My heart belongs to black & white photography - The Leica Monochrom by Thorsten von Overgaard

[@wilfredobenitez7275]

I came back to this KZbin and enjoyed it once again. Since my last comment, I purchased a Leica Q2 Monochrom, and for the first time I am truly enjoying the rich tonality produced by a CMOS sensor. Whatever technology went into making this monochromatic sensor, it was enough for me to finally let go of my treasured ccd M9 Monochrom. Due to nerve damage in my left hand, manual focusing has become a challenge and the Q2 Monochrom - with AF - has been a God sent. I’m loving the rich tonal range I’m getting from this camera.

[@alanjackson7428]

One of the best presentations and overviews of Leica Monochrome cameras I have viewed. Valuable information on editing and limitations of different models. This video helps eliminate the confusion and online noise as to what these unique cameras are capable of.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Thank you :-)

[@chesterjohnson4504]

I never thought I would watch the complete video. I did. I will never be able to own a Leica but it is so interesting to see and to try to understand what makes those cameras and lenses so wonderful. Black and white is a world into its self. Thank you for sharing your insights and knowledge.

[@magnuschristensson9980]

My heart to! Amazing how you can make a 47 minute long video and theorize about black and white photo in 2020 and I can´t stop watch until the end. Really great video about this matter and probarbly no one else could succeed on this for perhaps The AA. Thank you!

[@yuidfbse]

I love all your videos, thank you! My first Leica was (and still is because I don’t sell any of my Leica gear) an M246 Monochrome and it became my favorite camera of all time. Paired with a VisoFlex 02 that great helps with the shooting experience and ease of focus, I got into the system of simply underexposing by around 1 stop all challenging or high contrast scenes. Shadow recovery and low-light performance on the camera is amazing and i’ve never encountered an issue of clipped or unrecoverable highlights as long as the exposure is done correctly to preserve them. All tools are good if you learn how to master them and all are bad if you have no idea what you are doing ❤️

[@N777KD]

Among your best videos Thorsten as it really came from the heart

[@ObservingBeauty]

Couldn’t say it better. The heart, in many ways, is the simplest, such as b&w

[@wilfredobenitez7275]

Fascinating history on the evolution of the Monochrom. I shoot photography for the sheer joy of it and I’ve kept my Monochrom CCD camera regardless of what other cameras I use for color. 85% of what I print is B&W. Great presentation!

[@VictorReynolds]

My heart is with Black and White as well. Great video! Thanks for sharing Thorsten!

[@kindface]

I learnt so so much from this. Your presentation made it all so instinctive for the enthusiast photographer (and likely for the newbies as well) to understand. Just about the best 45 min I’ve ever spent to enrich my knowledge of B&W photography. Thank you so much!

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Glad to hear that. Stoked, actually 🙂

[@ropersix]

27:04. I'm not a neuroscientist, and I've never written this down before, but from what I understand, luminance and color are processed separately by the brain, and luminance is processed first. So while we don't notice it happening, our brains actually "see" in black and white all the time. And I think that's part of the appeal of black and white photos. It taps into a part of our brain's processing that we don't know is there, and presents us with something that is still familiar and makes sense. And given that mammals' ability to process color is much more recent evolutionarily, "black and white" is a much more primal, much more ancient way of seeing the physical world. Black and white is more than just an old-school way of taking photos; it's a core function of life on Earth.

[@subrotomukerji2608]

Wonderful response, Timothy, and gives a new perspective on B&W shooting. Cheers from New Delhi.

[@subrotomukerji2608]

Also, wonder if you're in any way related to Hugh Trevor-Roper, legendary historian? Sure sounds like it...yours was the only remark with intellectual content.

[@mgscoops3810]

Thorsten, Saturday afternoon in Malaysia, suns out so grabbed a beer and watched your video on Monochrome Photography was 45 mins of my life well spent. I have 2015 Leica Q & I use it everyday set to JPEG (Mono) and DNG works for me. I prefer B&W and get best of both worlds straight out of camera. Great video clearly shows your heart, soul view and passionate view .... really enjoyed it ... stay safe ...

