Blog
Magnolia 2025
My long-exposure photography experiment with the magnolia tree in our garden is entering its twelfth round.
For the twelfth consecutive year, I wanted to photograph the blooming magnolia tree. The goal of my long-term project is to find out whether our perspective on something changes over the years and whether the camera I use influences the result. In 2024, I took these photos with an iPhone 15 Pro Max because I didn't have a new camera at my disposal. But at the time, I had to admit to myself that I prefer taking photos with a "real" camera. This year, the strong backlight during the blossoming stage inspired me to create a series that I shot with a Leica SL3. I further enhanced the strong contrasts in the image editing. It's fascinating how many tiny hairs the flower buds have.
2025
Leica SL3
2024
iPhone 15 Pro max
2023
Leica SL2 with the two fixed focal lengths SL 35 mm and SL 90 mm
I limited myself to two fixed focal lengths.
2022
Leica S3, Leica SL2, Sony a1
For the first time, I photographed with more than one camera. Variety is the spice of life ;-).
2021
Leica SL2
In 2021, I missed the flowering period, so the yield was relatively poor.
2020
Leica SL2
2019
Fujfilm GFX100
2018
Leica CL
2017
Panasonic GH5
2016
Leica SL
The Leica SL was definitely a boost for my photography. Mirrorless photography with targeted over- and underexposure was (and still is) a brilliant experience. Moreover, the only lens available at the beginning—the SL 24-90mm—exhibited a quality that I had previously only experienced with prime lenses in the 35mm DSLR range.
2015
Nikon D810
2014
Nikon D810
The December Experiment
The beauty of everyday life – an experiment on Instagram and on our blog: taking a picture every day for 33 days with a fixed focal length lens and posting it
One camera, one fixed-focal-length lens, one picture per day. That's the idea behind the December experiment. As with the airport project, I want to keep the technology as simple as possible this time.
The lens
The APO prime lens series for the Leica SL is among the best you can mount on a full-frame camera. The set includes focal lengths of 21 mm / 28 mm / 35 mm / 50 mm / 75 mm / 90 mm. My pictures in Uzbekistan (see the articles "Plov" , "Fairground" , and "52 Pictures from Uzbekistan") were practically all shot with lenses from this prime lens series. For this project, I'm limiting myself to the APO-Summicron-SL 50 mm f/2 ASPH . The image quality of all focal lengths in this series is outstanding, the difference between sharpness and blur is very striking, and the resolution far exceeds the 60 megapixels delivered by the Leica SL3 sensor. And with that, a word about the camera:
The camera
Since the Leica SL was launched in 2015, I've been an avid user of this system. Last November, my friend Christian Habermeier and I were in Iceland testing a prototype of the SL3—the latest model in the series. The combination of ease of use, outstanding image quality, massive robustness, and photographic and cinematic versatility is a winning combination for me. Therefore, the Leica SL3 is my camera of choice.
Stay tuned
Wherever I am between December 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025, I'll do my best to post a picture every day—here and on my Instagram account . The most recent picture will always be at the top:
Wednesday, January 1, 1:06 p.m.
I conclude the December experiment with this symbolic image: In the background, symbolizing the old year, is a slope inscribed with traces. Traces we have left in the lives of others, and traces that have been carved into our own. Beautiful and painful traces. In the foreground, the still completely untouched slope symbolizes the new year that lies ahead. May we have the wisdom to leave good traces in the lives of our fellow human beings and also in our own. I wish this for you and me.
Leica SL3 with APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/250 sec, f 16, 200 ISO
Tuesday, December 31, 7:35 p.m.
Along with myriad stars above our little alpine hut, I wish you all a happy and fulfilling 2025. Even though I'm not superstitious, you can make a wish because a shooting star flew past to the left of the house at the moment this photo was taken. Take care of yourself and your loved ones.
TIP: Since I didn't have a tripod to bring up to the cabin, I used a small wine crate as a tripod. That works in a pinch, too ;-)
Leica SL3 with APO Summicron 50mm f/2 ASPH, 10 sec, f/2.0, 3200 ISO, wine crate as tripod
Monday, December 30, 6:46 p.m.
After about an hour's snowshoe hike, we arrive at our small alpine hut, whose wooden wall you can see in the background. This is where we traditionally spend our New Year's Eve. Ursula notices that there were a few visitors – but only four-legged friends. We are truly where the fox and the hare say goodnight (a German expression that could be somewhat profanely translated as "We are at the ass end of the world." But it is a very nice ass end ;-).)
TIP: As you can see, sometimes a headlamp is enough as a light source. The snow reflects the light onto Ursula's face, which I brightened a bit in Lightroom.
Leica SL3 with APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/30sec, f 2.0, 3200 ISO
Sunday, December 29, 9:05 a.m.
What at first glance looks like a city at night is actually part of the Christmas decorations: a string of lights that I photographed and then rotated the image 90 degrees. I adjusted the white balance toward blue, and the abstraction is perfect.
TIP: When taking photos, always remember that you can rotate an image for a stunning effect - be it 90 or 180 degrees.
Leica SL3 mit APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/100sec, f 2.0, 400 ISO
Saturday, December 28, 12:18 p.m.
Our niece Angi and a team want to revolutionize the textile industry. To achieve this, they founded Turns Faserkreislauf . We met her over the holidays and did a portrait shoot with her in my friend Christian Habermeier's studio. This also gave me the opportunity to test my new LED light from Parabolixlight . The results speak for themselves. I wish Angi and the entire team success in their project – for environmental protection, for a better quality of life on our planet. And, incidentally, the question arises: color or black and white?
Leica SL3 mit APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/100sec, f 3.2, 200 ISO
Friday, December 27, 9:30 a.m.
After a cold, frosty night, the first rays of sunlight hit this fascinating thorny plant (as I mentioned, I'm a terrible botanist and don't know the plant's name ;-)). I deliberately chose my angle so that the background is dark and the rays of light stream into the frame. I think this subject looks better in black and white. I closed the aperture so that the plant itself is in focus, but the background is still quite blurred. By holding down the aperture button, you can visually assess the effect of the selected aperture while taking the photo.
