LSI is excited to be meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, a city known for its small-town roots and southern charm, its history, the Capitol of Country Music, and so much more. The New York Times recently included Nashville on its list of “52 Places to Go.” In addition to the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville offers trendy shopping, live music venues and an up-and-coming food scene. It also boasts heritage architecture, fine art and a unique culture.

Our hotel is located in the heart of downtown, not far from the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum, the historic Ryman Auditorium, and great restaurants. A short walk will take you to the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge and the Nashville Waterfront along the Cumberland River, and to lower Broadway (home of numerous honky-tonks), Printer’s Alley and more!

Registration has sold out! (If you wish to be on a waiting list, send an email to info@leicasocietyinternational.org.)

Scroll down to view the program.

Program

All meeting/sessions will take place in the Americana Room, located on the 21st floor of the hotel.

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

3:00 PM Board Meeting (Folk Room)

7:00/7:30 ish Informal Meet and Greet (RTB Lounge located on 21st floor)

Thursday, April 18, 2024

08:00 Leica on Loan

Try out the newest Leica gear for 24 hours. Cameras and lenses galore.

8:00 Continental Breakfast

9:00 -9:15 AM President’s Welcome & Opening Remarks

9:15-10:00 Introduction of Attendees

10:00 – 10:15 Break

10:15-11:00 Getting Your Money’s Worth - with Josh Lehrer

After nearly fifteen years and thousands of customers, Josh has seen firsthand just about every way Leica gear is used, abused, bought, traded, collected, and sold. If there’s anything he’s figured out in that time, it’s how to make the most of your Leica equipment, to ensure the best ownership experience and of course, to end up with photos you will be happy with. Join Josh for a presentation aimed at helping you “get your money’s worth” from your Leica kit.

11:00 – 12:00 Photojournalism with the Leica M with Becky Fluke and Ray Di Pietro

Join Becky and Ray in a fascinating disussion about the pros and cons, and everything in between, from politics, protests, portraits, and pusic photography using Leica M digital and film bodies with Leica lenses.

12:00 -12:30 Photo Assignment Theme Explanation - Tom Smith

12:30 – 2:00 Lunch on your own

2:00 PM Shooting Your Photo Assignment

5:00 PM Dinner on Your Own

7:00 - 9:00 Dusk Photo Walk - Tom Smith & Nathan Kellum (meet in hotel lobby)

Join Nathan and Tom as they take you on an evening adventure in downtown Nashville. They will take you on an odyssey through neon lights at dusk and sights of places where old and new country meet.

Friday, April 19, 2024

8:00 Leica on Loan

8:00 Continental Breakfast

8:45-9:00 Announcements

9:00 – 10:00 Life with Leica - How Leica has Invigorated My Love for Community and Photography - with Nathan Kellum

Join us as Nathan Kellum offers insight into the beginnings of his photography journey in France and subsequent transition into a career at Leica Camera USA. Nathan will share his perspective on how Leica and the creative community are uniquely intertwined, from his experience within the company’s retail team, Akademie team and now working with the North American press and media.

10 – 10:15 Break

10:15 - 11:15 Light Your Story: Discover the art of shaping your story with intentional light with Mynxii White and Kiran Karnani, VP Global Marketing Hobolite

Discover the art of continuous light in this interactive demonstration and presentation powered by Hobolite. Explore how Leica Photographer and Director Mynxii White shapes stories with intentional light to create content built to inspire. Learn the impact and art of light in this not to miss experience.

11:15- 12:00 Harmonizing Light and Sound: The Art of Music Photography in Available Light with Becky Fluke

Navigating the unique challenges of shooting in dynamic and often unpredictable concert environments, from low light conditions to fast-moving subjects. Whether you're shooting in intimate venues or sprawling festivals, adapting your approach to capture the atmosphere of each performance. Learn the importance of observing your surroundings and adapting to the available light conditions. From being aware of the direction and intensity of light to mastering exposure techniques and the nuances of working with available light to craft compelling images that resonate with the rhythm and emotion of the music. Understanding the distinctive characteristics of different light sources, from stage spotlights to neon signs, and how to use them to your advantage. Selecting the right gear, choosing optimal vantage points, and optimizing your camera settings to achieve the perfect balance of exposure and ambiance in challenging lighting conditions.

12:00 – 1:30 Lunch on Your Own

1:30 – 5:30 Photo Walk

5:30 Dinner on your own

Saturday, April 24

8:00 Return Leica on Loan

8:45-9:00 Morning Announcements

9:00-10:00 Getting the most out of editing RAW files: Tips and Tricks - with David Knoble 

10:30-10:45 Break

10:45 – 2:00 Lunch on Your Own/Last Photo Walk

2:00 - 3:00 Selecting/Editing Your Images 

3:30 – 4:30 Sharing of Images with Commentary – Tom Smith, Nathan Kellum, David Knoble

6:30 Cocktails (cash bar - must be pre-registered)

7:00 Banquet (must be pre-registered)

Speakers

Ray Di Pietro Ray Di Pietro is a Photojournalist based in Nashville documenting politics, people, social issues, and current events. Alongside work as a Shutterstock news contributor (The Times, Time Magazine, The Guardian, People, The Daily Beast) has contributed to The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Rolling Stone and the NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, as well as locally for NewsChannel5, Tennessee Lookout and the Nashville Scene. 

