THE ROLCE ROYCE OF CAMERAS

LEICA M7 EDITION HERMÉS

Two of the best in their respective fields have teamed together to bring a highly sought after but quite intangible camera to life.

16 November 2009: Leica Camera AG has today announced a very special limited edition of its classic 35mm rangefinder system camera: the LEICA M7 Edition ‘Hermès’. As the successor to the ‘LEICA MP Edition Hermès’ launched in 2003, this is the second series of cameras created in co-operation with Hermès, the Paris-based company renowned throughout the world for its exclusive products.

To complement the design of the camera, the special Leica M7 Edition Hermès set includes a silver anodised Leica Summilux-M 35 mm f/1.4 ASPH. wide-angle lens, a matching classic round lens hood in silver anodised metal – manufactured specifically for these models – and a Leicavit M rapid winder in silver chrome. A real leather carrying strap, handcrafted by Atelier Hermès to match the colour of each camera, provides the finishing touch. Each set is delivered in a linen-covered, silk-lined box. -for the price the box should be bomb proof!

This M7 has the same spec list as the standard model. But it does come in 2 wonderful colors: the patented Hermés orange and “etoupe”(sic). It being a FILM camera is a good enough excuse just in case the funds will be used to purchase a new family car or many years of college or simply just living on the funds for a year.

A camera that many will want but never have due to it's silly price tag

Obviously, this version of the M7 is marketed towards the fashion forward, jet set, bank account is over flowing with money kind of consumer. This photographer wouldn’t mind having one even when there is a 2 to 3 day wait for developing negatives. Then again, a nasty annulment on the marriage will follow. Imagine shelling out a whopping £8,550 or Php668,493.00 for a limited edition Leica just to have bragging rights not just for the moment but for the rest of your now annulled life with child support.

Surely there will be those who will suffer a great emotional and psychological stress resulting from the purchase. I will be setting up a support group for those out there about to take the plunge on the super limited edition Leica MP Edition Hermés-some statements claim only 100 units will be produced. (Hurry! Must get one!)

Good day and good luck. For some reason, right this second, the wife and the kids seem more important… Could it be that lusting after this sexy retro cam is a much better deal than actually having it in the palm of your hands? Anyway, that’s my excuse.

WEEK-ENDER

FIT FOR AN EMPEROR

Some months ago, I partook in a meal that was fit for a Chinese emperor. It involved 10 courses without the mandatory fried rice or noodles so associated with Chinese cuisine.

The experience was in a rather small culinary school in Manila. Set in it’s dinning room with two tables and full crimson red carpet typical of Chinese restaurants. But if you were looking for ambiance normally found it wasn’t there nor the waiters in black pants with colored vests. It was just all about the food.

I apologize but it seems there are only 7 images instead of the 10. I must have been too mesmerized by the gastronomic experience and forgot to shoot the other courses. Sometimes, the palette is just more important than the photography.

All photographs were captured with the Canon EF 50mm 1.8 II- the best bang for the buck in Canon’s lens line up and a great all around prime offering.

Deep fried prawn balls stuffed with quail eggs.

After the appetizer, a thick soup with bean sprout.

Third course was a refreshing radish with scallops in the middle and moss garnish to cleanse the palette.

Perfect sea cucumber and broccoli with superior sauce.

The original, the rich but light to the taste, egg foo yung.

A killer braised belly of pork with preserved black oysters and mustard greens all topped off with superior sauce.

Finally dessert, almond pastry with a sweet yellow bean paste.

FRIDAY THE 13th

Whattya know… it’s Friday the 13th. I really don’t believe in the bad luck associated with the superstition. But just in case, the DSLR and lenses will be stored in a cool, dry place safely away from any prying paws.

A bit busy processing a few thousand photos and did not realize the week has just zipped past to Friday. I will leave you with some WTD from March 26, 27 & 28, 2009. Enjoy and do have a nice chuckle or two. I’ve also included a WTD link on the left there-just scroll all the way to the middle section of the widgets.

I should get back to work. Regular programming resumes, hopefully, by next week. Have a great start on the weekend!

WEEK-ENDER

WEDDING BELLS IN SAN AGUSTIN

San Agustin Church located inside the historic walled city of Intramuros in Manila

Listening to the sermon...

A wedding is undoubtedly one of the best stories waiting to be told photographically.

The couple being wed and the priest are the stars in this ceremony. Although the church serves as the backdrop it should not be just another background for the photographs.