[@martinparker5872]

Brilliant video on black and white photography, I will save and watch this again. Thanks

[@Pembers357]

It sometimes feels like we get monochrome weather 350 days of the year here in the UK. And on the other days the light is too harsh apart from a few hours in the morning and evening. So we have about 10 hours a year for colour photography ;-) Going outside with the intent to shoot only black and white images definitely changes how I see the scenes in front of me on these grey days, and has rejuvenated my interest and spurred me on to go out more often.

[@atulatulatul1]

Amazing video.. Monochrome is something beyond words.. That was very reason I picked up a mint Fujifilm Xpro1 in 2021... feels like it's a extension of myself.. simply love it.. ❤️

[@michaelcampbell4503]

This is a great video Thorsten. I really enjoyed your explanation of the history of photography, how black and white makes you see a composition differently, the complexities of colour and monochrome photography, your translation of Ansel Adams technique etc .Most of all your passion for black and white photography shines through. It’s brilliant.

[@benoitpiret9065]

This is a great video. I think we like B&W better because it’s more exotic. It gives a radical different perspective definitely. I agree.

[@prakashpatankar5839]

Black and white 👍🌹👍nice very well seeing the details of Light and shadows actual prints the true effects ,nice to here your sound and perfection in photography 🌹🙏🌹

[@stephenvictor8961]

Thank you for your body of work - and your experience with photography - specifically black & white. This too is my interest. Don’t own a Leica yet, but will.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Thank you, Stephen

[@reginaldgooden2445]

Thanks Thorsten! I like your ideas about making the skin tones look real when editing and taking photos in monochrome! I am going to incorporate that in my work flow!

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Glad to hear!

[@juniorlins4090]

I never taken a Leica on my hands. But I feel the Leica effect. Thanks Thorsten. Great videos!! M6, M7 or Typ 262 are my favorites. Maybe next year. For now I am enjoying my Minolta Himatic. Happy new year!

[@mikedesimone1783]

Thorsten, Really enjoyed this one! thank you for all that you have shared over this year' and for inspiring us photographers to keep shooting. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[@shanecaut1063]

Great overview! And good points about picking the "right" camera...it's the one that feels right. I was keen to get into photography, and decided to buy my first "serious" camera. I did all the research and decided to go with the Fuji XE1 at the time (it had just come out). I ordered one online. The next day went in to a local store that has some second hand gear, and they had a Leica M8 second hand. I tried it, felt it, and it just felt right. I tried the Fuji and I was confused...it was too much info for me at the time. I cancelled the Fuji order. Grabbing that M8 changed my whole direction. It taught me so much, how to focus, how to manually expose. I will be forever grateful for that decision to go with what felt right.

[@pelaezchristopher8058]

Hi Thorsten I love your videos and I found it very knowledgeable I hope to see more of your videos

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Thank you!

[@richarddenise3886]

Every time I watch this video, I appreciate it a little more. And, I loved it the first time I viewed it. Truly excellent ! P.S.: Your leather neck straps are simply the finest in existence !!!

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Thank you. And yes, I agree, the "Always Wear A Camera" camera straps are the best that exist.

[@flywheeldk]

Bravo, brilliant video - one of your best ! To me B&W feels more pure and often more sharp Perhaps even more elegant. I also got the same feeling with B&W motion pictures - Yes I also enjoy watching B&W movies.

[@Rene-DdW]

Thanks Thor. I got some fantastic insights. Great video.

[@stephenlpitts]

Thanks Thorsten, great summary here. Just like you, I was not a big fan of the 246 and kept my original M9 Monochrom. However, the M10M is in a different league here; its backside-illuminated sensor is more light-sensitive and more forgiving of oblique light rays coming into the sensor (so they are easier to correct with a microlens). Indeed all of your lenses look better and their character is more openly revealed by the M10M.. Lastly, the M10M's low light ability (with its dual ISO) and very subtle fine grain are real "game-changers" here.

