Grab Portraits Challenge: Fast Grab- Portaits: No lights, no reflectors.

[Asher Kelman]

Hi, here's our challenge this week!

Pictures where you have found the subject, ask or not and get the image fast, just enough to choose your position, maybe even there's, but not more than 20 secs or so!

I'll start. I visited an antique store and the Armenian gentleman was fascinating and friendly. I asked for his picture and turned him towards the light.

http://idisk.mac.com/med007/Public/2007/Antique_Dealer4247v1_AR.jpg

Antique Dealer in Los Angeles

f= 1.2, 1/400 sec, ISO 500 AV -1 EV 50 1.2L 5D

The idea is to do the capture on impulse and process so what is in your heart shows the image.

Now show me yours using any format camera, from digicam, to polaroid, or MF!

Asher

[Asher Kelman]

Well, any bites?

Asher

[Nicolas Claris]

OK
I'll bite on this one, bringing some colors ;...)

Haloween 2007, L.A. while walking around following Asher the chaser…

http://mnclaris.free.fr/forum/_G8A6916_LR.jpg
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II - 1/30s - ƒ 2.8 - ISO 3200 - no flash - 70-200 IS at 200 mm

Please do not edit

[Asher Kelman]

That, my good friend Nicolas, is wonderful and I know that was 4 secs at the most!

Asher

[Kathy Rappaport]

We were at the Huntington Library in Pasadena a few weeks ago. Great location for walking around. But to change away from the scenery, ISO 160 - 70-200 at 5.6 - 160 - 5D cropped out the stroller she was sitting in.

http://i5.pbase.com/g6/80/683780/2/73932417.Hxz3ht5g.jpg

[Cem_Usakligil]

Hi,

The carnaval starts today (officially). In the afternoon, I have taken some pictures on the streets. All were taken in the nick of time, so I had a maximum of 2-3 seconds to compose and take the pictures. The last one was a bonus. This little guy walked past me, and he has pointed a mirror towards the camera. I ended up taking a self-portrait (LOL). Enjoy!

http://www.envisagement.com/opf/shadow_copy/img_19830_0_129995859-O.jpg
1/125s f/4.5 ISO 200, 35mm (EF 24-105), 400D

http://www.envisagement.com/opf/shadow_copy/img_19830_1_129995900-O.jpg
1/750s f/4.5 ISO 200, 24mm (EF 24-105), 400D

http://www.envisagement.com/opf/shadow_copy/img_19830_2_129995908-O.jpg
1/30s f/8 ISO 200, 13mm (EFS 10-22), 400D

http://www.envisagement.com/opf/shadow_copy/img_19830_3_129995871-O.jpg
1/180s f/4.5 ISO 200, 24mm (EF 24-105), 400D

Cheers,

[Wojtek Kutyla]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/112/311882056_43a9d4cb76_o.jpg
The only thing I remember is ISO400... Well... No, I don't remember. :)) 17-35 for sure though.

Ania, my girlfriend, very lazy Sunday morning after a looooooong night :)

[Cem_Usakligil]

Hi Wojtek,

After seeing this picture of Ania, I was wondering whether you've had your testement updated recently (LOL). Man, you are soooo dead ;-).

Cheers,

[Asher Kelman]

I'm impressed how some subjects can get into a pose so easily and how the photographer also can capture the communication of the person.

Cem,

At first I had that jealous feeling when one sees a face with porcelain skin and think, "What a wonderful find!". Then I realized the carnaival brought out masked revelors who really play their parts well.

This posing in a street carnival reminds me of the wonderful picture by Nicolas Claris, above, of the Japanese Geisha with the 2 decorated paper fans and the umbrella all in perfect composition with the girls body and face.

That girl, Kathy is open, happy, content and inquisitve yet timid.

Now Wojtek!

That girlfriend is another matter! She's for sure wanting to know if it's really another day! Yes, she's is inquiring too, "What planet are we on and do they serve coffe?"

I like this very natural and revealing picture. Does it have the same meaning to you in B&W or is the color part of what's needed to make it work?

Asher

[Wojtek Kutyla]

Hi Wojtek,
After seeing this picture of Ania, I was wondering whether you've had your testement updated recently (LOL). Man, you are soooo dead ;-).

Well, I am alive and kickin' ;)

[Wojtek Kutyla]

That girlfriend is another matter! She's for sure wanting to know if it's really another day! Yes, she's is inquiring too, "What planet are we on and do they serve coffe?"

Well, that's why I like this picture so much - it's very natural imo :)

I like this very natural and revealing picture. Does it have the same meaning to you in B&W or is the color part of what's needed to make it work?

I've tried it in BW. Somehow it did not worked so well on me. Colour makes a difference here - it's warm and even more sleepy :)

W

[Asher Kelman]

Nicolas,

Please take note, Wojtek finds the color made his picture! So that's one for you!

Still, I wish you might yourself expriement with the hypothesis that some pictures bring out the character and essence when the color hues and transformed and shared out as nuanced tonality to complete the picture!

Asher

[Kathy Rappaport]

One of the great things about portrait photography is you can shoot the same subject many times and get different emotion from each shot - even over and over in the same session. There are millions of people out there and all are different. We will never run out of subject matter.

My young girl was with her sister in another stroller. Barely you would know they were even related. I could not shoot her - her expression and hair were wild and she had fear written all over her face way before I approached with my lens. Her mother asked me not to take any more after the first and I deleted it. As happy as my photo above was, her twin was not. Actually, she almost haunted me and broke my heart to see that emotion in so young a child.

Wojtek, I think Ania does not know how to delete photos from your camera. My husband stopped taking my pictures, since I delete them. I do love the expression on her face - no mistaking what she was telling you when you clicked the shutter.

[Ivan Garcia]

This is little Lillie, one of my friends daughter.
She is a fun loving child and my camera just loves her.
Not a recent picture per-se, taken last July, but is a candid shot with not much time to set up, she polished the cookie and run off to play with the rest of the children.
Please do not edit.

http://www.escueladebaile.co.uk/ivan/IMG_3181.jpg

Eos 5D/ 100-400 L @ 170mm/ ISO 200/ F/5.6/ 1/1000 sec
PS Cs2, Levels, curves and saturation, saved to web.

[ravindar bindra]

This was before she became too fast to focus on :-) - now I think I need an autofocus camera to capture her.

http://bindie.zenfolio.com/p650834976/?photo=h1CE8E4A2#485024930.jpg

[Wojtek Kutyla]

Wojtek, I think Ania does not know how to delete photos from your camera. My husband stopped taking my pictures, since I delete them. I do love the expression on her face - no mistaking what she was telling you when you clicked the shutter.

I don't get it - why do you assume that Ania was unhappy with the photo? It's the photo of the awaken person, still in half-sleep state, what's so wrong about it? I do not see a reason (and she does not see one too) why this should have been deleted... :) Is there anything to be ashamed of? Believe me, we both remember more embarrassing situations :)

Correct me if I am wrong guys, but from the beginning it looks to me like "oh gosh, how could you do it" type of thing, even, if some of you like it... Why?

Or maybe it's just me before my morning coffee ;)

[Nicolas Claris]

Some more…

Morocco, June 2005
Sorry I don't have exif, but if strongly asked, I may dig…

Sometimes you don't have time to get closer, so you get happy to have caught somewhat like context…

http://clarisorganisation.free.fr/diapo/SlideShowSeaRay/images/_G8A4830.jpg

Sometimes, it is so fast that you get three instead of one, a kind of perspective:
http://clarisorganisation.free.fr/diapo/SlideShowSeaRay/images/_G8A4870.jpg

Out of challenge! I got plenty time to compose…
http://clarisorganisation.free.fr/diapo/SlideShowSeaRay/images/_G8A4828.jpg

[Harvey Moore]

Here is one of my unposed grab the moment shots, I titled it "Help Me".
The one year old looking to me for help, his mother asking his grandmother for help.

