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Michael Graves
18-Mar-2008, 11:44
People must like to shoot people. The newest new thread it getting cumbersome, so I'm going to start another one. Just trying my hand at portraiture for the first time in decades.

alanps
18-Mar-2008, 12:32
Self portrait - Polaroid Type 79 - 5x4

arkady n.
18-Mar-2008, 12:41
http://www.nemerovsky.com/arkady/photos/4x5/2008_01_25_I_fr04.jpg


Graphic View 4x5, Kodak Ektar 203mm

Petzval Paul
18-Mar-2008, 13:09
Arkady,

Although such tight head-shots don't normally do it for me, I really love this one. terrific composition and lighting. The sepia tone does wonders for it as well.

- paul

darr
18-Mar-2008, 14:27
http://cameraartist.com/snapshots/megumi_03.jpg


AS 4x5", Cooke PS945, Polaroid 55, Available Light + Mirror Reflector
Made this past weekend on my back porch with local college student (my son's girlfriend).
--~--

PViapiano
18-Mar-2008, 15:13
Beautiful work, everyone! Wow!

stehei
18-Mar-2008, 16:29
posted in another thread, but here is my take with a 8*10 burke and james

stefan

Jim Galli
18-Mar-2008, 16:39
Darr! Exquisite!

jb7
18-Mar-2008, 17:00
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/395/rob3jb7fx6.jpg

Some lovely pictures so far-
This one taken on a very twisted up camera-
And he couldn't stop playing- and moving- Rob Graham

joseph

darr
18-Mar-2008, 17:29
Darr! Exquisite!

Thank you Jim! :)

BTW, I day-dream about your old brass lenses you shoot with and sell. If I knew enough about them, I would buy one from you. Maybe sometime you can point me to a lovely, vintage portrait lens with lots of bokeh. I would love a creative casket set if there is such a combination for portraits. I know my Cooke is a damn nice lens and the only lens I use besides an older Docter 240/9, but something about the vintage being real vintage interests me.

Best,
Darr

darr
18-Mar-2008, 17:30
Joseph that guitarist portrait is a killer!

jb7
18-Mar-2008, 17:48
Thanks Darr-
Though I read your previous post with interest-

This one,
I went to long lengths to produce something that looks like it could have been done on digital, at this scale-

I'll be aiming to make more pictures like your one,
in the not too distant future-
Thanks for the remark-

j

jetcode
18-Mar-2008, 20:39
nailed the DOF on that one joseph - sweet old 335 too

arkady n.
19-Mar-2008, 06:21
Arkady,

Although such tight head-shots don't normally do it for me, I really love this one. terrific composition and lighting. The sepia tone does wonders for it as well.

- paul


Thank you!

KenM
19-Mar-2008, 17:55
This one,I went to long lengths to produce something that looks like it could have been done on digital, at this scale-

Uh, why?

And, was this 4x5, or 8x10? What focal length? Just curious - it's a wonderful photograph, and I think as somebody mentioned, you nailed the DOF. Well done.

arkady n.
20-Mar-2008, 06:34
Self portrait - Polaroid Type 79 - 5x4

Alanps, I really like this portrait.

stehei
20-Mar-2008, 07:58
8*10 burke and James, 12,5 inch wollensack full open (6.8)
fresnel studio spot
first try-out LF in studio
How's that for sharpness, jim!

regards

stefan

Jim Galli
20-Mar-2008, 08:33
Stefan, that's lovely. I wouldn't change anything. For fun, explore removing the front lens and just focus with the back one to see what you get. You'll need 2X bellows and light.

stehei
20-Mar-2008, 09:08
Hi Jim,

thanks! I''ll try removing the element if the sun shines again in the netherlands, because a 500watt will be dificult for that kind of experiments!
Looking forward to try!
the picture is, to my surprise very sharp, even for a 1930 lens wide open
(detail can;t be shown in such a small pic, but I can count the eyelash haires,)
still, it is creamy!
As you can see, I'm still amazed about the lens/format.

regards

stefan

Scott --
20-Mar-2008, 10:39
Obligatory kid picture...
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j185/bliorg/th_Braedan_Maddie01.jpg (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j185/bliorg/Braedan_Maddie01.jpg)


Seneca Competitor, Graflock, Sironar-N 210/5.6, Arista.EDU Ultra 100 in HC-110 dil H

MenacingTourist
20-Mar-2008, 11:01
Bethany Beach, Delaware

Kodak 2D 8x10 / Wollensak 12" velostigmat
JandC 100 / Rollo Pyro
Forte Multigrade / Dektol

darr
20-Mar-2008, 11:16
Nice portrait Scott --

Scott --
20-Mar-2008, 11:54
Nice portrait Scott --

Thanks, Darr. :)

Erich Hoeber
20-Mar-2008, 14:28
Here's the latest Peztval shot...