Di Pietro exclusively uses Leica M10-R, Leica M10 Monochrom and Leica M10-P digital bodies with Summilux 35mm f/1.4 asph fle, Summicron 35mm f/2 asph, Summicron 35mm f/2, Elmarit 28mm f/2.8 asph, Elmarit 90mm f/2.8 and Elmarit 135mm f/4 lenses for his photojournalism work as well as Leica M6 and Leica MP film bodies for 35mm film.  You can see his work at raydipietro.com and on Instagram @raydipietro i

Becky Fluke’s journey through the lens began at the age of fifteen. Two decades ago, while still in high school, she started working with Sugarland, marking the commencement of a career marked by creativity and passion. 

As a multifaceted photographer, Becky captures moments that weave compelling stories and evoke profound emotions. Her portfolio includes iconic names in the music industry, from emerging talents to established legends such as Chris Stapleton, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood, Miranda Lambert, Lionel Richie, and Barry Gibb. From touring with artists, to being a fly on the wall in a recording studio, to shooting album covers, her images immerse viewers in each moment's emotion.

Becky's commitment extends beyond the lens, evident in her dedication to supporting emerging artists and fostering community within the music industry. Whether photographing sold-out stadium shows or intimate club performances, her work resonates with the transformative power of music in every frame. 

Drawing inspiration from the beauty of nature, vibrant urban landscapes, and the profound depth of human connection, Becky's work goes beyond music photography. An avid traveler and explorer, she seeks inspiration from diverse cultures and experiences.

Nathan Kellum grew up in France and started capturing images at the age of 15. After earning his baccalaureate, he decided to move to the United States to pursue his Bachelors of Fine Arts in Photography. Since 2015, Nathan has worked at Leica Camera USA within its retail division, as well as with the Leica Akademie, providing training and support for creators of all levels. Today as the Product Communication Specialist, Nathan works with members of the press and media within the North American market on Leica’s current and upcoming products.

Josh Lehrer has been with Leica Store Miami since early 2010, beginning his Leica journey less than a year after graduating from RIT with a photography degree. Since then, he’s developed a strong passion for Leica collectibles, using vintage glass on modern cameras, and memorizing Leica part numbers. When he’s not chasing supercars around, you’ll find him co-hosting Red Dot Forum Camera Talk on YouTube, or spoiling his Golden Retriever, Enzo.

Tom A. Smith is on a mission to bring the experience of shooting with a Leica rangefinder to a new generation of photographers. Since leading the debut of the Leica Akademie, more than a decade ago, Tom has organized and led workshop experiences for more than 6,000 individual photographers worldwide, helping many to discover Leica photography for the first time.

With a background in theatre and journalism, it is no surprise that this graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design would find success speaking to groups about photography. Over the past 20 years, in the photo industry, he has developed a reputation for engaging audiences and presenting complicated technical information simply. As the V.P. for the Leica Akademie of North America, Tom now leads the team responsible for Leica’s staff product training and all public education programs. When not traveling, he is based in Jacksonville Florida.

A long-time supporter of LSI, Tom is excited to see the growth of the group over the last few years and looks forward to seeing everyone in Nashville. Instagram:@tasmitpictures

Mynxii White is an award-winning make-up artist, global beauty editor & LA producer for Schön! Magazine, creative director and photographer. She has worked alongside some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry working tirelessly to bring her unique creativity to every person with whom she works. Mynxii first got the attention of the industry when Tony&Guy named her Make-Up Artist of the year in 2004 for all of North America. Since then, she has worked with many notable people and projects including those with Ellen Von Unwerth, Leica's S Magazine, Floria Sigismondi, Stella McCartney and Ru Paul’s Drag Race. She is currently a featured educator for the Mastered Program with Nick Knight.

2024 LSI Women in Photography Grant

Application period begins March 8 - April 19, 2024 (limited to first 60 applications)

Click here to submit an application.

Leica Society International (LSI) is proud to announce its second annual Women in Photography Grant. This grant is open to all women photographers in any part of the world (where allowed by law) and is made possible through LSI and Leica U.S. One grant in the amount of $10,000 USD ($5,000 of which generously donated by Leica U.S.) will be awarded to help complete an in-progress, personal project. In addition, the grant recipient will receive a new Leica Q3 camera, courtesy of Leica U.S.

The theme for this grant is “Resilience, Rebirth & Courage” 

LSI invites you to submit an in-progress, personal project illustrating the human potential to inspire and uplift through themes of resilience, rebirth and/or courage. We are looking for visual projects/stories that demonstrate the ability to achieve greatness and positivity, success and victory. Stories that inspire the viewer to celebrate the light we chase to the heart of humanity.

Call for entries begins on March 8, 2024, International Women’s Day, and ends on April 19th, 2024, or when the limit of 60 applications is reached, whichever comes first. The winning project will be announced on June 5, 2024. Please read below for submission guidelines and general information.

The number of applications will be limited to sixty (60) on a first-come first-served basis. All applications must adhere closely to the application requirements. If any application does not follow the requirements as outlined, it will not reach the finalist phase.

The number of applications will be limited to fifty (60) on a first-come, first-served basis. All applications have a fee of $30 USD and must adhere to the application requirements. If an application does not follow the requirements as outlined, it will be rejected. This is a global program where allowed by law.  

APPLICATION CRITERIA

APPLICATION RULES

• The LSI Women in Photography Grant is open to photographers at least 18 years old on or before April 31, 2024.

• Use of a Leica camera is not required; membership in LSI is not required.

• Images must be the work and property of the photographer.  Any required releases are the responsibility of the photographer. 

• The photographic project must be in progress and must be completed within one year of being awarded.

• By entering, you agree to release and hold harmless the LSI and its officers, directors, and agents from and against any claim or cause of action arising from participation in the Contest.

• Officers and Directors of LSI and past recipients of an LSI grant are not eligible to enter.