5D 50L iso800 f2 1/160

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/148/383131988_86c1423cb8_o.jpg

[Asher Kelman]

Nicolas,

Look at The Online Photographer (http://theonlinephotographer.blogspot.com), he refers to the gallery of Evren Sahin (http://www.pbase.com/esahin/india&page=all)who uses interesting framing with the key subject in a separate compartment.

In Evren Sahin's India gallery, notice how he often partitions the frames, dividing the visual space up into completely separate stages, and how skillfully he places central subjects at the edges of pictures—sometimes, as here, mirroring the edges. He has a great knack of shaping radically cropped elements. I can't remember the last time I've seen new work that uses the frame so energetically. So your first Morrocan street picture might be in that class if you opened up the left side. Worth looking at for composition.

Harvey,

Yes indeed two people trying to get help! The there are really 3 people demonstrated. The 3rd being you!


Asher

[Harvey Moore]

btw, Asher

I really like your lead off shot on this thread. Your subject evokes kinship with me, being retired, I shave when I damn well please :)

Good illustration on how to take the best advantage of the 50L

harvey

[Nicolas Claris]

Nicolas,
Look at The Online Photographer (http://theonlinephotographer.blogspot.com), he refers to the gallery of Evren Sahin (http://www.pbase.com/esahin/india&page=all)who uses interesting framing with the key subject in a separate compartment.

So your first Morrocan street picture might be in that class if you opened up the left side. Worth looking at for composition.

Thanks Asher for pointing this, in fact this is a way of framing that I do quite oftenly use to bring context to a portrait, whether it is a person or a "thing". Therefore you bring more to the personnality you want to "describe/show" (note: I didn't write more personnality, but more to…)

In the first Morrocan street picture, IMO, no need to open-up the left side (beleive me, I tried!) then the central character (the woman in yellow dress) tends to be more "centered" and the man behind her appears more clearly. I wanted her to attract the eye though sh'es not in the center of the frame.
She litteraly comes from the black and this was my intention when "developping". This back black plan propulse her in the center of our vision. She's coming from the dark, in a fully sun lighted street with a basket of vegetables while people are passing by, not seeing her…
She's waiting.
The arch and the wall of the street do add a lot to to the perspective of the image…

Of the thee Marrocan pics posted there, this is the one I do prefer... though I could say quite the same thing about the framing for the one with the 3 kids. I could have easily zoomed and focus on the 1st one on the left, but it would have been a complete different story then...

Thank you for looking at these and for your comments, it, at least, gives me the opportunity to describe my feeling and wishes when I shoot.
I hate that verb! as if my camera were a weapon! has anyone any suggestion instead?
I don't like also "taking a photo or a picture"…

Happy Sunday all

[Nicolas Claris]

Asher, I really like this portrait.
I feel like I know this man for long!
So much humanity in his eyes but so much too in yours!
This man doesn't seem to play any role, he looks simply himself. Certainely one of the best grandfather we all could dream of (after ours of course !;-)

BTW, I noticed you used the 50mm at ƒ1.2 hence the DOF, but I'm not sure that the DOF is 100% natural, did you add a bit while PProd to the one that gets off of the camera?

[Asher Kelman]

Asher, I really like this portrait.
I feel like I know this man for long!
So much humanity in his eyes but so much too in yours!
This man doesn't seem to play any role, he looks simply himself. Certainely one of the best grandfather we all could dream of (after ours of course !;-)

BTW, I noticed you used the 50mm at ƒ1.2 hence the DOF, but I'm not sure that the DOF is 100% natural, did you add a bit while PProd to the one that gets off of the camera?

Hi Nicolas,

Thanks for you kind comments. I'm still experimenting with the narrow DOF. Sometimes less is more and I'm trying to determine when one should be narrow and how this alters the effect.

No there's no blur added in photoshop but I did sharpen his lips, around his eyes and right cheek.

I might bracket the aperture!

Now wouldn't that be a great function or tell me is this already one of those PF I have not used?

Re you first Morrocan picture, at least on my screen, I can't really make out enough on the left.

Can we have just a tiny amount more light there!

The picture with the fruit and the lady at the end of the street is amazing. A lot of action yet no movement! One can only imagine all the thoughts in this woman's head as hse stands almost as the guardian of the street or is she waiting for someone?

Whenever one has to ask oneself questions like that, I believe the picture starts to transcend the collection of recorded objects to a representation of something about the human condition in general.

That picture could be on my wall and I would never get gtired of it!

Just a little extra inquiry. Was this with your Sigma ultrawide zoom and what focal length? Also have you considered correcting the distortion and if you looked at that variant, did it take away from the picture you now present?

In a way, distortion bring the photographer's peresence in the picture or else it might turn one off.

A good or a bad thing?

Asher

[Nicolas Claris]

Can we have just a tiny amount more light there!

So Kindly asked! (I don't have the raw, it is in the safe at the bank, so I did work on the small Jpeg… not the best thing to do, but I wanted to please you ;…)

http://mnclaris.free.fr/forum/_G8A4830-2.jpg

[Asher Kelman]

Thanks Nicolas,

Now I see her better!

If we could crop off the picture above the first metal manhole on the right it might be an idea (one manhole anchors the bottom of the scene very well) and then it would also allow me to say I took the picture myself!

Asher

[Nicolas Claris]

Just a little extra inquiry. Was this with your Sigma ultrawide zoom and what focal length? Also have you considered correcting the distortion and if you looked at that variant, did it take away from the picture you now present?

In a way, distortion bring the photographer's peresence in the picture or else it might turn one off.

A good or a bad thing?


This was not the Sigma but the Canon 17-40 I had previously (I've sold it after I received the Sigma 12-24)

I didn't work specifically on the distorsion as the version of these pictures was in a slideshow for the client to choose the one he wanted to be provided in Hi res, and these ones were not selected…

Now I've got to leave you as have just received a call for an invitation (BUT NOW, they said) for some oysters and white wine.
Can't resist!

[Nicolas Claris]

Thanks Nicolas,

Now I see her better!

If we could crop off the picture above the first metal manhole on the right it might be an idea (one manhole anchors the bottom of the scene very well) and then it would also allow me to say I took the picture myself!

Asher

Nope! sorry, I keep it as it is now!

Cheeeeeeeers

[Asher Kelman]

Nicolas,

How did I know that! When you present a picture is is made and that's how it should be. Still, from a viewing perspective all the way here in Los Angeles, one manhole is enough. So not that I really want to change you picture, I'm just offering a ppoint of view that might be considered in general!

Saluuuuuuuuuuut!

Asher

[StuartRae]

Now I see her better!

And what about the other person lurking in the shadows? :-)

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/sw.rae/examples/_G8A4830-SI.jpg

Regards,

Stuart

[Asher Kelman]

Read above, Stuart!

Nicolas already put a flashlight on her face.

Now you are in trouble!

Asher

[StuartRae]

Asher,

So I assume that the man in the green shirt is a distraction? I thought that was probably so.

stuart

[Nicolas Claris]

And what about the other person lurking in the shadows? :-)

Regards,

Stuart

Bonsoir Suart
I did not wish to see that person, it is no need here as I have already explained here that I wanted the women to appear fromp the dark.
Thank you for understanding

[StuartRae]

Bonsoir Nicolas,

Thanks for the clarification. I assumed that was your intention, but it was interesting to imagine what was his purpose.

