Black and White Photography is all heart - Leica Q2 Monochrom

[@lancairdriver]

Paul, you are a master portrait photographer. Would love to see more behind-the-scenes videos of you working with your subjects. You obviously put them at ease, but are also able to help them express some of their essence.

[@paulreidphotography]

Thanks so much!! I really appreciate Kate your kind words. I’ve been lacking someone to video me while talking portraits. I’ve never felt like I could film it myself as I never want to distract the subject in any way. I will get someone to film me doing it some time soon.

[@alexfrederickson1540]

I’ve been shooting for 8 years and my very first photos on my Fujifilm XT2 back then were Acros. I never looked back and only shoot colour when I absolutely need to for clients, e.g interiors. Heading towards a Q2M very soon if all goes well, currently shooting with a borrowed Q2 and love it, but ready for the next step now. I don’t care what anyone says, monochrome is where it starts and ends for me. Looking forward to learning from you, Paul, thanks for all you do 🙏🏼😎

[@paultaylorphotography9499]

Forgot to say, absolutely cracking selection of Images on display the ones in the beer garden the ones at Beamish sooooo nostalgic. The Q2m bugger, I was torn to bits between that and the Q2, in the end I went for the flexi of the Q2 so I could shoot colour when required and convert when not haha.

[@paulreidphotography]

I do t blame you for choosing the Q2!! It’s a real commitment to black and white the Q2M

[@paultaylorphotography9499]

agreed mate, I shoot landscapes as well as street on my own time, we get some great colours down here so had to have that option for sure. Would love the Q2M tho haha@@paulreidphotography

[@GeoffGrant2010]

Paul -your portraits are amazing and timeless in B&W. Thanks for inspiring us! Should get my Q2M from KEH this week! Geoff

[@paulreidphotography]

Thanks so much. You will love the Q2M!! It’s a wonderful step into a monochrome world

[@JohnPatrickWeiss]

I love the elegance of monochrome photography. Color is ubiquitous online, so why follow the herd. Follow your passion!

[@paulreidphotography]

Yeah I agree!!!

[@thearabicdp]

I really love your compositions. Love love love.

[@paulreidphotography]

Thanks so much!! I really appreciate it

[@edwardpike1]

I have been a photographer since I was in the army back in 1958. I used to roll my own film off the 100 ft rolls. I had a ay job in engineering but that was to make money to spend on photography. Worked for two weekly newspapers on the weekends shooting sports. It wasn’t until people asked me to shoot weddings that I moved to color. Today I am retired and shoot most days and mostly in B&W and a good friend wanted to know why I didn’t shoot in color? My wife told her, he sees in B&W.

[@paulreidphotography]

Fantastic!!! I guess the love for black and white just stays with you

[@geogu3images]

Well said. Color has its place if the colors themselves actually define the emotion of a photograph, or defines the scene or story itself. Monochrome for me, is all about contrasts, thus isolating the nature of the subject without the distraction of color, which if it has no relevance, can minimize intent. Most people I know don’t get my B&W images, even if the images tell a story, because of popular media maybe, don’t think they’re artistic. Although those B&W images are among my favorites and will stand the test of time. Cheers!

[@paulreidphotography]

Thanks so much for watching the video. I shoot monochrome with intent. I do the same with colour. Monochrome just speaks to me more

[@geogu3images]

It’s why your work is excellent. I’m thinking hard on owning a Q2M myself, no looking back.

[@SdTphotographie]

Great again. Always waiting for the next one. Keep on going...

[@paulreidphotography]

Thanks so much! Your words mean a lot

[@lorenschwiderski]

Quality presentation and quality works. Thank you!

[@paulreidphotography]

Thanks so much!!

[@debbycole]

Hmm, something to consider. I've never considered myself a romantic, but I agree that those of us that are monochrome photographers look for the soul in a setting. I always enjoy your videos. Keep it up!

[@paulreidphotography]

Thanks so much for your continued support and encouragement

[@bcegerton]

Love the images, I do enjoy shooting B&W myself sometimes but need to head out for a day and shoot only B&W. I’ve just priced up the train for 20/09 and got a shock, I know I get up to a third off with my Disabled Persons Railcard but to say I can get outbound at 7.20am and home at 7.40pm for £19.50m I was not expecting that, not these days especially. I bet the coach costs around that. Just need an idea on the price for the Photowalk?

[@paulreidphotography]

Fantastic!! Send me a message on my contact page if you want. The price is £245 for the photo walk

[@GrenvilleMelonseedSkiff496]

Brilliant stuff! I started B&W photography as a wee lad in the 60’s, eventually learning to develop and print in my teens. I appear to have come full circle after all these years shooting mostly monochrome with my shiny new Fujifilm X100V! 📷🙂

[@paulreidphotography]

Fantastic!!! I’m so glad. And the Fuji X100V is an excellent camera

[@mwales2112]

Very nice. Thanks Paul.