• Deadline: Applications must be received no later than April 19, 2024, 11:59 PM North American CST, or when the limit of 60 is reached, whichever comes first.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Payment of Application Fee: $30.00 USD

Artist bio/Statement in the order below (must be submitted in a word document):

• Applicant’s Identification:  Name · address · phone · email · gender, nationality & biography

• Project Title: Along with a short subtitle

• Project Description: A written proposal that describes the purpose and nature of the project and how you will accomplish the project.

• Grant funds budget: A budget detailing expenses you expect to incur during the completion of the project.

• Links: Any applicable website/social media links

Portfolio Requirements

•  Project Portfolio: Applications must include a portfolio of up to but not exceeding ten (10) images that illustrate the nature of your project.

• Frame Identification: Each image file name must include Photographer’s name, title, and sequence number. (i.e.: smith[title]01”

SELECTION PROCESS

• Preliminary Stage: All applications will be screened by a panel of judges selected by LSI. 

• Finalist Stage: Ten to fifteen applications will be chosen by the LSI preliminary phase panel to be sent to our jury of distinguished photographers/curators/picture editors for final selection. All decisions of the selection panel or the judges will be final.

• LSI reserves the right to amend grant rules and submission guidelines.

• LSI reserves the right not to award a grant if, in the sole judgment of the jury, there is no submission warranting a grant.

NOTIFICATION OF AWARD, DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS & DEADLINE FOR COMPLETION

• Grant recipient shall be selected and notified by e-mail or telephone.

• Grant funds will be disbursed in two portions. $9,000 up-front before project completion. The remaining $1000 will be disbursed upon completion and receipt of a Project Report/ photo essay in digital form for the LSI website. The camera and lens will be delivered after the recipient confirms acceptance of the grant, conditions, and camera.

• Grant recipients are expected to provide a brief follow-up report/blog post/photo essay upon completion of the project that describes how the project progressed and provides a detailed explanation of how funds were used. 

• Final Project reports must be submitted within a year of the award disbursement.

COPYRIGHT & USE OF IMAGES

The grant recipient retains all copyright and ownership of images submitted and resulting from the project. By accepting the grant, the award winner agrees to allow Leica Society International to feature the final project on its website and quarterly journal or otherwise to promote both the project and grant.

QUESTIONS

All questions about the contest shall be directed to LSI at this email address: info@leicasocietyinternational.org.

We're going back to the mothership in Wetzlar! Our meeting dates are October 18-21, 2023, Wednesday - Friday, with an optional event on Saturday. Plans are underway. We will have another great program packed with exciting speakers and time for sightseeing in Wetzlar and other locations. Stay tuned. More details to come.

Our Fall conference in Wetzlar is nearly sold out. There are THREE spots remaining.

Conference Agenda (subject to revisions):

All Sessions at the Ernst Leitz Hotel Conference Center at Leitz Park, Wetzlar, Germany. You will be assigned a tour group color for specific activities on Wednesday and Thursday so that everyone has a chance to see it all. See your badge for your group color.

 Oct. 18 Wednesday

7:30 - 9:00 Registration Ernst Leitz Lobby

8:00-9:00        “Leica-on-Loan.” - Leica Welt Building, Reception area.

A significant selection of Leica cameras and lenses will be available to try. 

9:00-9:15         Opening Remarks: Introduction and Welcoming Remarks

9:15-10:45       Meet Leica Executives: Brad Husick will moderate a session of Q & A with Dr. Andreas Kaufmann and joined by panelists Stefan Daniel (Global Director of Business Unit Photo), Andrea Pacella (Global Head of Marketing) and Stephan Schulz (Head of SL and Q Series). Audience questions are welcomed.

10:45-11:00     BREAK

11:00-12:00     The Five Columns of Leica's Cultural Activities– with Karin Rehn-Kaufmann

12:00-13:15     Lunch at Ernst Leitz Hotel (included)

13:15-15:15     Tour of Leica Campus Take a trip around the Leica Campus and a peak behind the scenes look of where the precision, craftsmanship and the magic happen. Small Groups in rotation. Meeting in the reception area of the Leica Welt Building

15:15-18:00     Activities for All in subgroups: (your choice)

• Alternative A: Guided Walking Tour of Wetzlar with Incoming GmbH for RED group. Bus Transport provided. Wetzlar is a city with a lively past. The old town of Wetzlar is characterized by medieval squares and winding alleys, charming half-timbered houses and buildings from the time of the Imperial Chamber Court characterize the townscape.

• Alternative B: Visit the Ernst Leitz Haus in Wetzlar - bus transport back and forth - Drop off will be at the Leitzplatz. Address is Ernst Leitz Haus Laufdorfer Weg 6. 35578 Wetzlar.

• Alternative C: Photo studio shoot with Silvergrain Classics - at Studio (outside entrance) to the left of the museum entrance. Leica Campus. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED. At outside entrance of Leica Welt building.

• Guided Tour of the Leica Archives – Tim Pullmann - sign up for times at the registration desk - Leica Campus

• Visit Museum (self-guided tour) Leica Campus

18:00-19:00     BREAK

19:00-20:30     Dinner hosted by Leica Camera AG at the Leitz Hotel

20:30-24:00 Cash Bar at Leitz Hotel for all; Leica executives are invited as well as members and guests.

Oct. 19, Thursday

8:00 Registration Ernst Leitz Lobby

8:00-9:00         Leica-on-Loan
9:00-9:30         Keynote Address: The Future of Leica Camera Company with Matthias Harsch, CEO of Leica Camera AG

9:30-10:45       Bridging Tradition and Innovation with Peter Karbe, Head of Optical Development, Leica AG

10:45-11:00     BREAK

11:00-11:50     My Leica Journey and Life Beyond the “M” with Stephan Schulz

12:00-12:40     Leica Magic - Inside Leica Product Managment with Jesko von Oeynhausen, Leica Global Director Product Division Photo

12:40-14:00     Lunch provided in hotel

14:00-14:45    A Conversation About the Past and Present with Jim Lager and Bill Rosauer

14:45-15:00     BREAK

15:15-18:00     Activities for all (your choice)

• Alternative A: Guided Walking Tour of Wetzlar with Incoming GmbH for BLUE group.