Leica SL3 with APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/2000sec, f 4.5, 200 ISO
Thursday, December 26, 6:01 p.m.
We have the great privilege of having our nephew Florian present his circus show to us every year around Christmas time. It gets more and more spectacular every year, and the number of spectators steadily increases. I shot most of the images with the 21mm SL, but I also shot some with the 50mm for a tighter crop. The image appears denser. And which version do you prefer – black and white or color?
A little tip for circus photography: choose a fixed aperture and shutter speed, spot metering and ISO on auto, AFC with face priority, and continuous shooting – this will help you achieve the best results.
Leica SL3 with APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/160sec, f 2.0, 400 ISO
Wednesday, December 25, 8:48 p.m.
I love teaching young people how to take photos. Sophia, the daughter of my brother-in-law, is incredibly talented and documented Christmas with my Leica Q2. I photographed her while she was taking photos, but I definitely don't want to deprive you of one of the amazing photos Sophia took. It shows three of her sisters and my wife Ursula opening presents.
Leica SL3 with APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/30sec, f 2.0, 5000 ISO
Sophias Bild: Leica Q2 with Summilux 1:1.7/28 mm ASPH, 1/30 sec, f 1.7, 3200 ISO:
Tuesday, December 24, 10:17 a.m.
When I plan an exhibition, I print the images in a reduced size and position them on our magnetic wall to assess their impact. Today's image is a small spoiler: I'll be exhibiting at photoSCHWEIZ 25 from February 7 to 11, 2025, and the image gives a small preview of my part of the exhibition. Of course, I don't want to give away everything yet, so I've chosen a small focus area. But I'll say this much: The focal point will be a lonely bus from Iceland. Information about photoSCHWEIZ 25 can be found at www.photo-schweiz.ch
Leica SL3 with APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/200sec, f 2.0, 200 ISO
Monday, December 23, 10:41 a.m.
It's raining and snowing again – or how much sharpness does a picture need? Personally, I find the view through the wet windshield appealing. I took this photo while crossing on the ferry from Horgen to Meilen. I knew the blue railing would create an exciting color combination with the red taillight. The driver in front of me didn't start the engine until the very last moment, and I was only able to take two pictures before I had to drive off myself. Capture the moment… I closed the aperture quite tight to give both the water on the windshield and the subject itself enough structure. I slightly increased the contrast and clarity in Lightroom.
Leica SL3 with APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/40sec, f 11.0, 200 ISO
Sunday, December 22, 12:41 p.m.
This piece of stone is very special because it combines all four elements in one image: FIRE, because it's not a normal stone, but a piece of lava, formed by the fire of Iceland. WIND, because the wind blew the moss seeds onto the lava. WATER, because the water produced the moss. EARTH, because the moss is plant-based and turns into earth. It's crazy what you sometimes notice when you're taking out the garden waste in the pouring rain...
Leica SL3 with APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/13sec, f 22.0, 400 ISO, Stat
Saturday, December 21, 8:15 a.m.
This morning at the hairdresser, I asked Giulia if I could photograph her for the December experiment. She spontaneously agreed. Giulia is not only a fantastic hairdresser at Kopfsache Schaffhausen , but also a coach .
Leica SL3 mit APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/100sec, f 2.0, 640 ISO
Friday, December 20, 3:10 p.m.
After photographing the dress rehearsal at the Altra Theater yesterday, today's performance ended to much applause. Theater and concert photography are challenging. My tip: Set the white balance manually to artificial light to avoid diluting the colored light. Mount a telephoto zoom lens (e.g., 70-200mm) on one camera for close-up shots and a fast prime lens (35 or 50mm, depending on the distance from the stage) on the other for overview shots. It's better to crop the scene a little too wide than too narrow, because the high sensor resolution allows for easy cropping.
Leica SL3 mit APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/50sec, f 2.0, 1600 ISO
Thursday, December 19, 1:41 p.m.
Today I accompanied the dress rehearsal of the Altra Schaffhausen Christmas Theatre with my camera. Thomas, one of the main actors, took a brief moment before the rehearsal began to take a selfie. For me, it was a perfect moment to take a picture of him taking a picture. The colors of his costume perfectly matched the red seats of the empty Stadttheater in Schaffhausen (a beautiful location). Tomorrow the seats will be full, and I'm already looking forward to the performance.
Leica SL3 mit APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/50sec, f 2.0, 500 ISO
Wednesday, December 18, 12:21 p.m.
The resilient tomatoes: A few small, cheeky cherry tomatoes have eluded my wife Ursula's harvest. And even though the tomato bush has long since finished flowering, the five little cheeky tomatoes are still in full bloom. Now I don't know whether to harvest them or leave them hanging on the bush 😉. I took this photo with the aperture almost wide open to blur the background.
Leica SL3 with APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/800sec, f 2.5, 200 ISO
Tuesday, December 17, 9:03 a.m.
Ursula baked cookies again yesterday, and to make room, she placed two egg cups upside down in an aluminum tray. My imagination made me see a face in them—especially when I placed a leek stalk underneath. The still life reminds me a bit of WALL-E, the lovable robot from the movie of the same name.
Leica SL3 with APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/40sec, f 6.3, 200 ISO
Monday, December 16, 11:47 a.m.
A little tip for the holidays: Try editing older images with newer versions of the software. I'm currently doing this with photos I took in India a few years ago and am discovering that I can still extract a lot of detail from the data using Lightroom's masking techniques. The prints prove it's worth it! I might post the results in the new year.
Leica SL3 mit APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/100sec, f 2.0, 200 ISO
Sunday, December 15, 1:29 p.m.
Schaffhausen is probably the only city with crocheted drainpipes. At least one... And then it might happen that a partygoer is missing a shoe. In any case, someone lovingly placed a shoe on the mailbox so that it would be clearly visible when the missing person returns. I added a suitable vintage effect to the image in Lightroom.
Leica SL3 with APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/60sec, f 2.0, 200 ISO
Saturday, December 14, 9:15 a.m.