http://erichhoeber.com/portraits/slides/cruella.jpg

jb7
20-Mar-2008, 14:37
Beautiful-
Can you give any details about your Petzval?

joseph

matthew blais
20-Mar-2008, 16:49
Bethany Beach, Delaware

Kodak 2D 8x10 / Wollensak 12" velostigmat
JandC 100 / Rollo Pyro
Forte Multigrade / Dektol

Nice one Alan...them little wanabee menacing tourists?

domenico Foschi
20-Mar-2008, 17:27
Here's the latest Peztval shot...

http://erichhoeber.com/portraits/slides/cruella.jpg

What a great face...
Interesting work

Erich Hoeber
20-Mar-2008, 18:48
Beautiful-
Can you give any details about your Petzval?

joseph

I have a few. That one's a 5.5" Dallmeyer, F4, very early, 1860 or 61ish - not in the later "Patent" configuration which reversed the last two elements. It doesn't cover 4x5 at infinity.

Miguel Coquis
28-Mar-2008, 03:17
4x5, trying a new old lens 125 mm f:2
wide open
Hollis, this is a try with the Schneider Xenon !!!

jnantz
28-Mar-2008, 04:10
...

Frank Petronio
28-Mar-2008, 04:39
Miguel's is great

Miguel Coquis
28-Mar-2008, 05:08
...

Hi,
is it an auto-portrait ?

Miguel Coquis
28-Mar-2008, 05:11
Miguel's is great

Frank, I like blond hair in B&W pics, yours are really nice !

jnantz
28-Mar-2008, 06:03
Hi,
is it an auto-portrait ?

hi miguel

series d ( 4x5 ) with a "23" roll back taped to the back ...
it's souped in a strange brew of coffee/borax/vit c and ansco130

i was kind of on auto-pilot ;)
my arms aren't long enough for an auto (self) portrait

:)
john

Hugo Zhang
28-Mar-2008, 22:10
Here are some testing pictures I did last weekend. All with my Kodak 2D. First is done with a Heliar 36cm, second a Hermagis Eidoscope No.2 and the last a P&S Visual Quality No.3.

Jan Pedersen
28-Mar-2008, 22:21
Very nice Hugo, I may be subjective but #3 is very pleasing to my old eyes. Can't tell if it is the lens though.. they are all very unique.

jan

Hugo Zhang
29-Mar-2008, 12:24
Fabio, the Butterflyer in our team.

Gerry
18-Apr-2008, 18:54
Am happy to see so much portrait work. In my area of the world all the Large Format guys seem to only think landscapes qualify as subject matter, get so bored with that.

Way to go guys lets keep shooting PEOPLE with large format.

www.gerryyaum.com

xmishx
18-Apr-2008, 23:40
Keeping up with you guys is no easy task... Hence a shot I did years ago for an editorial shoot. I was hoping to grab the cover of a regional business magazine, but didn't get it...(hence the odd cropping)

http://mishimaphotography.com/Essence/image/jennings.jpg

pierre salomon
19-Apr-2008, 00:58
Lionel. Sinaron 210 Sinar F2, TMAX 400

jss
19-Apr-2008, 19:12
i made this one this morning. been in a funk lately, not doing any photo stuff. i don't usually shoot portraits. accompanying blog post (http://schlachet.net/archives/2008/04/feeling_grey.html)

film = ilford hp5+, rodinal 1:50 for 12 min
lens = 19" artar, pre-focused, wide open (f/11), packard

xmishx
19-Apr-2008, 19:25
Miguel,

There is a special quality about this print that is very intriguing. The subject matter is beautiful, but the mojo of the print is beautiful as well!

Ted


4x5, trying a new old lens 125 mm f:2
wide open
Hollis, this is a try with the Schneider Xenon !!!

Donald Miller
19-Apr-2008, 23:02
Available light image. 4X5 305 G Claron diffused during exposure with Bronica diffusion filter number two (black). 160 NC film desaturated in printing.

Gerry
20-Apr-2008, 19:03
Bethany Beach, Delaware

Kodak 2D 8x10 / Wollensak 12" velostigmat
JandC 100 / Rollo Pyro
Forte Multigrade / Dektol

Like this image very much, not the ordinary standard(boring) portraiture. Wish I had taken it! Want to do some outdoor natural light portraits like this, beautiful.
Reminds me of Mary Ellen Mark work.

Do you have a link to more images?

MenacingTourist
22-Apr-2008, 06:04
Thanks Gerry :)

I think I'm all over the place with style as I'm still trying to find my groove. You can see what I'm talking about here: http://www.menacingtourist.com/Photos_01.htm
I'm still trying to track down a java bug. Some people can get the large image to show up and others can't.

Alan.

rippo
22-Apr-2008, 11:12
Jason, i really like that self-portrait. You have a very enigmatic expression on your face. When there's nothing else to shoot, you can always shoot yourself!

