Shifter: Leica +

You would be hard-pressed to find a camera system more responsible for the capture of poignant world events than the Leica rangefinder. There is a particular beauty in the concept of "one human" on a mission to document, tell stories, and preserve history. I love to dream that somewhere out there, right this very second, someone like Emile Ducke is carrying on this tradition. And Leica, well, my story with this brand goes back to the beginning of my time with a camera. (This allows me to speak about the company with experience dating back to 1990.)
Ducke (The pronunciation of his name is beyond me.) is a winner of the Leica Oscar Barnack Newcomer Award for 2021 and he is deserving. I bring this film to your attention for a variety of reasons. When I find something online, something of value, I want to bring it to your attention because films like this, projects like this, and support like this aren't as common as you would imagine. So when someone does something good, part of my job is to shine a light.
Story, context, history, persistence, and vision. Man, what's not to like.
LOBA
• LOBA Winner Newcomer 2...

[@nickfanzo]

I’ve used a lot of cameras , just like you. But when I pick up my m3 and feel that heavy brass and a 50mm lens, I am in heaven. No meter, no batteries, just a box with film in it. It’s amazing. My Nikon f2 is close I don’t think I am a great photographer at all, don’t get me wrong , but I see a lot of KZbin videos about cameras and gear and then I see the photographs and they all like the same. Rehashed street photographs. I’d like to see more of these

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

same. The photography plays second fiddle to gear talk which for me is like standing in line at the DMV. It's like guys who build out their overlanding vehicles then drive then drive in caravans to some overcrowded spot while geeking out over the trucks and not the actual place they can bring you to. Men are SUCH geeks.

[@duckfan7684]

I always like your films. The way you talk, I connect with. Thank you for your work!

[@jobecker1122]

Thanks for this link, Dan. Indeed he is a great photographer. He studied at the university in my hometown in Germany and won his first award in 2017 during his time at the university.

[@Rafa-yw8nu]

They have a great photojournalism programme in Hannover and I wish I knew about it earlier! I'm from Göttingen and unfortunately we don't have anything that encourages people to get into photojournalism, although we have the publisher Steidl and we get visited by international photographers like Gilles Peress frequently.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Yep, Steidl is the man. And it's nice to see schools offering these programs.

[@Rafa-yw8nu]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 I actually met him while grocery shopping a few months ago but I didn’t approach him out of respect. Have you seen the Steidl documentary? I think it’s on Vimeo. Great footage, featuring geniuses like Robert Frank and Karl Lagerfeld.

[@donuteatingtiger]

So inspiring Dan! Thank you for sharing your comments about Emile's work and what is truly a good and professional body of work. Now I understand better what I have to strive for ;) Love from Mexico.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Just booked a ticket to Mexico. Need a few things to happen for the trip to happen but fingers crossed. And yes, he's doing good work.

[@319.e]

Came for the regular content, stayed for the Uni Kuru Toga reference. Truly a life changing tool.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

How did anyone find the will to survive before auto rotation?

[@319.e]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 ignorance is bliss I suppose

[@rolleicanon]

Agree 100%. Thank you for pointing us towards this young photographer. It's much better than most of the videos on KZbin about photography.

[@singleframesteve]

You share material that I would never have otherwise come across. Thank you for enriching peoples lives.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

That's the goal. Try to add something valuable here. I'm working on it...

[@ticonderogafutterman3111]

I really like your video: all the enthusiasm, the well structured speech got me into looking to this guy and his work. Also I love how you mention actually writing stuff on the notebook ( extinct skill for sure these days... ) and also how you underscore all the qualities this young photographer/story teller/documentarist has. Goes without saying one should do his research before going out in the field to document some story... I also encourage everyone to read about the Road of Bones and overall the history and context of that era...

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Agreed. Research, take your time, if possible and make the best work possible.

[@directionofease]

Research. Humility. Intelligence. Eloquence. Mellow. Soft-spoken. Context. Collaborative: Driver, fixer, curator, editor, sequencer. Consistency. Artistic. Storyteller. Long view. Gratitude, Dan. Gratitude.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

thanks Bud!

[@StreetGrain]

Perfect explanation about using a rangefinder camera. It's definitely a unique piece of equipment that can only shoot maybe 1% of what I do but it gets the job done in the end. I bought an M4-P last year and it's now my daily driver for everything outside of portraits, etc.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Ha, that was my first. Great cam. As simple as can be.