I love shopping on Saturday mornings in Schaffhausen's beautiful old town. One of my favorite shops is definitely Daniele Gaumenschmaus: the finest Italian specialties and the best salami in town. Marco Peruch, the second-generation owner, is also a photography enthusiast, and when time permits, we chat a bit about photography. Today I asked him if he would model for my December experiment – which he was happy to do, of course, because he and the entire team are always so welcoming.
Leica SL3 with APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/125sec, f 2.0, 200 ISO
Friday, December 13, 7:29 p.m.
It's mulled wine and – here in Switzerland – fondue season, of course. Not a spectacular image in and of itself, but how lovely it is to have friends around a fire, chatting, and enjoying a delicious fondue. And by the way, it's worth noting the amazing cameras the photography industry has made available to us, allowing us to take great photos without flash, using only the glow of the fire...
Leica SL3 with APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/25sec, f 2.0, 5000 ISO
Thursday, December 12, 5:08 p.m.
The fire juggler was the undisputed highlight of the Christmas market in Stein am Rhein. Everyone was thrilled, including me. I chose a slightly longer shutter speed to capture the dynamics of the flying torches while still getting the juggler's face somewhat sharp. And then I wanted the juggler to look relaxed 😉. That's always a good time to take a series of shots. Here's my favorite shot.
Leica SL3 with APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/40 sec, f 2.8, 1600 ISO
Wednesday, December 11, 9:45 a.m.
"Don't crack under pressure" – this advertising slogan came to mind when this clothespin broke in my hand last night. Many people have broken under the pressure of their circumstances, and it is often particularly difficult for them at Christmas time. Let's listen to one another and show compassion to those who have a broken heart. And if you have a broken heart (and believe me, I know what it's like), then seek help, talk to someone you trust. And if you can, then seek God's closeness, just as he sought ours. That's what we think of at Christmas.
Leica SL3 with APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/1000 sec, f 2.0, 200 ISO
Tuesday, December 10, 4:35 p.m.
It's always a great honor when someone orders a framed fine art print. And when it's three, that's fantastic. Thank you, David, for the wonderful commission, and thank you , Dani Arnold , for framing the pictures so beautifully. In the photo, you can see David and Dani looking at the pictures and discussing how we should frame them. Each print is individually created, and you can purchase any photo as a limited-edition fine art print .
Leica SL3 with APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/80 sec, f 8.0, 2500 ISO
Monday, December 9, 1:04 p.m.
So, the cookie baking project is complete. And while I don't want to spoil the bacon—sorry, the cookies—for you (a saying we use in German that you'll surely understand), I do want to share a photo of the stylish boxes Ursula filled.
Leica SL3 with APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/80 sec, f 2.0, 400 ISO
Sunday, December 8, 11:43 a.m.
Cookie production is still in full swing at our house. The scent of lemons lured me into the bakery and inspired me to take a picture of the lemon grater. I find it fascinating to see the wear and tear on an instrument—not to mention the tiny crumbs of lemon peel, whose yellow I enhanced in Lightroom.
Leica SL3 with APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/15 sec, f 7.1, 400 ISO
Saturday, December 7, 1:28 p.m.
You can be annoyed by the rain or delight in the way it creates beautiful circles on the water. The coot certainly doesn't seem to mind the rain. And the silvery drops of water on its black plumage are also very photogenic.
Leica SL3 with APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/1000 sec, f 7.1, 3200 ISO
Friday, December 6, 9:52 a.m.
Photography is always about light and its reflections. This morning, while making coffee, the sun lit up the sieve of our Zuriga for a moment. I captured this fleeting moment. A few minutes later, the sun disappeared behind the clouds – and I was enjoying my cappuccino 😉.
Leica SL3 with APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/1600 sec, f9, 250 ISO
Thursday, December 5, 12:53 p.m.
While having lunch, I noticed the bent petal of this wilting flower, shining in the backlight. I stuck a semi-transparent piece of baking paper behind the blossom on the window, took the photo, and created the vintage look in Lightroom. Almost like a painting. Unfortunately, I have very little knowledge of botany and can't tell you the name of the plant, but perhaps someone of you can?
Leica SL3 with APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/50 sec, f 7.1, 500 ISO
Wednesday, December 4, 11:40 a.m.
I always find abstract images particularly fascinating, where you can't see the scale at first glance or immediately grasp what they are. Like this picture. Is it a wave pattern? Are they landscape forms? No – it's a detail from Steve Lechot's beautiful Totem lamp , which sits in our living room. The play of light from the individual leaves that make up the lamp never ceases to fascinate me. And of course, the image looks special in black and white. I deliberately underexposed it to exploit the full spectrum from black to white.
Leica SL3 with APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/250 sec, f 10, 200 ISO
Tuesday, December 3, 9:42 a.m.
Another picture of sweet treats, but this time of a very special cake: It's a "chocolate bomb" that Ursula bakes only one day a year—my birthday. The cake is so delicious that every time I wish I had more than one birthday a year... 😉
Leica SL3 with APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/80 sec, f 2.2, 640 ISO
Monday, December 2, 3:44 p.m.
You shouldn't just see the cookies, but also the master baker 😉. So here's a photo of my wife Ursula in action. Even though she's not quite well, the cookies still need to be processed...
Leica SL3 with APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/100 sec, f 6.3, 4000 ISO
Sunday, December 1, 3:02 p.m.
My wife Ursula has been baking Christmas cookies since yesterday. This usually takes on a huge amount of dimensions, and the process offers a host of photographic opportunities. Here's my favorite photo from today: the sea of chocolate.
Leica SL3 with APO Summicron 1:2/50mm ASPH, 1/40 sec, f9, 4000 ISO
40 years of BESJ Unihockey Club Schaffhausen
I was quite surprised when an invitation recently arrived: "Dear Peter, the BESJ Floorball Club Schaffhausen, founded by you, is celebrating its 40th anniversary. You are cordially invited to the celebration. Please bring your floorball stick and gym clothes." A lot of things go through your head...
I was quite surprised when an invitation recently arrived in my house:
Dear Peter, the BESJ Floorball Club Schaffhausen, founded by you, is celebrating its 40th anniversary. You are cordially invited to the celebration. Please bring your floorball stick and gym clothes...
A lot of things go through your head:
Wow, yes that was a great time.