Jiri Vasina
22-Apr-2008, 12:18
My grandmother.

One of my first LF portraits, though in comparison with others here, it's only minuscule 4×5" :) . And yes, I've finally got a proper scaner. V700. It's orders of magnitude better than my old Epson 3170.

MPP Mk.VII handheld, focused with the rangefinder, Xenar 135mm I think wide open, available light, T-Max 400 in Fomadon R09 (Foma's offshot of Rodinal).

http://www.vasina.net/wp-content/gallery/lide/p4x5-007_web.jpg

Blueberrydesk
22-Apr-2008, 12:52
Jiri, Fantastic portrait! Absolutely wonderful, you've captured her beautifully!

Brian Bullen
22-Apr-2008, 16:59
Jiri, superb portrait of your grandmother!

Victo
22-Apr-2008, 23:40
My son Giordano.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v134/vittorio/gio1.jpg

sinar inka 45,symmar 210,fp4,rollei rls

stehei
23-Apr-2008, 02:04
good friend Esther expecting another great kid!

Dave Aharonian
23-Apr-2008, 20:48
Here's a new shot from my Eastman portrait lens.

Gerry Harrison
28-Apr-2008, 20:41
Tough band

xmishx
14-May-2008, 23:23
The Type 56 Polaroid is all gone. Next stop, film!!!


http://www.artistsimageresource.net/blog/2008/2008-05-14wil4x5.jpg

more about the shoot on the blog (http://eriomishima.blogspot.com/2008/05/2nd-go-around.html)...

Miguel Coquis
15-May-2008, 09:56
a try with Dallmeyer Pentac WO on 8x10 !
scanned negative
straight dev
...hard to manage contrast with an uncoated and not extremely sharp lens,
any way, I'll continue trying.

domenico Foschi
15-May-2008, 10:02
xmishx and Michael great portraits.

Miguel,
instead of seeing limited sharpness as a weak point in your pentac I would consider it as a strength, and I think that that's what you just did with the beautiful soft tones achieved.

Darryl Baird
15-May-2008, 10:53
Love the shot and "look"... do you know what aperture you used?


Here's a new shot from my Eastman portrait lens.

Brian Bullen
15-May-2008, 11:07
Ted and Miguel, what lovely portraits! Ted even though you may not like the color, on my screen I think it looks great.
Miguel, the softness and lack of contrast make this photo beautiful in my opinion. She looks lovely .

Victo
15-May-2008, 12:32
Eneahttp://www.vittoriocolombi.com/immagini/C_46_3qq5y4nab3nqf2551mysp255_C005/F00000986B.jpg


Caltar 300 5.6 TA (all overture)

Jim Galli
15-May-2008, 12:47
Caltar 300 5.6 TA (all overture)


Victo! E 'meraviglioso!

xmishx
15-May-2008, 13:29
Miguel,

I agree with Domenico & Bulley... I think you have something special there! Use it to your advantage. I'd love to have an unusual lens that gave me some sort of mojo, unlike anything else... As far as contrast goes, play with your development. The portrait is beautiful...

Ted

Miguel Coquis
15-May-2008, 16:29
thanks Domenico, Brian, Ted...
I am very glad for your feed back !
keep trying, yeah !!!

Kevin Convery
16-May-2008, 18:22
I was showing my buddy Al (first photo) how to do some Avedon stuff in the studio this past Saturday. My girlfriend (second photo) sat for a few shots as well. Both images shot with Burke & James 8x10, Nikon 450M f/9, Arista Ultra 100 processed in Pyrocat HD. Open flash, first image f/9 second image f/11ish.
http://kevinconvery.com/photos/other/alfor.jpg
http://kevinconvery.com/photos/other/jenine.jpg

katie cooke
17-May-2008, 15:12
something of an experiment... paper negative in the whole plate Houghton Victo (though, foolishly, without glass in there too so it was less than flat).

domenico Foschi
17-May-2008, 15:29
something of an experiment... paper negative in the whole plate Houghton Victo (though, foolishly, without glass in there too so it was less than flat).

Katie,
would you care to explain the steps.
I hope I am not asking too much.
Thank you,
DOmenico

katie cooke
17-May-2008, 15:38
Hi Domenico,
no problem at all! I put a sheet of grade 2 RC paper in the plate holder, and exposed it for about 4 seconds at f11, then developed it in half-strength paper developer. I made a quick contact print on the same type of paper, and then cheated rather a bit by tidying up and toning the scan with photoshop.

(Making decent prints while sitting on the bathroom floor with trays balanced on the loo seat tends not to work so well...real printing has to wait until I can book some darkroom time.)

I've used paper negs in this old camera before, but usually for much much longer exposures of flowers and the like, rather than on the front steps with bystanders...

Nana Sousa Dias
18-May-2008, 04:15
Cambo Legend 8x10, Schneider Symmar - S 360/6.8, Tmax 100, shot @ f16.