[@paulreidphotography]

Thanks so much for watching

[@vampolascott36]

I'm not sure if my heart is in monochrome, but I'm certainly using it. I really enjoy the technical aspects of b&w. It's great when I get the results I was going for by using my b&w skills. Using filters is a lot of fun, and I'm able to get details with my M10M that I couldn't get with my M10. I hesitate to call my monochrome output art, but I'm using b&w techniques for artistic effects.

[@paulreidphotography]

Fantastic!!! I’m so pleased you are enjoying monochrome. Indeed your photography will be art!

[@alanholzmanphoto]

Very inspiring videos. Your processing is wonderful.

[@paulreidphotography]

Thanks so much for watching! I’m glad you like the photos too

[@fullframepix]

As a famous advertising say: shooting in b&w or with a b&w camera (even better) is going back to the essence of photography that we love at least 😊

[@paulreidphotography]

Thanks so much for watching!! Indeed!! I often say I will shoot colour when I’m good enough at black and white

[@valdiskrebs566]

Great photos! Do you use any B&W filters? I like shooting monochrome JPGs on my Olympus Pen-F … it allows me to choose any color/intensity on the color wheel as a black & white filter … filter effect shows up right way in the EVF/LCD as I scroll around the color wheel. (Also on OM Systems EP-7) 🙂

[@paulreidphotography]

Thanks so much. I don’t use filters myself but I have had fun playing with them in the past

[@martingreenberg870]

I am a street photographer and primarily shoot B&W. Sometimes I shoot color. That, besides the cost, is why I’d never purchase a Q2M. My little panasonic GX9 has a feature where I can shoot in color but the EVF displays only in B&W. A good way to see the highlights. Not unique to Panasonic, I can shoot B&W jpeg but also have a raw in color. The best of both worlds. I know with the color array removed the B&W is enhanced. Also the high ISO performance is improved. Again, I’m not willing to pay the premium for this performance enhancer. I love B&W images and will continue to watch your videos. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)

[@paulreidphotography]

The Q2M just clicked with me. It’s by no means the only great camera out there. It’s the camera I have and love. It will stay with me as long as it lasts. Hopefully that’s for decades

[@markielinhart]

I’m a Tri X 400 refugee and I’ve made a few discoveries that may be of interest. First, there’s Nic Silver Effects that has a Tri X 400 preset (plus loads of other b&w films) and a range of darkroom borders. Second, on my Lumix, I’ve used the 3:2 picture setting instead of 4:3, and that replicates 35mm film frame apparently. Stoked…

[@paulreidphotography]

Awesome!!! Silver FX is not great with the files from my Q2 Monochrom but it’s great colour cameras

[@markielinhart]

@@paulreidphotography FX yes, it was late in the evening. I set my Lumix to Monochrome - that’s what I see and that’s what I get. Love your images btw Paul✌️

[@jamesurzykowski4918]

I loved your pictures❤ You gave me a project idea. Since I also have a beard, 50 shades of gray, I could shoot men with similar styles of beards.

[@paulreidphotography]

Thanks so much!! Yeah great idea.

[@WatchDSSID]

Great portraits :- )

[@paulreidphotography]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate your kind words

[@jimtrull683]

I enjoy seeing your work in B&W. As a fellow Q2M shooter, I enjoy the look of your editing. You have a good eye and I really enjoy many of your portraits.

[@paulreidphotography]

Thanks so much for your kind words. I really appreciate it

[@walkingmeditation61]

How about a video walking us through how you post process a Q2M image?, nice video

[@chriscard6544]

I need a video like this

[@paulreidphotography]

In actual fact I don’t spend much time post processing to get the look of my images. However I do show people how I do this in my workshops.

[@chriscard6544]

@@paulreidphotography in that video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmPVc6Spfr9mZ7c

[@koobs4549]

@@paulreidphotographythat brings up an interesting point. I just picked up a Q2M & am shooting RAW for the 1st time. I’m also learning Lightroom as I’ve never edited my photos previously. I started shooting everything at -1 EV because I’ve heard that it’s better to expose for the highlights & leave more detail to pull from the shadows in editing. Is this the right approach or would I be better off shooting the way I always have by trying to get it right in camera instead?

[@TryingtoLearntheuke]

Paul-Your B&W photography is so good. Your portraits are superb. I think the reason B&W photography isn't as popular is because most photographers aren't skill at the editing of them and their photos have no depth and character. Really enjoy your channel.

[@paulreidphotography]

Thanks so much. I really appreciate the encouragement. I need it!!

[@naziraltamar]

Hi Is there any link to your Glasgow workshops? I'll be very interested :)

[@paulreidphotography]

Hi mate, yeah just go to my contact page on my website and I will email you back with the details and pricing

[@tripswithgriff]

Leica should be paying you as an ambassador Paul - those Beamish portraits are superb. I've looked at a LOT (like everything I can find on the internet) of images from the Q2M as I try and decide if I should go crazy and get one, and none seem to have the pop and wow factor you achieve with your edits. On the one hand it makes me want it more but on the other it scares me that my skills in post wont be up to getting the best from the flat RAW files? Do your 1-1 sessions cover post processing tips etc? I'm very tempted.

