Hi, Skip,
Thanks for your comments. To answer your questions:
1. It was shot using available light coming in through a large window. Those
cats are light sleepers, and and any sort of artificial lighting (especially a
flash) would have only given me one chance at a shot. As it was, they were
disturbed by the sound of the shutter, and although I did get a couple of
images, since I gave them time to settle back down between my three shots.
Likewise with a black drop cloth: they never would have remained asleep had I
put one behind and under them. The shot was candid - I just saw them sleeping
that way, and pulled out my camera. I did blacken the background on my PC - it
was originally a dark blue sleeping bag.
2. I have no idea if the 2.0 55mm is a "soft" lens. I just bought a 1.4 50mm,
which I should have in a few weeks, so I'll be able to directly compare them,
but sharpness or softness isn't a big issue with me, so I don't pay much
attention to these things.
3. No cropping. I try to crop as little as possible, and when I do, it is
usually to fit a particular print format. In any event, this image was "cropped
in the viewfinder".
Although I did blacken the background, the "softness" that you noticed around
the edges of the cats was not manipulated, but is the result of the soft light
coming in through the window.
Once again thanks for your thoughts; I'm glad you liked it.
regards,
frank
dosk wrote:
> Assignment:
>
> "Yin Yang" by Frank Theriault---
>
> I saw this photo just after my partner got herself a book on the paintings
> of Vermeer, and I was immediately struck by the similarities of this double
> animal portrait to Vermeer's style. (All rich and dark browns and blacks and
> whites.) The subjects are quite relaxed and peaceful, and the overall
> impression one gets of the shot is one of serenity. The composition is
> centered and frame filling, excellently done IMO. I enjoyed the delicate
> contrast of the cats' fur against the smooth and plain background, and I
> especially like the way the white and dark edges are soft and blending while
> the rest of the portrait is sharp.
>
> Three questions:
> 1)Was the shot taken with a spotlight or a flash against a black dropcloth,
> or was the surrounding area blackened in afterwards on a PC?
> 2)Is the 55/2 Tak you used considered to be a "soft" lens?
> 3)Did you crop around the frame to enlarge the center? And if so, how much?
>
> Rating: A well done portrait. Would really enjoy having my own portrait
> taken in this style!
>
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