Nana Sousa Dias
18-May-2008, 04:19
Cambo Legend 8x10, Schneider Symmar-S 360/6.8, Tmax 100 @ f16

http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/9112/joaomelozr8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

kev curry
18-May-2008, 06:04
Katie, I instantly thought of Trotsky..... theres a likeness.

kev

Keith Cocker
18-May-2008, 06:18
Not just my first Portrait but from my very first set of shots with Large Format. Toyo 45A 150mm Fujinon 5.6 FP4+ in Ilford DDX

kev curry
18-May-2008, 06:36
Like that, its great shot Keith

Gerry
18-May-2008, 19:13
I was showing my buddy Al (first photo) how to do some Avedon stuff in the studio this past Saturday. My girlfriend (second photo) sat for a few shots as well. Both images shot with Burke & James 8x10, Nikon 450M f/9, Arista Ultra 100 processed in Pyrocat HD. Open flash, first image f/9 second image f/11ish.


Nice work, from what I understand Avedon used a 360mm for most of his 8x10 stuff as well as trix developed ALOT in straight D-76.

I like your composition idea of cutting off part of the face. Avedon did a number of portraits where he cut off sections of people then did dip and trip pics connecting them in one work.

Well done

www.gerryyaum.com
my stuff was with a 300mm and f 64

Miguel Coquis
22-May-2008, 03:27
... showing to a friend how I put my LF camera to work !
4x5
Aero-Ektar WO

stehei
22-May-2008, 09:13
just another 8*10 shot

Frank Petronio
22-May-2008, 19:18
It's a great hobby isn't it?

Mark Sawyer
22-May-2008, 20:47
Geez, Frank, I don't know how you keep the developer temperature down with images like that...

Lovely photograph!

Frank Petronio
22-May-2008, 21:15
Thanks!

Frank Petronio
23-May-2008, 09:15
And another fresh scan... this is my super fab studio with the under $1000 lighting gear (bought new).

Ash
23-May-2008, 09:27
Hey Frank nice shots.

Fancy pm'ing me what studio stuff you got at that price? :)

kev curry
23-May-2008, 09:30
Frank, your politics are far up your arse.......... but boy you shoot a mean portrait, those are awesome.

Frank Petronio
23-May-2008, 09:54
It's more the models than me but thanks....

Kev all the models are liberals, even my wife. I still hope to photograph Ann Coulter in her skivvies someday though.

I have all my gear listed at http://frankpetronio.com/archive/the_cameraholic.html (it's a long ramble but I know you're all gear heads anyway).

Basically I just use a couple of Lowel Tota (flood) tungsten lights, a few stands, a couple of umbrellas. One light most of the time. I've had a lot more gear, fancy strobes, dishes, softboxes, and fully equipped studios. You don't need it most of the time, at least for individual portraits.

The few times I want a strobe it's for group portraits and people jumping.... I found a properly placed umbrella is just as interesting a light as a $1000 Mola reflector - they are just a little different, not better or worse, so why not go with the $40 umbrella and leave the expensive stuff to Annie Leibowitz?

Kudos for the Lowel stuff - it is durable, good quality, flexible, and reasonably priced. Even the light stands are a bit nicer IMHO.

Pat Hilander
23-May-2008, 13:46
Kudos for the Lowel stuff - it is durable, good quality, flexible, and reasonably priced. Even the light stands are a bit nicer IMHO.

Yea, Tota's are awesome. I sold my 2 light kit last year and replaced them with White Lightning strobes and have regretted it ever since. :(

katie cooke
23-May-2008, 14:25
Katie, I instantly thought of Trotsky..... theres a likeness.

The Lenin comparisons outweigh the Trotsky ones on about a 3:1 ratio (with the occasional Che thrown in for good measure), and they crack me up every time. I need to buy the man a furry hat, and hang some banners behind him.

maybe this is close (http://www.flickr.com/photos/heyoka/48683440/in/set-504137/)

Frank Petronio
23-May-2008, 14:49
And finally here is my first attempt at a 31-layer Gum Bichromate over Platinum, on a coated sheet of silver plate with a light Gold Chloride and Pyro wash. I'd post more but I died of heavy metal poisoning.

xmishx
23-May-2008, 15:20
I've just got a single totalite that I've used once during a large format shoot. Problem is the heat generated from that thing can be intense and I'm sure I won't be using it in the summer. But having it around to focus with is a beautiful thing.

Frank, now that we speak with your ghost, I'll take a few of your cameras off your estate...

Ted

Frank Petronio
23-May-2008, 17:04
They really haven't been that hot, at least the way I use them, often bouncing but even with an umbrella 30 inches away they aren't that bad. I do turn them on and off when they are close so a minute or two close to the light isn't too bad. When I bounce them off a wall the are hardly noticable.

