Artistic photography has brought balance back to my life after working too many hours for too many years in the city that never sleeps, and I can't imagine a greater gift than to accumulate a collection of images and moments that take your breath away.

I only started this journey a year ago, and I owe any skill that I have now, or will have in the future, to the online photography community. I browse photo streams nearly every day, and I'm astonished and humbled by the quality of the work I see from all of you.

Thank you to everyone who posts their photos and stays involved!

GEAR

-- Leica MM

-- Leica M9P

-- Leica M-P 240

-- Leica 90/2 APO

-- Leica 90/2 pre-ASPH 1983

-- Leica 75/2 APO

-- Leica 75/1.4 Summilux

-- Leica 50/0.95 Noctilux ASPH

-- Leica 50/1.0 Noctilux E58 v.1 1958

-- Leica 50/2 APO

-- Leica 50/1.4 ASPH

-- Leica 50/1.4 pre-ASPH E43 v.2 1989

-- Leica 50/1.4 Summilux-M v.1 1958

-- Voigtlander 35/1.2 v.1 1979

-- Leica 35/1.4 ASPH FLE

-- Leica 35/2 Summicron ASPH

-- Leica 35/2 Summicron v.1 1959

-- Leica 35/2 Summicron v.4 1995

PREVIOUS GEAR ( * = favorites)

-- Leitz 40/2 Summicron-C (lovely classic lens, but too similar to the v4 35 Cron to keep both, tiny, compact, sharp, great color)

-- Leica 35/2.5 Summarit (extraordinary sharpness, but smooth character isn't my thing, I like harsher, grittier lenses, but this is an exceptionally good lens at a reasonable price for Leica)

-- Canon 5D Mark III (great camera, miss it sometimes)

-- Canon 1DX (too big and too loud. great photos though.)

-- Canon 85mm f1.2II (too big, too slow, and too "digital")

-- Canon 35mm f1.4 (the Zeiss 35/1.4 is so much better)

-- Canon 50mm f1.2 (images were flat and washed out)

-- Canon 135mm f2 (beautiful lens. But Zeiss 135 is far better)

-- Zeiss 135/2 Apo Sonnar (fantastic lens, but this focal length just isn't very interesting)

-- Zeiss 85mm f1.4 (beautiful images, but so hard to nail focus)

-- Zeiss 35mm f2 (the f1.4 version is so much better)

-- Zeiss 50mm f1.4 Planar (loved it before the 55/1.4 Otus came along)

-- Zeiss 15/2.8 Distagon (stunning colors and sharpness, but limited opportunities to create interesting photos. Very fun to use.)

-- Zeiss 35/1.4 Distagon (excellent lens with very unique character, but I couldn't connect with this focal length, always felt too wide or not wide enough, never just right. Lens was to large for a 35 also.)

-- Zeiss 55mm 1.4 Otus (Best lens I've ever used. No flaws except size)

-- Zeiss 100mm Makro Planar (Amazing rendering and fun to use. Very versatile. Very hard to sell)