Am I old enough to have founded a floorball club 40 years ago?
Can I even hit a ball anymore?
I am looking forward to the celebration and hope to meet many old and new friends.
The party was brilliantly organized by my nephews, niece, and their friends. There was an interview with the founder (me ;-)). My nephew Nicola asked the questions. Afterward, of course, there was a lot of playing. And yes, I even hit a few balls ;-).
All the coaches who have coached the club over the past 40 years have faced intense competition. Well, I did come in second behind the current coach, my niece Angela. But only because I had great team members whom I was able to motivate to peak performance with my coaching.
It's great to see that even today so many young people are still involved as coaches; the kids have fun and can learn important life lessons through the sport. A big thank you to my sister Gisela, her husband Edi, and their kids Angela, Marco, and Nicola, who have floorball in their blood and continued to run the club with great enthusiasm after my departure. Thanks also to all the other coaches and the trainer who continued to run the club after my retirement. Floorball may still be a fringe sport, but it has developed enormously in recent years. The sport is now called "floorball," and there are even games that are broadcast on television.
A big thank you also to my wife Ursula, who documented the event with her camera.
Children's Week 2024
One of the highlights in the village: the Thayngen Reformed Church's Children's Week. Every day, we play a few impressions of the already legendary theater performances.
A definite highlight of village life is the Thayngen Reformed Church's Children's Week. This year, too, many volunteers are on hand – behind the scenes and on stage. The kids are fully involved, especially in the theater, which this year's theme is "Great Moments with Abraham."
We play some impressions every day.
26. April
25. April
24. April
23. April
Leica SL3 – a first review
Back in November, my friend Christian Habermeier and I were out and about with the Leica SL3. We put the pre-production model through a real endurance test with the cold-water surfers in Iceland.
Last November, when the rumor mill hadn't yet produced any definitive reports, my friend Christian Habermeier and I were traveling in Iceland. With us were two pre-production Leica SL3s. We wanted to put the camera through its paces and push it to its limits. Iceland's cold-water surfers seemed like a brilliant project for this. And so, one early morning at minus 7 degrees Celsius in northern Iceland, we stood with clammy fingers, watching as the surfers, enthusiastic and seemingly immune to the cold, forced themselves into their wetsuits.
Tough guys. Leica SL3, 1/320 sec., f/1.4, 320 ISO, Summilux-SL 50 mm f/1.4. Image editing and black and white conversion in Lightroom.
Elli Thor, who is not only a very good surfer but also an outstanding photographer, introduced us to the cold water surfing scene. His website is definitely worth a look , and if you're planning a film or photo project in Iceland and need a local photographer/filmmaker, Elli is definitely a top choice.
Elli. Leica SL3, 1/200 sec., f/2.2, 250 ISO, Apo-Summicron SL 90 mm f/2.0. Image editing and black and white conversion in Lightroom.
What are the main differences between SL2 and SL3
How does the SL3 compare to the SL2? In my opinion, these points speak in favor of the latest model in the SL series:
Foldable screen. Leica has long resisted making the screen foldable. Now it's here with the stability that Leica values.
A high-resolution 60 megapixel sensor with the ability to capture images in both RAW and JPG formats at three resolution levels. Dynamic range and noise performance have been further improved compared to the SL2.
Faster image sequences (up to 15 frames/second)
Improved autofocus compared to the SL2
Case slightly smaller, but not as small as the cases from other providers, which in my opinion no longer fit well in the hand because they are too small, at least for me
Video in 8K
The already ingenious operating concept and menu navigation have been further improved
Elli and his wife Rachel. This photo wouldn't have been possible without the foldable screen, because I held the camera just above the water's surface. Leica SL3, 1/250 sec, f/4.5, 2500 ISO, Leica Vario Elmarit SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4.0 at 56mm. Image editing and black and white conversion in Lightroom.
How does it work with the SL3
Unrivalled ingenuity: the operating concept of the Leica SL3 (Press photo Leica)
The camera is entirely at the service of the photographer
What I appreciate so much about the Leica SL series is the fact that the camera is entirely at the photographer's service. Not a lot of fancy buttons and levers, but a focus on the essentials. In my opinion, the on-screen interface is faster and more intuitive to use than a lot of different levers and buttons. My friend Christian, who had only worked with the S3 before our trip and was unfamiliar with the SL cameras, said approvingly: "After half an hour, you'll have the camera under control. Everything is logically structured." I was very pleased that the Leica developers gave the SL3 a third dial. This allows you to adjust shutter speed, aperture, and ISO with separate dials without having to press any buttons first. The new on/off switch took a little getting used to at first, but the ability to put the camera into standby mode saves time when turning the camera on. It's ready to use from standby mode in a flash.
The SL3 is tough
We were out in minus 7 degrees Celsius, and the SL3 got a few splashes of water. But it always worked perfectly and without complaint. I've had occasional crashes with other brands' cameras in extreme weather conditions, but the SL series cameras have always worked flawlessly. For me, the reliability of a camera is a key factor in my purchasing decision.
The lenses are a dream
For me, the SL lenses—specifically those produced in Wetzlar—are fantastic. The three SL zooms, 16–35mm, 24–90mm, and 90–280mm, are, in my opinion, the best zooms for full-frame cameras on the market. I find they offer a level of quality that other systems only achieve with fixed focal lengths. The fixed focal length series for the SL with a maximum aperture of 2.0 (21/24/28/35/50 and 90mm) are so incredibly good that, in combination with the 60 megapixel sensor, you can work almost at medium format level. I have the SL 2.0/35 and the 2.0/90mm, and I absolutely love working with both of them. Thanks to the L-Mount Alliance, lenses from Panasonic and Sigma can also be attached to the SL3, although, as mentioned above, I prefer the original Leica SL lenses. But, I admit, this is a question of cost.
I like the color management
With other camera manufacturers, I often find the colors a bit oversaturated. Leica cameras are more restrained in this regard. Of course, some things can be corrected in post-production, but the closer the colors are to my optimal perception, the less time I have to spend on image editing.