Stuart

[Nicolas Claris]

No purpose.
I think that in an image, what is hidden is as important as what is shown/enlighten.
I wished him to be hidden.

[Gary Yelland]

My eldest son at the local playground

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/197/493564632_b3431e98b1_o.jpg

[Asher Kelman]

Gary,

He's precious! Lightzone?

Asher

[Gary Yelland]

no this one was photoshop cs2

[Kevin Bjorke]

http://www.botzilla.com/photo/F2003/feb03z-0011.jpg
Contax G2, 28mm, Neopan 400 @ 800

[Louis Doench]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/129/381890661_5d805c6bdb.jpg

My wife at the Rock of Cashel.
Thats the mona Lisa smile I usually get.
;|

[Asher Kelman]

Kevin and Louis,

Your B&W pictures take me again to fundamental issues in photography of B&W versus color!.

In the old days of color film with home processing or even with major color houses, color was more difficult than film. I was always so involved with trying to excel in B&W that color seemed an almost impossible challenge to reach excellence.

However, now color is easily rendered with a calibrated workflow, gray cards, whiBal and smart software. The eye helps of course, but even that is less demanding work, since one can get experience of years of color printing in film from just months of work in a RAW converter with a modern monitor.

Kevin, the G2 picture of the woman sitting on the bed has a classic timelessness to it and in fact deals with the passage of time and contemplation of the past and future. I can't imagine that this clean un-debrided, free of razzle-dazzle image would be readily achievable in color. In faqct, photography should exclude what is not needed to express the ideas, feelings, thoughts, mood confrontations etc. This applies to real objects as well as color!

Anyway, that is a justification or raqtionalization of my reactions to some of the best B&W images.

Louis,

Your image is a personal snapshot of a speciial woman. He smile, stance and relationship to you is expressed well. There is affection and devotion, a human link beween the subject and the photographer.

It works well. Still I ask, but do not yet know, how would this look in B&W? If it is clearer and more emotionally important to you, then that would be something!

Thanks for sharing,

Asher

[Asher Kelman]

I saw the pair at an art gallery opening.

The relationship between the two was so close. Two wonderful independant women enjoying art and treasuring each other!

http://www.openphotographyforums.com/2007_OPF_AK/Asher Kelman_2007/_MG_5646_GirlandMotheratArtShow.jpg

Mother and Daughter 5D 50 1.2L f1.6 1/200 sec ISO 1600 Avaiiable dim light, No noise reduction

Asher

[Gary Yelland]

Thats a great shot, full of emotional content, special moments like that are not often captured.

[Klaus Esser]

I saw the pair at an art gallery opening.

The relationship between the two was so close. Two wonderful independant women enjoying art and treasuring each other!
Mother and Daughter 5D 50 1.2L f1.6 1/200 sec ISO 1600 Avaiiable dim light, No noise reduction

Asher

A VERY fine shot, Asher! I like it!

best, Klaus

here two grab-shots of my daughter:

the first one was shot with a Nikon F2, the second one was shot with a Polaroid SX70:
http://www.klausesser.de/lisebld.jpg
http://www.klausesser.de/lise.jpg

[ron_hiner]

Here's a grab shot of mom and daughter on a rollercoaster
http://www.ronhiner.com/opf/rollercoaster.jpg

[Asher Kelman]

A VERY fine shot, Asher! I like it!

best, Klaus

here two grab-shots of my daughter:

the first one was shot with a Nikon F2, the second one was shot with a Polaroid SX70:
http://www.klausesser.de/lisebld.jpg

This is a special image. The eyes and the stance asks a question and shows love. What film was used and how did you scan it. The B&W is superbly rendered.

http://www.klausesser.de/lise.jpg

This little polaroid was the small square B&W or color. Is that the SX 70?

When were these pictures taken?

Thanks for sharing you personal joy with us!

Asher

[Asher Kelman]

Here's a grab shot of mom and daughter on a rollercoaster
http://www.ronhiner.com/opf/rollercoaster.jpg

This certainly shows the thrill of the ride. I like the teeth braces, the grabbling of the sunglasses, the hair whipped back. It's fin and exciting.

I don't go on roller coasters, my kids do!

I have never managed pictures I liked, myself!

Asher

[Clayton Lofgren]

Well done. Care to give the details?

[Asher Kelman]

Well done. Care to give the details?

Are you asking about Ron's picture of the rollercoaster?

Asher

[ron_hiner]

Well done. Care to give the details?

Sure.... Nikon D40 with 18-200 lens held at arms length pointing back to my left hitting the shutter button as often as I could, while doing my best to hold my stomach in place. This shot was the only keeper out of maybe 25 attempts. Composition and focus was pure luck.

lens at 18mm f6.3. shutter 1/160 -- chosen by auto mode. Iso 200.
Converted from raw in Capture NX. Did some skin softening on mom -- too much really. Added some USM, but had to back it off because it make the braces pop. Resized and stamped in CS3.

Ron

[Klaus Esser]

Hi Asher!

I love this pictures! The first one was shot on Ektachrome EPP, around ´94 (she´s born in ´91) and the second one was shot ´98 on Formentera (little spanish mediterranian island). Yes, ist was SX70 rendered in b&w after scanning.
On the first picture my daughter, Elise, had a bad flu - but wanted to accompany her brother who was introduced to school the first day.

best, Klaus

[Asher Kelman]

Now I get it, Ron! I thought perhaps yo were catching them on the grounds as they whipped down and past you. I hope you had your camera stapped on! Wow!

Good shot is even better now!

Asher

[Clayton Lofgren]

Thank you, Ron. Wondered why mine never turn out so good- I don't get on the roller coaster.

[Clayton Lofgren]

They don't get any grabbier than this. Caught this young gal enjoying herself on a trampolin at an amusement park. I will get back there some day and try some with a flash.
http://media.twango.com/m1/large/0065/5fa36ef32640497da4f87a2e4ce3a152.jpg
KM5D 1/1000 f9 iso 400 135mm

[Asher Kelman]

Clayton,

For a moment, I was stymied. What kind of Canon 5D did you use?

Then I realized that the now abandoned Konica Minolta has that nomenclature. This shows how we sadly put away from reality the huge loss of brilliant camera making we've seen in the past 10 years.

Forget that Konica and Minolta, themselves are eminent names. We lose such winners. Glad you use this camera. With no flash, the picture has a great immediacy like she is really jumping in real non perfect light. That's perfect for me! Very vibrant life in that child. Quick eye!

Asher

[Jessica Weight]

This was a grab shot of my grandparents that I took at my brother's wedding. There wasn't much editing done to this image. It means a lot to me as they are my grandparents, but I'd like to know your thoughts on this picture.
http://fc04.deviantart.com/images3/i/2004/094/e/8/The_Walk.jpg

[Ray West]

Hi Jessica,

I guess you have other photos. For this, I find the background too sharp, the heads are lost in the detail, small figure at shoulder level. I think it could be useful if you do some basic editing on it, but it depends on what you want. If it is the only photo you have of them on that day, then work on it, if you have others, then maybe put this towards the bottom of the pile for later attention. I like the brick ground and jacket, but the couple need emphasising.

Best wishes,

Ray

[Asher Kelman]

Good points Ray! I've asked for a larger file to play with1

Asher

[Jessica Weight]

This is a picture I took of my nephew last week. I thought he looked so adorable with his camping outfit and was lucky enough to snap this shot of him smiling a little.
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z303/Chaos-Chic/DSC_0062resized.jpg

[Jessica Weight]

This is a picture of my niece and nephew. My niece was playing with her yo-yo, and I thought she looked cute since she was wearing my sweater which is much too big for her.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z303/Chaos-Chic/DSC_0647resized.jpg

[Asher Kelman]

Hi Jessica,

Have you looked at these pictures in B&W so you will only be exploring tonality. It might help you to work on these pictures and take then beyond a delightful snap shots.

