Sporting Road

I recently read Leica Literature 1930–1960, written and compiled by prominent camera historian James L. Lager.    Lager presents a lot of interesting information, but these were the highlights that were interesting to me: The Leica opened up entirely new fields of photography, Neither telephote sports photography nor action photography with the hand held camera had been heard of until the arrival of the Leica. Photo reportage is probably the most important area in which the Leica has been used and the one to which it owes most of its acclaim. The Leica is certainly regarded as an exceptional tool by reporters all over the world.  It was the spirit at the Wetzlar factory a spirit of co-operation, of cross-fertilization and of the blending of ideal concept, practical demands and technical realization-which provided the vehicle for the development of the Leica system. It was this spirit, fostered by Ernst Leitz I, that enabled Oscar Barnack to develop what began as his personal hobby into a great technical achievement. Before the Second World War Leitz were the undisputed leaders in every field of 35mm photography. Although the Leica was not the first 35mm camera, it was the first 35mm system camera-the first with a coupled rangefinder and interchangeable lens (if only by two months, the runner-up being the Contax) and the first with a stereo lens. Today, some critics allege that the Leitz company is lagging behind other firms that its designers no longer set new trends but copy others. But the Leitz designers, like all good designers, will only take up-and improve - someone else's idea if it is a good one. It is worth remarking briefly here on a few post-war Leitz achievements.

Driving back to Santa Fe after a disappointing day shooting, Ansel Adams stopped the car, grabbed his gear, and captured in 1941 near Hernandez, New Mexico, as the moon rose over the village.   It's one of Adams's most famous images, requiring complex darkroom dodging and burning, adjusting the exposure in the enlarger, so that no two prints are completely identical.   Adams was a magician in the dark room. Stephen Collector has written and spoken about trying to photograph Hernandez, New Mexico, in his new book, No Do Overs in Paradise Valley, reflecting on how the landscape has changed since Ansel Adams captured his iconic masterpiece, "Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico". As a professional Colorado-based film and digital landscape photographer known for his magazine work, Collector decided to try to photograph a client's ranch in the same fashion as Ansel Adams's famous shot.   Collector often contemplates the artistic legacy, technical parameters, and emotional weight left behind by Adams. In his essays, blog posts, and audio appearances (such as interviews featured in The Colorado Sun and related podcasts), Collector discusses his journeys through the American West and the reality of revisiting legendary photographic locations. Collector notes that if you visit Hernandez today, you should not expect to find a bustling town or a neatly preserved monument marking where Adams stood. Hernandez remains a modest settlement, and the view has dramatically changed from the pristine look of 1941.  Collector emphasizes that Adams' image was born out of profound instinct and rapid calculations when he couldn't find his light meter. Replicating the shot is impossible because a large part of what makes "Moonrise" compelling is the extensive darkroom work—dodging, burning, and manipulating contrast—that evolved decades later.  For film photographers like

I recently acquired a copy of Pitchfork Country: The Photography of Bob Moorhouse.  Texas Tech University Press.   It is inspiring me to take more photos around the great settings that we are pleased to call part of our lifestyle.   The book is filled with a striking visual documentary of daily operations and traditions at the historic Pitchfork Land and Cattle Company ranch in Guthrie, Texas. Because Moorhouse served as the ranch's vice president and general manager, he was able to capture candid, authentic moments of contemporary working cowboy life from the unique perspective of someone living it every day.   I'll report back soon with some of the photographs that this inspired me to take.