April 2010 Leica Road Show In Seattle

I signed up for the Seattle stop of Leica's North American Road Show so I could get a look at all the Leica lenses, the new Noctilux in particular, and learn some tips from the pros that would be there, Justin Staley and Chris Weeks. Below is a view of the city of Seattle with my M9 + Summicron 50/2 from my room at the Renaissance Seattle Hotel on Madison Street through a very dirty window.

Here's another shot out the window but this time with the Leica SEM 18/3.8 lens. Quite a difference is perspective using the SEM 18/3,8 eh?

That's Leica rep Justin Staley to the far right in the photo below, answering questions from attendees, while I was snapping a few photos using my Leica M9 plus the demo Noctilux 50/0.95 lens. Yes, the Nocti really is as wonderful as you've heard, even though there wasn't much to take photos of in the Road Show room. Justin shared some camera 'concealed carry' tips for street shooting that were pretty slick.

Here's another photo of attendees talking with Justin about lenses that I shot using the Noctilux. The focus point is now on the young lady to the left, and notice how thin the slice of focus is, with those just around her out of focus and rendered with beautiful bokeh. I want a Nocti!

That's Chris Weeks - the famous Hollywood photographer - to the far left in the photo below (M9 + Summicron 50/2), talking about his techniques for street shooting. I was interested in getting some landscape photography tips, but that wasn't on the menu for this stop of the Leica Road Show.

After the Road Show session concluded I walked over across the street to Tulio's Italian Restaurant to have dinner, which was superb by any measure (M9 + Summicron 50/2).

It turns out that Tulio's was open for breakfast too, so the next morning before I headed to La Conner I stopped in and had a superb breakfast.

After breakfast at Tulio's I walked around and snapped a few photos in Seattle before heading north to La Conner.

It's hard not to be reminded of the popularity of coffee when in the Pacific Northwest, as Starbucks and Seattle's Best both got there start right here.

Everything is on a hill in Seattle, so pedestrians and cyclists really get a workout just getting around town.

I was walking by a building and was fascinated by all the lights inside. It turns out it was a Seattle Public Library.

It seems like everywhere you turn there is cool art work in display, like the artwork below in front of the Safeco Plaza.

A Seattle street scene with another cool building.

It was a classic gray cloudy day in Seattle, so I decided it was time to hit the road and head North towards La Conner.

On the way to La Conner I stopped at a beautiful rest stop that displayed the kinds of trees that used to populate the area, giant cedars. Unfortunately for us they are few and far between now.

Sad.

I checked in at the La Conner Channel Lodge which is located right on the water front.

The La Conner Channel Lodge is a nice cozy place to stay, with a gorgeous view from the rooms. Below is the view just to the left of my room's porch.

A view to the center from my room's porch ...

A view to the right ... and as you can see, everywhere you look is filled with beautiful scenes.

The La Conner Channel Lodge had a nice lobby area where they offered a free wine and cheese session with live jazz piano music. Yes, I was in heaven.

Next up was walking around La Conner, which is a nice little artist and jazz enclave, and known for the Tulip Festival that occurs in the surrounding Skagit Valley in the Spring. Below is a typical La Conner street scene with little cottage industry stores trying to lure in the tourists.

Art was also on display everywhere as you walk along the waterfront in La Conner, like this cool Native American totem pole.

Or this Native American inspired art wheel ...

This scruffy little fellow was intently watching the door at the Calico Cupboard Cafe & Bakery awaiting his master's return.

So I went in to investigate ... and there was good reason for his anticipation! His master was in buying goodies that he would no doubt get a few bites of!

The Calico Cupboard Cafe & Bakery is one of those special little places that you find where everything is prepared from scratch using the best ingredients. Just looking around inside is a feast for the eyes.