The color clashes of the unatural colors and elements which can distract, can be unified in a careful translation to grey scale where the importance of mode and setting will be overcome distraction by artificiality.

I'm not saying that this is how you should process, just an idea to experiment with.

Anyway, these are warm captures and very sponstanious. Thanks for sharing!

Asher

[Jessica Weight]

I haven't looked at these in B&W yet at all. I'll have to go back to those images and see what I can come up with. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Asher Kelman]

My camera seems linked to my heart. Some people have some emotional sensitivity and warmth, they seem to radiate positive energy.
So I started to photograph her and then explained. This is her picture.

http://www.openphotographyforums.com/2007_OPF_AK/_MG_9828_Armenian Lady_small.jpg

© 2007 Asher Kelman (Do not copy or download)

I try to use my 50 1.2L on my Canon 5D as I then can exploit available light, which is my preference. There is no attempt crop, clone to alter skin or lavish "perfection" on someone who is beautiful to look at. I didn't sharpen, although before printing I would, just a little!

I hope you enjoy her portrait as I do!

Asher

[Bart_van_der_Wolf]

I hope you enjoy her portrait as I do!

Very nice! The frontal 'pose' immediately connects, and make the viewer wonder what her thoughts are.
The only distracting element is the highlight above her head, I'd clone it out (or tone down and blur).

Focus and DOF seem close to perfect (maybe slightly front focused), although tricky to judge at this size.
Which aperture did you use?

Bart

[Asher Kelman]

Very nice! The frontal 'pose' immediately connects, and make the viewer wonder what her thoughts are.
The only distracting element is the highlight above her head, I'd clone it out (or tone down and blur).

Focus and DOF seem close to perfect (maybe slightly front focused), although tricky to judge at this size.
Which aperture did you use?

Bart

Yes Bart,

Frontal is great! She was one lovely woman to photograph. Having my wife there might have helped!!

I try to use the lens wide open. In fact, I did! It was F 1.2, 1/395 sec, ISO 200. What a nice lens!

I'll clone out the light as you suggest before printing. It's kind of you to comment. I appreciate that. This picture really gives me a great feeling that I'm getting back to simpler photography.

Asher

[Clayton Lofgren]

I've been back to look at her a dozen times and am sure I will visit her again. Intriguing.

[Arya Wiese]

This is an image of my dad while we were playing some sort of dice game. He was talking to my husband (the blur) when I snaped this real quick.

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m99/bearlyhere2006a/DSC_0389.jpg
I can't remember what my iso was at.
Flash used: No
Focal length: 50.0mm (35mm equivalent: 75mm)
Exposure time: 0.0056 s (1/180)
Aperture: f/1.8

[Asher Kelman]

This is an image of my dad while we were playing some sort of dice game. He was talking to my husband (the blur) when I snaped this real quick.


What a warm picture, Arya! You have captures the very generous smile that is not just internal but transmissive. This is a special empathetic human moment. In it there is quiet joy and bonding. I like the angle of his head and pearing over his spectacles, showing that to plat the game he had to put them forward to focus. So this says he is looking up from something he was closely following. Again a prefect detail.

I like the tonality. Here, IMHO, color likely adds nothing. However, I say that not to be contraversial, but the picture is so integrated and full of meaning just with the spread of tonalities in gray scale.

How did you do the conversion?

Asher

[Asher Kelman]

I've been back to look at her a dozen times and am sure I will visit her again. Intriguing.

Thanks for your so kind words Calayton. Yes she is very special! I hope to make contact again with her when I revisit San Francisco. We say we'll do this with strangers, but how often do we actually seek them out again?

Asher

[Eric Hiss]

Siegfried
http://www.eh21.com/example%20pics/Siegfried-5ACC4530edit1c.jpg

Tony
http://www.eh21.com/example%20pics/IMG_0026e1sm.jpg

took the last one with the 5D at iso 3200 with the 135mm f/2 lens at f/2.8.

critiques welcome but please do not download/edit my images

[Asher Kelman]

Hi Eric,

I'm so pleased you added your work to this collection! The first picture is archtypical of pride in achievement. Children first do that when realizing that they have formed somerthing special in the toilet and at the same time exerted independence and then said "Good bye!" as it flushes away. Here there is a certain triviality in showing the plate, Look I finished the sorbet (??) ans see there's an interesting pattern to show you, at the same time realizing that it must be discarded. Still, there is some glow of pride at the same time questioning that you really believe it's worth photographing.

If not for the color in the plate, I'd wonder perhaps if it might be better in B&W since his red scalp is distracting. I postulate the color can distract from global ideas. Also, I'd consider increasing hte saturation and or contrast of the streaks on the plate. Still, unchanged the picture is impressive and transmits its message if what I have said has any bearing whatsoever on the truth!

The second image is, of course so different yet it still is actively reaching out to you, the photographer. Is that light from a window on his hair plus a box high on camera left? looks like he's a friend of yours as so comfortable with you. You have detailed his hair well. The face is well drawn except that there is a lot of detail in this rich image that is not optimally shown, IMHO. A very slight drop in an S curve will make the blacks richer and bring out detail in the face. However this adjustment, although important, to my view, is very minor. Still, there's optimizing for viewing it and it's another matter getting the print. Still, I'd think that the dynamic range of the image could be compressed a little.

Thanks, Eric for two interesting pictures!

Asher

[Arya Wiese]

What a warm picture, Arya! You have captures the very generous smile that is not just internal but transmissive. This is a special empathetic human moment. In it there is quiet joy and bonding. I like the angle of his head and pearing over his spectacles, showing that to plat the game he had to put them forward to focus. So this says he is looking up from something he was closely following. Again a prefect detail.

I like the tonality. Here, IMHO, color likely adds nothing. However, I say that not to be contraversial, but the picture is so integrated and full of meaning just with the spread of tonalities in gray scale.

How did you do the conversion?

Asher

Hi Asher,
I used a gradiant layer, adjusting it to the depth that I wanted then used the brightness contrast to bring out a bit more detail and used both the dodge and burn tool - everything on it's own layer and then I flattened it and sharpened to taste. It really is one of my favorites of my dad, it's sooo him.

btw I use photoshop cs2 for all my editing, if that makes a difference.

[Eric Hiss]

Hi Eric,

I'm so pleased you added your work to this collection! The first picture is archtypical of pride in achievement. Children first do that when realizing that they have formed somerthing special in the toilet and at the same time exerted independance and then said good by as it flushes away. Here there is a certain triviality in showing the plate, Look I finished the sorbet (??) ans see there's an interesting pattern to show you, at the same time realizing that it must be discarded. Still, there is some glow of pride at the same time questioning that you really believe it's worth photographing.

If not for the color in the plate, I'd wonder perhaps if it might be better in B&W since his red scalp is distracting. I postulate the color can distract from global ideas. Also, I'd consider increasing hte saturation and or contrast of the streaks on the plate. Still, unchanged the picture is impressive and transmits its message if what I have said has any bearing whatsoever on the truth!

The second image is, of course so different yet it still is actively reaching out to you, the photographer. Is that light from a window on his hair plus a box high on camera left? looks like he's a friend of yours as so comfortable with you. You have detailed his hair well. The face is well drawn except that there is a lot of detail in this rich image that is not optimally shown, IMHO. A very slight drop in an S curve will make the blacks richer and bring out detail in the face. However this adjustment, although important, to my view, is very minor. Still, there's optimizing for viewing it and it's another matter getting the print. Still, I'd think that the dynamic range of the image could be compressed a little.

