Picking On Complete Strangers – April 2025

This is a collection of Picking On Complete Strangers that I have captured throughout the month of April! Mostly captured with Mildred (the Leica M11-D) and the Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 “1966” but the Hasselblad 503 CXI with the CFV 100C digital back and the Leica Monochrom Typ 246 both make an appearance here and there as well :)

April 1st, 2025

First off, we have a quick selection of photos from April 1st (no fooling) captured with the Leica Monochrom Typ 246 from a quick photowander along Vancouver’s Commercial Drive. I think I was wandering from someplace to someplace else, so this was a pretty quick walk, if I remember correctly. I joined up with my good Friend Charlie to wander some more in the back alleys and whatnot off of Commercial Drive, trying to focus on shooting only Black and White, but I did come across a couple of scenes that NEEDED to be captured in Colour.

A person with a bicycle standing outside a pizza shop with a sidewalk sign — A person stands with their bicycle outside a pizza shop on Commercial Drive
**Camera**: Leica M (typ 246) Monochrom
**Lens**: Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 ASPH “1966”

I couldn’t decide which of these two captures below that I liked better so now you have to do the work and choose and get both versions. :)

Two people walking down a graffiti-covered alley with a trash bag — Two people walk down an alley off of Commercial Drive lined with graffiti and overgrown plants
**Camera**: Leica M (typ 246) Monochrom
**Lens**: Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 ASPH “1966”

April 5th 2025

Here we have some photos from April 5th that I captured as I was quickly walking to meet some folks for drinks and appys at Havana’s on Commercial Drive. I love photos like these as I often walk and will barely skip a step in snagging some quick moments.

A woman stands outside a red-tiled building while looking at her phone. — A woman checks her phone while standing in front of a red-tiled entryway off of Commercial Drive.
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 ASPH “1966”

We were meeting up with some folks after wandering about the Equinox Gallery and the Fred Herzog Collection. I have always been a big fan of Herzog’s work, but it was really fun to see it printed in real life and a gallery setting.

I also picked up a couple of Coffee table books to gander at here at home, which was wonderful. I am thinking I am going to start collecting more photo books of the influential photographers that I love to quote and learn about, all ad hoc like. In fact, I should probably research them and their work with some actual curated collections as opposed to the random searching and documentary film watching that I do now :)

Also, part of me is thinking about trying to recreate some of Herzog’s famous photos in modern times, particularly in cases where the streets look the same and the buildings are still standing. I was particularly insufferable to my fellow gallery patrons as I constantly went off on ADHD infodump styles about how the streets looked the same and which buildings still stand today. It is fun to see how some parts of Vancouver haven’t really changed in 50-60 years, well, at least I think that is fun.

A couple walks past a restaurant patio with a happy hour sign on the sidewalk. — Two people walk down a sidewalk on Commercial Drive past a patio and happy hour sign.
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 ASPH “1966”

A woman sits at a table in a dimly lit restaurant with other diners in the background. — A woman sits on a yellow bench seat inside a dim restaurant On Commercial Drive.
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 ASPH “1966”

Two men stand talking outside a storefront on a busy sidewalk. — Two men have a conversation outside a shop on a Commercial Drive sidewalk.
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 ASPH “1966”

A man sits at a counter in a restaurant with an open sign above him. — A man sits alone at a counter inside a restaurant, facing Commercial Drive.
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 ASPH “1966”

April 14th 2025

Bringing it back to the North Shore, I had about 45 minutes to kill this particular morning before going to the Gym, so I decided that I should kill that time by quickly wandering about Lonsdale Quay and maybe doing Picking On Complete Strangers. I took other Photos, but this is a post about Street Photography from this month, so look for those other photos in other posts.

Rear view of a woman with long blonde hair sitting on a curved bench by the water, facing the Vancouver skyline across Burrard Inlet — A woman sits on a bench at Lonsdale Quay facing towards downtown Vancouver over the Burrard Inlet
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 ASPH “1966”

I am constantly amazed at just how fickle the photo-wandering gods are. Some days, I can go for a super quick 20-minute walk and somehow capture 15-30 banger photos, but the next day, I can walk about for 3 hours in the exact same location and light and take twice as many photos and capture nothing of consequence.

Person sitting on wooden slats in an urban plaza captured with a Leica M-D Typ 262 and the Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 ASPH "1966” lens — A person sitting on a wooden bench structure in a public square
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 ASPH “1966”

I remember reading somewhere that the only thing famous street photographers ALL have in common is that they are all/were prolific shooters. You don’t get to be good at capturing fleeting moments of chaos without doing it a whole, whole, whole lot.

