Member Spotlight - Rick May
Why I Joined LHSA
I first learned about LHSA – The International Leica Society while in my local Leica store. A flyer was on the counter and I picked it up. My first thought was, “Cool, a group of like-minded individuals.”
After joining, I started to dig into the offerings of the organization. I started to look at what others were doing and was inspired. As a professional sports photographer, I don’t often get the time to shoot landscapes. I was immediately drawn to various member portfolios in addition to the various resources. Of particular interest were the workshops, which I am still trying to fit into my schedule.
Rick May
Having a one-stop shopping place to learn, grow and expand my photographic vision is important to me. Being able to do this via the LHSA is awesome.
Falling in Love with Leica
When it comes to shooting sports, I was looking for something new. I wasn’t sure it was a challenge or a different way to shoot, or just what it was – but I knew that it was time to elevate my work to a new level.
I still remember the day I first picked up a Leica camera. I was with a colleague and said I wasn’t going into the store. I’ll stay in the car, thanks. Well, I ended up going in, walked straight to the table where a Leica S was and fell in love immediately.
On the surface, this was great, but bubbling below was a new vision. What if I could take the legendary Leica look and bring it to sports?
I embarked on a yearlong project to do just that. It was just the push I needed, as I worked with both the Leica S and the SL cameras. It forced me to change how I approached each game and it actually made me a better photographer, in that no longer did I shoot multiple frames a second at my disposal. Now, I had to work on both the timing and focus and get it – just like the old days of film. I’m having the time of my life and enjoy the strange looks I get when I walk onto the pitch with the Leica S and Leica SL.
I live in the Pacific Northwest and shooting in the rain is just part of how we live and work. Leica has been more than up to the challenge of harsh shooting environments. – even uncovered at times – and covered. It’s a dream to work with and I look forward to what the future brings.