Thanks, Eric for two interesting pictures!

Asher

Asher,
These are grab shots no external light used - those lights are the lights in my home. I positioned the camera so they would be behind his head and he is lit frontally by a floor lamp behind me. It wouldn't be fair to post studio images to your grab challenge now would it?

I also find your analogy of the first picture a bit hilarious and also a bit off putting. If that were you in the picture would you really want people making a reference to toilet training? If I were a moderator here at OPF, I'd have to ban you for that. :-) btw- that picture was hung in the Hotel Des Arts here in San Francisco as part of an exhibition called SF Faces. The color is accurate - if you see too much red check your monitor profile.

The second picture shows well at larger resolutions and prints well - probably a bit too sharp in the web version. I converted to the toned image because I think it shows better - at iso 3200 there is a bit of noise, and I don't like to take it out with the noise removal tools because I don't like the plastic look that heavily processed images get when handled that way. The canon 135mm is one of their better lenses - very sharp at or near maximum aperture. No offense, but I'll skip your suggestion for curves - I have adjusted it to my preference already. Just FYI when you use an S curve you are increasing image contrast, not affecting dynamic range.

[Asher Kelman]

[QUOTE=Arya Wiese;37315]Hi Asher,
I used a gradiant layer, adjusting it to the depth that I wanted then used the brig

Hi Arya,

Even CS 1.0 is still perfectly competant for anyone who is learning to process their photography. Now I would suggest you try to avoid jumping to brightness and contrast. Using levels is much more controlable. Then you can select the areas you want to change. Save each selection and label "top of head", "glasses" and so forth. Then each part can be modified accordingly and it' percent contribution can be fine tuned as you will have linked each adjustment layer to just one part of the image. Make sure that each selection is feathered.

In any case, what you did worked very well and I didn't notice any changes you made!! The picture works perfectly!

Asher

[Asher Kelman]

Asher,
I also find your analogy of the first picture a bit hilarious and also a bit off putting. If that were you in the picture would you really want people making a reference to toilet training? If I were a moderator here at OPF, I'd have to ban you for that. :-) btw- that picture was hung in the Hotel Des Arts here in San Francisco as part of an exhibition called SF Faces. The color is accurate - if you see too much red check your monitor profile.

I guess Eric that I'm a romanitc father observing behaviors that sometimes become foundations for pride and creativity. That concept is not my original idea and I must admit, TTBOMK, it "smells" of Freudian thought, although I actually reject that as a basis for any actual medical reatments.Yes, it's hilarious to make such connections but not meant in any wat to dis' your impressive picture! I commented as I did on the plate picture since it is more important than a picture of a guy with a plate. Was this indeed sorbet?

As far as banning, yes, you are right, I should be banned for not seeming nice to yopur picture, but if you reread what I have written, I think your picture is important. Now what really happened?

I don't know how to ban myself! That is something that I'll have to put under consideration!

The lighting of the second picture, I guess flummexed me! I forgot for the moment that thread it was in so the possible presence of a strobe did not bother me!

Ciao,

Asher

[Asher Kelman]

The second image is, of course so different yet it still is actively reaching out to you, the photographer. Is that light from a window on his hair plus a box high on camera left? looks like he's a friend of yours as so comfortable with you. You have detailed his hair well. The face is well drawn except that there is a lot of detail in this rich image that is not optimally shown, IMHO. A very slight drop in an S curve will make the blacks richer and bring out detail in the face. (underlined and emphasized in quoting). However this adjustment, although important, to my view, is very minor. Still, there's optimizing for viewing it and it's another matter getting the print. Still, I'd think that the dynamic range of the image could be compressed a little.

Thanks, Eric for two interesting pictures!

Asher

So note I wrote lowering an s cruve!


Asher,
The second picture shows well at larger resolutions and prints well - probably a bit too sharp in the web version. I converted to the toned image because I think it shows better - at iso 3200 there is a bit of noise, and I don't like to take it out with the noise removal tools because I don't like the plastic look that heavily processed images get when handled that way. The canon 135mm is one of their better lenses - very sharp at or near maximum aperture. No offense, but I'll skip your suggestion for curves - I have adjusted it to my preference already. Just FYI when you use an S curve you are increasing image contrast, not affecting dynamic range.

The misunderstanding, Eric is that whereas a simple S curve will not per se alter the dynamic range, but dropping an S curve where the bright end would be lowered from 255 to about 235 or so, will decrease the dynamic range! So that is what I meant and is something to consider. However, as I pointed out, this would be a minor change and then one swould add only a small percentage of that adjustment layer. The picture is perfectly fine! I'm not saying it needs any change just that a tad of a dropped curve would bring out details in the bright cheek. :)

When you print, depending on the paper, you might even change your current setting anyway!

Kindest wishes,

Asher

[Eric Hiss]

yeah agreed, for a lot of subjects you almost need to make different edits for screen and print, and I'm not just thinking about sharpness but also contrast and color. No real point in getting to a technical discussion about editing in this thread - but if you adjust the white point from 255 to 235 you are not using a curve at all, and yes you will compress the image.

[Asher Kelman]

Hi Eric,

I agree we do not want to divert off to a new subject. Still, for completeness, what I'm suggesting as a concept is really straightforward. I do is make an S curve and drop the entire S curve with a lower white point. That way the dynamic range is reduced, the tonalities are reassigned and contrast is increased.

That's the end of the story. Maybe I need to better describe what I mean by "dropping the S-curve", since this is my own idiosynchratic terminology! :)

If I can find the appropriate examples, I'll make this a new thread.

Now back to portraits. The man with the plate is one of my favorites!

Asher

[Eric Hiss]

Hi Eric,



Now back to portraits. The man with the plate is one of my favorites!

Asher

You certainly can buy a print of it if you like! He's part of a big series of my artwork called, Life Decisions. I'm doing lots of other stuff but that one subject has me captivated.

Well just one more comment on the adjustments - I am thinking that I must be misunderstanding what you are suggesting because what I think you are saying will make a big white spot that separates itself from the rest of the image on a print. Better start a new thread and put up some screen grabs of your curves adjustments or something. I guess you could also save your curves adj and make it available. I'd rather you don't use my image as the guinea pig though.

[Asher Kelman]

Well just one more comment on the adjustments - I am thinking that I must be misunderstanding what you are suggesting because what I think you are saying will make a big white spot that separates itself from the rest of the image on a print. Better start a new thread and put up some screen grabs of your curves adjustments or something. I guess you could also save your curves adj and make it available. I'd rather you don't use my image as the guinea pig though.

Yes you are correct in being perplexed by your misunderstanding of my "dropping an S-curve"! We'll just have to pursue this in a new thread with new examples as this procedure has value.

Now you never did disclose what was in that paper plate?

Asher

[Jim Galli]

Looks like this thread has been resting quietly. I was happy with this grab. Do you grab with a 7X11" film camera? Actually, I had just finished another shot, saw the light on Tom, swung the Eastman his direction, and had it done in less than a minute.

http://tonopahpictures.0catch.com/TPs.jpg
Tom Perkins

Tom and I were shooting together in an old foundry in Tonopah, NV.

[Asher Kelman]

Hi Jim,

What a wonderful surprise and delight. Good thing you had film loaded. I'd love to know how you get 7x11 film and what lens you used and aperture.

My comments: (Sticking my neck out since I did not conceive of nor make this picture):

I like the soft background and the feeling of a vast studio/workspace and attention of Tom to his camera. The face may be less sharp than the camera and cloth. Still, the picture works, but then why?

First, grossly, what do we see? This image has a two vertical columns, a gradient of light grays on the left and a gradient of darkness on the right linked together by one irregular "jigsaw" piece: Tom and his camera!