[@paulreidphotography]

The 1 to 1 sessions include a whole session on post processing. My approach is quite simple. Thanks so much for your kind words! It really means a lot!!

[@paultaylorphotography9499]

Great words and thoughts Paul. For my day job in newspapers I shoot colour, for my own people pictures I've always favored black and white. That stems from when I was an early teen my dad took a shot of me and my sister he disappeared under the stairs coming out a short time later with a shiney 10x8 black and white print. HOOKED for life. I uploaded a slideshow on my chan of some lads I shot this week I shot them in colour with the option of a mono conversion....I'm actually conflicted I love the mono but for these lads the coulour works well too. Haha the agony of choice.

[@paulreidphotography]

Amazing!! Those memories can really drive you later in life in the way you think!!!

[@paultaylorphotography9499]

deffo shaped my career. @@paulreidphotography

[@findermanimages]

I'm slowly making my way through your videos. I'd be interested to see what the before and after images look like. Just how good are the unedited images straight out of the Q2M and how much work are you putting into the editing? Are you editing to your own taste/style/vision or is it a necessary as the images straight out of camera 'need' work? Great work 👍🏼

[@paulreidphotography]

The RAW files from the Q2M are flat and awful. Jpgs can be very nice. I use the RAW and edit to my taste

[@lensman5762]

You are absolutely correct. Not only B&W photography has very limited output, but judging by the rubbish that is thrown around in Y.T and similar platforms, it also means that very few people produce anything of merit. Sadly, some video makers think that just by putting a high value camera brand in the title ( the one with the big red circle ) will on its own conpensates for lack of content. Am I sorry that B&W photography has limites appeal? I guess not. So long as I have access to films and chemicals without having to go hungry to pay for them, I am a happy man. Failing that, I still have my Nikons and the one with the red circle, but TBH, it is no where as challenging nor as satisfying as shooting film.

[@chriscard6544]

I agree

[@paulreidphotography]

Thanks for watching the video and your insight. I feel a lot more relaxed when shooting film for some reason.

[@lensman5762]

I always say, Digital for business and Film for your soul.@@paulreidphotography

[@rogerwalton8160]

Well said - B&W is always first choice for me. Beamish i great too.

[@paulreidphotography]

Thanks so much for watching. Beamish is a great place for it.

[@pratipkarmakar01]

Black and white is pure ❤️

[@paulreidphotography]

I love it!!

[@barrychattillion1705]

I moved back to monochrome a number of years ago, I don’t miss color.

[@paulreidphotography]

Not just me then!! Thanks so much for watching

[@koobs4549]

I just picked up a Q2 Monochrom, I was waiting for an X100V but couldn’t bring myself to overpay due to availability. When it comes down to it, I realized that >90% of my prints are B&W. I never convert photos to B&W, when I see a scene, I generally see it as either a color or B&W image. If I see it in B&W, I shoot it that way & those were the reasons that I abandoned the idea of an X100V. I learned photography shooting B&W film & it just suits me better.

[@paulreidphotography]

Amazing!!! You are going to have so much fun with the Q2M

[@MichealBeaulieu]

I shoot mainly weddings, and shoot black and white, in the viewfinder, all day long. One camera square, and one full frame. Honestly, everything coming in looks perfect, and there is almost no editing to do. It's just perfect, and gorgeous. ONLY when I need to convert to a full frame colour image for family portraits, and guest portraits do I see the same image in colour, and it makes me sad, because there is sooooo much more depth and vibe in black and white.

[@paulreidphotography]

Thanks so much for watching the video and thanks for your thoughts. I really appreciate it

[@MartinRoedl]

Spaeciss😀 Love your accent😅😍 Where is it from?

[@paulreidphotography]

Thanks so much!! I live in the North of England it’s a bit of a funny accent

[@MartinRoedl]

@@paulreidphotography Nah, luv it! Hey, how much and often does it rain there? 😀

[@paulreidphotography]

@@MartinRoedl way too much

[@debbycole]

Can you also do a video on your editing workflow sometime?

[@paulreidphotography]

Could be for your eyes only that one!!

[@chriscard6544]

I cant see in colours, my compositions are made for B&W. My sister blamed me for only BW yesterday . Best photographers are not exactly romantic, but nostalgic

[@paulreidphotography]

Maybe it’s just me who’s the romantic!!

[@chriscard6544]

@@paulreidphotography I am romantic, very romantic. I read Emily Dickinson with tears.

[@flightographist]

Anytime anyone says anything negative about b/w, start clickin!

[@paulreidphotography]

What’s never in fashion is never out of fashion!! Thanks for watching!!

[@MartinRoedl]

I am the first and I will forever be😎😁

[@Swingkid14]

I sell way more monochrome fineart than my colour work. So I reccon people who buy prints prefer monochrome. The youth of today don't understand black and white but they are not the ones buying fineart.

[@paulreidphotography]

That is very true!! Thanks so much for your thoughts

[@jaughnekow]

b&w photography is boring and i like it.

[@paulreidphotography]

Ha haa!