The issue is that in order to get enough light under those circumstances, you're sitter will have to be very still, or the lights will be so bright as to be blinding. Strobes would be easier on your subject, especially if you have a lot of ambient light to close down their pupils.
“You often feel tired, not because you've done too much, but because you've done too little of what sparks a light in you.”
― Alexander Den Heijer, Nothing You Don't Already Know
If you are confident of exposure, there is no brighter source than a flashbulb.
That's all they need to wear!
In all seriousness, I do see what you're saying and there is a reason strobes are so ubiquitous - I'm just wondering if anyone is doing it differently... and if they have any tips.
In terms of philosophy, I'm trying to get away from stealing photographs(which is all too easy when all you need is an instant) to working with the subject to create something. It would require buy in from the subject, as they need to hold still for the exposure... There's also the motion aspect - I want a little movement(but not too much) if possible...
it has nothing to do with control and ratios between ambient light and other light sources and yes
having done commercial assignment work since the 80s i am well versed in that, but its fake/ an illusion like everything else.
hi cdavis324
when i make a portrait or use a camera
that i can control the shutter speed, i do my best to
make long exposures rather than short ones. IDK... i find
strobe+flashbulb work, instantaneous images &c to be just a veneer
not really what i want to photograph.
i'd rather show things breathing ..
if you poke around newtonian physics a little bit
you know that every object is in motion
i'd rather show things as they are .. alive, in motion, not static
some love it, but to me static/instantaneous,
like sharp modern lenses its all too clinical ...
with regards the the exact shutter speed
it depends sometimes i count to 4 or 10 slowly and sometimes a little faster.
( i've taken 45 second portraits before ) sorry if i skirted your question ...
my advice with your slow film / paper or whatever you are using
is still available light wide open or 1-2 stops closed down
( or if you have a junque f 5.6 / 6 RR put it on ) and a (softboxed )
hot light fill if you need it, bulb/time and count to 5-6... bracket a little bit to get used to it...
then use a slow working developer like caffenolc with a splash of print developer in it
and see how you like your negatives
you might like life in the slow lane.. i try to take backroads as much as i can
good luck !
john
ps my post was not to slight anyone who likes instantaneous portraits/photography,
sharp modern lenses, fresh film and d76 &c &c. i hope people who do that sort of thing
have a blast, and enjoy themselves to the fullest
and it helps them get to where they want to be at...
(YMMV )
Last edited by jnantz; 8-Jan-2019 at 08:51.
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