But I have 300 watt bulbs in them sometimes, those aren't as bad as the 1000 watt ones. And I shoot wide open with fast film. And the models don't wear too much.

jnantz
23-May-2008, 18:45
simple is good

great stuff as always mr p.

john

Michael Graves
23-May-2008, 19:24
And finally here is my first attempt at a 31-layer Gum Bichromate over Platinum, on a coated sheet of silver plate with a light Gold Chloride and Pyro wash. I'd post more but I died of heavy metal poisoning.

What did you say to her, Frank? She looks really PISSED!!

Ash
24-May-2008, 15:36
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y43/second-belated/fujiroids/Untitled-8a.jpg

MJ, sunlit. Wide open using the Razzle and Fuji FP100c45 instant. That's scrap paper, not a cigarette ;)

Frank Petronio
24-May-2008, 15:57
Nice one Ash. Did you use the RF or the ground glass?

Ash
24-May-2008, 15:59
RF but nothing was kept still long enough to focus accurately, it's difficult to get fuji instants sharp wide open.

domenico Foschi
24-May-2008, 17:24
RF but nothing was kept still long enough to focus accurately, it's difficult to get fuji instants sharp wide open.

It doesn't matter, you have captured her beautifully.

Frank Petronio
24-May-2008, 18:11
Yes it is a great portrait. The reason I ask is because I always had a hard time focusing wide open and close with my Razzle.

Thomas Greutmann
25-May-2008, 00:08
Another handheld Razzle. Our youngest one, Svana. I am actually more into landscapes but I started experimenting with portraits recently.

TMY 400 pushed to 3200 in XTOL

http://www.blackandwhitegallery.de/sample/lf-port-1.jpg

Ash
25-May-2008, 01:50
Thanks Domenico, Frank.

As with any rangefinder, I'm always looking across the subject for something contrasty. I found this out the hard way when using Kiev/Contax and Leica-clone rangefinders a few years ago. Bright rangefinder patches spoil you and make you lazy ;)

With the picture of MJ, I had to set the rail at it's longest extension, then move myself back and forth til she was in focus. That movement added to the blur a little I think. I believe I focused on the shadow of her nose (by her nostril) or thereabouts, since it had a nice sharp line in the view/rangefinder window.

monkeymon
25-May-2008, 16:45
http://www.taidejakonsti.fi/muutos/TEMP/pikkutytto.jpg

This was one of my first large format portraits, and i shot it with 127mm ektar that came with my speed. I know, it's complete wrong to shoot portraits with wide lenses... but i like it anyway.

Frank Petronio
25-May-2008, 16:56
Yeah it's terrible thing to do (all of mine were done w a 135).

rootprompt
25-May-2008, 17:31
yep, it's strictly forbidden to use anything below 250mm for portraits.

http://www.andreasbackhaus.com/stuff/lorena.jpg
Lorena, 178/2.5 Aero Ektar wide open, Adox CHS50 in Rodinal 1:25, Toyo View 57G w/4x5" back


Cheers
Andreas

domenico Foschi
25-May-2008, 18:56
Can I contribute in trying to cause a war?
REAL portrait are done with "normal" to moderate wideangle lenses.

jnantz
25-May-2008, 20:18
huh ?
what's a real portrait ?

tmastran
25-May-2008, 21:27
yep, it's strictly forbidden to use anything below 250mm for portraits.

http://www.andreasbackhaus.com/stuff/lorena.jpg
Lorena, 178/2.5 Aero Ektar wide open, Adox CHS50 in Rodinal 1:25, Toyo View 57G w/4x5" back


Cheers
Andreas

This is a wonderful photo! I really like it. I almost feel like I'm looking through a window. Did you do any retouching to the skin or is it the result of the way you focused it?

rootprompt
25-May-2008, 21:42
This is a wonderful photo! I really like it. I almost feel like I'm looking through a window. Did you do any retouching to the skin or is it the result of the way you focused it?

Glad you like it :)

Except for a very light curves adjustment, no further post processing was done to the scan. The look of her skin is a combination of a) makeup, b) film used and c) her age (16).

tmastran
25-May-2008, 22:00
Ah, age, makeup, and film. Very nice. Thanks for posting it. If I could only get my teenage daughters to pose for me...

xmishx
25-May-2008, 23:58
I'm curious to know why you say that?


Can I contribute in trying to cause a war?
REAL portrait are done with "normal" to moderate wideangle lenses.

domenico Foschi
26-May-2008, 00:57
I didn't really mean that, I was being facetious.

Frank Petronio
26-May-2008, 06:40
(I'm a war-monger myself.)

Because shooting portraits with a long lens is too easy, it's akin to cheating. With the longer lens the face will appear the slimmest, with a smaller nose in relationship to the rest of the head. You also get more control over depth of field, so you can shoot strobe-lit portraits at f/16-22 all day with a 300 on a 4x5 and narely ever miss focus. Outdoors in good light you can shoot f/11 with a Verito and they're all purrrfect ;-)

It's the way to go for boring commercial-quality predictable portraits. Like insurance company billboards and the like.... I've done it, it works, but it's like wearing suspenders with your belt.