A special function for architectural photography
First introduced in the Leica M series, automatic perspective correction has also been available in the SL series since the SL2. When perspective correction is activated, Leica provides each image with the information needed to correct converging lines in post-production with Lightroom at the touch of a button. When shooting in RAW, you have both an uncorrected image and, at the touch of a button, a perfectly corrected image in which all converging lines are absolutely straight. I always had the impression that perspective correction in Lightroom didn't work 100%. In my opinion, the Leica perspective correction is better.
Is there anything that speaks against the SL3?
In my workshops, I often have participants take photos with my SL2. There's a general consensus: the operating concept and image quality are top-notch. Of course, Leica isn't cheap, and not everyone is willing or able to invest that much money in a camera system—although everyone agrees that the high-quality materials and sophisticated operating concept are worth the money. One criticism occasionally comes from my "testers": the camera and lenses are heavier than competitor models. Here, you're essentially paying a price for the system's robustness, and each person must decide for themselves whether they're willing to accept the extra weight for added robustness.
And the autofocus?
Practically all reviews and forums have stated that the Leica SL2's autofocus lags behind that of its rivals. That's absolutely correct. The SL3's autofocus has been significantly improved, and the eye tracking works flawlessly. However, I don't want to hide the fact that when it comes to autofocus, the SL3 is beaten by cameras like the Sony a1 when it comes to extremely fast-paced sports. It's quite possible that Leica can improve its AF performance with firmware upgrades, but anyone who photographs Formula 1 or other fast-paced sports might be better off with a camera like the Sony a1. In "normal" situations, and even for sports that aren't ultra-fast, the SL3 is a wonderful tool. When filming, the autofocus on our pre-production model wasn't entirely problem-free. It's quite possible that things are now better on the production model. However, if you focus manually while filming, the SL3 is a camera that delivers beautiful video files at – as already mentioned – up to 8K. I also think it's interesting for filmmakers that you can create different profiles for filming. Once you've done that, you can switch back and forth between different film settings in a flash. I created a "normal" profile with 4K 30fps, one with 4K 60fps, an 8K profile, and a slow-motion profile. Switching back and forth while working is then lightning fast.
The SL3's autofocus has been significantly improved compared to the SL2. Leica SL3, 1/1000 sec, f/6.3, 3200 ISO, Sigma 100–400mm 5–6.3 DG DN OS at 288 mm
A small photo gallery of the cold water surfers
And finally a little movie
I've put together a short film clip, especially to visualize the fast-paced sequences of images. All stills were shot with the SL3. Enjoy immersing yourself in the world of cold-water surfing.
Special thanks to Elli Thor and his friends. It was an honour to be out and about with you. © aller Bilder und Videoclips by Christian Habermeier und Peter Schäublin.
Once on the other side of the camera
Once on the other side of the camera: Great report from the Sunday window about us on the topic of «Discovering Slowness» and our new «Silence» book
Ursula and I were quite surprised when the Sunday newspaper Fenster zum Sonntag asked us if they could make a short film about Ursula and me on the topic of "Discovering Slowness." The request was prompted by our book "Silence ," which focuses on silence and, with it, the act of disconnecting from hectic everyday life.
We wouldn't exactly call ourselves masters at carving out spaces for slowness. But we are very aware of the importance of these breaks. And we are practicing taking them again and again. Because, as paradoxical as it may sound, a lot happens precisely in times of silence. Inner processes unfold, important thoughts are given space, unprocessed thoughts become present and can be addressed and processed. New ideas pop up before our inner eyes.
The film crew visited us in our small alpine hut during a snowstorm. It was a bit of a logistical challenge, but Christof, Piet, and Michi handled it brilliantly and shot a fantastic piece. There was plenty of time for great conversations during the off-peak hours, and it was also an exciting experience to be on the other side of the camera for a change ;-).
Anyone who missed the report on SRF can watch it here on the Sunday Window’s YouTube platform :
And if you'd like to purchase one of the "Silence" books, limited to 299 copies, you can order your copy in our online shop . Here's a sneak peek inside the book:
Schaffhuuse shows heart
When Raúl Bobadilla isn't playing soccer for once, but is throwing like a top handball player, it's time for the charity match "Schaffhuuse shows heart." Impressions from the game.
When Raúl Bobadilla isn't playing football for once, but is taking a shot like a top handball player, it's time for the charity match "Schaffhuuse shows heart": FC Schaffhausen plays against Kadetten Schaffhausen. One half will be football, and the other half will be handball. There's plenty of showmanship and fun involved, and the audience gets their money's worth thanks to the stars' humorous performances.
This was the second time this event has been held. The proceeds are donated to a good cause – this year to the Lindli Huus . As a photographer for the Lindli Huus, I was there in person. Here are a few impressions from this fantastic event, which we hope will be held again next year.
AI second round
AI-assisted generation of AI images…
In my first article, I reflected on the fascination and dangers of AI-generated images. Now I've started a small experiment to create better AI images using AI. This might sound a bit strange at first. Here's how:
To generate an image via AI, you need to formulate a description for the image—the so-called "prompt." On Midjourney, the platform where I enter my prompts, I wrote the following text (you'll get better results using English):
Photograph of old buses in a busstation with a woman sitting in one of the buses looking out of the window with waterdrops on the window. The woman has black hair and a face with a sad expression, industrial area, night, cold colors except inside the bus with the woman, the photograph should look like a painting of edward hopper but ultrarealistic. The picture is taken from outside the bus. In the picture you can see the whole bus and other buses in the background. drone shot on dji mavic 3.
Midjourney generated four images from this text:
The results were visually appealing, but they didn't match my intention. So I enlisted the help of AI and asked Microsoft's Copilot (many thanks to Jannik for the introduction) to formulate a more detailed, ten-sentence version of my text. The result was the following text:
The photograph is an overview of an old bus station taken from outside the bus. The station is located in an industrial area and the photograph was taken at night. The photograph has a cold color palette except for the inside of the bus where the woman is sitting. The woman has black hair and a sad expression on her face. She is sitting in one of the buses and looking out of the window. The window has water droplets on it, which adds to the melancholic mood of the photograph. The photograph is taken from a drone using a DJI Mavic 3. The photograph is ultra-realistic and looks like a painting by Edward Hopper. The photograph captures the whole bus and other buses in the background. The photograph is a stunning example of how a photograph can capture the mood of a place and the emotions of a person.