[@slickhatter9812]

True

[@taneltinnuri8985]

Thanks Thorsten for explaining the filter thing. When i “downgraded” from M10 to M240 i did not understand why i cant shoot wide open like 1.4 in the daylight without overexposing. Now i understan that it was because base iso and max shutter speed.

[@drc4563]

Very very very good. I loved this thoughtful explanation. I enjoy all your Leica videos so much and your images are wonderful. Thank you! Now I have a Q. From what I understood you to be saying, under normal circumstances it is better to shoot B&W using an M10 or similar rather than a monochrome given the greater flexibility in post. So what is the point of the monochrome camera unless one shoots in very low light/at high ISO or wants to use the real filters at time of image capture. It seems one gives up a lot of flexibility for little or no benefit at all under normal light conditions.

[@jygong]

I love your video on B&W photography!! I noticed the tan camera strap used on your Leica camera. Can you share where you got it? Thanks!

[@BachPianist]

Who’s playing the Brahms Intermezzo at 20:42? Great photo…

[@blakeleica]

Great video today! I really like this new setup best. Nice scene with that striped wall. Thanks for sharing!

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Thank you, it is my traveling background. You'll see a few different ones, I think :-)

[@d-boy1644]

Excellent B&W explanation VERY INSPIRATIONAL ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@BabarKhan-oh6zq]

Excellent video, wonderful points.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thank you for this great and very elaborate video about this topic. B&W is very dear to me heart and it was amazing to listen to you on this topic. So much still to learn.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Thank you!

[@mandingowarlord]

Thank you so much! This was very valuable. Im so upset at myself. Back in 2005 I sold my 2 M6 gear thinking film was dead. How wrong of me. But now, Im thinking of getting the Q2 or the M10R.

[@morrisonbrett]

This was a fascinating and informative perspective. Super inspired to shoot more B&W with both my Fujifilm X-T4 and my Canon R5.

[@dmburke007]

What are the Best printer for high art monochrome photography? Thank you. David

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

I would say Canon Pro 1000, but there are several options. My choice because of sheet fed, ink economy (the larger tanks the better) and overall calibration options.

[@carlhem4463]

A really nice professional explanation; I ´m shooting B&W using my V lux 114 since I bought it one year ago . It´s fantastic.

[@AdamCzarnowski]

Since I got an M10M I barely use my M10. Blown highlights can be a problem with both. With a monochrome sensor you have to use filters, just like in the old days. Monochrome is a good discipline. When you go back to colour, you shoot differently.

[@HoldFastPhotographyProductions]

Really enjoyed this video...thanks for taking the time to make it. Also, great tip on shooting a color DNG and a B&W Jpeg...I'll definitely be incorporating this into my workflow moving forward. Thanks!

[@goswo]

I love b&w. To me it removes the sense of time. It could be taken 50 years ago or 5 minutes ago. There is just something magical to b&w. Great to watch… Hotel Marselis?

[@TheVFXbyArt]

Thorten, great video. Have you switched to capture one instead of lightroom. Thx!

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Yes, used Capture One mainly and almost only, for two years now.

[@dmburke007]

In the old days the term used to describe what you call B&w was ‘Mono chrome’ black and white terminology was used fir Monochromatic film or paper!

[@boris.dupont]

Very interesting, thank you! I have the original M Monochrom too but without the sexy engraving and I love it. Even though I shoot Fuji most of the time now, I'll never get rid of this one, there's nothing like a true monochrome camera. And the Q2 Monochrom is on its way and will be there on Christmas day

[@mwales2112]

Great explanation... New Leica user here...

[@spotsill]

I can relate after over a decade of shooting digital I recently loaded up my film camera and it so funny that my mind suddenly was only seeing black and white images in my mind . I know it makes no sense but when you know all you can take is monotonous you can concentrate on only creating monotonous.