With a wider lens you have to be really careful not to make people's faces look distorted and gross. Depth of field is tricker to control. And most of all, the clutter in the background becomes a lot more important to the image, so what and where and when you photograph matters a lot more.

It's riskier... any competent photographer can do a headshot against a blurry background... using a wider lens introduces another level of complexity and challenge.

The same goes for photojournalism -- with the classic Magnum/Life magazine-type photo stories -- you hardly ever see the master photojournalists (or the 35mm fine art photographers) (such as Bresson, Davidson, Erwitt, Winogrand, Friedlander, etc.) use anything longer than a 50mm (and rarely did they go extremely wide either)(on 35mm = ~150 on 4x5). Same reasoning. Sticking a 300mm lens on their 35mm and sneaking grab shots like a paparazzi would be considered sleazy and low... oh but wait -- it is!

(How is that for instigating a little conflict?)

Mystery Jig
26-May-2008, 07:56
The same goes for photojournalism -- with the classic Magnum/Life magazine-type photo stories -- you hardly ever see the master photojournalists (or the 35mm fine art photographers) (such as Bresson, Davidson, Erwitt, Winogrand, Friedlander, etc.) use anything longer than a 50mm (and rarely did they go extremely wide either)(on 35mm = ~150 on 4x5). Same reasoning. Sticking a 300mm lens on their 35mm and sneaking grab shots like a paparazzi would be considered sleazy and low... oh but wait -- it is!


I'm a staff photographer at a daily newspaper and I couldn't agree more. Another reason for sticking around the 50mm mark is that it's close to average human's field of vision. So it makes the picture look more "real" without drawing attention to the equipment used. It helps the viewer feel, visually, more like they were there, seeing it themselves.

Jiri Vasina
26-May-2008, 12:44
Well, this is not exactly a portrait, but on the other hand it depicts a person (and on a larger version he is very well recongizable) - and all of you know what he is doing :D . And it's his breath condensating in the cold of morning...

Xenar 135mm, 9×12cm Fomapan 100 in Rodinal.

http://www.vasina.net/wp-content/gallery/lide/p9x12-137_web.jpg

stehei
26-May-2008, 15:55
sorry, have to disagree on the tele-portrait-lens discussion,
its just a matter of taste, and I would really dislike a headshot
with a wideangle, Example? Here's one, taken with a 300mm (24*36
equivalent). Not easy to focus I can tell you!

BTW, I really like working with a normal lens for portraits, and sometimes
a wideangle, but its just what fits best in your mindset best.

Just my 2 cents,

regards

stefan

Darryl Baird
26-May-2008, 17:10
testing a 12" Velostigmat II SF lens that I modified to diffuse more than the 0 - 5 standard, had to shoot at f/8, but titled the front to push for a shallower DOF look, on an 8x10 paper neg.

at 5 diffusion, which is max. with factory settings

monkeymon
27-May-2008, 07:56
stehei, I really like that portrait. How did you get that silverish look to it?

stehei
27-May-2008, 10:06
Hi,

its a digital workflow, a combined selenium-toning added with curves. I just realised this is a dslr-image, which is 'forbidden' to post here, apologies. Taken with a 300mm.

stehei
27-May-2008, 10:14
here's one more,
same workflow, but very diffuse light in a greenhouse which reflected the light very evenly,

regards

stefan

Jan Pedersen
27-May-2008, 10:32
Apoligies! Then you post another one! Did i miss something?

xmishx
27-May-2008, 10:34
(How is that for instigating a little conflict?)

You got that right!!!

Actually, I was hoping to get an answer from Dominico as I think he shoots some of the best portraits on this forum. Though I've shot all my large format portraits with mostly a 135 and recently the 210, I'd have no problem switching to a longer lens. I shoot most of my portraits with a 100mm for 35, mostly to get the ultra shallow depth, which I do the same with large format.

Ted

stehei
27-May-2008, 10:52
Jan,

you're right, dwelled on the action,
sorry again,
here is a 8*10 to compensate,
480mm schneider isconar, front lens element,

regards

stefan

jnantz
27-May-2008, 12:21
sometimes the environment + clutter makes the shot
by defining who the person is, or wants to be ..


good point frank

--john

jnantz
27-May-2008, 16:00
10" veritar + 5x7
(cluttered background )

Frank Petronio
27-May-2008, 22:05
nother

Jorge Gasteazoro
27-May-2008, 23:47
here's one more,
same workflow, but very diffuse light in a greenhouse which reflected the light very evenly,

regards

stefan

Well, you know I am no fan of digital and dslr shots, but hey, when it is good, it is good. I think this is an exceptional portrait.