[@reginaldgooden2445]

Thank you Dan for the recommendation on this short film. I enjoyed the story and the look of the photos! They do look like paintings especially the interiors. He searches for light and uses it to reflect the strength of the portraits. The outside shots tell the story of the harsh reality of the cold and his color choices allow for a haunting reality of the experiences the people have endured and it is a living memory of what has happened and continues to be part of that community to this day. I hope I can do something like that in the near future. Thanks again! Please continue to mention things that you feel is worthy of our time! Thanks again!

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Yep, he's got a good look and style and clearly puts the time in.

[@Khajakkodian]

Interesting. Would love to watch it this short film. Thanks for sharing man.

[@joncaradies3155]

Hey Ya ! Great Video ... It Seems like There are essayists who have the ability to change the world and there are people who just love photography for the beauty they see all around them .... I have so much respect for both and everything in between . It's a big world .....

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Yep, everyone contributes in their own way. Large and small.

[@IanHamiltonPhotographer]

I watched the video on Emil the day after it was released on Leica’s page - amazing work and it really stands out amongst the others on the feed from KZbin’s algorithm.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Apparently, there was another winner. A young woman who looked like she did some stellar work as well. I need to investigate.

[@photomitch]

Hey dude, Thanks for sharing this video. Mr. Ducke is very talented and I'm looking forward to seeing more interesting and amazing work from this young man. I can agree with you about most of the video that I been accustomed to on KZbin and found this one to stand out above the equipment and new film reviews. I digress, anyway, I like what's Ducke has done and will search the web for more of his work. Thanks again.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Anytime. Glad you like. He's in Ukraine last I heard.

[@STEVEMUNCY]

Excellent interview. I don’t know how I missed it. Thanks for bringing it to our attention. (Loved the ristra swinging in the background in your video.)

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Medium red. My fav!

[@keithpeeples3565]

Thank you for this type of coverage. I subscribe to the Leica channel but haven't watched in a while. This young man is talented and dedicated. I also found his website, which is also impressive.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Leica has a lot to choose from. Lots of good folks using their cams and more that would if the price was more doable.

[@juanQuedo]

I saw the video, then his website ... I threw my camera to the bin. He's really good, and has an impressive Cv being so young. I think that even though brands do not need to do things like that I think they should find and/or help talent in some way to encourage quality over quantity. Not necessarily only in photojournalism and documentary. With so much noise around it has become increasingly difficult to find this kind of talent, or someone with this talent could find it more difficult to have his job or vision acknowledged.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

And it first takes someone like Emile to make the choice of doing this kind of work which comes with a real price. This work takes time and access. He is doing work about the world and not about himself. Many these days make themselves the story.

[@arttyree4504]

I'm delighted to hear a talk by a New Mexico guy (knew you were there by glancing at those ceiling beams). I have never enjoyed photography, including the latest Geewhiz XF Zorch digital, as much as shooting Kodachrome II or fine-grain Band W with my Leica M3, which I still have. Thanks for your exposition.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Kodachrome was such a unique beast. I miss it.

[@mwales2112]

Thanks Dan.

[@raphaelmimoun9571]

I’ve made some research and he mainly worked with a 5D MkIV… you are so right, he is a legend . Thank you for bringing him to our attention. Love what you do

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

T'hat's funny. One person said M10, another said Mamiya 7 and now we have the Canon. Whatever it was, nice work.

[@raphaelmimoun9571]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 he says it himself in response to a comment on one of his Instagram post Nov. 2020 😜 he does say mainly, so not only…

[@JJ_Photo]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 In LFI magazine 2019/1 he says he uses an M10, Summilux 35mm and Summicron 50mm. Don't know now. And the funny thing. You can't see any difference in his images. So who cares anyway... 😉 I am now testing a M10P and a Voigtlander 35mm. Do I make better photographs than with my Ricoh GR, Fujis or Leica Q? No... Right now I would say the opposite 🤔(Edit: I found an article in Spiegel International, with a reportage from Ukraine in September 2022. Exif says Canon 5D mrk IV, 35mm and 50mm lenses. Oh and one image with the Leica Q2 )

[@ObservingBeauty]

Your story telling shined so good here that I had to cut it against my true enjoyment and move to see his movie… thanks man

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Totally worth it.

