Chuck Norcutt wrote:
> Well, like many things, not needing flash is a matter of opinion.
And here, we differ,
> This non-flash shot, for example, shows much considerable harsh shadow under
> chins, glasses, some eye sockets and on necks, and cheekbones. All the light
> is coming from a point source high high above and to the right and
> is not kind to these folks.
> http://galleries.moosemystic.net/MooseFoto/index.php?gallery=JuliaGrad/1-Grad&image=_MG_4378crii.jpg
>
> <http://galleries.moosemystic.net/MooseFoto/index.php?gallery=JuliaGrad/1-Grad&image=_MG_4378crii.jpg>
>
The question may be whether this is portrait photography or something
closer to journalism. I personally prefer the pure ambient shots for the
ismple reason that they recall what the event and the people in it
actually looked like at the time. Looking at them again months later,
this feeling is even stronger. The ambient shots take me back to the
experience, while the flash shots don't.
> The flash version has eliminated those shadows (perhaps too much) and
> introduced some others behind the folks who are standing close to the wall.
> Those shadows are also undesirable but it should be possible to
> at least minimize them.
> http://galleries.moosemystic.net/MooseFoto/index.php?gallery=JuliaGrad/1-Grad&image=_MG_4380crii.jpg
>
> <http://galleries.moosemystic.net/MooseFoto/index.php?gallery=JuliaGrad/1-Grad&image=_MG_4380crii.jpg>
>
Hard to disagree. I could certainly remove the shadows on the wall. In
fact, I did so on some other shots. And I'm sure your advice given with
such care below would result in more balanced exposure than either of
the ones I did.
Remember, I do very little flash shooting and essentially none of this
sort. So I had no experience to draw on. There was also no chance to
experiment. Many shots were the single chance. Nos. 68, 70, 71 and 74,
for example, were all of great emotional importance to Julia. Nailing
both the eye to eye connection and handshake through the crowd for no.
75 was a big success - the only time I left my seat to fight for an angle.
I was perhaps overly concerned with DOF and stopping motion. I was also
worried about the lighting mix. The stage lighting was quite warm and
the flash is quite cold, so I was worried about cool, bluish shadows all
over faces and clothing from fill flash. It was nice to hear from C.H.
that such light mixes are a concern to him too.
In any case, I was quite happy to "get the goods" as well as I did. And
my 'client' was VERY pleased. As with the graduation, her request that I
photograph an event came at the last minute in Seattle a couple of weeks
ago. Had she spoken before we left home, I'd have had better tools
along. Maybe one day I'll tell the tale of my spectacular prat fall
while doing that 'assignment'.
Ah, well, as Jerry says ... it's a ride. Enjoy it! I do.
> <snip some excellent advice which, with any luck, I'll never have occasion to
> use. (yup, pun.)>
>
Moose
--
_________________________________________________________________
Options: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/listinfo/olympus
Archives: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/private/olympus/
Themed Olympus Photo Exhibition: http://www.tope.nl/
|
