Newsletter – July 2022
Free Monthly Newsletter!
Hi friends! Here is the latest edition of my monthly MrLeica.com newsletter – A summary of posts and videos you may have missed, upcoming events, useful information and anything else I can think of. I hope you enjoy it!Flickr Model Photo of the Month (Most Liked)
Features
- Recap from June
- New Updates
- YouTube Videos from June
- New Blog Posts
- UK Workshops
- Overseas Workshops
- Patreon, Zoom Calls & More
- July 2022 – Coming up!
Recap from June
No travel in June as I had something booked most weekends and wanted to try to work on updating the blog (see below). Perhaps my most active blogging month since pre-YouTube days! I tried to tidy up the back end and in doing so cut 1000s of tags which Google was using for search (resulting in less traffic until I fix it). One step forward, 2 steps back.
I released my new model photobooks (see below), did lots of Zoom calls around the world and refreshed Patreon to give a new focus on learning from July onwards (see below). If you don’t like the idea of subscription based services you will soon be able to access blocks of the best Patreon content videos as a one of payment (see below).
Wedding Season
Another two wedding shoots completed in June and pre-wedding shoot. I just bought the Leica Q specifically for weddings so now I need to attract more bookings to make the most of it! Know someone getting married? If they book my £1K or higher wedding photographer package I’ll send you a £50 thank you! See my wedding instagram page for examples (for when I get time to post!)Flickr wedding photo of the month (Most liked)
Blog Refresh
If this is your first visit to MrLeica.com for a few weeks or more you will notice everything seems to have changed. Fear not, the content is the same.
- New colours: I needed to speed up the page load time for you guys (especially for mobile users) so I changed to a more basic theme. The choice of colours and layout are limited so apologies if it looks very 90s!
- More shortcuts: I added more short cuts in the left and right menu bars and even links to Amazon and B&H.
- Translate: New translate feature added so now you can read the blog in any language. (I’m not sure how non-native English speakers were doing this previously).
- Mobile friendly: I’ve reworded some sections to fit better on mobile devices
- PayPal button: After experiencing problems some years ago i’ve now re-installed an automated PayPal link for easy purchasing of LR presets. Use the simple dropdown option to select your payment amount.
- Ongoing: The blog is work in progress as I find time. More to come!
Become a Blog Insider!
Maybe you already are? This is my new term for my blog subscribers. I thought it was time to give something back so Blog Insiders now benefit from the following perks. You may have received a recent email about this. If not and if you are subscribed perhaps check your spam folder. (If you subscribed via WordPress (without entering an email) you might want to also sign up with an email address so to access these benefits.
New Photobooks Now Available to Insiders!
Now in addition to Patreons, Blog Insiders get to access my model photobooks. I sent an email out to all Blog Insiders and Patreons giving them a preview of both softback A5 size zine style books with 40 model photos in each book, all shot on film. I’ve ordered a few extra copies so if you sign up to the blog and decide you would like to purchase a book please get in touch. First come basis.
Patreon 2 Year Anniversary + Refocus
Two years ago I started Patreon not really knowing what I was doing or where it was heading. My strategy was to pump out as much exclusive content as I could each month in return for people’s financial support.
Roll on 2 years and there are now over 200 exclusive posts including 100+ videos. With 165 awesome Patreons at the time of writing there is a split of perhaps 85% passive : 15% active members. Active members often dial in on the 2 monthly Zoom calls (which has become a remote access photography club) and enjoy our private Facebook group.
Patreon content to date has been a mix of fun and educational content. I’m always teaching or sharing something! (Maybe a result of having two successful teachers as parents!) I wanted to give the learning content more structure so going forward so the £5 tier will now include both Zoom calls and new educational videos. The £3 tier will still include all past videos and include more of the same.