• Alternative B: Visit the Ernst Leitz Haus in Wetzlar - bus transport provided. Drop off will be at the Leitzplatz. Address is Ernst Leitz Haus Laufdorfer Weg 6. 35578 Wetzlar.

• Alternative C: Photo studio shoot with Silvergrain Classics - at Studio (outside entrance) to the left of the museum entrance. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED. At outside entrance of Leica Welt building.

• Guided Tour of the Leica Archives – Tim Pullmann - sign up for times at the registration desk

• Visit Museum (self-guided tour)

18:00      Dinner on Your Own

Oct. 20, Friday

8:00-9:00         Leica-on-Loan - Return of Equipment

9:00-9:30         LSI General Business Meeting

9:30-9:45         BREAK

9:45-12:30     Photographers in Presentation

• 9:45 - 11:00 AM Steve McCurry

• 11 - 11:30 AM - Timelessness - Hari Subramanyam

• 11:30 - 12:00 - Intuition, Exposure and the Decisive Moment - with Jono Slack

  In his talk Jonathan Slack will look at the role of Intuition in making images, and discuss ways the photographer can make the most of it and catch that decisive moment.

• 12:-12:40 PM - Anatomy of a Project & Preview of LSI Photo Grant Finalists - Richard Rejino

  In this illuminating presentation, Richard Rejino will talk about the importance of having an ongoing personal project in progress at all times to give your photography purpose and intention. He will highlight some of LSI members’ projects as examples, as well as his own project, What Music Means to Me.

12:40-14:00     Lunch provided in hotel

14:00-15:00    Presentation with Leitz Photographica Auctions - Parts 1 & 2

• Part 1, Cameras: Collecting Cameras: Navigating False Trends and Embracing Missed Opportunities: This presentation delves into the intriguing world of vintage camera collecting, exploring the motivations behind it, the changing trends within the market, and the opportunities that may be overlooked. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical and artistic value of these cameras, cautioning against blindly following fleeting trends and highlighting the potential for smart investments in limited-production modern collectibles, all while providing key principles to guide successful collecting. Ultimately, it aims to inspire a thoughtful, informed approach to camera collecting while revealing the hidden gems amidst the noise of the ever-evolving trends.

• Part 2, Photographs: About the creative possibilities of photography. A tribute to Otto Steinert, the art of photography and the collector’s market. - 22 of his most famous photographs will be auctioned in Vienna in November. Otto Steinert left his mark on German post-war photography like no other. Instead of depicting reality, he uncompromisingly emphasized the autonomy of his own pictorial reality. Steinert spanned the arc from "New Seeing" to "Subjective Photography," broke with the conventions of the conventionally documentary, and significantly enriched the visual language with his tension-laden compositions. Steinert propagated the role of the photographer as an autonomous designer. By revisiting experimental working techniques such as double exposures, motion blur, negative montages, solarizations, and long exposures, Steinert attempted to explore the artistic possibilities of the medium to its limits.

15:15-18:00     Activities for all (your choice), or free time

• Guided Tour of the Leica Archives – Tim Pullmann - sign up for times at the registration desk

• Visit Museum (self-guided tour)

19:00          Reception and Banquet: 2023 LSI Photography Grant Recipient announced and Award presentations, Slide show from Photo Shoots with Silvergrain Classics.

Saturday Oct 21, 2023 - Must be pre-registered

8:00 AM Departure for All-Day Rhine Romance Tour (details below) Must be pre-registered.

5:30 PM Return to Leitz Hotel

Optional Event: Saturday, October 21, 2023: Rhine Romance Bus Tour – Vineyards crowned by castles and medieval towns - $115 per person. (Limit of 80)

The first stop of this tour leads you to St. Goarshausen, a picturesque little town located directly on the River Rhine. St. Goarshausen is located downstream of the slate rock of the Loreley on the right bank of the Rhine in the Rhine-Lahn district. The town has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley since 2002 and is also called "Loreley Town" due to its proximity to the world-famous Loreley Rock. This imposing mountain rises from the Middle Rhine Valley. With the Loreley song written by the famous German denser Heinrich Heine, the legend of the blond Rhine mermaid Loreley, who is said to have lured the boatmen to their doom, has become known throughout the world.  Even today, visitors feel the myth when they stand high up on the Loreley rock, look into the whirlpools of the Rhine, and become aware of the dangerous Rhine strait.

Proceed along castles and fortresses from a bygone era to Bacharach, where a typical and regional German lunch awaits you with regional specialties. In the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley, famous poets, painters, and travelers worldwide have been meeting for centuries to enjoy the joy of life with a good glass of wine. The town impresses with its narrow streets, the ruins of the Werner Chapel, the many half-timbered houses, and, of course, the Stahleck Castle towering over the town.

After lunch, your guide will lead you during a short walk through the old alleys of this traditional Wine town. During/after this walk we will arrange a wine tasting of 3 wines in order to taste the famous wines of one of Germany’s most famous wine-growing regions, where already the Romans cultivated wine. Bacharach was already at the center of the European wine trade in the Middle Ages.

Depending on the group size, the group has to be divided up into 2 smaller groups; one part will have lunch first and a walking city tour and wine tasting afterward, and the other part has first the walking city tour and wine tasting and lunch afterward.

