How about a New Portrait thread?

[Ed Shapiro]

I do mostly TRADITIONAL portraiture both in color and black and white. This image is made with an Imagon 250mm lens mounted on an old Technika V. H/56 disk is in place at half open. Film: Portra 160 NC 4x5 Lighting: Photogenic Studiomaster setup with a ceiling bounce fill, a 16" parabolic reflector on the main light (feathered) and a bare tube behind the subject.

[Asher Kelman]

Do they have to be living?

This simple picture is awfully well done. This looks like the result of an execution. It's elegantly and simplistically boiled down hard core frightening horror. It has no special lens mood which makes me want to find out more, yet technically its powerful because of the dimensionality, floating sensation and reflections in the steel as well as the possibility the top might come down to crush the head.

I wonder what others think? Freaky by excellent photography!

Asher

[Asher Kelman]

My daughter Emma - Cooke PS945.

Don,

This picture has an etherial quality. What you see has already passed to history as now we can just talk about your child as shew was then. But she is now older and that moment will not be repeated. Her looking through the window, implying all the possible futures she might have, is very evocative of feelings that transcend her identity of being just your daughter but now can represent all children and perhpas even all of us.

I really love this picture and you must look after the negative. I'd make a copy for safety.

Now I have the lens, I'll do my best to follow suit!

[Dave Wooten]

Nice one Ed!

[Marko]

This simple picture is awfully well done. This looks like the result of an execution. It's elegantly and simplistically boiled down hard core frightening horror. It has no special lens mood which makes me want to find out more, yet technically its powerful because of the dimensionality, floating sensation and reflections in the steel as well as the possibility the top might come down to crush the head.

I wonder what others think? Freaky by excellent photography!

Asher

Nah, it's not photography, it's digital. No advanced knowledge of composition, ligthing or processing needed. No big deal, you just press a button and voila! Out comes a great photograph!

At least according to some folks here and most over at apug.

Right, Chris?

[Asher Kelman]

Marko,

Sorry that I comment in such away on Chris's "Noir" photograph that my ideas fail to come across to you. My reflections above were carefully written and reflect my pleasure and admiration of the picture. This was written to let Chris know that his picture worked so well for me that the technique, composition, lighting texture, timing, position of the camera, choice of development and many other "technicals", are totally invisible because of the quality of the photograph.

Asher

[Greg Lockrey]

Joe a carpenter. 210mm Symmar, Plus-X in HC-110 Brovira#2 in Dektol.

[Patrik Roseen]

My youngest son holding a Linhof Technika - shot with a Linhof Kardan in the natural light from the window and a simple reflector.

Paul

[Marko]

Asher,

That was a light-hearted sarcasm that was definitely not aimed at you! It was meant as a huge tongue in cheek joke, hence the big grin at the end.

I actually fully agree with your assesment of Chris' work and only wanted to say that art is art, regardless of the medium. If you knew me better, you'd know that the primacy of content over technology or craft is my very outspoken view. You'd also know that I object to ad hominems at least as vocally.

I think Chris will understand my point much more readily in light of some discussions we've had before.

Best,

Marko

[Asher Kelman]

Asher,

That was a light-hearted sarcasm that was definitely not aimed at you! It was meant as a huge tongue in cheek joke, hence the big grin at the end.

Since you're in LA, all we need is some wine! We'll get together sometime!

Asher