I'll write more, but for now let me comment that I find the picture dynamic. If one believes in the rule of thirds, then the active point is Tom's light meter or loupe. Then there is clockwise whirl of interest around this center going from his right hand, arm and swing round at his head, pulling us powerfully towards the camera, which is, itself, pointing back towards him. However, this composition, alone, would appear "unbalanced" since the tripod below is a "dead" structure with not even a quiver of movement. So what makes the picture have such good balance?

I think it's the highly reflective an specular bright camera viewing hood which has the power to take the thrust of movement from the left.

The darkness all around above and to the right is perfect. If we listened to the gurus I'd like to yell at, and framed and cropped close, this picture would have been neutered

Thanks for sharing. Wow, if I may say!

Asher

[Nicolas Claris]

hmmmm!

Geeezzze! that's a real Black and White atmosphere! the lighting is gorgeous and beautifully captured!
Asher can attest that this statement is very rare from me for B&W - which BTW IS a photograph, not simply a picture…

would love to see a 100% crop of the scan…
The man's head or the tripod's head? even both ???

Thanks in advance

[Jim Galli]

Thanks Asher and Nicolas. The lens used was an ancient Bausch & Lomb 24" (yes, 610mm) magic lantern projector lens. It is a petzval and since it was for a projector it has no place for aperture control. Petzvals of course are sharp in the center and then transition very quickly to rather lovely bokeh. With the bellows extension I estimated about f14. With this type lens you find your one sharp spot and let the chips fall where they may so to speak. I recall using the black lens on the camera as that point. Film was HP5 so exposure was only 1/4 second done with a black card in front of the lens. I scanned the neg at 360 so a fairly tight crop is still small enough to post OK.

http://tonopahpictures.0catch.com/TPcrop.jpg

Thanks again for the comments.

[Will Thompson]

Greetings Jim, and Welcome to OPF.

I really like your grab shot of Tom Perkins.

It is so cool to see you post some of your large format stuff here.

[Arya Wiese]

I just love this thread - everyone's images are so full of life and emotion. Here is a few images that I took of my mom and my daughter during our last outting to the park. She loves to make the kids smile and laugh and she does a great job of it too. But she is quick and sometimes I have to be quicker. Her grandbabies just think she is the best nana ever.

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m99/bearlyhere2006a/april%202008/DSC_0021.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m99/bearlyhere2006a/april%202008/DSC_0057.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m99/bearlyhere2006a/april%202008/DSC_0058.jpg

[Clayton Lofgren]

I've been going through a dry spell. My work has taken me to the desert in Tunisia, so no kids to shoot there. Am back on break in Venezuela, and found these at a roadside barbecue joint yesterday.
http://media.twango.com/m1/large/0179/919f5a0240d94bca97e9b7eec95cb118.jpg (http://www.twango.com/media/clayven.Biruaca/clayven.13546)
http://media.twango.com/m1/large/0179/6c3229cdbc8e4940b2e6b9dc72f4df04.jpg (http://www.twango.com/media/clayven.Biruaca/clayven.13529)
http://media.twango.com/m1/large/0179/bbed0798c4884624854f314bed3948d8.jpg (http://www.twango.com/media/clayven.Biruaca/clayven.13544)[/IMG}
[URL=http://www.twango.com/media/clayven.Biruaca/clayven.13543][IMG]http://media.twango.com/m1/large/0179/9d98a35671d047ff83d6b957463de56e.jpg[/U
RL]
All with KM5D and Sigma 24-135

[Asher Kelman]

Thanks Asher and Nicolas. The lens used was an ancient Bausch & Lomb 24" (yes, 610mm) magic lantern projector lens. It is a petzval and since it was for a projector it has no place for aperture control. Petzvals of course are sharp in the center and then transition very quickly to rather lovely bokeh. With the bellows extension I estimated about f14. With this type lens you find your one sharp spot and let the chips fall where they may so to speak. I recall using the black lens on the camera as that point. Film was HP5 so exposure was only 1/4 second done with a black card in front of the lens. I scanned the neg at 360 so a fairly tight crop is still small enough to post OK
I love the idea that one can use the apparent defects of the lens to be expressive! Today's obsession with even illumination and no distortion at the periphery robs us of the creative use of the countless lenses each with their own character.

Thanks your little green men who find them for you!

Asher

BTW. Would this 610mm and the ~460mm lens fit on a sinar lensboard?

[Asher Kelman]

Clayton,

I simply love your photography of children. You seem to have drunk water from the same well as Loretta Lux except you do not need at distort reality or stage the kids in your images. There's something I feel of her magic in your portraits of children.

I've been going through a dry spell. My work has taken me to the desert in Tunisia, so no kids to shoot there. Am back on break in Venezuela, and found these at a roadside barbecue joint yesterday.
http://media.twango.com/m1/large/0179/919f5a0240d94bca97e9b7eec95cb118.jpg (http://www.twango.com/media/clayven.Biruaca/clayven.13546)Click on the image to view this beautiful image larger!


I thought I'd point out that this is the Konica Minolta Maxxum 5Dfrom 2005! It's the grand father of the new Sony alpha cameras which now inherit much of KM technology. Already they had anti-shake in-camera technology! It's a 6MP camera and very capable.

http://img.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/KM5D/ZKM5DA.JPG
Imaging Resource.com photo Entire Review (http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/KM5D/KM5DA.HTM).

Prices on eBay can be as low as $200! Here's (http://cgi.ebay.com/Konica-Minolta-MAXXUM-5D-6-1-Megapixel_W0QQitemZ200218926727QQihZ010QQcategoryZ 107910QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) one with a Tamron AF28-80mm F/3.5-5.6 lens.

[Asher Kelman]

.......... my mom and my daughter during our last outting to the park. She loves to make the kids smile and laugh..
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m99/bearlyhere2006a/april%202008/DSC_0057.jpg

This Style, Arya, not only will be treasured by your family, but also tells of the richness of close family ties. Most "snap shots" in family shoe boxes or albums have memories. Yours are funny too and mean a lot to the rest of us, grandparents especially!

Asher

[Arya Wiese]

This Style, Arya, not only will be treasured by your family, but also tells of the richness of close family ties. Most "snap shots" in family shoe boxes or albums have memories. Yours are funny too and mean a lot to the rest of us, grandparents especially!

Asher

I does mean alot to us for sure and my mom really loves the images I have captured of the family over the years. I actually prefer to capture the real moments then have stuff staged. It's what I think I am better at but the posed sessions I have pay the bills, :) .

[Jim Galli]

Asher

BTW. Would this 610mm and the ~460mm lens fit on a sinar lensboard?


Asher, this 24" Petzval is the exception. It's quite compact which also means it is smallish in aperture. I think it's f9 or f10. It was some kind of 1910's projection lens for a magic lantern. It's fun to use. On 8X10 or 7X11 it's mostly in it's sweet spot. It would probably cover 11X14 at infinity. The 460mm Verito, and f4 lens, is big. At least Wollensak didn't make everything out of machined brass like the older brass cannon's. It isn't terribly heavy like those can be.