With this description, Midjourney has generated new, different images:
I tried again:
The photograph is an overview of an old bus station taken from an aerial perspective. There are five busses in the busstation which is located in an industrial area and the photograph was taken at a rainy night. All buses are empty, except one bus in which a lady is sitting inside the bus. The photograph has a cold color palette except for the inside of the one bus where the woman is sitting and looking out of the window. The window has water droplets on it, which adds to the melancholic mood of the photograph. In this one bus, a warm light enlights the inside of the bus. The woman has black hair and a sad expression on her face. The photograph is taken from a drone using a DJI Mavic 3. The photograph is ultra-realistic andhas a style like an Edward Hopper painting.
Now the bus station came out better, but the scene was shown from so far away that the individual person is no longer visible:
I gave up the idea of the aerial photography and formulated a new text together with Copilot:
The photograph is an ultra-photorealistic image captured with a Leica M camera and a 21mm lens. The photograph is a strong wide-angle shot that captures the entire bus station. In the foreground, you can see a bus that is illuminated from the inside. A young woman with black hair is sitting at a window in the middle of the bus, looking sadly out of the window. The photograph was taken during the blue hour, which gives the photograph a cool color palette. However, the interior of the bus where the woman is sitting is bathed in warm light, creating a stark contrast with the cool colors outside. In the background, you can see other buses parked in the bus station. They are all empty, and no other person can be seen in the whole picture except for the one woman sitting in the illuminated bus. It is raining, and you can see drops of water on the windows of the buses.
Here is the new result:
Still not what I imagined in my mind's eye, but better. I liked the image below right the best, and I generated four versions of this photo in Midjourney:
I didn't really manage to capture what I had in mind. The image below at least somewhat captures the mood I had in mind:
Addendum
Midjourney has just been updated, and version 6.0 is now online. With this version, I managed for the first time to generate an image that is much closer to my text description. Most importantly, the system now correctly detects that the image was taken from outside the bus. Technology is advancing rapidly, and in a few months we'll see even more accurate results.
The Pope and the Dalai Lama drinking coffee...
… or: Don’t trust any image you didn’t generate yourself.
What has long been true, because Photoshop has been able to manipulate images for some time, becomes even more obvious with AI: Don't trust any image you didn't fake yourself. Therefore, let me say it right at the beginning: All images in this news story were created using artificial intelligence.
AI (Artificial Intelligence) is on everyone's lips. My curiosity piqued, and I experimented with Midjourney , one of the leading tools for translating an image description into a photo. You enter the most detailed image description possible in English, and the system generates four versions of an image. The source for this is apparently five billion photos circulating on the internet. The whole thing currently operates in a legal vacuum, because with the exception of one provider, the tools access images for which they have no right to use. This isn't (yet) a problem for experiments, but what happens if a company or brand uses AI-generated images in which one or more of the original images are still clearly recognizable? It's only a matter of time before courts have to address the question of whether an AI-generated image is a completely new work or whether the authors of the photos used must be paid a license fee.
Depending on the subject, the images, or at least parts of them, still look very artificial. Sometimes things aren't quite right—take a closer look at the hands in the last image, for example (click on the image for a larger, full view). I'm pretty sure this will improve in the future, and my still relatively limited knowledge of AI image generation probably also influences the image quality.
Why the Pope and the Dalai Lama?
I took the liberty—and please forgive me—of using the Pope and the Dalai Lama as a starting point for this article. I wanted to create an image that could exist. This earned me criticism from a dear friend, whom I greatly respect. He rightly said that this image could spread widely on the internet, and at some point the image would be so taken out of context that people would no longer know it was an AI-generated image. He suggested labeling the image as an AI photo, but unfortunately, AI is very capable of removing any annotations from an image. The latest versions of Adobe Photoshop demonstrate how frighteningly and fascinatingly advanced image editing programs have become in this area. Another acquaintance liked the idea of the two spiritual leaders and suggested generating a similar image with Putin and Zelensky—as a contribution to the peace process... This feedback demonstrates the great danger of this technology. No one knows anymore what is real and what isn't. Currently, AI-generated images still look somewhat artificial, and as mentioned above, they occasionally contain minor errors. Therefore, upon closer inspection, it's often possible to determine whether the image is a real photograph or an AI image. But in my opinion, it's only a matter of time before AI-generated images are no longer distinguishable from original photographs.
What does this do to us as a society?
When I talk to friends about AI-generated images or show them how to generate photos with AI, I feel two emotions: fascination and frustration. Fascination because it's exciting that you can describe a scene in words and have the AI generate an image from it. The sky (or rather, your own imagination) is the limit – a hackneyed saying that holds true here too. We take the wings of technology to soar ever higher. But after some reflection, my conversation partners often experience the Icarus effect: a crash. They then formulate sentences like, "Now I can no longer trust a picture." Image editing programs have already greatly reduced belief in photos as a reflection of reality. And it seems to me that AI is completely destroying what little faith remained. In a society already unsettled by the events of recent years and the tense global situation, this new technology is further increasing uncertainty. Due to the abuse of extremist groups, absolute values are frowned upon, but now that everything is becoming relative, we feel a sense of loss because there seems to be no stability left. Perhaps that's a bit dramatic, and AI-based images are perhaps just one piece of the puzzle in this whole web of uncertainty, but it seems to me that this artificial generation of images suddenly makes the uncertainty more tangible and real. We are facing major challenges as a society, and technology—which also brings many positive aspects, let me explicitly mention this here—certainly cannot be stopped. We must not lose our authenticity as humans and as a society. Much has been and continues to be written about this, and it challenges each and every one of us to confront the question of authenticity. Interestingly, the photography industry has seen this development coming and launched an exciting initiative:
Content Credentials
Content Credentials is an organization that, as far as I understand, encodes the RAW file in the camera, which identifies the original file as an unedited original. This way, you can prove at any time whether an image has been manipulated or not. In the future, photographers will have the option of having the Content Credentials code added to their images as they are taken. The first company to incorporate Content Credentials into a camera is Leica, in the Leica M11P. You can find out how it all works here.