Old Town Wetzlar Walking Tour (included with registration - limit of 150)

Wetzlar is a city with a lively past. The old town of Wetzlar is characterized by medieval squares and winding alleys.  The remarkable cathedral and the picturesque old town reveal this at first glance: Medieval squares and winding alleys, charming half-timbered houses and buildings from the time of the Imperial Chamber Court characterize the townscape. Also Johann Wolfgang Goethe stayed in Wetzlar in the summer of 1772. The unfinished Gothic cathedral is also fascinating, reflecting a piece of the city's history with its combination of Romanesque and Gothic elements.

The Rome Spring Shoot will take place from Thursday, May 18 - Saturday, May 20 in the heart of Rome, the eternal city. Plan on arriving Wednesday, May 17 and departing on Sunday May 21.

Our program will feature Leica on Loan, three scenic Photo Walks with assignments, a Visit and reception at Leica Store Rome, Photo Review, and four fabulous speakers. Scroll down to read details.

Click here to order the t-shirt!

Hotel Accommodations: The LSI has reserved rooms at the Le Méridien Visconti Rome hotel Once you have registered, you will be emailed a confirmation of registration and links to make your hotel reservations at a special LSI rate.

Plan on arriving on Wednesday, May 17 and departing on Sunday, May 21.

Register below.

Program

All sessions will be held in the Visconti Plenary room, located in the lower level of the Le Meriden Visconti Rome.

For a list of attendees, click here.

To view/download all Photo Walks click here.

Wednesday, May 17, 2023                                                       

Arrival day for Participants.

19:30                  Informal Meet and Greet (Hotel Lobby).                                                                  

Thursday, May 18, 2023

08:00                  POSTPONED - Leica on Loan - bad weather delayed the Leica team, so we won’t be able to offer this until Friday morning                                   

9:00 -9:15 AM   President’s Welcome/Conference Chair Welcome/International Leica Society Update

9:15-10:00          Introduction of Attendees

10:00 – 10:15     Break

10:15-11:15        Light of Seduction with  Milan Swolfs

This work is my homage to women, taking us back to the forgotten times or the roaring twenties, old Hollywood glamor with a mix of 50's pin-ups. Think about flapper dresses, red lipstick, corsets, champagne and cabaret!”, he says in a statement, adding that playing with light “teases the visitors with scenes of seduction”. “As a spectator, do we feel like a 'voyeur' caught in the middle of something, or what happens next?

11:15 – 12:15     Unfamiliar with Simona Ghizzoni

In my photographic practice, autobiography has always been of great importance. In fact, my production revolves around two major themes: the social sphere of women and the private sphere of self-portraiture. In this talk, I will share with you two of my best-known works: Odd Days, a documentary work on eating disorders, and Isola, my latest project, which uses self-portraiture to narrate the story of my relationship with my family and the environment in which we live.

12:15 -12:30       Photo Assignment Explanations (Milan)

Progam Chair Milan Swolfs takes us through the theme for creating memorable images with three scenic photo walks.

12:30 – 14:30     Lunch provided in Latitude 41       

14:30-17:30         Photo Walk

17:30                     Dinner on your own

Friday, May 19, 2023

8:00                      Leica on Loan

8:45-9:00            Announcements

9:00 – 10:00       Luck, Heresy and First Stage Thinking with Jono Slack

An examination of the photographic techniques we take for granted, and how changing them can result in better pictures and a better shooting experience.

10 – 10:15          Break

10:15 - 11:15      How to visualize and narrate the invisible?  with Marco Casino

Retracing a decade-long professional career in between photography and videography, Marco Casino will talk and share the genesis, development and publication behind his working method. Whether it’s with a rangefinder, archival material, forensic iconography, drone perspective, satellite imagery or neural networks image analysis, Casino practice focuses on how to visualize and create visual narratives that seek to be able to grasp the endless nuances and details of phenomena born in the internet and real-time information society.

11:15- 12:00       Anatomy of a Project – Richard Rejino

The importance of having an ongoing personal project cannot be understated. In this session, Richard Rejino will explore how other creative mediums can enhance your photographic storytelling. Using his highly successful “What Music Means to Me Project” he will illustrate how he combined his three greatest passions, music, photography and writing, and turned them into a book, a museum exhibit, and a means to communicate the transformative power of music. He will also show and discuss project from other photographers.

12:00 – 13:30     Lunch Provided at Latitude 41

13:30 – 17:00     Photo Walk starting from hotel

17:30                     Reception at Leica Store Roma

Leica Store Roma welcomes LSI attendees with a reception. The address is: Leica Store Rome, Via dei Due Macelli 57, 00187 Roma. Click here for a map from the hotel to the store.

18:30                     Dinner on your own 

Saturday, May 20                                             

8:00                        Leica on Loan

8:45-9:00              Morning Announcements

9:00-10:30           The SL System with Stephan Schultz, Leica AG

In this presentation, Stephan Schultz will discuss how the SL system came to be and and his vision to make it happen. He will also discuss about how strategic ideas as well how the link to the L-Mount Alliance evolved.

