Your Best Photograph from the Previous Month - Critique and Discussion Encouraged

[cowanw]

This was my best shot from February (and likely for a while to come!) Already shared this in the Portraits thread, but I'd be happy to hear any feedback or suggestions for improvement with future portraits.


Karis
Intrepid 4x5 mk3
Fujinon-W 250mm 6.3
Yellow filter
f/11 @ 1/30
Ilford HP5 400
Diafine
Epson v800

Jeff, I don't want this to be passed by; An excellent portrait. Just one quibble. If you are going for a central composition crop the left a bit.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

This is great. I think a bit of keystoning adds drama to the image.... i've done this before on occasion.

Thank you. I was still learning, still am, on how to correct this in the camera with rear tilt, but I agree, it worked well here and it is subtle, not I your face.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

This was my best shot from February (and likely for a while to come!) Already shared this in the Portraits thread, but I'd be happy to hear any feedback or suggestions for improvement with future portraits.


Karis
Intrepid 4x5 mk3
Fujinon-W 250mm 6.3
Yellow filter
f/11 @ 1/30
Ilford HP5 400
Diafine
Epson v800

This really good, in addition to the suggest crop in from the left, I might also bring it up just a tad from the bottom and down from the top. Overall, I rate this 9 out of 10. Lighting, tones, etc are all good.

[jeffsweet]

This really good, in addition to the suggest crop in from the left, I might also bring it up just a tad from the bottom and down from the top. Overall, I rate this 9 out of 10. Lighting, tones, etc are all good.

Thank you for the compliment! And great advice. Can't believe I didn't see that before...

[Steven Ruttenberg]

We are our own worst enemy.

[jeffsweet]

And my best picture from March:



Vernon, Fisherman's Terminal
Calumet C-1
Ilex-Calumet Caltar 14.75" 6.3
8x10 Fujifilm Super HR-U Medium Green
Diafine
Epson v800

I really wanted a shallower depth of field because the boat in the background was visually distracting, but I was limited to 1/50sec with the shutter, and didn't have a filter with me, so the bright sunlight left me at f/32. I maybe could have slowed things down by a stop or two by switching developers, but Diafine is all I've used so far as I get used to 8x10 and x-ray film, and I decided to stay in the safety of my comfort zone.

[jeffsweet]

... and darn it, it only just occurred to me that I could have used swing to reduce the DOF in the desired area.

Crud.

Lessons learned, I guess.

[exee]

I just started taking 4x5 again and after starting to dabble a few years ago. Still just working with a Crown Graphic, but I love the format, and it seems like I will have plenty of time this coming month to keep playing around. This was the best shot I took in March.



Crown Graphic 4x5
Schneider Xenar 135mm 4.7
Tri-X 320
HC-110 1+100
Epson V700
mechanical self-timer

[Steven Ruttenberg]

And my best picture from March:



Vernon, Fisherman's Terminal
Calumet C-1
Ilex-Calumet Caltar 14.75" 6.3
8x10 Fujifilm Super HR-U Medium Green
Diafine
Epson v800

I really wanted a shallower depth of field because the boat in the background was visually distracting, but I was limited to 1/50sec with the shutter, and didn't have a filter with me, so the bright sunlight left me at f/32. I maybe could have slowed things down by a stop or two by switching developers, but Diafine is all I've used so far as I get used to 8x10 and x-ray film, and I decided to stay in the safety of my comfort zone.

Overall, it looks great. I see a couple of hotspots, rope and around front of name. Good tonality and contrast. Have you thought about split toning or single tone like sepia or selimium?

[Steven Ruttenberg]

I just started taking 4x5 again and after starting to dabble a few years ago. Still just working with a Crown Graphic, but I love the format, and it seems like I will have plenty of time this coming month to keep playing around. This was the best shot I took in March.



Crown Graphic 4x5
Schneider Xenar 135mm 4.7
Tri-X 320
HC-110 1+100
Epson V700
mechanical self-timer

Unusual composition. Looks as though he is anguished in some manner. In some respects the plastic curtain adds an uncomfortable feeling to it.