[@MMS471]

Thank you for this video, lots of valuable information in here for anyone considering monochrome.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Thank you, Chad :-)

[@Raychristofer]

Good talk thorsten, I don't know how you do it but it's not easy for me to sit down and talk on a subject so lengthy but that's the point of knowing what you're talking about before pressing record and everything falls into place. I probably shoot more black and white film with a iiif than digital and I'm finding that I'm having less interest in color especially for portraits.

[@colehamilton5917]

I am an indie filmmaker wanting to direct a black and white movie reminiscent of the old Frankenstein movies. I am considering shooting it with a Q2 Monochrome. I would not be able to shoot in Raw-only JPEGs. Most of my friends are saying to shoot the movie with a Black Magic in Raw and make in monochrome in Post. What would you recommend?

[@Sailingbill1]

Thorsten, dude your bag is insanely beautiful. Well done on the outcome of your efforts. Like you I also have a bag and Montblac fetish as well. Love your video's and I will pick up your mini messenger bag.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Thank you!

[@ghw7192]

When I first got into photography, my father had several rolls of Tri-x rated at ASA 200 and that was fast!

[@jeremyfielding2333]

So you can't adjust contrast and tone in-camera? I use Fuji, it seems there are more options for people shooting jpegs in black and white or colour.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

I prefer to shoot as neutral as possible in camera, and then adjust in post processing. If adjusted in camera, you can never go back to original. Apart from the Fuji have some nice ones (which are also in Lightroom to be applied later).

[@pixelmixture3067]

i have the same danish made mug and it's by far my favourite !!!

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

The best mugs :-)

[@pixelmixture3067]

@@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard looks like your grandma's mug but instant favourite at the first touch

[@girliedog]

When I shot film for myself I always shot BW, when I shoot for myself with my Nikon for myself I always convert my images to BW. I've always wanted to own a Leica as a means to shoot with Leica lenses and it makes more sense to own a Monochrome Leica than an RGB. I'm starting with the Type 246 which I can afford and has better technology than the M9. There is nothing I can't correct with proper exposure. That's my theory at least, I'll see how it goes. I love what I see coming out of the Leica Mono systems very much.

[@taneltinnuri8985]

I really loved my BW photos from the M240P and this was exactly how i shoot with my camera, jpg bw +dng. It was funny when somebody looked my camera lcd they always asked why i have it in B&W and i couldnt answer. Just said “i like it in that way”. I guess its time to go for Monochrome only body. My question Thorsten is it worth it? Do i get “better” results if i go Monochrome only? One picture looks like a Riksdagshuset in Stockholm.

[@carlitodcreative]

Very informative, thank you Thorsten!

[@mifcnm]

Where did you get the tea cup?? What is the brand??

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Royal Copenhagen Thermal mug 26cl. They have different sizes, but this size is the one I have tons of in different designs. www.royalcopenhagen.com/en-us/products/cups-and-mugs/thermal-mugs/blue-fluted-mega-thermal-mug-26-cl-1017355

[@carrieannkouri2151]

I have the M Monochrom. I’m struggling with focusing as I’m getting older, so I’m thinking of getting the Q2 Monochrom.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

The Leica Q2 Monochrom has very "easy black and white" style, and AF. Will be doing a video on it soon.

[@JamesWilkinson11]

Brilliant. Thank you

[@eddienugent2135]

Excellent...thank you

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Welcome :-)

[@noseycomic499]

Thanks for the video. Been considering the Q2 momochrom but after this video I guess I was being obsessive. Me I can spend the money on lenses.

[@Josskoman]

Nice new Lunor glasses you got, Thorsten!

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Thank you :-) Got two pairs of them now.

[@JayJayNay]

I really enjoyed this one. Still, hard. So if I understood correctly you prefer the first ever Leica Monochrome (M9 M) above the newer ones?