[@lausteofraigneau]

Please, Dan, continue your educational sharing! It is real food for photographers ;-)

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

That's the plane. Unless I disappear.

[@IanMcCausland]

as a Canadian who's worked in the far north, that pealing of the layers and the fogging up only to go back out is very real. :-) I am letting you hype this film up completely before watching, will report back after I watch.

[@IanMcCausland]

7 1/2 minutes later... the hype is real. Love his work! It kinda reminds me of Luc Delahaye 's book of Russian work Winterreise which I am lucky to own. He's everything you said he was. One to Watch

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Yep, totally worth the time.

[@AndySnap]

I had an M4-2 (with a Voightlander 35mm), didn't 'get it', so sold it. I regret that... I should have persevered. Some cameras, and lenses, 'come to you' with time and use. All those great photographers knew a great tool for their work. Emile's work is really exceptional, thank you for highlighting him and your thoughts. His website is well worth browsing too, like the baton of the great photojournalists of the past is being passed on.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Yes, keeping that tradition alive.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Another great video! - (amateur Leica shooter since 1990).

[@cropcircle5693]

Hot tip! His work is fantastic.

[@macallanvintage]

If you like Ducke’s type of shots, you’ll probably drool over the works of Mitchell Kanashkevich in Peru.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I don't know him but will look now. A ton of good work has come out of Peru and I get why.

[@Pyliip]

Thank you for highlighting it, LOBA did well by picking him (and the format of their film is great), I'm sure Emile will go far. I really like his work, as you pointed out it's very painterly and he handles very well close up, middle distance and static shots.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

The processing is well done and he knows what he's doing with composition and making work that tells a story.

[@blonskicruz9011]

Totally agree. I just saw the video. Learned more about photography, history and Russian culture in that 7 minutes than any other camera manufacturer video. It’s a similar experience from watching films by Tarkovsky or Sokurov. This is the power of KZbin.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Crazy how films like this are such a minority.

[@blonskicruz9011]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 the relevant ones are usually the minority.

[@JayGrapherTh]

yes do please make more videos to promote and share videos about photography that might not get generally recommended to people. this is good

[@brendangalway5190]

Wow, what refreshing video, thank you

[@immop]

Pronounciation would probably be E-meel Dou-keh in American English. Amazing guy, 27 years and already on assignment for the NYT for some years. Soft spoken like Nachtwey, reasonable, intelligent, with a passion for storytelling. Hope he sees your video about his work as well - rarely seen so much enthusiasm about a young photographer from you. Imagine how good he will be in 10 years.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

There are a lot of good, young photogs out there. NYT ain't what it's cracked up to be. But he's got a nice list of clients, for sure.

[@zhengyuantan1387]

Talk about coincidence, or fate (what people from my side of the globe would call it). I stumbled upon the LOBA film that you were talking about just a week ago, and Emile’s works blew me away. It got me questioning about my own works, and I began to realise my faults stems from me not being invested enough to create the works I want to create. Then, I went on to research and do homework, I wanted to learn to create more long term projects and while doing that I found your channel. 8 films in from you and I came across this video with you talking about the guy that made me want to change myself. This is such a reaffirmation for me. The fact that Emile impressed you the same way he impressed me showed me that photography is indeed powerful and I should not shortchange myself by creating short lived works that does not speak to anyone. Also I should perhaps unsubscribe to the squeaky-wheels youtubers that you constantly speak about. Thanks Daniel, can’t wait to see more films from you. Love from Singapore.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Hey Singapore, Yes, he's all in. Many won't go that far, or can't go that far. So when I see someone who has who is also making good work, well, then it's easy to help promote.

[@MiladJP]

Quick Update: Maybe someone might be interested. The University of Hanover is the only public university in the German-speaking Region that is offering Photojournalism & Documentary photography as a university major. The teachers are mostly highly educated and field-approved photographers themselves. Some of them have worked for many years in conflict zones or for large magazines. The amount of history and art history lessons is just great. I can highly recommend this to anyone with an interested who can speak German.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

They are falling fast. Glad to see this still being taught.