Man in safety vest reading in a chair outdoors, captured with a Leica M-D Typ 262 and the Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 ASPH "1966” lens — A man in a reflective vest sits in a yellow chair reading a book
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 ASPH “1966”

I don’t care if you are looking at the dead greats like Henri Cartier-Bresson, Gary Winogrand, and Vivian Maier. Or at a list of contemporary greats like Dimpy Bhalotia, Jeremy Paige, or Sasha Rudensky! Dead or alive, THEY ALL SHOT A LOT!

Group of people shopping at a candy counter, taken with a Leica M-D Typ 262 and the Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 ASPH "1966” lens — A family stands in front of a glass display at a candy shop
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 ASPH “1966”

I mean, she had it all. Was she very prolific? Did she shoot a lot? In total, there’s probably about 150,000 negatives. She shot a lot.- John Maloof “Finding Vivian Maier.”

People sitting on wooden benches outside Pier 7, photographed with a Leica M-D Typ 262 and the Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 ASPH "1966” lens — Two people seated on a wooden bench near Pier 7 in North Vancouver
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 ASPH “1966”

Two people in winter jackets sit on a waterfront bench with their backs to the camera. — Two people in puffy jackets sit side by side on a bench by the Lonsdale Quay waterfront.
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 ASPH “1966”

This is all to say that on this day, I captured more “5-star” photos in this 45 minutes than I had for the previous two or three weeks.

April 27th 2025

Speaking of spending the time shooting and exploring and getting nothing of consequence, this particular day I went out with the sole purpose of shooting a roll or three of fun 120 film with the trusty Hasselblad 503Cxi. (which still needs a name BTW Comment suggestions below) I loaded up my A16 back and hit up Vancouver’s Fraser Street.

People standing outside a bottle depot labeled “Joe’s Recycling” with bins and bags visible. — People wait outside a recycling depot off of Main Street Vancouver with bins and bottles inside.
**Camera**: Hasselblad 503CXI with its 100 megapixel CFV 100 digital back
**Lens**: Carl Zeiss planar 80mm f/2.8

Fraser Street is a neighbourhood that I find myself driving around every so often. Every time I do, I say loudly to myself that when I am not in a time crunch, I need to come back and do a dedicated photowander. Only the next time I am thinking about where to go and specifically photowander, I immediately forget that the area even exists, and proceed to hit up Commercial Drive for the 13th time this year.

Two people walking past an open garage at a car wash and auto detail shop. — Two people walk by an open car wash and auto detail garage off of Main Street.
**Camera**: Hasselblad 503CXI with its 100 megapixel CFV 100 digital back
**Lens**: Carl Zeiss planar 80mm f/2.8

Construction worker walking under scaffolding on a narrow sidewalk path. — A construction worker walks through a scaffold-covered sidewalk path off of Fraser Street.
**Camera**: Hasselblad 503CXI with its 100 megapixel CFV 100 digital back
**Lens**: Carl Zeiss planar 80mm f/2.8

“Not today,” I said, grabbing a light meter, the digital back, loading up some film, and heading over to the untapped photographic wilderness I hoped Fraser Street would be!

For whatever reason, the photowander gods did not bless this as a “5-Star” day.

Worker in reflective coveralls cleaning or inspecting a green dumpster. — A worker in reflective coveralls handles equipment near a green dumpster in an alley off of Fraser Street.
**Camera**: Hasselblad 503CXI with its 100 megapixel CFV 100 digital back
**Lens**: Carl Zeiss planar 80mm f/2.8

My Intent was to trial and test with the digital back and then when I found some thing that I was happy with, take a practiced and proper photo of it with the film back. I even challenged myself to shoot the entire roll of film in this single photo walk.

Woman selecting produce outside a Fraser Street grocery store while pedestrians walk past. — A woman shops for produce outside a Fraser Street grocery store as others walk by.
**Camera**: Hasselblad 503CXI with its 100 megapixel CFV 100 digital back
**Lens**: Carl Zeiss planar 80mm f/2.8

Not something I normally am particularly good at doing. I usually shoot rolls of film over the course of many months or years because I, for some reason, treat film as though it is super precious, like the good china at your grandparents house that is locked away in a special cabinet forever waiting for some mysterious and mythical ‘special occasion’ when it will finally get pulled out and gloriously used for that singular purpose for which it was created.