[Hugo Zhang]

Hi Jim,

Nice to see you here.:)

Hugo

[Erie Patsellis]

Lots of familiar names popping up, here's one of my grandaughter that I cuaght at her birthday party this past November,
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r181/epatsellis/toyo%2045F/DSCF7189.jpg
(shot with a Fuji S2, Nikon 300mm f4 EDIF-AF (first version), Metz 60CT flash
Do dog candids count?
Our chow Gracie was trying very hard to look as pathetic as possible, in order to finagle a bite of what we were eating at the time.
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r181/epatsellis/16sqfinal.jpg
(Hasselblad 500EL, 80mm Planar, Metz 60 CT strobe, bounced off ceiling)

Erie Patsellis

[Bill Miller]

http://fotosnow.com/3A1W0038A_5x7.jpg

(c) FotosNow



This is copied from the original studio lighting thread, here (http://openphotographyforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5518). :)

[Nicolas Claris]

After swimming… so tired, but so happy!

http://mnclaris.free.fr/forum/_G8A1197.jpg

1Ds2 - 70-200 IS @ 200mm + 1.4 TC - ƒ9

[Andrew Stannard]

Grabbed with a 10sec warning of "I'm going to do a cartwheel!". I think it was luck that I caught it at the position that I did. A nice reminder image though - as it was the day we got engaged!


http://www.astannard.com/opf/cartwheel_a_stannard.jpg

[Asher Kelman]

Nicolas,

The light on his face is great. All that would be lost in B&W. Still you must try that versioning on a landscape or urban scene.

That's one fancy beach towel. Whose kid is that?

So she just accepted the ring or this is in front of the hotel?

Andy,

My gosh, you are fit and a gymnast too! Great timing. Good thing you had a warning. What camera did you choose and what/who supported the camera? Congrats on the engagement. Then what? You did or are getting married?

A happy marriage to you. Tell her everyday you appreciate her.

Asher

[Nicolas Claris]

Nicolas,

The light on his face is great. All that would be lost in B&W. Still you must try that versioning on a landscape or urban scene.

That's one fancy beach towel. Whose kid is that?


What B&W? -)

not mine! a son of some very good friends.

The swim was not on a beach, but in a swimming pool…

http://mnclaris.free.fr/forum/_G8A1192.jpg

the owel is in fact a canvas coming from Niger (not Nigeria)

[Andrew Stannard]

My gosh, you are fit and a gymnast too! Great timing. Good thing you had a warning. What camera did you choose and what/who supported the camera?
Asher


You misunderstand Asher - 'Tis me behind the camera, and my fiancee doing the cartwheel! I fear my own cartwheels are not as athletic! Canon 20D with 17-85 (sometimes bemoned for its IQ, but a great travel lens on a crop sensor, especially with IS).

Thanks for the congratulations - Dec 6th this year is the date. I shall be taking my own camera, but the idea of using the 10sec timer and running back from the tripod for every photo has been dropped in favour of a professional :-)

[Nicolas Claris]

Dec 6th this year is the date.

My congratulations! couldnt be a better day! (Saint- Nicolas!!! ;-)

[doug anderson]

Well, any bites?

Asher

Asher: this is a terrific portrait. I like the spontaneous portrait best. The studio portrait always seems self conscious in its lighting of the subject.

[doug anderson]

Hi, here's our challenge this week!

Pictures where you have found the subject, ask or not and get the image fast, just enough to choose your position, maybe even there's, but not more than 20 secs or so!

I'll start. I visited an antique store and the Armenian gentleman was fascinating and friendly. I asked for his picture and turned him towards the light.

http://idisk.mac.com/med007/Public/2007/Antique_Dealer4247v1_AR.jpg

Antique Dealer in Los Angeles

f= 1.2, 1/400 sec, ISO 500 AV -1 EV 50 1.2L 5D

The idea is to do the capture on impulse and process so what is in your heart shows the image.

Now show me yours using any format camera, from digicam, to polaroid, or MF!

Asher

I'm a big believer in the impulse. Nice portrait.

[Charles Lupica]

I don't even remeber taking this picture, but I came across it when I was working with LightRoom.

http://www.cwlupica.com/PhotoForum/D6/BlackWoman_7179.jpg

[Asher Kelman]

I don't even remeber taking this picture, but I came across it when I was working with LightRoom.
[/IMG]
Hi Charles,

Do you recall even being in that place? In any case, I'm sure we all have so many treasures sitting in storage, unappreciated! We should have a search a hard drive for a forgotten treasure day!

Anyway, I like the look of her face. No wonder youy took the picture. I wonder what the very next image was as you we so distracted!

Asher

[Asher Kelman]

I was in New York and just hanging around with David Goldfarb, shooting in his favorite haunts. I met this lady, Suzanne and found her looks exotic and intriguing. So she allowed me to take he picture.

http://opfora.com/2007_OPF_AK/Asher_Kelman_2007/For_opf_2008_09/_MG_5687with selction from shad-H layer 500 pixels.jpg

I like her especially because she's fun, approachable, interesting, highly educated and very hard working. I was lucky that she agreed to meet me and in 30 minutes I completed a shoot, the fastest I have ever tried. This was just before the shoot as she sat by the grand piano in the hotel lobby. The pictures in the street are posted under fashion, here (http://www.openphotographyforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=57006#post57006).

Asher

[Martin Kuivenhoven]

Hope this meets the defenition of a grab portrait.. This lady was checking our tickets last saterday. I lifted my camera more or less asking permission to take her photo. She smiled and click ..

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/6179/9069035ln9.jpg
Oly E-1 with my trusted OM Zuiko 50mm f1.8 @ f4

One more smile when I showed her the shot on the (small) LCD ..

[Asher Kelman]

Martin,

If this is not a grab portrait, we can close the thread, LOL! She is shown wonderfully. We see a unique expression. she's saying, I'm friendly, go ahead, this is a nice flattering moment of my life, thanks for allowing me to be a beautiful attractive lady and acknowledging me. The expression is friendly but not warm. There's also a "timer" on this.

There are no shadows on her face. She has small light reflections in the eyes. Did you use flash and what post processing did you do?

Asher

[Martin Kuivenhoven]

Martin,

If this is not a grab portrait, we can close the thread, LOL! She is shown wonderfully. We see a unique expression. she's saying, I'm friendly, go ahead, this is a nice flattering moment of my life, thanks for allowing me to be a beautiful attractive lady and acknowledging me. The expression is friendly but not warm. There's also a "timer" on this.

There are no shadows on her face. She has small light reflections in the eyes. Did you use flash and what post processing did you do?

Asher

Thank you for the nice comments.

This young lady was giving me here most friendly smile but at the same time she was a bit embarressed to pose. Her trying to keep a straight face indeed shows around her mouth and the tension released as she laughed freely after the shot. A special moment to share.

My external flash was on the camera (Metz 48 AF-1). Processing was RAW->JPG through lightroom with as PP, increase contrast from 25 to 29 and USM (100%, 0.7 and 2) in PS Elements.

Martin

[Marcel Walker]

Every time I see Lilian she inevitably tells me, "I'm gonna spend the night your house." She's only four so when she does come to visit, it's not for a sleep over. I shot this last night at dinner as she waiting for her spaghetti to be dished up. Low light, high ISO. I need to tweak it just a little more.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eF8FkZOkGl4/SMv9U2miBKI/AAAAAAAAAtk/V7nVL8IjxQk/s400/lilianbase_MG_0028+copy.jpg

[doug anderson]

Here's a grab shot of mom and daughter on a rollercoaster
http://www.ronhiner.com/opf/rollercoaster.jpg

Ron:

I love this shot. In fact, I love this thread. I prefer this kind of portrait to any number of stiff and mannered studio shots.

I'm going to New York tomorrow and am hoping to bring back something to contribute here.

Cheers,

Doug

[Clayton Lofgren]

Just a couple that don't quite qualify for the extremely dirty face thread.http://media.share.ovi.com/m1/large/0380/17e371429af445fcbf05587a3a0454d6.jpg
http://media.share.ovi.com/m1/large/0380/49aea28ecd9143288340318ccc935fef.jpg

[oli murugavel]

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f213/olibucket/RAHUL_01.jpg

[Clayton Lofgren]

Really good, but is that only window lighting? Glad to see someone else cropping tight.