Having said that, don't let it happen again.. :D

Jiri Vasina
28-May-2008, 00:11
..., when it is good, it is good. I think this is an exceptional portrait.


Stehei - the Celeste portrait - yes indeed, an exceptional one...

Edit: forgot to mention which of the portraits this relates to..

stehei
28-May-2008, 01:25
Hi Jorge,

it took me some time to get hit with the LF virus, but I am making portraits for
5 years now. Took me a lot of work to get 'digital' too look good, but I've seen
the light now, don't touch my d-cam all that much.

here is another 8*10 shot,
schneider isconar 240mm doppel anastigmat, ilford delta 100,
I love the look of this lens!

Bill Kumpf
28-May-2008, 05:43
My son and his JD2755.

Zone VI 4x5
Nikkor 300 M
FP4
Straight print scan

Jan Pedersen
28-May-2008, 06:19
Stefan, Last one is very nice. Like the full body shots.

domenico Foschi
28-May-2008, 16:02
An old one that hasn't seen much light.


http://i29.tinypic.com/1057k2a.jpg

Gerry
28-May-2008, 17:02
Hi Jorge,

it took me some time to get hit with the LF virus, but I am making portraits for
5 years now. Took me a lot of work to get 'digital' too look good, but I've seen
the light now, don't touch my d-cam all that much.

here is another 8*10 shot,
schneider isconar 240mm doppel anastigmat, ilford delta 100,
I love the look of this lens!


Very nice portrait, reminds me of some of Jock Sturges stuff, he also used a similar lens a 250mm f 6.7 for years (fujinon), with Tri-x in available light.

www.gerryyaum.com

Gerry
28-May-2008, 17:04
nother

Frank like the edge you give your stuff, so many portraits I see shot in large format tend to be a tad boring, not your work.

www.gerryyaum.com

Gerry
28-May-2008, 17:24
(I'm a war-monger myself.)

. Sticking a 300mm lens on their 35mm and sneaking grab shots like a paparazzi would be considered sleazy and low... oh but wait -- it is!

(How is that for instigating a little conflict?)


Not sure its exactly SLEAZY but I agree with your point, many of the great photojournalists shot with 35-50 mm lens most of the time. The problem with longer lens as I see it is that it limits what you can include in the photograph, and doing it on the sly means you miss out on the interaction you get with your subject. For me one of the best parts of photography is meeting the people I photograph, getting to know a bit about them and their lives and THEN making images. Hit and run with a long lens does not give the same level of enjoyment.

www.gerryyaum.com

Frank Petronio
28-May-2008, 17:57
Thank you very much Gerry - coming from you it is an extra special compliment - I've been following your work since I first saw it.

jb7
29-May-2008, 05:30
Belinda at St. Stephen's Green-
I wont go into the reasons, but I missed the light-
and had to force her to hold a pose for 6 seconds for this one-

Buhl 11" f/3.1 projector lens-

Frank and Domenico, I wonder if you'd mind me asking, for your fabulous portraits,
do you use colour filters for portraits at all, ever? And if you do, what might be your choices?

oops, sorry,

Belinda...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2213/2494124069_0be75e8c18_o.jpg

Frank Petronio
29-May-2008, 05:44
That's awfully sharp and life-like for 6 seconds.... what is a color filter? ;-)

jb7
29-May-2008, 05:48
Life like : )
Belinda managed to maintain a very tranquil state-
and the focus was achieved through quite a bit of swing...
and a lamp post-

ok, kinda suspected that about your pictures...
thanks for the reply-

joseph

jnantz
29-May-2008, 17:23
...

stehei
30-May-2008, 00:50
jnanian, very beautiful!
reminds me of julia margaret cameron

for fun, another 8*10, schneider isconar,
I start to like that lens more and more,

regards

stefan

Mark Sawyer
30-May-2008, 09:03
Stefan, I can see why you like it. Such an elegant image! The print must be lovely.

stehei
30-May-2008, 09:44
thanks!

here is another one, same lady, same lens, with the front lens element of the isconar,
480mm 1/2 second, and it worked! to my surprise!

regards

stefan

xmishx
30-May-2008, 09:44
Stefan,

There is something about capturing a timeless image with large format. Very nicely done. The tonal range is as beautiful...

Ted

jnantz
30-May-2008, 09:45
thanks stefan

jb7
31-May-2008, 04:04
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2342/2537154510_699060d5b8.jpg

Miguel Coquis
31-May-2008, 06:24
graflex speed graphic-aero ektar f:2,5
scanned neg
exploring high values key

Bazz8
1-Jun-2008, 03:54
heres mine x-mas day 2008
35mm t-max 100 or 400 forget now

Frank Petronio
1-Jun-2008, 05:40
I love that shot Bazz...

It must be hard to run 35mm through a large format camera though. Do you cut the film up a tape it into the holder?

