gael Matthew, University of Virginia, 2009.

You can see the three people in the background. The first person,

furthest back, is a poster of actor Gael Bernal Garcia. In front of

him is Ranjan, an engineering student at the University of Virginia.

In front of him is another student. See the first photo in this folder

for more information.

Really good graduation picture, with excellent use of DOF and very strong detail in the face.

This is a great picture and I like your inclusion of some of your thoughts about it. Just out of curiosity, I wonder what it would have looked like if the faces in the back were more visible or more spaced out. Also like your portfolio. Steven

Thanks Les,

 

Steven, I've wondered those same things, and would have liked them more in focus, just a little bit, but the light and the set up of my office prevented it, so I had to compromise. The lights were table lamps with the shades pulled off, so I was working at low shutter speeds and very wide apertures, even between ISO 800 and 1600. Between the wall and each subject was a 3 foot wide table with a huge laser printer on top of it. Therefore, each subject was 3 feet away from the print of the previous subject. At f/2.8, there was no way I could get any more dof without either setting up a tripod, or boosting the lights, or boosting the ISO. There wasn't enough room for a tripod or additional lights, and besides, I think the fact that it didn't look like a studio helped persuade people to pose. I probably could've boosted the ISO another stop, though.

 

On the other hand, I don't much mind the character of the focus all that much. To some extent, the concept was about relationships, so it fits that the further away you are from the original person, Ranjan, the fuzzier he would be. Sort of like the 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon.

 

Thanks for your comment.

Wonderful series. It's a great idea and a case where I think the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. It's a strong concept and, for me, creates a focus on the subject as part of something greater than him or herself. I don't see it about relationships as you do, because of the isolated focusing of each individual in the foreground compared the similarity of blur in all faces in the background. I happen to like the way you did that a lot, and see no need for the background faces to be in more focus. So that, to me, makes each individual stand out more rather than seem part of a relationship. Nevertheless it makes me aware of the individuals as part of something and as not being alone. There's something comforting in that. Your natural approach, as well, is very attractive.

interesting thoughts Fred, as usual. Thanks a lot.

 

I wasn't so hellbent on an extensive DOF that it stopped me from shooting, and I, like you, appreciate that each individual is in sharp relief to those in the background. My criticism is that anyone more than three people behind the current subject is an unrecognizable blur. It would be good, I thought, (or at least an interesting side-study) to be able to distinguish personal characteristics all the way back.