[@thomassteininger6346]

I shot everything with my M. Landscape, portraits, street and for me it’s the perfect companion. Never leave without it. So I would not agree that it’s mainly a reportage camera.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Try shooting sports with it. Or product or executive portraits or a myriad of other things. COULD you do it? Maybe but it's not built for that. Again, it's a great camera but it's built for a specific style of image. For example, I don't know a single advertising photographer anywhere in the world that uses a Leica for campaigns. At least not the M series. GFX dominates now.

[@johnmitchell6919]

He in a talent indeed. Thanks for this Dan. On the subject of Leica, a confession. As well as a love of the many amazing images taken with them (none by me) I do appreciate the intersection of engineering and craftsmanship. As such, I loved using my M2 but I also spent some hours marvelling at their beauty and mechanical precision. More evidence I'm a bit odd.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

That fact your M2 still works is part of the lore.

[@johnmitchell6919]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 Sadly I had to sell it due to then financial difficulties. One day though ....

[@CraigBergonzoni]

Another great film. Extra bonus points for the Tombstone/ Doc Holiday quote 👊🏼

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

best...movie...ever

[@CraigBergonzoni]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 Agreed

[@JR-lw8yu]

Thank you for another inspirational video.

[@joepphoto]

Much appreciation for sharing this and besides the work, I very much share your opinion on the quality of photography and the state of what brands are promoting.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Lots of squeaky wheels out there.

[@hcbrito]

great, honest, video. cheers.

[@photom3]

Impressive indeed. Paintings for sure. All those things you mentioned are evident and I’m not surprised that it’s coming from across the pond. Happy to see these sort of things again. As for pencils I could go on for a while. I still have my mechanical pencils I started with. Although I’m told that 3300 was a good price for an M6 I’ll have to do with my Nikon and a 50.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Good grief. Double what they were new. My last M6 came in a trade for a Canon zoom lens.

[@nickfanzo]

Emile has also been on assignment for National Geographic in the past, which is why his work is so efficient with telling the story.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Good to hear.

[@Vincent171090]

Dan, I watched the Emile Ducke video, and wow.... I'm done watching film photography videos on KZbin with their lofi tracks and constant gear talk. I'm ready to mature now. To do my research and go out with my camera. Thank you. (Not giving up film though)

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

The implementation part of the formula is the most difficult and the most rewarding. And once in that part of the flow, you won't to go back to the posers or those who just talk tech.

[@legionchef]

The way you feel a about Leica is the way I feel about my Rolleiflex and Nikon F2.

[@ChristineWilsonPhotography]

Outstanding body of work from him, thanks for making us aware , look forward to seeing what else comes from him

[@ericrjennings]

I love the brutal approach. It’s real

[@j453inc]

Hi Daniel, FYI the Emile Ducke Interview is done at Leica Wetzlar. It is the big table in the library of the Leica Hotel „Vienna House Ernst Leitz Wetzlar“. Best regards. Andre

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

A Leica hotel? Had no idea. I'm off grid here looking at birds.

[@LiamFyfe]

These are the truest words spoken on the tube, great review!

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

That might not be saying that much........(poor YT.)

[@LiamFyfe]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 well honesty can be harsh but shit happens basically

[@Microtimer1000th]

Emile Ducke's work makes one think... "What the hell am I doing here? I might as well quit photography and start a food truck business."

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Hmmm, food trucks. Not a bad move.

[@Microtimer1000th]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 Thank you for taking the time to reply. Cheers, from Portugal!

[@volodymyrserdiuk3246]

Great film,a bit long )) we watched it to the end . Thank You

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Long is my style.

[@PitNeex]

No one makes content like that... unfortunately. This approach in any theme would make youtube so much more interesting

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I think that ship has sailed. Following rules.

[@mathewmccarthy9848]

Hi Dan. Great video. Nice that you mentioned Emile Ducke. In his Along the Road of Bones series he used a Leica M10 + 35mm + 50mm lenses. Check out Ana Maria Arevalo Gosen's work, Eternal Days. She used a Leica Q for that entire project (and is the LOBA 2021 winner); her work is brave and she clearly had great access to her subjects - in my opinion.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Ah, that's interesting. Someone else said he used a Mamiya 7 but that work looked like digital to me, so nice to know he was supporting the company that was supporting him.

