Leica Q3 Grad Session
I had a UC Davis grad session with Alexandra recently and decided to try shooting only with the Leica Q3. Unlike my usual camera set-up, the Q3 has only one fixed focal distance. It is equipped with a non-interchangeable 28mm lens. On a standard grad load out, I pack two Sony a7 series cameras, a variety of lenses that cover ultra wide to long telephoto, as well as a complete flash system. I had been shooting with the Q3 for personal photos recently and wanted to give it a try on a professional shoot. I was a bit nervous because with only a fixed focal length, I didn’t have the wide amount of flexibility I was accustomed to. I knew the quality of the images was there, but could this little camera really do the job on a grad shoot? I was about to find out.
When I met Alexandra at our agreed meeting spot I asked her if it was ok that I use the Q3. Not being someone who knows a lot about cameras, she agreed without any hesitation. I guess she just trusted I would do a good job for her. And I didn’t want to let her down. I was determined to shoot photos that Alexandra would love and cherish for a lifetime. We started at the brick UC Davis sign behind Dutton Hall then moved to Wellman Hall, a building that she had many classes in. I loved that Alexandra wanted to shoot at Wellman because not many students go to the spot they had class at the most when doing grad photos. I personally think that shooting at these locations provides the best memories when looking back at the grad pictures. Wellman isn’t particularly a beautiful building, but it does have an iconic brick build that even I remember when I was a student at Davis so many years ago!
Wellman is very close to the popular streets that run parallel to the Quad. After getting the shots we wanted at Wellman we found a nice spot on the street to shoot. Though the final image may look like we had clear shooting lanes, that was not the case at all. Both streets were crowded with grad photographers, their clients, as well as students going about their daily business. I typically try to wait until the street opens up before taking my shot, but in the case today, I had to just use the power of photo editing to make the street look clear. Also, while taking the shot of Alexandra throwing her hat, I had to make sure to adjust the shutter speed setting on the Q3 to make sure the hat didn’t look burry due to its flight. In the end, I was very satisfied with the final photo - it’s clean and the hat has been captured sharply in mid flight.
I was surprised at the different angles the Q3 could capture. The 28mm fixed lens really makes you compose shots with your feet. I had to move and adjust my shooting position quite often in order to get the framing I wanted to. But it all worked out very well. I was very pleased with the photos I was able to achieve with the Q3. It didn’t feel as limiting as I thought it would. In fact, it would be great to do more sessions with the Q3 in the future now that I am more comfortable with it in a professional setting.
One of the places we went to was Alexandra’s lab in the chemistry building. The lighting in the building wasn’t great, but the Q3’s maximum aperture of F1.7 made shooting in darker situations a breeze. The camera is definitely great in a lower light situation. I’m not convinced it could shoot dancing on a dance floor during a reception, but for posed portraits in lower light, the Q3 can definitely hold its own. Also at F1.7 you can really get objects in the foreground and background to show a good sense of depth in the photo. I like how the lab machine in the foreground of the photo above shows its relation to Alexandra in the picture. The bokeh of the Q3 is nice and smooth.
Our final shooting location for Alexandra’s grad session was the redwood section of the Arboretum. This popular location features beautiful greenery that compliments the UC Davis colors very well. The shot above has Alexandra right in front of the sun. The Q3 handled this backlit situation nicely and cleanly without adding a bunch of unwanted artifacts into the picture. In the end, Alexandra gave me positive feedback about the photos she received from her session. I really enjoyed taken them with the Q3 as well. There are certainly some photos that you would need different lenses to capture, but the Q3 can do a more than adequate job on its own. I’ll be going back to the Sonys for my next grad sessions, but this was a really fun excursion for me into trying something different.