Access Patreon Content with 1-Off Payment
People have written to me in the past saying they’d love to see the Patreon content if made available without a subscription service. With my new focus on teaching I plan to group some of the best Patreon videos into teaching blocks on specific topics and make these available as one-off payments off Patreon. (The same information is already on Patreon but in a less structured fashion). This will become an early form of my e-learning courses for those not able to attend workshops.
New Lightroom Preset for Leica Q!
After buying the Leica Q camera in June I will be developing a full MrLeica Leica Q preset pack (3+1 free) for my own needs. I hope to make this available later in July here.
*Sorry the Leica M9 presets are still outstanding. Unexpected events like the Leica Q keep pushing them back.Example photo: Leica Q RAW + MrLeica Leica Q colour preset
Latest Photography Gear
See my latest photography kit list at https://mrleica.com/kitlist/
Group Photowalk Workshop Interest
Following the announcement of my new group workshops in the April newsletter more people continue to join the new workshop mailing list.
–
June 2022 YouTube Videos Catch-up:
Below is a catch up of all the YouTube videos I published last month:
Premium compact P&S: The famous Contax T2
Are these cult cameras worth the cash?
Why you should try telephoto lenses on your Leica!
Pros of long lenses for any camera + How I use on Leica bodies
Do you need a Leica camera to make nice photos?
Leica SL vs Lumix S5 (Photos are very similar!)
Is it time to bid farewell to the little Leica CL?
Leica CL vs Leica SL
Buying a Leica Q!
Wasn’t planned.. but here is why I bought the Q in 2022
What’s the best digital Leica camera system for you in 2022?
4 ways comparison – Leica M, Q, CL, SL
Get the Leica Q look for under $400!
Showing that I can get very similar images with a budget camera + preset
New Blog Posts in June
Five new blog posts shared in June. I enjoy blogging more than the stress of YouTube but both are very time intensive!
- Leica SL vs CL vs M240 vs S5
- 7Artisans 35mm f1.4 Smashes Nokton 35mm f1.4
- Girls on Film (x70!)
- Newsletter – June 2022
- Contax T2 Review (Premium P&S)
These written posts supplement my YouTube review videos including full res images. There are 300+ existing blog post articles so feel free to browse the back catalogue!
Model Workshop Dates and Updates
> Workshop dates – If you are looking to kick start your photography for 2022 you are welcome to join me for one of my 1:1 workshops. There are limited places so I offer on a first come basis. For notification and dates of future workshops and photowalks in your area join my workshop mailing list.
- July 2022 – London 1:1 – 1 Space + Gdansk/Bydgoszcz (Poland)
- August 2022 – London 1:1 – 1 Space + Gdansk (Poland)
- September 2022 – London 1:1 – 2 Space (or Birmingham 1:1)
See workshop prices and testimonials on the blogLondon Model 1-2-1 Workshop – May 2022
New Workshops for 2022!
- > Discounted UK workshops (Birmingham) – full day UK workshops for only £399.99 (£50 off) or half day for £249.99 (£30 off)
- Poland – Gdansk, Bydgoszcz, Warsaw. (Same price as London )
- Hungary workshops – Budapest. (Same price as London workshops)*
- Spain – Valencia-Alicante region. Multi-day, More info coming soon!
- Tenerife – Small group/solo + model, multi-day. More info soon!
- US – New York. I will trying to plan a visit perhaps later in 2022.
- Your countries – Want me to fly to your city? Get in touch!
Travel Updates
I’ve booked more flights for Poland (Gdansk and Bydgoszcz) and still want to get back to Budapest when I get a chance. If you are interested in Poland model workshops / photowalk workshops get in touch via the mailing list.
> June Travel n/a (I wanted to focus on updating the blog ..on going!)
July 2022 – Coming Up
July is set to be another busy month with weddings, workshops, travel plus my ever growing to-do list! My Leica M9 presets are on my list and I hope to release presets for the Leica Q and Leica Q2M.
My new photobooks order should have arrived so I can get book orders in the post to some of you (I (I know quite a few of you have paid me).