[@richardowen4558]

Can't afford the Leica brand so I am looking at my version of Leica with used versions of Fujifilm X-Pro2 and XF35mm f2 WR, a weather sealed setup that will come as close to Leica as I can afford. Right now I am shooting with a fixed lens rangefinder (Yashica Electro35 GS) that, at my age, is tough to focus as the focus patch is so-so. Leica has always intrigued with the loyalty of its proponents. Since I have always leaned toward photojournalism/documentary, including a decade (1998-2008) as a small town newspaper shooter, I agree with you on Leica's best use - reportage.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Look, Fuji is great. And for the price you simply can't touch them.

[@BradleyHansonPhotography]

I agree with everything you’ve said, and thanks for sharing your discovery of that photographer. Like you, I’ve noticed that regardless of what one thinks of the cameras, Leica is championing great photography while all the other companies (I don’t shoot Leica at the moment) are all about sponsorship and hollow reviews that pretend to be objective.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Didn't used to be this way. Canon for years had real clout with Explorers of Light. Eventually, it got watered down and I haven't heard anything about it in years. I think Sony was doing okay with their Artisan program but I don't follow it any longer. Fuji doesn't seem to have a program like this or need one for that matter. I've seen some truly bewildering "sponsors" when it comes to Fuji.

[@BradleyHansonPhotography]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 Hey Dan- Understood. Canon used to put out a hardcover book from their Explorers Of Light that was very high quality. The caliber of photographer and expectation of expertise was understood. Of course, this was all before social media and "influence." Now it's all about moving units. Fuji has the "X-Photographer" program, which is, to put it mildly, a bewildering name that implies Fuji sponsored photographers are no longer photographers. ;-) Anyway, I just wanted to say that you hit the nail on the head with the video, and I appreciate you exposing me to the work of Emile Ducke. There are a lot of amazing photographers that aren't sponsored, and an exponentially larger group of generic photographers who seem to be because the companies only care about flooding the zone with rave reviews of new products so they can move units. Now that the camera industry is screaming louder and louder to sell fewer and fewer units, I don't see any change in this. While I was researching the Leica Q2, I noticed that no one spotlights great photography like Leica does. They allow these same people to just talk, speak frankly, swear/be authentic, say whatever that want, and they don't have to peddle product. I'm no longer shooting Leica at the moment (I had a long history with M3/M4/M6/M7), but I have immense respect for what they are doing to shine a light on interesting work in a sea of mediocrity from nearly everyone else. Anyway, cheers and thanks again. I'm a subscriber...

[@mikedevlin2048]

It could be argued that the most influential image ever made is "Earthrise" taken by William Anders during the Apollo 8 mission... On a Hasselblad 500EL I used an M4 for years and later an M6... The main issue at the end of my Leica days was the lack of servicing within reasonable time limits...

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Yep, last time I tried for service they had my system for six months and never touched it. I had to call random people at their HQ to try to have them send it back. Ended up selling the entire lot. Kept my M4/6.

[@perfectly_boring]

Fortunately there are some skilled 3rd party options. But still it takes time. I have several Leica's for just this reason. Better to get 2 cheap Leica's than one expensive

[@insomnia224]

So refreshing to find Dans channel rather than all the 17 year old Sony kids telling me how to take “dope shots” of coffee. If anyone wants a great reportage body of work to look into then I highly recommend “Family Love” by Darcy Padilla, utterly stunning and heart breaking.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Darcy has been good for a long while. Met her a few times over the years but don't really know her. LOTS of good newspaper shooters out there. They never seem to get credit.

[@gjermundhansen7799]

Dear Daniel, I just experienced 23 well-spent minutes:-)

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Good!

[@owenwilliams9582]

Many thanks for posting this feature Daniel, I couldn't agree more with your observations. Emile's a class act, sorry an excellent photographer with such quality and depth to his work in the Gulags, its a inspiration to us all. Credit must also go, as you say to Leica for their support of young talent and let hope it long continues . Cheers again, take care, and oh, I think you have issues with you fetish, lol.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I have many issues. And yes, he and Leica are doing what I love to see.

[@MrBixxi]

You should also check Nanna Heitmann. She did also won the Newcomer award and is now a member of magnum.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Will do. I didn't spend much time on the site as I'm always pressed for time. Haven't been on Magnum site in ages.

[@REMY.C.]