The results of my experiment
As a curious and open-minded person who works in advertising and photography, this technology is definitely important enough for me to pursue it. The trick lies in formulating the so-called "prompt." "Prompt" is the name of the image description you enter. My first experiments with AI-based image generation showed me that even small changes in the text can have a major impact on the image. "Prompting" is a kind of programming language in which you describe the images. The trick is that sometimes you have an image in your head, and then the AI generates something completely different. While you can upload your own images as style templates to Midjourney, my first test with an uploaded image showed that while the style of the image was somewhat retained, I otherwise didn't recognize my photo in the AI-generated version (which is very good for users regarding copyright issues...).
Here are the first results of my experiments with Midjourney:
None of these images are real. They are all creations created by the AI based on my input.
And special thanks to Christian Habermeier, who introduced me to the Midjourney world.
All the best for 2024
All the best for 2024 with clips of fire and ice, accompanied by Sebastian Bach's epic music
A year full of events is drawing to a close. Much has gone awry. And at the same time, much hope is happening on our planet.
This year, we had the privilege of experiencing the primal power of creation in a very special way during the volcanic eruption at Litli-Hrutur (Iceland). Therefore, as a New Year's greeting, we would like to take you on a short journey through fire and ice, accompanied by Sebastian Bach's epic music.
The opposites of fire and ice combine in this short clip. Their power and beauty are opposites, yet similarities suddenly become apparent, creating a fascinating connection. We wish you that opposites and "headwinds" don't slow you down, but rather inspire you. That you find space to see the "other side" and discover its potential. That what seems to divide connects and power flows.
Knowing that we may also be in contact with the One who created heaven, earth, fire and ice in the new year, we wish you a good and fulfilling 2024.
Peter and Ursula Schäublin
I wait until the picture finds me
Great article by Andreas Schiendorfer in the Schaffhauser Nachrichten.
Andreas Schiendorfer has masterfully summarized a conversation I had about the new Silence book . His article appeared in the Schaffhauser Nachrichten on December 21:
Paving the way – a special event on 12.1.24 in Schaffhausen
Warm invitation to a live event with Daniel and Karin Bürgi, founders of the NGO Himalayan Life
Last year, a group of five cyclists from four countries cycled 600 kilometers in the thin air of the high Himalayas to raise awareness of the living conditions of the people who work at this altitude, sometimes under extremely difficult conditions, and to raise funds for Himalayan Life 's projects. We had the honor of making a film about this sponsored bike ride. Many of our clients and friends followed the project and support Himalayan Life.
Now we have the unique opportunity to organize a live event in Schaffhausen with Dani and Karin Bürgi, founders of Himalayan Life:
Date
Friday, 12 January 2024 in Schaffhausen
Location: Werkstätte Liechtblick, Amsler-Laffon-Strasse 1, Schaffhausen, 4th floor
time
18.15 Door opening
6.30pm Aperitif
19.15 Presentation by Daniel Bürgi with short film
8:15 PM Interview and Q+A
8.45pm End
Contribution for the aperitif and drinks: CHF 39 per person. The amount can be paid on-site in cash or via TWINT. Rounding up is permitted – any excess will go entirely to Himalayan Life. To ensure we know how many people are coming, please register by January 11, 2024:
I/we will be attending the information event on January 12, 2024:
Helping people help themselves isn't just a slogan at Himalayan Life, but a lived reality. The organization builds schools, organizes sporting events across caste lines, offers programs to help street children get off drugs, founded the first PET recycling plant in Nepal, and is working to give smallholder farmers better prospects. The goal is always to pursue a long-term vision for genuinely improving living conditions. The organization employs almost exclusively locals in Nepal, thus creating jobs and imparting know-how to Nepalese people. We were inspired by this approach. On January 12, 2024, you will receive firsthand information on how development cooperation really makes a difference and how donations are used efficiently and directly to improve the living conditions of many people, especially children.
Photos and film clips in the header: Dani Rimann
First copy of «Silence» arrived
The first copy of "silence" has arrived. I'll give you an insight into the book in a short video. You can order it until November 16th for the subscription price of CHF 45 (CHF 55 afterward).
We already announced our new book in our blog posts of October 9 and November 3. The first copy has now arrived, and you can get a sneak peek via the video attached below.
Limited to 299 copies
Cover: White cardboard with embossing and partial foiling
Contents: 128 pages, including 96 pages in duplex printing (black and white) and 32 pages in color
Format: 30 x 23 cm
«Silence» in production
128 pages with images and short texts on the theme of "silence." Order now at the subscription price.
"Silence" is produced using high-quality offset printing. 96 pages are printed in duplex for the black-and-white images and 32 pages are printed in color. We traveled to the printing press specifically to inspect the printed sheets.
Here's a short clip with impressions from the printing shop. The book is being printed by our friend Benedikt Wild and his fantastic crew at F&W Druck in Kienberg.
Limited to 299 copies
Cover: White cardboard with embossing and partial foiling
Contents: 128 pages, including 96 pages in duplex printing (black and white) and 32 pages in color
Format: 30 x 23 cm
«Silence» – the new book
128 pages with images and short texts on the theme of "silence." Order now at the subscription price.
The world feels like it's spinning faster and faster. Technological innovations often don't help us have more time and leisure. Quite the opposite. The train of progress is moving at an ever-increasing pace.
We consider it a privilege that we can repeatedly escape this fast-paced life and spend time in places where the clocks tick slower and more quietly. Where no cell phone signal beeps demandingly.
Photography teaches us to absorb these precious moments deep within ourselves. Only then can we discover the motifs that the Creator offers us in nature. We would like to share with you the wonder of these magical moments in faraway lands like Iceland, Alaska, and Canada, as well as in Switzerland and France. We hope that, somewhere in your everyday life, you can carve out a little time and space to immerse yourself in the images. So that the vibrations of nature reach your heart and peace reigns. Silence.
We're publishing the book in a limited edition of 299 copies. As always, you can secure issue 001/299 by bidding. More information can be found here.
Limited to 299 copies
Cover: White cardboard with embossing and partial foiling
Contents: 128 pages, including 96 pages in duplex printing (black and white) and 32 pages in color
Format: 30 x 23 cm
Delivery/collection from the end of November.