Patreons will benefit from the new format with more value add videos and Zoom calls including masterclasses by expert guest speakers on set topics, photo critique sessions and more. If you want to be part of our remote photography club be sure to come and say hello! (You can cancel any time).
As always I’d love to hear your thoughts to try to improve the service!
YouTube video – spotlight (1 of the videos coming soon!)
My promised video for the vintage Canon 28mm f2.8 LTM got pushed back after my unexpected purchase of the Leica Q. That will now be in July. Also coming up is the 7Artisans 28mm f1.4 M lens! Can it complete with the Leica Q lens!?
Previous Newsletters (+ Video Links!)
Flickr Non-Model Photo of the Month – (Most Liked)
—
First Time Reader? Additional Info Below
> UK Workshops
I teach basic to advanced level photography to anyone with a camera. For full details see workshop prices and testimonials + join the mailing list for dates.
> Overseas Workshops
Happy to travel worldwide to run photography workshops. See above for some of the planned countries and join the mailing list to submit your interest.
Some advantages of meeting you in your city include (1) you don’t need to travel (2) I will give you model contacts in your city that you can keep in touch with after I leave. This has worked well for photographers in the past. The flipside of that is, if you rather come to the UK for a London workshop you have the excuse for a holiday!
> More Content? Join Patreon!
Instant access to 200+ exclusive posts including 100+ videos, two 1-hour Zooms calls a month and join our friendly private Facebook group!
- OFFER* You can now sign up to Patreon for 12 months and get 10% off!
> Zoom Consultations
Not sure what camera or lens to buy or need help? Book a 1:1 Zoom call and I can answer your questions and give pros and cons of similar products.
> YouTube Monthly Giveaways
Subscribe to the YouTube channel for a chance to win! Monthly giveaways – £30/$40+ of Patreon & Zoom call access and higher value items such as lenses.
> Free YouTube Search Tool
Sign up to get a free copy of my YouTube video search tool. Search through my 250+ videos by brand, lens mount, focal length, film format and other filters.Shortcode
LEICA. LENSES. CAMERAS. WORKSHOP. WEDDING. PRESETS. FILM
Free Monthly Newsletter!
Hi friends! Here is the latest edition of my monthly MrLeica.com newsletter – A summary of posts and videos you may have missed, upcoming events, useful information and anything else I can think of. I hope you enjoy it!
Features
- Recap from June
- New Updates
- YouTube Videos from June
- New Blog Posts
- UK Workshops
- Overseas Workshops
- Patreon, Zoom Calls & More
- July 2022 – Coming up!
Recap from June
No travel in June as I had something booked most weekends and wanted to try to work on updating the blog (see below). Perhaps my most active blogging month since pre-YouTube days! I tried to tidy up the back end and in doing so cut 1000s of tags which Google was using for search (resulting in less traffic until I fix it). One step forward, 2 steps back.
I released my new model photobooks (see below), did lots of Zoom calls around the world and refreshed Patreon to give a new focus on learning from July onwards (see below). If you don’t like the idea of subscription based services you will soon be able to access blocks of the best Patreon content videos as a one of payment (see below).
Wedding Season
Another two wedding shoots completed in June and pre-wedding shoot. I just bought the Leica Q specifically for weddings so now I need to attract more bookings to make the most of it! Know someone getting married? If they book my £1K or higher wedding photographer package I’ll send you a £50 thank you! See my wedding instagram page for examples (for when I get time to post!)
Blog Refresh
If this is your first visit to MrLeica.com for a few weeks or more you will notice everything seems to have changed. Fear not, the content is the same.
- New colours: I needed to speed up the page load time for you guys (especially for mobile users) so I changed to a more basic theme. The choice of colours and layout are limited so apologies if it looks very 90s!
- More shortcuts: I added more short cuts in the left and right menu bars and even links to Amazon and B&H.