That Leica logo floating gives me the same feeling. Leica most of the times features bad photographers that when I watch I'm like "this is not THE photography as art I want to see, if I can do it, it's bad enough NOT TO BE FEATURED." It's like almost 99% of KZbinrs calling themselves street photographers, no pal, learn the history and aesthetic of street photography and you'll know you're not doing street photography, you're just taking photos in the streets.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

It's just following. That's all that noise is. Everyone knows it. Everyone speaks about it behind closed doors and in brand meetings and marketing meetings and then we go out and pretend it's not happening. Thank you Internet.

[@REMY.C.]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 Exactly, internet is a wonderful invention that has so much potential but many are wasting their time and ours to mediocrity.

[@arttyree4504]

Daniel, where can I view some of your work?

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

This is the only work I have online. Just know that many of these images are singles from entire stories. So, there are bodies of work behind each of these pics. shifter.media/photography/

[@kalengankonge6763]

Hey Dan. I actually watched the same film you just spoke about a few weeks ago. The Lieca name floated across my screen, I said what's this and watched it and I was very, very impressed. Dare I say, even inspired and motivated.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Good. That is the point. Emile did the work, now he's put down the gauntlet. In the words of Enzo from The Big Blue, "Let them try."

[@maxbashyrov5785]

"street photography isn't dead. it just smells funny".

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Like a bison stuffed under a log by a friendly griz.

[@ben56k]

11:00 Johnny Ringo. 😂🤝

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Looks like someone just walked over your grave..

[@victam1765]

Started this video and got 15:30 in and went "why am I here, I need to watch the video he's talking about." After watching that video I have to say I am so glad Leica uses its influence and funds to make a real impact in the photography world, I hope I can keep up with Emile's work!

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Yes, always nice to see someone deserving of support get that very thing.

[@flickrmark]

I'll have $10 each way on "Ducka" or "Dooka".....whatever, he has an enviable eye and a photographer *our* eyes should be on.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

It could be anything. I'm just happy to get the first name correct.

[@Biosynchro]

I agree with pretty much everything you said. I also appreciated the personal story about your father in the beginning. I might disagree with you on one point: the M is not a niche camera, bit a general purpose camera. It can be used for pretty much anything. A niche camera would be something like an F5 or a D6 or an E-M1 X. Nevermind a Phase One XF. Here is what an M is very good at IMHO: portraiture, fashion, reportage, landscape, travel, street, interiors, parties. Digital bodies with LV can do macro, too. YMMV of course.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

My Fuji system, in my opinion, is far more flexible than my Leica system. Leica for me was about reportage. But then again, I don't shoot most of those things you list. My fashion was never done on Leica because it was just too slow.

[@Khajakkodian]

Hey Daniel. I totally live mechanical pencils. Not sure which model you have but I recommend you trying the “Uni Kuru Toga Roulette Model Auto Lead Rotation 0.5mm Mechanical Pencil, Silver Body”. 🤙🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Ha, that's what I'm using!

[@stephencharlton2024]

Thank you. Like you I hope he gets a book deal and perhaps some funding to travel

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Book deal looks deserved. Maybe a good agency to land on.

[@franciscocasillas6824]

Can taking a couple of classes (or degree) in art history really have an impact on your ability to take a photograph? Curious since I've always been told that photography is an ability that you develop with practice and practice.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Yes it can. Sure did in my case.

[@bobdots5974]

IMHO technical ability comes with practice, artistic ability comes with thought (so, yes, study of any kind helps). Photography as a worthwhile discipline is a combination of the two.

[@petepetersen]

Your pronunciation was close. >Eh as in /e/nergy >Meel as in /meal/ His work is outstanding and published in The New York Times, National Geographic, Der Spiegel (the German Life Magazin)! He studied at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Hannover, Germany. He also spent his semester abroad at the Faculty of Journalism at Tomsk State University, Siberia. Definitely, somebody whose work is inspiring! Emile is one of six selected visual storytellers of World Press Photo’s 6x6 Global Talent Program, in Europe. I read that he's working a lot with a medium format camera. I used to live in Wetzlar for 7 years in early 1990, but since I wasn't interested in photography at the time, my passion was music, I only visited the Leica Factory for lunch. They had a great Burger Truck right in front of the building. :-) Leica and Buderus (a high-grade steel manufacturer) are the main employers in town. People are proud to work for either company.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

All good. Doing projects is the key. Nothing quite like MF. Leica makes an amazing system, at least it looks that way. The the Fuji MF is awesome too.