Wayne R. Scott
1-Jun-2008, 06:37
Here is a feeble attempt at a portrait, Graphic View II with 190mm f4.5 Kodak Ektar and Arista film I think. Crappy scan, dust, etc.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c191/Wscott601/Roxanne-2b.gif

Wayne

EdWorkman
1-Jun-2008, 07:20
Lovely Lady trumps dust and crappy scan every time- oh yeah, nicely composed too

Wayne R. Scott
1-Jun-2008, 11:38
Thank You, Ed.

katie cooke
1-Jun-2008, 15:25
couple of new ones from this weekend, one of snarl, and one of myself.

Frank Petronio
1-Jun-2008, 15:49
Looks like a gang of revolutionaries circa 1936 in Scotland. Heading off to fight for Spain?

kev curry
1-Jun-2008, 23:54
Hey Katie if Snarl's not a ringer for Lev Davidovich I'll be damed......
Great Portraits, you have a style all of your own.

Frank.... heres a quote for you to ponder over.....

“Life is not an easy matter... You cannot live through it without falling into frustration and cynicism unless you have before you a great idea which raises you above personal misery, above weakness, above all kinds of perfidy and baseness.”
Leon Trotsky

Kev

Greg Lockrey
2-Jun-2008, 01:03
Hey Katie if Snarl's not a ringer for Lev Davidovich I'll be damed......
Great Portraits, you have a style all of your own.

Frank.... heres a quote for you to ponder over.....

“Life is not an easy matter... You cannot live through it without falling into frustration and cynicism unless you have before you a great idea which raises you above personal misery, above weakness, above all kinds of perfidy and baseness.”
Leon Trotsky

Kev

How gloomy. If someone hadn't already put an ice pick in his heart, it's a wonder that he hadn't done it to himself.

CybaSumo
2-Jun-2008, 01:28
These are simply nice photos, joseph, is that an artist the photo you just posted!?

Ken Lee
2-Jun-2008, 15:48
couple of new ones from this weekend, one of snarl, and one of myself.

Genius !

kev curry
2-Jun-2008, 23:25
Greg, you would do well to heed those enlightened words but the word incorrigible comes to mind!

gbogatko
3-Jun-2008, 16:56
My son on prom night.
300mm Heliar on Foma 100 8x10

Ray Bidegain
4-Jun-2008, 17:55
I have started to explore Wet Plate Collodion photography, and after the mandatory first plate of a vase of flowers I switched my attention to a portrait for the second attempt.

When I asked my 7 year old daughter Emogene to pose for the portrait she said " I can stand like a real model if you want daddy"

So this is the black galss ambrotype I made. I know I have a ways to go learning the process but I have to say the first attempts have proven to be very addictive.

Thanks for looking,

Ray Bidegain

Colin Graham
4-Jun-2008, 17:58
That's wonderful Ray!

Collin Orthner
4-Jun-2008, 18:28
I think you've got the hang of it already Ray. That really is beautiful!

Ray Bidegain
4-Jun-2008, 18:36
Colin and Collin, thank you both for your feedback. The wet plate really is an interesting process.

Ray

xmishx
4-Jun-2008, 19:08
I got to see this image first hand yesterday and it is quite stunning! Great work, Ray!

Ted


I have started to explore Wet Plate Collodion photography, and after the mandatory first plate of a vase of flowers I switched my attention to a portrait for the second attempt.

When I asked my 7 year old daughter Emogene to pose for the portrait she said " I can stand like a real model if you want daddy"

So this is the black galss ambrotype I made. I know I have a ways to go learning the process but I have to say the first attempts have proven to be very addictive.

Thanks for looking,

Ray Bidegain

domenico Foschi
4-Jun-2008, 20:11
Yes, Ray, it's beautiful.
But you know that.

Dave Wooten
4-Jun-2008, 22:25
nice, and a real model!

matthew blais
4-Jun-2008, 22:31
Love it Ray...excellent model

Mark Sawyer
4-Jun-2008, 22:41
Very, very lovely, Ray! And a sweet story to go with it. A combination like that always makes for a really special image. Bet this one's in the family for a long, long time...

wfwhitaker
5-Jun-2008, 06:05
Nice work, Ray. Kind of Mann-ish. I think both you and Emogene have a future here. :)

Shutter
6-Jun-2008, 09:08
My first LF Portrait

Sinar F2 + 150mm
Provia 100

alanps
6-Jun-2008, 12:53
My first LF Portrait

Sinar F2 + 150mm
Provia 100

Wow - if that really is your first, then its very good indeed!

Shutter
6-Jun-2008, 17:21
Wow - if that really is your first, then its very good indeed!

thank you!
of course I've already taken some portraits with my 35mm and 6x6 equipment but this was the first time with a 4x5" :)

alanps
9-Jun-2008, 07:57
Used some of my dwindling supply (and out of date) Polaroid 79 5x4 film.
F8 1/4 sec - Calumet 210mm