10:30-10:45        Break

10:45 – 13:30     Photo Walk and Lunch on your own

13:30 - 14:30      Selecting/Editing Your Images

14:30 – 16:30     Sharing of Images with Commentary – Milan Swolfs and Jono Slack       

18:30                     Cocktails (cash bar)

19:00                     Banquet (must be pre-registered) - Latitude 41 Restaurant

ROME Spring Shoot Speakers

Marco Casino (Caserta, 1986) is a cross-media documentary photographer & videographer specialized in long-form social reportages.  In the last decade Casino covered stories in Italy, Europe, Africa and South America, often exploring unrepresented contemporary social issues with narratives standing at the intersection of humanist photography, groundbreaking contemporary technological innovations & the internet culture.  His works appeared in news outlets like National Geographic, BBC, CNN, The New York Times, The Guardian, Internazionale and some of his pictures and videos have been exhibited in spaces like the Pulitzer Hall - Brown Institute for Media Innovation of New York, the Royal Albert Hall of London, the Manuel Rivera-Ortiz gallery of Les Rencontres d’Arles.  He’s been recognized by awards and grants like the World Press Photo (2014 - 1° place Short Feature Multimedia category), selected twice as “30 under 30” by Magnum Photos.

Brand ambassador & media creator for Leica Camera since 2012, Casino have also been working on commercial assignments, cooperating with creative agencies and luxury brands like Havas, TBWA, Sky Arts, Magnolia Digital, Lamborghini, Valentino, Huawei, Motorola, Samsung, Nautor’s Swan, Ducati. Based in Milano and available worldwide for visual productions, editorial assignments, developing ideas together with clients or unrepresented communities looking for communication aids. 

Part of his archive is distributed by Archive.luz.it.

Simona Ghizzoni (1977) is a photographer and visual activist for women's rights. Her work is strongly rooted in personal experience, which Ghizzoni reworks and interprets through photography. Her production revolves around two major strands, which often intersect: the social dimension of women and the private dimension of self-portraits. With her first work, Odd Days, she tells in a series of portraits the difficult path of healing from the eating disorder. While her images are often of social inspiration, Ghizzoni tends to employ a personal and participatory narrative, sometimes even fantastic, that arises from the intimate relationship he creates with the subjects. In the series of self-portraits the recurring element is a visceral relationship with the environment, which alternates autobiography and fiction.

Twice awarded the World Press Photo for her work on the condition of women, her work has received numerous awards: Poyi, The Aftermath Project, Burn Magazine Emerging Photographer Grant, BBC Arabic Film and Documentary Festival, Margaret Mead Film Festival, Sony World Photography Awards, among others. Her work has been widely presented in solo and group exhibitions, including the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Paris Photo, Photo Espana, Rome Auditorium, Athens Photo Festival, Ex-Mattatoio Rome. In 2022 she is the president of the jury for Europe at the World Press Photo. Ghizzoni is a TEDX speaker and regularly holds lectures in various European schools and universities. She is co-founder of MAPS Images, she is represented in Italy by MLB Gallery.

Jonathan Slack grew up in the seaside town of St Ives in the UK. His father was a doctor, sculptor and a photographer and was a friend to many of the artist community  including Barbara Hepworth and Patrick Heron. 

Jonathan is a botanist by training and a software developer by practice, but photography has been his obsession since his twenties when he gave up painting. It even survived some work in PR earlier in the century. If asked nicely enough he will still do weddings and event photography .

He has been testing Leica cameras since 2007, beginning with the M8 and including all the major releases since then. During this time he has come to understand that Leica really is dedicated to the essence of photography, and that the M11 is the pinnacle of reductionist functionality.

Articles and photographs have been published widely including the LHSA Viewfinder magazine, GQ magazine, LFI, various newspapers and magazines and on many websites including his own.

Richard Rejino is the Executive Director of the Leica Society International. He is the author of What Music Means to Me, published by Hal Leonard Corporation. His writing and photography has been published in Viewfinder, Leica NA Blog, Music Inc., American Music Teacher, The Piano Teacher, and other publications. He is currently the Executive Editor for Pony Express(ions), SMU’s Graduate of Liberal Studies literary online journal. His photography has been featured at the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, California, and he is the 2015 winner of the LSI Annual Photo Contest.

Stephan Schultz of Leica AG is responsible for Leicas S and SL System. His has an engineering degree and marketing education. Mr. Schultz joined Leica in 2007, bringing almost 20 years of professional experience from former jobs at Philips/Pentax/Thomson Multimedia into the company. He proudly boasts that he got his first camera in 1972 and his first Leica (M6) in 1989.

Milan Swolfs is most known for his fine art portrait photography work in the burlesque and vintage styles. His work is a throwback to the memorable Hollywood glamour of the 20s and 30s, often portraying women in a daring and sexy way, but always delicately and glamorously. Milan is an ambassador for Leica Camera Belgium and France. In 2022 he had an exhibition "Light of Seduction'" at the Leica Gallery in Porto. His work has been featured in Viewfinder, LFI magazine and the Leica Blog and he is the official photographer for the biggest Burlesque shows in Europe. Milan also did the official Marketing photos for the re-release of the Noctilux 50mm f1.2. Milan is also a Leica collector focusing on vintage lenses.

Event is SOLD OUT!

If you wish to be placed on a waiting list, please email info@leicasocietyinternational.org

Welcome to the LSI Spring Conference Registration page! The conference will take place from Friday, April 21 - Sunday April 23 in Teaneck, New Jersey, the home of our conference host Leica North America. Plan on arriving Thursday, April 20* and departing on Monday, April 24.

Our program is packed with an unprecedented line up of artists who will educate and inspire. Sessions and events include Leica on Loan, a tour of Leica USA’s new offices, two photo excursions in New York City, 7 speakers (yes, seven), as well as special appearances from Leica USA & Leica AG representatives.

Click here to see the program!

Click here to read about our speakers!

The LSI has reserved rooms at two hotels, The Marriott ($209 USD per night) and The Hampton Inn & Suites ($159 USD per night). Both hotels are across from each other in Teaneck/Glenpointe and across the street from Leica Headquarters. Once you have registered, you will be emailed a confirmation of registration and links to make your hotel reservations.

Plan on arriving on Thursday, April 20th and departing on Monday, April 23.