[@zer0L0]

Even as a long time original Monochrom user (got it when it came out) I found this informative and useful from a photographer's perspective. Thorsten's advice to go with the camera that makes you want to use it, that makes you feel good using it, has never been more relevant. I've completely lost interest in chasing megapixels. We are well past the point of adequacy. Now to just take better photographs.

[@David-my3uu]

Wonderful, Thorston. You cover things so well - I’m now inspired to shoot my M10 jpg as b/w regularly! Thanks.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Yes, do so :-)

[@LuciaHewitt]

My first DSLR was a Canon 450D (I think internationally it's known as a rebel). It's solely used now for b/w :) with a 50mm

[@terryallen9546]

Out of several things you said that I appreciate, I think simplifying is most important for me. I have many lens and cameras. I experiment all the time. Unfortunately, I am not an octopus that has a brain that can manage 8 things all the time well. So, I have been planning to sell almost everything except a couple screw mount film cameras and a couple digital cameras. Black and white pleases me most, but as you say, for business reasons, it is good to shoot in both b/w and color digitally.

[@Princep555]

Is there an issue with focusing the monochrome when using a red filter?

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

No, filters doesn't change the focus at all.

[@markielinhart]

If you shoot in monochrome mode in raw+jpeg, isn’t the raw file automatically saved in colour?✌️

[@Dagonator]

The Video Quality is awsome what equipment did you use?

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Leica SL with Leica Summilux-L 35mm f/1.4

[@davidselby976]

Perception inevitably has degrees of distillation. In photography this translates to black and white for some - for others colour can do it as well but in a minimal or very consciously composed way to reflect the photographers choice or intentionality.

[@ixxgxx]

I remember studying the zone system back in 1989. TriX 400 push processed to 1600 (2 stops). great grain!

[@matthiasmartin1975]

26:58 I think we like B&W photographs because they all have a perfect (albeit very limited) color palette. Humans tend to clutter their surroundings with items that do not conform to a workable color palette. So to take a perfect color photograph of a scene happening in real life you need to remove objects or replace them with ones that conform to the palette you have in mind. That takes time and adds a level of fakeness, we know this from Ikea catalogues where all the books on the bookshelves conform to a color palette. By using B&W you cheaply get around that and get a pleasing photo without lying. Nature photography is a different story. Things in nature always have a palette that works, but still, the modern mind, being overstimulated with various inputs, will enjoy the serenity of things being reduced to just a gradient of black to white. EDIT: Haha, i stopped the video to make my smart-boy comment - just to realize that i said the exact thing you were going to say in the next few sentences. But it's good to hear an expert come to the same conclusion.

[@raytbrown2]

Thank you for sharing. I do enjoy your videos. And I love the way you pronounce photography. (I really do, as it kind'a makes sense.) But I am also so glad you are a picture taker and not a pilot, as you never land your plane; and just keep flying from one idea to the other without a pause or conclusion. Round & round, again. Your brain has lots of ideas all at once trying to get out. Genius sign. Congrats. But . . . Try thinking of a (single or maybe two-stop) destination before taking off as it'll help your storytelling. 10-20 (or50) points is a mess. Either way, I enjoyed it and wish a happy holidays to you!

[@tinpl8r]

How do the monochrom sensors handle yellow, orange or red filters? And do you use them yourself?

[@ColinOYoung]

WTF65 licence plate. I missed out on that one.

[@Marcello1b]

Great pictures!!

[@salmonefotografia77]

For me, the same, of course, I think the world is black and white, in the fact, and that makes me much more focus on the photography.

[@Pezinokrm]

Good detail Analysis. 👍 Cheers! 🥃

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Thank you :-)

[@jijione75015]

thank you

[@RocketinExile]

Amazing vid. What’s the leather bag on your table?

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

It's "The Von" in New York Black: overgaard.dk/Thorsten-von-Overgaard-Gallery-Store-Camera-Bag-Calfskin-Leather-Black-New-York-Always-Wear-a-Camera.html

[@fishymm5905]

Who's the photographer he mentions at 3:52? I can't seem to hear the name

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Jan Grarup, Danish war photographer

[@fishymm5905]

@@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard thank you very much

[@Leicashootr]

Me too, Thorsten. Remember always wear a camera 😄❤️

[@carlitodcreative]

What are your thoughts about the Leica Q and Q2?

