Shel Belinkoff writes:
> What I meant is that the out of focus areas are, to my eyes and
> sensibilities, harsh, not smooth. I'd prefer something more "creamy"
> and soft, which would better compliment the portrait, IMO.
This may be an artifact of the 50/1.2 in the 2.0-2.8 range, which I have
never shot much before (I'm usually at 1.2 wishing for a 1.0 lens, or f/8-16
in full light). Something to keep in mind for the future.
I'm sure the 85/1.8 in my fiance's hands would have done better at f/2 for a
variety of reasons.
> Is there a reason you can't send both? Each shows a different, and
> nice, quality. Heck, Gerald, they're your pics, why do you want
> someone else's opinion on which is better. None of us know your
> girlfriend as well as you and her family.
I want others' opinions simply to improve my craft. I'd like to put up a
web gallery of the 4 years of pictures I have taken of her while she has
been away from home. I plan to present this as a wedding gift to her
parents. The better I make the pictures, the better the gift, or so goes my
thinking.
> Why shoot Velvia for portrait work. It's been said that other films
> are superior and offer better characteristics for that type of
> photography.
Velvia was in the camera doing primary duty capturing landscapes and
scenics. I'm thinking it is time to self-enable and pic up a second LX body
to act as an alternate film holder. :)
> I forgot which camera/lens combination you were using, but if it's
> one of the newer bodies, with a smaller finder view, it may be
> difficult to get an exact crop in the finder, so cropping later may
> be the only alternative in that situation. Of course, once you
> understand the limits of the camera's viewfinder, you can probably
> move in a little tighter. Unless you've got a 100% finder there's
> always the possibility of some surprises in the final print.
It was an LX with an FA-1 finder and K50/1.2. I own the high eyepoint FC/FD
finder, but wasn't carrying that day.
> Ahh, but the story isn't for us, it's for you, your girlfriend, and
> your families. They will know what the expression means. Remember
> who you made the photo for.
While this shot might just be for family, I do desire to be able to shoot
for a wider audience, and I'm one that learns best through experience and
feedback.
> > I'm wondering what I could have done differently.
>
> From the few photos of yours that I've seen, I believe that B&W
> could work very nicely for you.
What aspects of B&W would work nicely for me? I shot hundreds of rolls on
HP5 and Tri-X some 20 years ago in high-school. I like color. But I do
know that B&W has a much broader lattitude, something like 7-9 stops?
> Flash is an insult to a nice environmental portrait such as what you
> were attempting with your girlfriend. In this case a less contrasty
> film may have been a good option. While I'm far from well-versed in
> color photography, some of the lower contrast negative films appear
> to offer a solution. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable in these
> matters can jump in here with a comment or two.
Yes, had I intended to be shooting portraits of her that day, a better film
choice would have been nice. However, the print films lack the saturation I
am currently enjoying from scanned Velvia.
> And for that they are just fine. These were pics for you, not Life
> magazine.
But that is the quality I desire in my efforts (Life Magazine), and not just
in photography.
> Her brother will probably not notice the details we're discussing
> here. He will see his sister, and think kindly of you for sending
> the pictures. He will not be looking at these photographs with the
> more critical eye of a "photographer" (unless he's a photographer
> himself).
Very true. Most neophytes/novices' reactions to my photos are very
positive, though I am able to see their flaws immediately. I guess I have
graduated past the stage of tourist point-no-shooter. :)
Thanks for the critique,
Gerald
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