I never felt so desired to travel, close by or far away, with my camera, to see the world in a pair of different eyes. I have to admit that I used to be an isolated guy that hated travel or social activities. But photography gave me a new life attitude, an attitude to go outside and made communications. When I was not shooting weddings or any other commercial jobs, I can't let myself rest. I just can't, I don't know why. Once in a while, I put down my camera, my work or my projects, I felt drained, empty and useless inside and out.
I knew The Sagamore Resort in Lake George long time ago, even before my photography safari began. It's one of the best wedding venues around, at least in my opinion. But I never had the chance to work there before, and I am not sure if I can in the future. However, the desire to see what I can see made me finally drove there with my friend and assistant Kevin. As a traveller, we were so relaxed and just had fun. We met a wedding couple with their photographers, we saw vocation families, and we enjoyed the "little" sunset behind the mountain and lake.
Yes, as a trained wedding photographer, my head was spinning with visual imagination, light, texture, composition, moments, I just couldn't stop. Ever since getting my Leica M8, I was so obsessed in trying and challenging myself. If you think manual exposure, manual focus and uncertain composition are all of the limitations with a rangefinder, then you will see I can use it to shoot a fleeting bird with a Leica 90 f/2.5 almost wide open. Everything is possible, only skillsets need to be obtained and enhanced.
I found myself useful among people. When they stopped me and asked if I could use their iphone to help take a family portrait, I always did. They found I took good iphone pictures, and I felt happy. I didn't get money as I didn't work as a professional, I was happy because I just made a "good" picture for this family. I am useful, so I am not empty.
Oh, I just can't stop, can I???
(All of the frames below were shot by Leica M8 + Leica Summarit-M 35 f/2.5 and 90 f/2.5)