[@MrProfessor47]

What about Contax??

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I used to LOVE Contax. Sure, their cameras were fragile and quirky but I still loved them.

[@davidpaulcarr8978]

Is your heating broken?

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

No but I keep my house as close to chilly as possible. That way I adapt much easier when I'm outside. I can't stand hot houses.

[@octopusonmyback]

While I still think your position on the absolute necessity of 'attachment' for proper photography projects might be an overreaction against vapid Instagram influencer culture (like a Cuban exile who is understandably too pro-capitalism), I thought this was a very good 'film'. I watched the Leica video before finishing yours; the young man is amazing. His work is particularly striking in this era, and for his age. You're getting pretty good at this; keep up the great work.

[@octopusonmyback]

For example, I love some of Maurizio Galimberti's Polaroid collages, even though they don't have any attachment, or require much access.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I see detached projects all the time. And many of them come with full-time marketing campaigns. Some get shows, book deals, etc. You can promote something to the top rather easily these days. But behind closed doors, the people who know can see a detached project from a mile away. They can also see when someone moves from attached to detached for career reasons. Again, they might even support the project if they can make a buck from it but they also know what that work really is. This has always been a game but now it's far worse than ever before. The good work is still out there but often times you won't see it.

[@timallenphotogram]

The pencil that spins the lead sounds great, got a link? Thanks.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

www.jetpens.com/Uni-Kuru-Toga-Mechanical-Pencils/ct/669?gclid=Cj0KCQiAweaNBhDEARIsAJ5hwbfdZDJs7QYbcFnMBrvRLgKPQAEUH0P7yXfGgu8fNBOPSiqUpIS2QVUaApDSEALw_wcB

[@timallenphotogram]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 Thanks Daniel!

[@ynkkruse]

I watched the film, very inspiring! Now I kinda want to go and study photo-journalism. But I really like my job :D. Can you recommend a good book or two on the topic, for enthusiasts like me?

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Bang Bang Club, It's What I Do, Page by Page, Unreasonable Behavior, Dispatches.

[@ynkkruse]

Thanks!

[@gueorgui29]

I hit like after the first minute already.. Let's see where are u going with that...

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Excellent.

[@gueorgui29]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 watched to the end. worth it. as expected.

[@McSpyda]

Hi Dan, I would like to know what your thoughts are on the work of Gordon Parks...Keep smashing it!💡🎥🎬🎤👍🏾💯

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

He was the man. My wife met him a few times. Good for his entire career and had to deal with so much just to make work.

[@joseerazevedo]

Thanks for "filtering" relevant content and sharing!

[@emilemichelaparicio1798]

Daniel as an artist, almost 80, with no intention to be discovered, successful, jest understand who I am and the environment I exist the in is. I loved your thinking and observation of Emiles’ work. This the first time I have watch your broadcast, is there a link to Emiles’ film did I miss it? Thank you in advance for the reply and info._

[@abraxamovic]

Here you go :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/moLXlnpuaNCEp9E

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

See below! And thank you.

[@josephjamessilva]

exactly, m3 m6 28mm 50mm all day everyday, preach it dm, hallelujah

[@GreenMorningDragonProductions]

13:16 to 18 this deseves GIFfing. Hilarious!

[@micwarmington1]

so what was the condemnation of leica ?

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Leica sucks. Just kidding. What they do as a brand, ya, that does suck. But so many brands do this now. Most of them in fact.

[@JJ_Photo]

Would love a Leica M10+... But if you can't find that kind of money - go for a used Fuji x100v, and go out and shoot. So close to a Leica feeling, if you can live with the poor manual zone focusing experience.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I had one and never liked that camera. Made one or two images with it. Much prefer the XT2 with .95 or the Sony with my Leica 50.

[@SashaLokhtin]

Forget the Leica! What pencil is called?

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Look below in the comments. Uni Kuru Toga 0.5 with the auto rotating lead. It's brilliant.

[@spyhunter6411]

Just as a thought, is it possible that the cross section of people who are both excellent photographers and also interested in reviewing gear/good at making films about it, is very small? Hence the reason we don't see much of it. This has to he thought about while excluding the obvious tech review people only, that don't have any body of work. Side note, I also have a pencil problem. I need to up my mechanical game though.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Most good photographers are working and not making KZbin films. It takes a lot to do that work and trying to do both would be tricky.

