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Padu Merloti
23-Mar-2007, 13:21
Some of you may recognize me from here (http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=23814) and here (http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=23176). It's almost 2 months now that I'm gathering equipment to start in this new world (for me). It is more than fair to share the first few pics with you.
I recognize they're still far away from what they could be, but I'm satisfied with the initial results. Darn! I'm even satisfied to look at the ground glass and see a focused image!

Here they are:

The spot on her nose is from a dirt roller on the 545 holder
http://padu.smugmug.com/photos/137904777-L.jpg

My daughter
http://padu.smugmug.com/photos/137904801-L.jpg

Myself
http://padu.smugmug.com/photos/137905098-L.jpg

My dog negao
http://padu.smugmug.com/photos/137910316-L.jpg


Only one light source (alienbees AB800), photos scanned using a dirt cheap canon lide25.
Ed Richards
23-Mar-2007, 13:23
Great start, and you are smart to start with Poloroid. Keep shooting! Try some with window light.
Ted Harris
23-Mar-2007, 13:49
Very nice .... when you use up that box of T54 try some T72
BrianShaw
23-Mar-2007, 13:58
Nice! :)
ljb0904
23-Mar-2007, 14:21
Kewl!!! Keep it up :-)
Padu Merloti
23-Mar-2007, 15:46
Thanks for the comments.

btw, what type of pen can I use to annotate the bottom of the polaroid without smudging the ink?
Lazybones
23-Mar-2007, 15:52
Try Sharpie Ultra Fine Point.
PViapiano
23-Mar-2007, 15:56
Padu,

Those are great...!

How much more leeway do you have to crank up that Alien Bee? I've always been curious about those...

Thanks...and keep going, you're off to a great start!
Padu Merloti
23-Mar-2007, 16:13
Padu,

Those are great...!

How much more leeway do you have to crank up that Alien Bee? I've always been curious about those...

Thanks...and keep going, you're off to a great start!

I shot these photos with 1/2 power. I used my digital slr to measure the light, and with the same setup, the digital was already exploding the hightlights. I guess I'll have to speed up the aquisition of a flash meter.

If I'm not mistaken, the AB800 is rated at 320Ws. For headshots is perfect.
Rory_5244
23-Mar-2007, 21:28
Wow. Really great! My first attempt at 8x10 portraits (2 days ago) turned out awful.
PViapiano
23-Mar-2007, 22:14
Did you use a softbox as well?
Padu Merloti
26-Mar-2007, 10:04
Did you use a softbox as well?


Kind of. It's called a brolly box. Nothing more than an diffuser shoot through umbrella with a black backing to make it easier to control where you want light going to.

I prefer the round catchlights instead of the rectangular ones provided by softboxes.