The architectural significance of the church will transform any modern day wedding into an elegant procession of charm and substance. There is nothing like the grandeur of work by architects and artisans of a bygone era.

Completed in 1607 during the Spanish colonial period, San Agustin is the oldest standing church in the Philippines. No other surviving building has been claimed to pre-date this church. In 1993, San Agustin Church was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, under the classification Baroque Churches of the Philippines. It had also been named a National Historical Landmark by the Philippine government in 1976.

As a photographer, capturing the principal subjects within the ambiance of the church is key. Along with the architectural highlights a beautiful story unfolds and memories are cherished for generations to come.

A trompe-l'oeil ceiling painted by Italian artists Cesare Alberoni and Giovanni Dibella in 1875.

The entourage about to exit for a photo session outside the church.

One of the longest aisles to have the bridal walk.

After 'I do', walk outside and experience the detailed operation of fishing out confetti from your perfect hair day.

HAPPY HOUR OCTOBER

When I lived on street level, as opposed to high rise condominium, I could not fully appreciate the beauty of a sunset.

Now that I’ve been living in a high rise for a few years the view of a sun setting is amazing. Even if the sun sets on the same spot on the horizon everyday the ambiance, clouds and colors are always unique to each day. The outcome of the days view mainly depends on weather conditions.

One disadvantage of living in a condo building is not having a grass lawn or backyard for the kids. Then again, how would one really define back yard?

Below are some views from my called back porch…

EXIF: Oct 16,2009 17:28:29 1/40 f8 ISO 100. Captured after heavy raining during a humid afternoon.

EXIF: Oct 19, 2009 17:43:06 1/13 f20 ISO 200. The weather was a chance of light rain and rain it did. Without clouds the sun would not have a place to reflect colors

EXIF: Oct 21, 2009 17:49:19 1/25 f3.5 ISO 400. It rained that whole afternoon. The actual sunset was ordinarily hazy and grey but when the sun disappeared it cast a red war paint glow.

EXIF: Oct 29, 2009 19:03:17 1/60 f4.0 ISO 200. The autonomous region of cupcake el strawberry. Light and creamy icing with a moist center-when ingested it produced a hallucination of sunset proportions.

PRESERVING MOMENTS

Memories fade, clothes degrade, cakes eaten, drinks drunk…

Celebrating a special birthday, an anniversary or a significant period in your life? Preserving memories with photographs is the perfect way to show off your important event for many decades to come.

I’ve put together 2 packages that are worth much more in coins and giving it to you for just a fraction of the cost. For those of you that want to book for 2010 and you have a Preserving Moments post card-  these 2 very special packages are especially for you (click here).

Just to give you an idea of what I shoot.

Please call, text or email for any pencil booking or questions@ mac.photos88@yahoo.com/0922 868 8069

YoCard post cards for free and all you need to do is find their stands at over 190 various locations in Metro Manila to pick one up. Hurry, the Preserving Moments/ Mac Photography Dy post cards have a very limited print run.

Thank you goes out to the beautiful people of YoCard for distribution of the post card, designed by yours truly.

Much appreciation (I owe you one!) to the printing genius behind Jotech Corp. for the use of excellent card stock and a beautiful reproduction from the digital file. They manufacture biodegradable food safe containers. Send me an email if you need more information.

WEEK-ENDER

Happy Haunts…

Pumpkin soup anyone?

Witches and brew... reminds me of a spell.

The witching hour begins

Sweet goodies for trick or treat

Chocolate layered zombie treats

Smilin' beauty

ERR 99-BOO!

Happy Halloween What The Duck style

Here is my excuse for not writing my own content this Halloween. Have a great Old Souls Day long weekend, folks. Don’t let the traffic bog you down.

“WTD595 No Brainer”- Especially after a long day shooting…

“WTD75_0 Underexposed”- If this hasn’t happened to you then you ain’t a photographer! Never be late to a shoot and you will always remember to take the cap off. I am in the habit of being an hour early-just to be safe.

“WTD74 HorrERR Show”- totally cracked me up. If you are a Canon shooter you are in the loop.

When the ERR 99 message first appeared on the barely 2 month old 50D LCD I got a cold sweat and almost swallowed my tongue. The camera froze up and it could not be turned off even if the switch was in the off position (eek!). This was during a commissioned birthday event shoot. Thank goodness the camera was back to normal after a session of taking out and putting in the battery. Only after the software update did it this nightmare go away.

For more photographer bashing goodness you can visit Aaron Johnson and the Ducks.