Construction worker in reflective gear standing outside a work site tunnel. — A construction worker stands at the entrance of a work site walkway off of Fraser Street.
**Camera**: Hasselblad 503CXI with its 100 megapixel CFV 100 digital back
**Lens**: Carl Zeiss planar 80mm f/2.8

Today I did not finish this roll of film. In fact I barley shot four film exposures and two of them were when I gave up on Fraser Street and bailed over to Main street. Nothing wrong with the area, I still think that it has a lot of amazing potential, it was just not the day.

Man in a blue hoodie walking past storefronts with signs and reflections in the window. — A man in a blue hoodie walks down the sidewalk past a row of storefronts on Fraser Street
**Camera**: Hasselblad 503CXI with its 100 megapixel CFV 100 digital back
**Lens**: Carl Zeiss planar 80mm f/2.8

Older man in a red cap walking along a sidewalk past storefronts on Vancouvers Fraser Street — An older man in a red cap walks past a row of shops on a Fraser Street sidewalk.
**Camera**: Hasselblad 503CXI with its 100 megapixel CFV 100 digital back
**Lens**: Carl Zeiss planar 80mm f/2.8

Person in blue overalls standing with their back to a chain link fence near a dumpster. — A person in blue coveralls stands in front of a chain link fence near a dumpster.
**Camera**: Hasselblad 503CXI with its 100 megapixel CFV 100 digital back
**Lens**: Carl Zeiss planar 80mm f/2.8

April 29th

This was the first day with a new to me Leica M Summilux 75mm f/1.4 lens. I got this bad oscer from the consignment cabinets at Beau Photo at what I feel was a reasonable price. Although it did come without a lens hood, and after looking into the cost of replacing it, even with an aftermarket one, I should have perhaps ‘wheeled and dealed’ just a little bit more. :) (I am kidding of course! The folks down at Beau are always fair and considerate in my humble opinion).

Man walking in front of a grey industrial building with a small garage door. — A man walks on a sidewalk just off of South Granville Street in front of a grey industrial building with a small garage door.

This lens, particularly the made in Canada Version 1, has always been on my list since I first picked up a Leica all the way back in 2012. I love the 75mm focal length on the rangefinders, but like all Leica Summilux lenses, it was too pricey to take a gamble on & buy sight unseen via eBay or another used site like kamerastore.com

Two men sitting and talking in a secondhand clothing store surrounded by racks of clothes and shoes. — Two men talk while sitting in The Value Village Boutique on Granville Street surrounded by clothes and shoes.
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Leica M Summilux 75mm f/1.4

I actually even budgeted the money for this lens way back in the day. I was once even very close to buying a copy way back then, but I always felt it was a lens I needed to try out, feel, and pixel peep at before handing cash over to some dude on the internet. As such, I have been shooting a lot with what I call my consolation 75mm, the Voigtlander Nokton 75mm f/1.5, since I picked it up during the pandemic.

An older man stands near Beau Photo‘s commercial loading area with yellow warning signs and a chain-link gate.
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Leica M Summilux 75mm f/1.4

Don’t get me wrong! The Nokton is a fantastic lens for the money. It is sharp but has an interesting character when shot wide open. It focuses super close for a medium telephoto and is light and small enough for the camera bag. But as awesome as it is, it isn’t a Summilux.

Man looking at his phone while standing at a street corner crosswalk. — A man stands at a crosswalk looking down at his phone near an South Granville Street intersection.
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Leica M Summilux 75mm f/1.4

I wandered about the hood near Beau Photo for an hour or three shooting everything wide open, figuring that maybe 2-3% would actually be in focus, but I was beyond flabbergasted when I loaded the catch of the day on the big screen!

Person walking on a city sidewalk in front of a white stucco wall with reflective windows. — A Person walks past reflective glass windows and a stucco wall on a South Granville Street sidewalk.
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Leica M Summilux 75mm f/1.4

Person seated at a library desk partially obscured by a desk lamp and open book. — A person sits at a library desk with their head partially hidden by a desk lamp and an open book on the 5th floor of the Central Branch of Vancovuer’s Public Library.
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Leica M Summilux 75mm f/1.4

Photos are sharp in the ways that you want them to be while still being soft in all the ways you want them to be. It has amazing background separation and Bokeh that would make even Kai W get a half chub.