- Translate: New translate feature added so now you can read the blog in any language. (I’m not sure how non-native English speakers were doing this previously).
- Mobile friendly: I’ve reworded some sections to fit better on mobile devices
- PayPal button: After experiencing problems some years ago i’ve now re-installed an automated PayPal link for easy purchasing of LR presets. Use the simple dropdown option to select your payment amount.
- Ongoing: The blog is work in progress as I find time. More to come!
Become a Blog Insider!
Maybe you already are? This is my new term for my blog subscribers. I thought it was time to give something back so Blog Insiders now benefit from the following perks. You may have received a recent email about this. If not and if you are subscribed perhaps check your spam folder. (If you subscribed via WordPress (without entering an email) you might want to also sign up with an email address so to access these benefits.
New Photobooks Now Available to Insiders!
Now in addition to Patreons, Blog Insiders get to access my model photobooks. I sent an email out to all Blog Insiders and Patreons giving them a preview of both softback A5 size zine style books with 40 model photos in each book, all shot on film. I’ve ordered a few extra copies so if you sign up to the blog and decide you would like to purchase a book please get in touch. First come basis.
Patreon 2 Year Anniversary + Refocus
Two years ago I started Patreon not really knowing what I was doing or where it was heading. My strategy was to pump out as much exclusive content as I could each month in return for people’s financial support.
Roll on 2 years and there are now over 200 exclusive posts including 100+ videos. With 165 awesome Patreons at the time of writing there is a split of perhaps 85% passive : 15% active members. Active members often dial in on the 2 monthly Zoom calls (which has become a remote access photography club) and enjoy our private Facebook group.
Patreon content to date has been a mix of fun and educational content. I’m always teaching or sharing something! (Maybe a result of having two successful teachers as parents!) I wanted to give the learning content more structure so going forward so the £5 tier will now include both Zoom calls and new educational videos. The £3 tier will still include all past videos and include more of the same.
Access Patreon Content with 1-Off Payment
People have written to me in the past saying they’d love to see the Patreon content if made available without a subscription service. With my new focus on teaching I plan to group some of the best Patreon videos into teaching blocks on specific topics and make these available as one-off payments off Patreon. (The same information is already on Patreon but in a less structured fashion). This will become an early form of my e-learning courses for those not able to attend workshops.
New Lightroom Preset for Leica Q!
After buying the Leica Q camera in June I will be developing a full MrLeica Leica Q preset pack (3+1 free) for my own needs. I hope to make this available later in July here.
*Sorry the Leica M9 presets are still outstanding. Unexpected events like the Leica Q keep pushing them back.
Latest Photography Gear
See my latest photography kit list at https://mrleica.com/kitlist/
Group Photowalk Workshop Interest
Following the announcement of my new group workshops in the April newsletter more people continue to join the new workshop mailing list.
–
June 2022 YouTube Videos Catch-up:
Below is a catch up of all the YouTube videos I published last month:
Premium compact P&S: The famous Contax T2
Are these cult cameras worth the cash?
Why you should try telephoto lenses on your Leica!
Pros of long lenses for any camera + How I use on Leica bodies
Do you need a Leica camera to make nice photos?
Leica SL vs Lumix S5 (Photos are very similar!)
Is it time to bid farewell to the little Leica CL?
Leica CL vs Leica SL
Buying a Leica Q!
Wasn’t planned.. but here is why I bought the Q in 2022
What’s the best digital Leica camera system for you in 2022?
4 ways comparison – Leica M, Q, CL, SL
Get the Leica Q look for under $400!
Showing that I can get very similar images with a budget camera + preset
New Blog Posts in June
Five new blog posts shared in June. I enjoy blogging more than the stress of YouTube but both are very time intensive!
- Leica SL vs CL vs M240 vs S5
- 7Artisans 35mm f1.4 Smashes Nokton 35mm f1.4
- Girls on Film (x70!)
