Portrait Photographers, How long does your session last?

[ericantonio]

A while back I shot six full face portraits with a Tachihara 810HD view camera and the process went smoothly because almost all the work had been done before the sitter arrived.

I used a stand-in seated in a posing chair to set exact focus. Then I ran a string ending in a small bead from the camera to the stand-in. String length was adjusted so that when the bead was between the subjects eyes and the string was taut the subjects eyes are in exact focus. Camera focus was then locked down because the string and bead would guarantee image focus and I would not have to look again at the ground glass or get under a focussing cloth.

Yes!! That core memory coming back. String Theory is real and you should use it!! I remember I worked with a guy who did that for portraits. We had other methods too cause we sometimes had to move cameras on tripods to another set. A lot of measuring and tape on the floor to get it back to 99.9% the way it was later in the afternoon.

[Tin Can]

Also works for LF selfies

[Daniel Unkefer]

Short or long as it takes. With Kids they will cooperate for about a minute, then you have to chase 'em around Best to do with medium format; I favor Mamyaflexes for that

Last time I did an 8x10 B&W session, I studied the glass for at least half an hour, making a lot of tiny micro changes. Subject was relaxed and comfortable and totally cooperative. Think I exposed eight sheets of 8x10 HP5 on that one, last ones were with my olde 420 barrel Imagon. Everybody loved the results. Great shoot.

I used string theory for the lighting tuning up, and another for camera focus. Some subjects can hold a pose for a long time without straining, depends on the situation

[Jim Cole]

I have a question about the Karsh book under discussion. Does any body know if the 2nd (1960) and 3rd (1961) printing of the 1st edition are of the same quality as the 1st printing (1959)?

Thanks,
Jim

[Dave Sh]

Similar to this but from the 50's with excellent paper, good enough to frame each page. Almost perfect


https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Boo...dp&ref_=o_3_ii

Ahh...thank you very much for the specific edition too!

[Jim Cole]

I have a question about the Karsh book under discussion. Does any body know if the 2nd (1960) and 3rd (1961) printing of the 1st edition are of the same quality as the 1st printing (1959)?

Thanks,
Jim

I'll answer my own question. I just received a 1st ed, 3rd printing in Near Fine condition. The answer is yes, the printing is outstanding, portraits are on matte paper and positively glow.