Do you want to secure the number 1 spot?
As with every limited edition, we're selling issue 001/299 to the highest bidder. This time, we're even including an A4 fine art print of one of the images in the book. You'll receive a high-resolution PDF of the book in advance, from which you can choose which image you'd like as a fine art print. The proceeds from this offer go to Himalayan Life , the small NGO that's making a big difference.
Here you can submit your bid for number 001/299 until November 15, 2023:
Leica Q3 – first test images
The Leica Q2 was (and still is) a top-class camera. Can Leica take it to the next level with the Q3? Here's a first impression.
Last week, the Leica Q3 was introduced as the successor to the Q2. The camera has a large fan base worldwide because it's a kind of mini powerhouse: Despite its small dimensions, the Q series delivers incredibly good images. This is thanks in part to the excellent lens – a Summilux 1.7/28 mm – but also to the high manufacturing precision and the integrated electronics. The Q2 already set the bar high with 47.5 megapixels and 4K. With the Q3, Leica has upped the ante even further: 61 megapixel resolution, 8K video, plus – something Leica fans have been waiting for a long time – a pivoting screen...
Except for the pivoting screen, the Leica Q3 is virtually identical to the Q2. However, a lot has changed inside the camera (Leica press photos).
First impression
What sets Leica cameras apart is their excellent image quality, superb craftsmanship, and ease of use. The Q3 is built precisely in this DNA. Anyone who's already shot with a Q will have virtually no adjustment required. Only the buttons on the back of the camera are arranged slightly differently, as more space was needed for the large flip-up screen. Since I only had the camera for a few hours, I went into our garden and collected impressions. Thanks to the wide-aperture lens and the macro settings, you have a lot of creative freedom despite the fixed focal length. And thanks to the generous resolution, you can even crop something.
I'm thrilled with the initial results. Here are a few photos from this first spontaneous test, edited to my liking:
I hope to have the opportunity to test the Q3 more extensively at a later date and also try out the video features. I've shot a few short clips, and I was particularly impressed by the precise autofocus, which also works well for filming. But as I said, I need more time for a serious review.
Children's Week of the Reformed Church Thayngen
Back after the COVID-19 break, and how: the Children's Week of the Reformed Church of Thayngen. Here are some impressions.
After the COVID-19 break, it's back, and with a bang: the Thayngen Reformed Church's Children's Week. The kids are fully engaged, and the theater is already legendary. This year's theme: Queen Esther.
We'll be posting some impressions every day. All photos by Ursula and Peter Schäublin.
28. April
27. April
26. April
25. April
Magnolia 2023
My long-exposure photography experiment with the magnolia tree in our garden is entering its tenth round…
My "magnolia experiment" is entering its tenth year: Since 2014, every year – whenever I'm at home – I've photographed the blooming magnolia tree in our garden. I'm pursuing the theory that, on the one hand, my perception changes, and the style of the images is also influenced by the camera I use to create them. I consciously try to use a variety of cameras. In the nine years since, I've used eight different cameras.
This year, I shot with one camera and two prime lenses, and I wanted to create a series that was consistent in mood. To achieve this, I also worked with Adobe Lightroom's new AI masks.
Here's the updated gallery with the most recent shots. If you scroll down, you'll also see older shots, dating back to 2014. For the camera freaks, I've noted which camera I used.
2023
Leica SL2 with the two fixed focal lengths SL 35 mm and SL 90 mm
I limited myself to two fixed focal lengths.
2022
Leica S3, Leica SL2, Sony a1
For the first time, I photographed with more than one camera. Variety is the spice of life ;-).
2021
Leica SL2
In 2021, I missed the flowering period, so the yield was relatively poor.
2020
Leica SL2
2019
Fujfilm GFX100
2018
Leica CL
2017
Panasonic GH5
2016
Leica SL
The Leica SL was definitely a boost for my photography. Mirrorless photography with targeted over- and underexposure was (and still is) a brilliant experience. Moreover, the only lens available at the beginning—the SL 24-90mm—exhibited a quality that I had previously only experienced with prime lenses in the 35mm DSLR range.
2015
Nikon D810
2014
Nikon D810
Impressions from the camera day course
For the first time, I gave a one-day course on "conscious photography." Perhaps this might be something for you?
The simplicity of conscious photography
In my photography course in Rasa TI, I teach participants the three areas of camera control, handling light, and image editing. The wish has been repeatedly expressed that these modules could be taken individually. Last year, for example, I held a one-day course on image editing with Adobe Lightroom , and now four participants have learned the secrets of conscious photography in a one-day course . After this day, they were all able to understand what their camera does and how they can influence the effect of the image by setting the parameters. First, there was a bit of theory, and then we moved straight into practical exercises in the 720-degree photo studio, and after dinner, in Schaffhausen at night.
Pictures above: The participants immediately put what they have learned in theory into practice.
At the end of the course day, everyone agreed:
We now understand how a camera works and what we can influence with the different settings. Now it's time to put the knowledge we've gained into practice and practice as much as possible.
After dinner, we set off to explore the topic of "photography in the dark" in Schaffhausen at night, and even experiment a bit. The next course for beginners in conscious photography is scheduled for Saturday, May 18, 2024. If there is a lot of interest, I will offer another course in the fall (just send us an email if you are interested in a fall course). If you would like to be informed about new course dates, subscribe to our newsletter .
Above: Some impressions and results from the nighttime stroll through Schaffhausen.
Below: The participants took photos of each other and immediately applied their knowledge of shutter speed, aperture and ISO in practice.
New short film about ALTITUDE
It's always exciting when another editor puts together a video with our footage. Matthew Kostamo from Canada edited a cool short film about ALTITUDE using our clips.
Versatile material
A video/photo project always generates a lot of footage, of which only a small portion ends up in the finished product. The editor's intuition and personal taste determine which clips are used.
That's why it was very exciting for me to see what another film editor would do with the material from Daniel Rimann and me. Matthew Kostamo from Canada put together a nearly five-minute short film about ALTITUDE for Himalayan Life. Some scenes were also used in the trailer/film I edited, others were not.
Matthew did a great job, so I'd like to show you his version: