Award Winning Photographer Jacob Aue Sobol Exhibits “Arrivals and Departures” at Leica Washington DC

the Washington DC Leica store found at 977 F Street, NW

By Punch Paparazzo Jason Kampf

May 2012 marked the Leica North American flagship store unveiling in Washington DC and the brand continues to spotlight technically innovative instruments and award winning artists throughout North America with exhibits and events.  Penn Quarter in the District is home to the Leica Store and Studio which offers customers an experience only found through the luxury camera manufacturer.

the Hermes edition .... priced around $30,000

checking out the black & white exhibit

To mark the opening of his exhibit “Arrivals and Departures” on July 25th, award-winning Magnum Photographer Jacob Aue Sobol greeted guests, even graciously stopping for photo opps during the reception. Sobol traveled through Moscow, Ulan Bataar and Beijing by way of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Unique to this exhibit by Sobol, the instrument he used to shoot the story of his journey; the new Leica M Monochrom camera.

guests and fans of Leica and the photographer

Throughout history, imprinted in our minds eye are countless moments captured in black & white. The black & white photo holds still our fast paced world leaving so much for the individual to discern. Black & white photos represent purity, the explicit nature of a subject, depth and emotion of scenery and leave you with a bold impression. To Sobol “…Black & White images are not bound to a specific location or time, but rather they create their own universe.”

Leica takes a step forward with the new M Monochrom camera. The instrument produces “authentic monochrome photography in digital form” without compromise as it becomes the ” first full-frame, 35 mm format digital camera.”

Roland Wolff Leica’s Director of Corporate Retail and Eric Oberg, Leica DC GM, welcomed guests while speaking to the exhibit and in particular the new offerings to the Leica product line. Wolff spoke generously representing Leica with his vast knowledge of the brand, tradition of craftsmanship and the art form itself; as he occasionally snapped a photo using one of his own cameras which rested around his shoulder throughout the evening.

a view of the street from within the store

Speaking with Wolff and Oberg, it is clear Leica has great plans for North America. The DC store represents a vision to ensure professionals and amateur photographers receive the tools necessary to expand their own creativity. The ability for customers to gain access to such expertise and service is unparalleled. In addition to the studio and exhibits, Leica provides, the Leica Akademie North America, offering elements of photography for people with all levels of experience. The main goal “increase the enjoyment of photography and bring the Leica experience to a new generation of photographers.”

Pamela Sorensen, Eric Oberg and Jacob Aue Sobol

With regular lectures by artists such as Sobol, Leica expands the customers perspective of photography, allowing people to see the world around them which otherwise passes by. Through the Leica flagship store in Washington, DC, exhibits, lectures and the Akadamie workshops are available.

All photos shot by Jason Kampf with his very own Leica V-Lux 30.