The Sunday Papers

Nicholas, if you are going to take the time and effort of using medium format, you have to get a better scanner and learn how to use it. The images showing up on my screen look like 2MP images, not MF.

In this photograph and 'In The Museum' your attention to detail is well rewarded. The control of depth of field yields gentle detail in the background that allows the subject to be projected out towards the viewer. In this photograph, unlike 'In The Museum', the subject seems a pip out of focus. My guess is the was more light in the 'Museum' allowing a faster shutter speed ?

 

I am delighted to see you jump headlong into a new old arena. I can tell it suits you.

 

Regards,

 

Steve

Nice portrait; exposure is really good.

 

Nicholas, do you use PS?

You can try to sharpen it using PS. As I know, you like to present you photo as it is; but there is no harm to use PS to make any photo more natural or glamorous. Although I know very little about PS, but I think it's always preferable to use it for almost all photos. It is just personal opinion.

 

Kindest regards.....

Thanks guys!

 

I know that this one isn't pin sharp, and I don't think that the scanner is the only thing at fault in this respect - although this is the result from an older flat bed type, as my film scanner can only cope with 35mm. I certainly have to get used to the sensitivity of those Carl Zeiss lenses, but I posted this one more as an experiment in 6x6 square format composition - which is also something of a challenge, as I don't want to start cropping.

 

I suppose that I really need a studio, where I can control the light more successfully (and maybe some reflectors), and I think a diaopter converter for my long sightedness might help!

 

I will still resist the use of flash - although I have just aquired a 503CX body (wired for TTL flash), to go with the 500CM, so it may only be a matter of time!

 

Still learning, and grateful for the advice, fond regards, Nick.

Nick,

this portrait goes in my (mental) category of intimate and charming, relaxed and seemingly not posed. Depth of field is good, in that newspaper on the settee is blurred but visible enough to give the impression of a relaxed home setting.

 

This looks like 1/30 at 2.8.

 

The best way to get familiar with the new camera is burn film. Keep at it.

 

Best wishes. Pete

 

Thanks Pete, those are exactly the qualities that I strive for in a portrait, and Sarah is a very dear friend - In fact I have great difficulty taking photographs of people whom I don't know.

 

You are quite right about the technical details, as I am sure that this was 1/30s at f/2.8. Also, it was hand-held.

 

Thanks again, Nick.

Nick, I have the same thing about taking shots of unknown people without their knowledge- it seems almost like stealing. That aside I think the rule of thumb for eliminating camera shake is Shutter Speed = 1/focal length which in this case would be 1/80th. The weight of the hasselblad will help but the big mirror crashing up and down won't.

 

The shot gives a sense of warmth, humour and friendship which is very pleasing.

Thanks Colin. You're quite right about the camera shake. I'll take my camera outside for my next set of portraits in order to get faster shutter speeds, as I don't want the high grain of faster films (for now at least!).

 

Kind regards, Nick.

Don't be too adamant about not using flash; I used to feel the same way until I discovered using a diffuser on the flash gives it a more "natural" feel. Someone gave me what's called a flash softbox, a cloth tent thingie that attachs to the flash. I've used it on birds and people and am happy with the results so far. No harsh, flat lighting like you can get with flashes.

Thanks for the advice Kim, I may indeed succumb, the diffuser seems an interesting solution, but I'll have to do some research first!

 

Thanks again, Nick.

Nicholas, there are times when the light is just too low and you know you're going to get a very grainy and sometimes blurred shot. That's where diffusing the flash or using the softbox really helps out a lot. If you check out my shots of the mockingbird (under birds-various) I used it on a couple of those shots. It didn't even scare the bird off! I also used the diffuser on the flash on all my Kelley pictures, plus used available window lighting (but it wasn't quite enough).

Thanks again Kim, your suggestions are good indeed!

Hi Nick, I'm with Kim on the flash softbox. They can do wonders even if they do look a little odd.

 

As for this image it works well for me just as it is. The soft texture achieves a reality and relaxed intimacy that would be lost with even slightly increased DOF. A lovely picture. Regards.

Thanks Jamie, for your encouragement and kind comment.

 

Nick.

I like the portrait,Nicholas. I was reading with interest the comments made by our friends and appreciate your eagerness to learn.

Hi Nick...I haven't "been around" for a while...I like the second shot better - her expression is kind of quizzical and more interesting to me than the first one. A monopod can be handy in portrait situations as you can change shooting locations rapidly and while it is not as steady as a tripod, it is much better than handheld at slow speeds. Reflectors can do a lot with natural light without adding a flash. If you must use a flash, try a long sync cord to the flash with a shoot-through umbrella mounted on a tripod. Reflectors can be used to add fill to the shadows.

 

"Learning To Light" by Roger Hicks and Francis Schultz, Amphoto Books is a very good source of information for low cost lighting solutions for a variety of situations.

 

As for the grain issue with faster films, I've had good results with Kodak TMax 400, even pushing it to 800 when developed in TMax Developer.

 

Cheers, Alex

 

 

Thanks A.K., I've learnt alot from this one, thats what I love about photo.net - everyone is so helpful, and full of suggestions from their own extensive experience!

 

Thanks Alex, great to have you back. I've checked out your book suggestion on Amazon, and ordered a second hand copy! Instinctively, I'm an ambient light photographer, but am always happy to learn new ways. A monopod sounds like a good idea, as it is the desire to move viewpoint quickly that puts me off using my tripod for informal portraits. I have a reflector, but never get round to using it - I'll get it out for a start, and see what I can produce.

 

I can recommend Edward Horn's portfolio for anyone interested in novel lighting ideas;-

 

http://www.photo.net/shared/community-member?user_id=1176693

 

I am learning lots from following his experiments with light in digital photography.

 

Fond regards, Nick.

I would value your collective opinions on this one!

good work in B&W, well framed 7 7

Thanks Christian, I'm glad that you like it, as I like it too. Although it is a photograph with many technical faults, I find it honest and true to my relationship to the subject.

 

Fond regards, Nick.

Good shot Nick, I remember you taking this shot, and seem to recall that Sarah had been up all night - never the less, she looks great in your shot!

Nice mood, good light and beautiful shallow DOF. Congratulations!