture and take away the soul of the person on the picture; as a photographer and an industrial designer, it is a very fascinated tool because at the instant of exposure everything was put to work to result in a picture.
The camera has become much easier to use coming to the digital age and even more comfortable when basically all smartphones have at least one or two cameras. This blog is a collection of varies images I took with a person behind and in front of my camera.
A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera.
~ Dorothea Lange
A portrait is not made in the camera but on either side of it.
~ Edward Steichen
An image captured on camera represents an individual record seen by the photographer's eyes.
~ Eraldo Banovac
Great photography is about depth of feeling, not depth of field.
~ Peter Adams
The best thing about a picture is that it never changes, even when the people in it do.
~ Andy Warhol
Leica MP - The best Leica camera ever made as far as traditional photography is concerned, IMHO. The original MP introduced in 2003, about 50 years after the Leica's M3 (1954). The MP stands for a rather bold claim "Mechanical Perfection" which 16 years later still stands strong and remains in production as of today (April 2019).
Some might argue that the newer M-A introduced in 2014 is, the better example of a purer mechanical example than the original MP but except the slightly brighter rangefinder viewfinder by eliminating the part that is reflecting the metering diodes into the frame, all else are basically the same. My preference for original MP over M-A is that both are essentially a purely mechanical camera with the MP has the option of using a battery to power the meter or remove it, so it is no different than an M-A.
The MP, held in the hand of lovely Argentinean model Betina, is an à la carte edition of MP I commissioned Leica to custom-make for my birthday, black-paint MP with the removal of front and top engraving to make the camera looks as essential as it works.
The unmistakable acoustic signature of the shutter release of such purely mechanical camera immediately reveals the precision-engineered excellence of a photography tool that bears the claim of "Mechanical Perfection"!
More educational and interesting review by Erwin Puts. a fine gentleman just passed away in early 2021, his works will be remembered by many.
A photograph shouldn't just show you a person. It should also show you their soul.
~ Anthony T. Hincks
Leica M Edition 60 introduced initially at Photokina 2014 on the 60th anniversary of the legendary Leica M rangefinder system. The commemorative limited edition is a special version created by Audi Design that pays homage to the essence of photography and carries it back to its origins. It is one of my favorite M cameras for its clean and simplicity look as the first digital M camera without a rear screen. A camera I enjoy shooting very much until the introduction of Leica M10-D as my most often use Leica M camera. https://www.kaisernchen.com/post/leica-m10-d-diary
Leica M5 is the only Leica M camera I owned but never make any shot with. It is a very well built camera and the last Leica M camera entirely made in Germany by hand using the traditional adjust and fit method. It is bigger and heavier than the regular film M cameras and with a slightly different design that many regarded less elegant which I agree. Leica was in cross-road again to try to give the M5 as many improvements as possible over M4 back in 1971 when M5 was introduced. It was not a success camera for Leica although it is technically one of the best Leica M ever made. It is life.
No one ever takes a photograph of something they want to forget.
~ Seymour Parrish
It's one thing to take a picture of what a person looks like, it's another thing to make a portrait of who they are. ~ Paul Caponigro
The M Monochrom model Typ 246 Jim Marshall Edition is one of the most recognizable M cameras by implementing a special "Laiton" finish which provides a unique matt finish each with one of a kind appearance from the individual hand-rubbing process. The DNG file from the MM246 provides extra depth of resolution and tonal transition to standard RGB based sensor (Bayer to RGB demosaicing) therefore eliminating the pattern and color noise. It is also unique in its capability of real monochrome video recording. It is one of my favorite Leica M cameras.
I believe in living with the camera, and not using the camera.
~ Dotothea Lange
My life is shaped by the urgent need to wander and observe, and my camera is my passport.
~ Steve McCurry
We are making photographs to understand what our lives mean to us.
~ Ralph Hattersley
Maria Klepikova selfie with the 1954 Leica IIIf RD, a camera two generations camera older than Maria, is one of the oldest Leica in my collection. The original Leica IIIf introduced in time for Christmas 1950 matches the red color of the bodysuit nicely. The old camera pairs with Maria and the Andy Warhol space theme at the Fotoclub Bangkok very well and thanks Maria's beautiful pose to connect all the elements that work well as a picture.
Photography is the art of making memories tangible.
~ Destin Sparks
My Leica M10 Monochrom in the hand of the lovely Thai dancer, Fai Panasorn Khaophong - the signature of classical Thai dancers (Ramthai) long and bend fingers.
MP - The mechanical perfection
It is probably safe to assume most Leica users today shoot digital Leica primarily, and maybe most of them started with a digital Leica. It is also safe to think that most Leica users have a particular desire for owning vintage Leica film cameras whether or not to use them.
Since 1925 Leica has introduced tens of different serial models that each photographer has his favorite, prefer one over another. However, the Leica MP is always high on the wish list as it is a purely mechanical camera with the option of electronic TTL metering when installing a battery. It has remained in production since its introduction in 2003 to the present day. Leica gave the MP the claim "Mechanical Perfection"; bold, but few would disagree.
It is one of the hallmarks of mechanical instruments. Hundreds of parts synchronize rhythmically at a shutter press; such tactile response bonds the users a deep connection to the camera, almost an addiction.
Leica MP is one of my favorite Leica; even though I don't use it often anymore, I still keep a few of them, such as the Hammertone MP LHSA Edition and the a-la-carte MP held by the lovely Daria in this picture.
The MP is the kind of camera that you know will undoubtedly outlast you once you have one in your hand.