[@hailynewma9122]

Emile studied photo journalism and uses a mamiya 7 ii

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

There you go. Figured he used something else to shoot this. Man, you hope that Mamiya lasts and he's able to get it repaired or has more in reserve. I used to assist for someone who used them exclusively and they broke all the time. We had to have bodies in reserve.

[@expeditionsinsound2202]

I used to BBQ four times a week...

[@nickfanzo]

Me too, I’m up to 4 times a day.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Keep pushing it. I'm living through you.

[@tjorvityr7741]

You mention how impressive it is for him to shoot wide and tight for purpose of the story he is telling, so shooting a whole project on a fixed 28 is not the brightest idea?

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Depends on the project and your style. 28 is too wide for me but for others it's their prime lens. I did plenty of stories with 35/50.

[@badgerag]

And another project here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/inmuen6YZZWBrtk

[@broadaccent]

Collectors are destroying the Leica market. Impossible to get one for a decent amount of money.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I THINK it's always been that way but it's gotten worse. I have the money to buy one but I just can't get myself when my Fuji gear works fine.

[@broadaccent]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 or getting the Texas Leica (6x9) 😉

[@michaelschuhmann682]

Your next Leica should be a Ricoh 😜

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

I never could get into the GR. I did have Konica Hexar briefly and spent two years with Contax G2 but none of this was like a Leica.

[@bushbeatnik4480]

My man. I saw this film some time ago and you are right. Old Skool work in the new! Yeah like you, I scammed some cake from the parental units my Grandfather left for me to replace the AE1 I got when I was 12. Got me an M6 and a v4 35 Cron in think in 89/90. LOL just retired that body for a black paint new one. The new digital M is not at war nor peace with its maturity so Beatrice will have to be my guide through it. (yes i read) I also feel like I might be in that movie The Others in that not sure i can let go of the fact it is not a digital M6. So lots o reasons to be hating on Leica but i get it, they have to make a buck and pander to way too many UT posers and fuel the appetite of collectors wanting to play dress up but in the end if one in a thousand break out like this kid with the help from Leica's margin, that works for me. Keep them coming. Sub 4 life.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Yep, he's enough positive to offset the crazy that brands go through. Still think Leica has the best usage of type/logo.

[@davidm5790]

Dan I have to say I don’t know how you use pencils everyday. Perhaps it’s my ADHD but I cannot look at anything lighter than black pen ink.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Just takes practice. I'm a blue ink fan but any and all is good.

[@maxbashyrov5785]

Watched it. As I expected, another freaking western Russia lover. As you like to say, it rubs me the wrong way, regardless of what he's doing. Also, I would watch how such young and talented documentary photographers cover modern Russia issues (it's safe to make Gulag-related projects, Stalin is dead already), without being poisoned by Novichok.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Yep, not the easiest place to work I imagine. But the list of difficult locations is growing daily. The border used to be easy. Now, not so much.

[@ChrisConner1]

Mechanical pencil. Why am I not surprised? And only you can get me to consider a Leica.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Leica is awesome, and if I was still working full time as a photog I would probably have one but at this point I can't justify those prices. And think about it. If you are traveling to do work you really need two bodies, at least. With their new bodies that's 20k plus just on bodies alone. I normally traveled with three bodies but would leave one behind with my clothing. And more than once I had to retrieve that body after having a Leica go down in the field.

[@ChrisConner1]

@@DANIELMILNOR505 I'm absolutely not paying that much (not even close). I mark most Leica videos as "not interested" but if anyone can make me imagine what it's like to use one, it's you. Having said that, I am spending waaaay more on film than on my cameras and having a blast. Still figuring out what I like best.

[@reginaldgooden2445]

Also, I have a Q!

[@CHRISTOPH-B]

03:10 … 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Rafa-yw8nu]

His website says that he actually lives in Moscow. You gotta have balls of steel to actually move to Moscow and do photojournalist work for Western news outlets.

[@mjakotka]

lol moscow is not a war zone.

[@DANIELMILNOR505]

Yep. I've not been but guessing not the easiest place to work.

[@Rafa-yw8nu]

@@mjakotka Yet, freedom of speech is rather limited which makes it harder for photojournalists to work there.