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

The Q is a good deal now second-hand and is almost as perfect as the Q2. The Q2 Monochrom ... can be fun.

[@カーク船長-m2n]

It seems that You don’t select Leica monochrome model. I would like to know the reason.

[@marknachmias423]

Isn’t base ISO of M Typ 246 320?

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

MM is 320, M246 is 400.

[@ChrisW.Fuji_Canon]

I really like your videos 👏

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Thank you!

[@aantonic]

but where to print true BW from digital files?

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

You can do several things: A) Buy a Canon Pro 1000 printer or similar pro printer and calibrate it to perfection for one type of paper, B) Find a real professional printing house locally that work for galleries, photographers and museums and have them print , or C) Convert digital files into film negatives and have a traditional darkroom make master prints from that.

[@bakaroo23]

I like b&w because I can shoot it 24 hours a day. The M10 Monochrome has me interested for the nighttime abilities. BUT I love my golden hour shots and two Leicas are out of the question. I think I’ll have to wait for a M11 Monochrom to pick up a used M10 Monochrom.

[@christoph_with_ch_and_ph]

Why is this video shot in colour?

[@richardsimms251]

Great video

[@pavelc662]

Thank you Thorsten ! Personnally I came to the same conclusion : I use both the M10M for the b&w mindset (and its astounishing ISO range), and the good old M8.2 for its unique colour rending. Don’t you find it yourself more impressive than the M9 ?

[@aantonic]

i like BW photos too so for BW i shoot film, Ilford FP4 and HP5plus pushed to 1600ISO, great. For color i stick to Canon 5dm2. Dont want to bother with color chemical process

[@RS-Amsterdam]

Hi Thorsten, love your video's and images but I want to add something important to this video, hope you find the time to read and you may probably already know this. The difference between a Monochrom Camera and a Color Camera is not JUST the color filter. Allow me to explain ! When a color filter is placed over the sensor there will be a per color attenuation of light passing the filter , hitting the sensor. Cause these different per color, in the firmware they need to apply an amplification per pixel, to get it levelled again. Now through removing the color filter ONLY (as they do in those conversion companies) it will not give you an exact representation of Monochrom, cause they can not alter the firmware. So you are looking at a picture where not every pixel is giving you the same (proper) lighting. (since you were not happy with the 246 output, being overexposed, I wondered if they changed the firmware correctly) Anyways, thanks for sharing and greetings from Amsterdam

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

I agree, the firmware tweak of the sensor is essential, and the M9 Monochrom is likely the one that was done the best job on.

[@uh2535]

AFAIK, for example, 24 MPix color sensor consists of 72 million pixels as one color pixel at the end gets its value from three monochrome pixels with Red or Green or Blue filter on them, so the chip can put together how much blue, how much red and how much green light points to that color pixel at the final output, so, after removing the filter isn't the detalisation secret in the fact that now it has 3x more pixels?

[@igaluitchannel6644]

Almost makes want to go digital.

[@klauslehrmann4927]

Hvornår lærer du engelsk?

[@albertodantonio2075]

Your sentences are a scalpel. Only the truth of the light remains alive, with the awareness of my mistakes

[@johnvienna3422]

In German we say "lichtstarkes Objektiv". Maybe the Danish term is similar, so you say "light-strong lens". However, in English we say don't say "light-strong lens" - we say "fast lens". "Light-strong" doesn't actually mean anything in English. Just a tip, for understanding.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Thanks. Understand that 🙂

[@JoeJoe4P]

Thank you for this video!

[@johnvienna3422]

Ironically, to get the feeling of being a monochrome photographer, for the price of a Leica Monochrom you can buy a beautiful film camera and a LOT of monochrome film. Just a thought...