We value Photoville because it gives us a chance to meet hundreds of people that love photography, people like Roman Siromakha.
This year at Photoville, Leica and Digital Silver Imaging co-sponsored an exhibition by photographer Mark Mann. In addition, Leica had a tent where they were loaning cameras for 90 minute blocks.
During the event I met an enthusiastic young man, Roman Siromakha. I told him that he could borrow a Leica, free, for 90 minutes. His excitement was not diminished when he discovered that the Leica he wanted most, the M Monochrom, was out on loan.
Roman, a lover of black & white, said he would return the next day to give the M Monochrome a spin. Roman did return late in the afternoon of the following day. Still enthusiastic he completed the necessary paperwork and departed with the M Monochrom.
As night fell Roman returned more thrilled than before. We spoke with Leica’s Renee Perez and Antonio Di Benedetto about the virtues of the M Monochrom. Roman was full of superlatives and promised to show us the images. True to his word he did show us the images, and including a blog post with his experience. To read about his experience with the Leica visit his post on the blog Exposure. You can see more of Roman’s images on his website www.romanshotthis.com .
Roman is a talented young photographer, but what really impressed me about him was his positive energy and love of the art. Photography needs more people like Roman Siromakha. Yes, he has skill, but more than that Roman Siromakha has passion. His joy is inspiring, I just want to say that meeting Roman was truly our pleasure.
Thanks Roman and thanks Photoville!