[oli murugavel]

ya its the natural light from the window

[Asher Kelman]

Hi Oly,

This fellow captures my attention and interviews me. These attributes already makes your work "art" irrespective of your own intent or opinions! So good job! BTW, did you use any flash? for sure you didn't use Nikon flash as the EXIF says you didn't! Did you use a light box at about 10 feet?

In any case try the Highlight/Shadow filter to open up the boys right side. We are trying to reveal "character" so we need to see as much as possible of his face so we can sense subtle nuance.

I'd also suggest allowing more space whenever possible on a child's face, unless it's for an advertisement or some graphic designer's request. We all have a milieux. It might just be an open sky, but it will help us! Having said that, the picture works as is. I try an look at photographs from the point of view of the photographer's intent as well as the observers experience and what you want them to feel and think, if anything!

Asher

[oli murugavel]

Thanks a lot sir. I didnt use any flash or light! I just made use of the light from the window! Thats it sir! The rectangle thing which you see in his eyes are the windows! They just become more bright because of my adjustments! And sure i will lighten up the shadows on the right side! And i will post the location where i shot this boy..!

[oli murugavel]

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f213/olibucket/for_net.jpg

This was the location i took the shot of the boy you see above! you see the pillow on the left side thats where the boy was sitting! look at the pillow on the background of the boy.

[Asher Kelman]

Oli,

You can call me Asher! Never "Mr'"!! Mr. is the title British surgeons use. I'm not a surgeon. I don't bother with titles or academic qualifications. Here we are informal but one thing we do is nurture and not say crap is wonderful!

Asher

[oli murugavel]

Okay Asher...! So did you see the location above where i shot the picture of the boy

[Asher Kelman]

Okay Asher...! So did you see the location above where i shot the picture of the boy

Yes I did! That's an interesting milieu.

Asher

[Michael Riley]

Impromptu portrait of my mother's friend Freda. Shot under a shelter at an arts festival.

http://gallery.photo.net/photo/6435081-lg.jpg

[Asher Kelman]

Hi Michael,

Great contribution. Glad you posted this and look forward to much more! I like the natural light and the likely unaltered skin. Do you have other shots taking in more of here head or some background. IOW, does this picture have siblings?

Asher

[Sean DeMerchant]

A little something from the beach. Available light likely converted to greyscale using solely the red channel.

http://www.envisagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/spe41048_20080806_1048_acr4_3.jpg

[Asher Kelman]

Hi Sean,

I missed this lady! Do you know her or is this a casual connection! I do like the simplicity and sense of movement and chic. Is this all that you did or you have more. My interest is piqued.

Asher

[Marty Klunk]

Here is my Contributionhttp://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/mjklunk/Jaime/IMG_9220.jpg

[Jim Galli]

Pretty shot Marty.

Here's one that ain't so pretty. That's because it's a self portrait. Wasn't very fast either at 28 seconds f4. All you need to know about me though. Old. Camps in a 1967 13' RoadRunner trailer that only the basque sheep herders covet. I'm so far into the middle of no where in this picture, you can't even get there from where you're at. Railroad Valley if you have a decent Nevada map. I spent 4 glorious days just exploring. I set my camp up at the old abandoned ranch you see in the background. Soup, crackers, cheese, wine, really comfy bed, no alarm clock, no schedule. Oh, and so many LF cameras the tires almost popped.

http://tonopahpictures.0catch.com/JimCampNightsa.jpg
me - enjoying the quiet and some dago red

Oops. Forgot the moon. Stand by...............OK, there we go.

[Asher Kelman]

Jim,

Excellent! How come you splurged on color! Must be digital! At least you have a dog with you? The moon is well images. With that, how many minutes would you need?

Asher

[Jim Galli]

Jim,

Excellent! How come you splurged on color! Must be digital! At least you have a dog with you? The moon is well images. With that, how many minutes would you need?

Asher

No dog Asher! That's.........ummmm........me!

[Cem_Usakligil]

No dog Asher! That's.........ummmm........me!
And here I thought it was a basque sheep herder! LOL

Cheers,

[Jim Galli]

And here I thought it was a basque sheep herder! LOL

Cheers,

Cem, anytime I drive by with this rig, the basque sheep herders wave. They figure it's got to be some relative.

[Sion Fullana]

This was a quick snap shot, while waiting on a red traffic light. The girl was a by-stander right behind us, but I thought she was so beautiful I decided to "steal" this portrait with my iPhone.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3187/2718998196_4bdbcee3fe_b.jpg

"Soho Beauty"
© Sion Fullana 2008

[Sean DeMerchant]

I missed this lady! Do you know her or is this a casual connection! I do like the simplicity and sense of movement and chic. Is this all that you did or you have more. My interest is piqued.


I know her. It was one of two photos from the set, the rest were snapshots. All were pretty much unposed. This one worked well for me.

This is the second shot.

http://www.envisagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/spe41069_20080806_1069_acr4.jpg

enjoy,

Sean

[Nicolas Claris]

enjoy,

Sean

Oh, yes we do!

[Stefan Carbonaro]

Commissioned work done for a photoshoot, for the model portfolio. The photosession was taken in a small appartment. The crystals you see in the foreground are that of an old chandelier. The light reflecting through it created a very nice effect and we used it as prop for the photo. Simplest things sometimes are the most beautiful things that come out in a photograph.

http://portraitstudiolighting.com/images/in_vogue_by_lomby79.jpg

Stefan
Portrait Studio Lighting (http://www.portraitstudiolighting.com)

[Charles L Webster]

Shot this picture of a friend's daughter performing at the local General Store earlier this summer.

The sky outside was gray and overcast with the light coming in through a large storefront window. I knew I had good light the minute I saw it. This was the first frame of the day, and none were better.

http://www.charleslwebster.com/Kelly_at_SGGS/kelly/bin/images/large/IMG_3648.jpg

EXIF data isn't immediately available but probably f/8 at 1/60 at ISO 800 on my 30D with the 17-85 IS lens.

[Stefan Carbonaro]

http://portraitstudiolighting.com/images/cansei_de_ser_sexy_by_lomby79.jpg
Candid photo of my girlfriend taken at the beach. With no make up or anything else.This shows that a beautiful portrait can be taken even if with no preparation. These would be usually the most expressive portraits that the photographer would take.

Its not all in the light equipment or anything else but what makes the difference is the attitude of the model.

Portrait Studio Lighting (http://www.portraitstudiolighting.com)
Cheers
Stefan

[Bart_van_der_Wolf]

Candid photo of my girlfriend taken at the beach.

Hi Stefan,

The direct link is not showing in my browser, but I followed the link and saw a nice trianglar composition with a leading diagonal. I don't like the tight crop of her head/hair. The color is, I assume, intentionally off? I prefer natural skincolor ;-)

Bart

[Stefan Carbonaro]

tried to fix it.

Sorry but i am new to this forum but thanks for your note.

Thanks Stefan

[Kathy Rappaport]

What a beautiful lady. I love this kind of style to my compositions and frequently crop tight. I agree that some of the best images come because the subject is familiar with the photographer and is relaxed. The skintone color appears off somewhat but part of it is probably my monitor which is not my photo monitor.

[Stefan Carbonaro]

The colour of the skin is maybe a little off i agree. Its not your monitor.
Thanks for your nice comment. We were very relaxed that day. :) Seeing it from the point of view of the model she was seeing a small beach with crystal clear sea, in front of her and a spectacular view. :)

Stefan
Portrait Studio Lighting (http://www.portraitstudiolighting.com)