*Please note that the Leica office tours will take place on Thursday evening, April 20th.

Register below.

2023 LSI Women in Photography Grant

Grant applications are closed - we have reached our limit . Thank you!

Leica Society International (LSI) is proud to announce its first-ever Women in Photography Grant. This grant is open to all women photographers in any part of the world (where allowed by law) and is made possible through LSI and Leica U.S. One grant in the amount of $10,000 USD ($5,000 of which generously donated by Leica U.S.) will be awarded to help complete an in-progress, personal project. In addition, the grant recipient will receive a new Leica Q2 camera, courtesy of Leica U.S.

The theme for this grant is “Celebrating the Human Spirit.” 

LSI invites you to submit an in-progress, personal project demonstrating the human potential for one or more of the following: courage, compassion, achievement, love, and excellence. We are looking for projects/stories whose images express our innate ability to achieve greatness and positivity, success and victory, the kinds of stories whose arc have the potential to inspire fellow human beings to act, to celebrate achievement, and to uplift all humans.

Call for entries begins on March 8, 2023, International Women’s Day, and ends on April 19th, 2023, or when the limit of 60 applications is reached, whichever comes first. The winning project will be announced on May 29, 2023. Please read below for submission guidelines and general information.

The number of applications will be limited to sixty (60) on a first-come first-served basis. All applications must adhere closely to the application requirements. If any application does not follow the requirements as outlined, it will be rejected.

Grant applications are closed - we have reached our limit . Thank you!

The number of applications will be limited to fifty (60) on a first-come, first-served basis. All applications have a fee of $30 USD and must adhere to the application requirements. If an application does not follow the requirements as outlined, it will be rejected. This is a global program where allowed by law.  

Summary of Application

• The LHSA Photography Grant is open to photographers at least 18 years old on or before April 31, 2023.

• Use of a Leica camera is not required; membership in LSI is not required.

• Images must be the work and property of the photographer.  Any required releases are the responsibility of the photographer. 

• The photographic project may be in progress and must be completed within one year of being awarded.

• By entering, you agree to release and hold harmless the LSI and its officers, directors, and agents from and against any claim or cause of action arising from participation in the Contest.

• Officers and Directors of LSI and past recipients of a grant are not eligible to enter.

• Deadline: Applications must be received no later than April 19, 2023, 11:59 PM North American CST or before the limit of 60 applications is reached.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

• The LHSA Photography Grant is open to photographers at least 18 years old on or before April 31, 2023.

• Use of a Leica camera is not required; membership in LSI is not required.

• Images must be the work and property of the photographer.  Any required releases are the responsibility of the photographer. 

• The photographic project may be in progress and must be completed within one year of being awarded.

• By entering, you agree to release and hold harmless the LSI and its officers, directors, and agents from and against any claim or cause of action arising from participation in the Contest.

• Officers and Directors of LSI and past recipients of a grant are not eligible to enter.

• Deadline: Applications must be received no later than April 19, 2022, 11:59 PM North American CST, or when the limit of 60 is reached, whichever comes first.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Payment of Application Fee: $30.00 USD

Artist bio/Statement in the order below (must be submitted in a word document):

• Applicant’s Identification:  Name · address · phone · email · gender, nationality & biography

• Project Title: Along with a short subtitle

• Project Description: A written proposal of no more than 300 words that describes the purpose and nature of the project and how you will accomplish the project.

• Grant funds budget: A budget detailing expenses you expect to incur during the completion of the project.

• Links: Any applicable website/social media links

Portfolio Requirements

•  Project Portfolio: Applications must include a portfolio of up to but not exceeding ten (10) images that illustrate the nature of your project.

• Frame Identification: Each image file name must include Photographer’s name, title, and sequence number. (i.e.: smith[title]01”

SELECTION PROCESS

• Preliminary Stage: All applications will be screened by a panel of judges selected by LSI. 

• Finalist Stage: Ten to fifteen applications will be chosen by the LSI preliminary phase panel to be sent to our jury of distinguished photographers/curators/picture editors for final selection. All decisions of the selection panel or the judges will be final.

• LSI reserves the right to amend grant rules and submission guidelines.

• LSI reserves the right not to award a grant if, in the sole judgment of the jury, there is no submission warranting a grant.

NOTIFICATION OF AWARD, DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS & DEADLINE FOR COMPLETION

• Grant recipient shall be selected and notified by e-mail or telephone.

• Grant funds will be disbursed in two portions. $9,000 up-front before project completion. The remaining $1000 will be disbursed upon completion and receipt of a Project Report/ photo essay in digital form for the LSI website. The camera and lens will be delivered after the recipient confirms acceptance of the grant, conditions, and camera.

• Grant recipients are expected to provide a brief follow-up report/blog post/photo essay upon completion of the project that describes how the project progressed and provides a detailed explanation of how funds were used. 

• Final Project reports must be submitted within a year of the award disbursement.

COPYRIGHT & USE OF IMAGES

The grant recipient retains all copyright and ownership of images submitted and resulting from the project. By accepting the grant, the award winner agrees to allow Leica Society International to feature the final project on its website and quarterly journal or otherwise to promote both the project and grant.

QUESTIONS

All questions about the contest shall be directed to LSI at this email address: info@leicasocietyinternational.org.

Registration Now Open!

The 2022 LHSA - International Leica Society Annual Meeting & Conference will take place in Dublin Ireland from October 13-15.

Dublin is a warm and welcoming city, known for the friendliness of its people and famous for its craic (“crack”)—that mixture of repartee, humor, intelligence, and acerbic and deflating insight that has attracted writers, intellectuals, visitors (and photographers) for centuries. As William Fagan, our VP who resides in Dublin, says, "In Ireland, there are no strangers, just friends you have not yet met.”

