Daily Inspiration #350 by Sharookh Mehta

Hey Steve –

I’m attaching a few images which may interest you.

These have been shot in Mumbai, India on the Leica X2 – in “monochrome” – actually in BW high contrast mode!! I really love the overall tonality one can achieve in-camera, without having to convert colour into BW in post-processing. The X-2 does such a cool job of it. Just a few minor touches to ones taste in LR or CS6 and you’re on your way!! Although it doesn’t possess the bells and whistles of its competitors, the photographic IQ of this camera is just incredible!!

Its nothing short of the ideal street camera – the lesser side of an “M”!! Small, stealthy and super slick!!

Keep up the great work with your website!! Always a joy to visit!!

Cheers

Sharookh Mehta

33 Comments

  1. Hey Sharookh

    Just my world. Had my X2 this summer and I´m SO happy. The X2 is my “new old friend”. Almost like doing M6 shots. I do the same – BW high contrast – and then Silver Efex pro 2 plug in for Photoshop.

    All the best
    Lasse Jorgensen – Denmark

  2. Very tastefully seen and captured images! You’ve done justice to the subjects’ trust in you – Well done, Sharookh!

  3. Thanks again, all!

    Richard – I believe this mode applies to Jpeg only. DNG files would remain unchanged. My workflow revolves around adjustments primarily in LR4.1 where I try and bring out maximum detail in shadows and highlights, rounding it off with a tonal adjustment in curves ( minor as the X2 itself, does a great job of it!). Then as you say, I apply my vignette (to taste) and send the file into PS6 to stroke a border and print. No plug-ins and no additional programmes.

    Hope that helps!

    • Hello Sharookh!

      Thank you very much for your answer and yes, it helps a lot!

      Keep up the good work and Take care!

  4. I really like these images! It is good to see what the X2 can do, in your capable hands. Thanks for sharing!

  5. amazing photos, I love the effect in your photos, pictures of people are incredible, I love the second shot, great clarity and contrast, thanks for sharing friend, I can not wait to see more …

  6. Hi Sharookh!

    Amazing pictures, I love all of them, with a slight preference for the second one.

    Excuse me for asking, but on the Leica X2, is the Black and White High Contrast mode only for jpeg’s or it applies also for Raw (DNG) format?

    Also, when you say “Just a few minor touches to ones taste in Lightroom or Adobe Photoshop CS6 and you’re on your way”, what kind of adjustments are you doing exactly, besides adding the vignetting effect other readers mentioned? Do you also use another Black and White software like Silver Efex Pro or Pro 2? I dislike spending too much time, behind the computer, post-processing my images and your pictures looked so great, thanks for sharing if you don’t mind.

    All the Best!!!

  7. If that’s in-camera processing then I’m even more impressed. Thank you for posting such beautiful work.

  8. Thanks Steve, and thanks everybody for your generous comments. Much appreciated.

    John – AF / EVF – that’s it! (The BW high contrast mode is superb)

    Mikael – thanks. I like my tones to be deep. I also feel a vignette should be given importance in the right situations…….

  9. Thanks a lot, Sharookh, for wonderful photos – they truly serve as Daily Inspiration. The tonality is impressive, the faces intense and open at the same time. Obviously, this camera works wonders in the hands of a capable photographer.

  10. I would be interested to see what a lot of the old master shots looked like straight from the negative. I would guess a little different to what we see in the prints. Agree, if you like the look of a shot with vignetting, then you should do it. Shoot for yourself, not for others, you will find a following somewhere. Others prefer to shoot and not post process at all. That is fine too, if that is what they enjoy. They will find their following too. The worst is to shoot something and then not adjust it when you hate it or adjust it to something you hate, just to curry favor with the masses. My 2 cents.

  11. Oh Please! Didn’t any ever tell you there are no rules? You don’t like vignetting, Sharookh does. Artist’s choice.

  12. Wonderful images. I love the contrast and tones, all achieved without lengthy post production. Great work!

  13. I felt an X2 the other day. Feels so good in the hand. Great to see these images. Excellent choice and good work.

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