Two women walk across a brick plaza outside The Central Branch Of the Vancovuer’s Public Library.
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Leica M Summilux 75mm f/1.4

Cyclist riding through a corridor of large concrete columns. — A cyclist rides through a passageway lined with tall concrete columns outside the Central Branch of Vancovuer’s Public Library
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Leica M Summilux 75mm f/1.4

Man sitting on a bench with a drink cup and a backpack next to a large truck. — A man sits on a bench outside the Central Branch of Vanvcovuer’s Public Library with a drink and a backpack.
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Leica M Summilux 75mm f/1.4

Group of people crossing a city street with traffic and buses in the background. — A group of people cross the street at a Downtown Vancovuer intersection with traffic in the background.
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Leica M Summilux 75mm f/1.4

Woman sitting on a sidewalk bench looking at her phone with traffic passing nearby. — A woman looks at her phone while sitting on a sidewalk bench on Commercial Drive with cars in the background.
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Leica M Summilux 75mm f/1.4

Person walking up a sidewalk beside a restaurant patio during golden hour — A person in a hoodie walks beside a restaurant patio off of Commercial Drive during sunset.
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Leica M Summilux 75mm f/1.4

Woman with a backpack looking at a city street while two others cross in the background. — A woman with a backpack looks down Lonsdale street while others cross in the distance.
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Leica M Summilux 75mm f/1.4

Person in blue clothing sitting on a wooden bench facing the Vancouver skyline across the water. — A person sits on the wooden bench at Lonsdale Quay looking across the water toward the Vancouver skyline.
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Leica M Summilux 75mm f/1.4

Man with a backpack typing on a laptop at a counter outside a cafe, with people visible through the window behind him. — A man types on a laptop at the wooden the Artigiano’s cafe counter at the Lonsdale Quay with people visible inside through the window.
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Leica M Summilux 75mm f/1.4

Two people by the water near an industrial dock, one sitting and one standing with a hood up. — Two people on the Lonsdale Quay Pier with the burrard shipyards in the background.
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Leica M Summilux 75mm f/1.4

Man with white beard sitting alone at a wooden counter outside a cafe, holding a phone and coffee cup. — A man sits at a the Artigiano’s cafe counter at the Lonsdale Quay holding a phone and a coffee cup.
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Leica M Summilux 75mm f/1.4

This isn’t a review of the lens by any means, this was just my first day with it but it didn’t take long to remember why I wanted to buy it. It just has ALL THE CHARACTER! So watch out for more of this one in the future

April 30th, 2025

My second outing with the Summilux 75mm was a super quick photowalk on Lonsdale. And I do mean SUPER quick! I had 15 – 20 minutes to kill before picking up kiddos and running some other errands to jump out and shoot some more with this lens, and I do think that I am in love!

Man sitting outside a Starbucks on a city sidewalk reading with a drink beside him — Man sitting at a sidewalk table outside Starbucks on Upper Lonsdale with two drinks and a phone
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Leica M Summilux 75mm f/1.4

However, both this and the Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 reissue are brilliant at this shoot wide open, centre focus, but the “soft edges thing” is what lenses like these are sought out for, but I am learning that this is somewhat in conflict with my learned style of framing.

Let me explain.

Canada Post worker using a mobile device beside a Canada Post delivery van — Canada Post employee standing beside a van on Upper Lonsdale and checking a mobile device
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Leica M Summilux 75mm f/1.4

I am a big fan of negative space. I very rarely centre frame anything, it is almost always off to the left or the right. Even when shooting square with the Hasselblad, I am a big fan of off-centre negative space.

Three older adults having a conversation on the sidewalk outside storefronts — Two men and one woman talking outside shops on Upper Lonsdaleon a sunny day
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Leica M Summilux 75mm f/1.4

Elderly couple walking together on a city sidewalk in daylight — An elderly couple walking arm-in-arm on an Upper Lonsdale sidewalk
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Leica M Summilux 75mm f/1.4

Man sitting alone on a public bench using a phone on a commercial street — Man sitting on a bench using a phone along a sidewalk on Upper Lonsdale with planters and signs
**Camera**: Leica M11-D
**Lens**: Leica M Summilux 75mm f/1.4

These lenses are somewhat in conflict with that. If I shoot with the subject to the left or right wide open, I am somewhat guaranteeing that it will not be sharp in the ways that I want it to be. I think that to get the most out of these lenses, I might need to embrace my inner Wes Anderson and compose my shots a bit more centre-framed. More research required.

So That Was April

That was Picking On Complete Strangers for April 2025. If you like this collection and explanations of the situations that led to me taking and sharing the photos, let me know! I would like to share more of these.

Until then be sure to comment what your favorite street photo of the month was, or share your best of from April!