We have also planned a visit to the iconic Guinness Storehouse. Built in the style of the Chicago School of Architecture 1904, it was originally used as a fermentation house. Today it’s Ireland’s number one visitor attraction – a gleaming, multimedia exhibition on everything from retro advertising to the craft of brewing, topped off with a pint in the 360-degree Gravity Bar. 

Program

To view the conference program, click here! (program and speaker list subject to changes)

Hotel Information

For the Conference we have reserved rooms in two hotels in the heart of Dublin where heritage and history blend seamlessly. They are across the street from each other and easy to access. We will send you links to make your hotel reservations after you register for the conference. We can confidently say that you will be staying at an iconic and luxurious hotel located in the center of of Dublin. We have negotiated a special rate (less than $300 per night!) at the hotel where we are holding the event, so please don't make other hotel arrangements! Register below.

Conference Registration

We are looking forward to our first in-person conference since 2019! Mark your calendars and save the date for LHSA – The International Leica Society’s Conference and Annual Meeting from October 22-23 at the Westin Bellevue Hotel, Bellevue (Seattle) Washington.

The program is almost complete, and here are a few highlights:

1. Leica on Loan

2. Evening reception at Leica Store Bellevue

3. LHSA Photo Contest and Gallery Showing

4. Excursion to Pike Place Market

5. And a lineup of great speakers and sessions

We will be sending out details on registration, the program, and hotel reservations in the coming days. Stay tuned for more information coming soon!

Join us for LHSA – The International Leica Society’s Conference and Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington, October 22-23, 2021. We are looking to seeing everyone at our first in-person conference since 2019!

Covid Protocol

Currently, the state of Washington and the Bellevue Westin Hotel are requiring masks covering your mouth and nose in public indoor spaces (and outdoors for 500 or more people), which includes our conference area. In addition, LHSA will also require the following precautions to keep our attendees as safe as possible:

• Participants must show upon picking up their badge either: proof of vaccination, or a negative covid test taken within the prior 72 hours.

• Observe social distancing between non-family member participants while in-conference room.

• Sign a standard COVID liability waiver form. To download the waiver form, click here.

Conference Program: We have an impressive line-up of great sessions. Click here to download the program. A few highlights include:

• Leica on Loan

• Annual Trade Fair

• Great Sessions and speakers (see below)

• Excursion to Pike Place Market, downtown Seattle (transportation provided)

• Saturday night banquet

Special Events:

• Reception and Photo Show at Leica Store Bellevue, walking distance from the hotel.

• Photography Show: LHSA presents its first ever Photography Show: The Power of Light, featuring images created by LHSA conference attendees. To learn more and submit your black and white or color photographs for consideration, click here.

Conference Speakers include Richard Chalfan, Philip Blair, Sandra Eisert, and Cheriss May. Click here to learn more about our conference speakers.

Register Today!

Join us on May 14 & 15, 2021 for the 2021 Annual LHSA – The International Leica Society Spring Shoot. This year’s Spring Shoot program is full of creative and educational opportunities that will help you grow as a photographer.

We are featuring a group of top-notch, well-known photographers and specialists, including Maggie Steber, Ana Maria Arevalo Gosen, Sandra Eisert, Brad Husick, and David Spielman.

PHOTO ASSIGNMENT: Of course, our Spring Shoot wouldn’t be complete without a photo assignment that will challenge you to create images in a number of different categories connected by a theme. Photo assignment details will be sent to you after you register.

Participants of this year’s Spring Shoot will receive a commemorative 2021 Spring Shoot printed collection featuring the photos of everyone’s photo submissions.

To see the program click here.

To read about our speakers, click here.

Register below:

Join Arthur Meyerson for a compelling and intensive online workshop designed to heighten your awareness of color and increase your ability to successfully capture distinctive moments with your camera.

Through daily shooting assignments, critiques and discussions, participants acquire techniques to become more sensitive to light and its effects on color, composition, texture, pattern and design. While covering the use and quality of natural and artificial light, the main focus is on investigating color from a personal point of view. Arthur guides and inspires participants to help refine an individual style for creative fulfillment.

While this is an online class, the materials and information presented are the same as those Arthur utilizes in his in-person class. However, participants will have the advantage of photographing in their familiar surroundings.

Leica Akademie USA Director Tom A. Smith will support the workshop throughout the week to assist in assignment, software and technical questions.

Participants complete the week with a greater awareness of their strengths and an enhanced sensitivity to light and color.

Learn More/Sign Up

This March, join fine art photographer Jennifer McClure for an online course exploring the concept and use of memories in photography.

We each have memories that shape our lives, moments and scenes that weren’t photographed at the time. We have historical photographs that look different to us now, that we cannot remember being taken, or of loved ones taken before we were born. All of these together form a narrative of personal history, either individual or collective, that is layered and nuanced.

This class will explore several different types of photographs and projects that involve memory—those that are based on memory, those that re-frame memory using family/historical photos, those that preserve or memorialize, and those that document or interpret the loss of memory. We will look at historical and contemporary examples of each of these.

Learn More/Register

Much of what we know about art and photography has been learned from books. To this day the photography book remains the primary delivery system for the photographer within which to present their ideas in the most effectively controlled manner. The book is a physical object, not a metaphor; The pages of a book of photographs have an organic presence.

This workshop will clarify the bookmaking process in a clear and accessible manner. Starting with the creation of a book “dummy” or maquette which includes aspects of layout, design, double-page spreads, book cover impact and editorial thrust as well as binding, typography, separation for platemaking, distribution formulas and more will be addressed.

Learn More/Sign Up