- Newsletter – June 2022
- Contax T2 Review (Premium P&S)
These written posts supplement my YouTube review videos including full res images. There are 300+ existing blog post articles so feel free to browse the back catalogue!
Model Workshop Dates and Updates
> Workshop dates – If you are looking to kick start your photography for 2022 you are welcome to join me for one of my 1:1 workshops. There are limited places so I offer on a first come basis. For notification and dates of future workshops and photowalks in your area join my workshop mailing list.
- July 2022 – London 1:1 – 1 Space + Gdansk/Bydgoszcz (Poland)
- August 2022 – London 1:1 – 1 Space + Gdansk (Poland)
- September 2022 – London 1:1 – 2 Space (or Birmingham 1:1)
See workshop prices and testimonials on the blog
New Workshops for 2022!
- > Discounted UK workshops (Birmingham) – full day UK workshops for only £399.99 (£50 off) or half day for £249.99 (£30 off)
- Poland – Gdansk, Bydgoszcz, Warsaw. (Same price as London )
- Hungary workshops – Budapest. (Same price as London workshops)*
- Spain – Valencia-Alicante region. Multi-day, More info coming soon!
- Tenerife – Small group/solo + model, multi-day. More info soon!
- US – New York. I will trying to plan a visit perhaps later in 2022.
- Your countries – Want me to fly to your city? Get in touch!
Travel Updates
I’ve booked more flights for Poland (Gdansk and Bydgoszcz) and still want to get back to Budapest when I get a chance. If you are interested in Poland model workshops / photowalk workshops get in touch via the mailing list.
> June Travel n/a (I wanted to focus on updating the blog ..on going!)
July 2022 – Coming Up
July is set to be another busy month with weddings, workshops, travel plus my ever growing to-do list! My Leica M9 presets are on my list and I hope to release presets for the Leica Q and Leica Q2M.
My new photobooks order should have arrived so I can get book orders in the post to some of you (I (I know quite a few of you have paid me).
Patreons will benefit from the new format with more value add videos and Zoom calls including masterclasses by expert guest speakers on set topics, photo critique sessions and more. If you want to be part of our remote photography club be sure to come and say hello! (You can cancel any time).
As always I’d love to hear your thoughts to try to improve the service!
YouTube video – spotlight (1 of the videos coming soon!)
My promised video for the vintage Canon 28mm f2.8 LTM got pushed back after my unexpected purchase of the Leica Q. That will now be in July. Also coming up is the 7Artisans 28mm f1.4 M lens! Can it complete with the Leica Q lens!?
Previous Newsletters (+ Video Links!)
—
First Time Reader? Additional Info Below
> UK Workshops
I teach basic to advanced level photography to anyone with a camera. For full details see workshop prices and testimonials + join the mailing list for dates.
> Overseas Workshops
Happy to travel worldwide to run photography workshops. See above for some of the planned countries and join the mailing list to submit your interest.
Some advantages of meeting you in your city include (1) you don’t need to travel (2) I will give you model contacts in your city that you can keep in touch with after I leave. This has worked well for photographers in the past. The flipside of that is, if you rather come to the UK for a London workshop you have the excuse for a holiday!
> More Content? Join Patreon!
Instant access to 200+ exclusive posts including 100+ videos, two 1-hour Zooms calls a month and join our friendly private Facebook group!
- OFFER* You can now sign up to Patreon for 12 months and get 10% off!
> Zoom Consultations
Not sure what camera or lens to buy or need help? Book a 1:1 Zoom call and I can answer your questions and give pros and cons of similar products.
> YouTube Monthly Giveaways
Subscribe to the YouTube channel for a chance to win! Monthly giveaways – £30/$40+ of Patreon & Zoom call access and higher value items such as lenses.
> Free YouTube Search Tool
Sign up to get a free copy of my YouTube video search tool. Search through my 250+ videos by brand, lens mount, focal length, film format and other filters.