These days I’m testing my new lens thoroughly and making a good effort to get used to it. It’s a bit strange to have to point this big lens directly at people and actually focus, especially in daylight, but I suppose it’s about time to get a bit more brave. The last few years I’ve been mainly shooting from the hip with a 35mm lens and I think I’ve become a little too comfortable with that approach. In fact, even after a full year of shooting with my Leica I still don’t focus quickly enough with the rangefinder, because I mostly zone focussed in this time! It’s definitely something I want to work on now and shooting at the widest aperture possible with my new 50mm should probably do its part in honing my focussing skills. And today? Well, today my efforts included a roll of Delta 400 shot in fading light and ever increasing humidity levels, mostly at f/1.1 and f/1.4. In other words: Boy, am I sick of all this rain and darkness!

All pictures taken with: Rolleicord V, Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 75mm f/3.5.
RPX400 developed in Rodinal 1:25, Jobo CPE-2.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

I find it rather difficult to shoot the Rollei from above. It needs some upside down thinking.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

I ran into some “important people” to photograph down at the harbour.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

And one more, although obviously I had no idea who any of these people are.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

She was very interested in my Rollei, so I let her look at the ground glass and all that. We didn’t have a common language by the way. She was babbling in French and gave me a very confused look when I said something to her in Spanish.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

People hanging out at the promenade.

© Lilly Schwartz 2015

A common sight in the summer, people sleeping rough on the Boulevard in the middle of the day. Long nights, even for the dogs.