Hasselblad Portrait Project

[mdwsta4]

I have had a portrait project idea in my head for a while now. Recently decided to do something about it. Still learning how to actually execute it, but here are some shots from my first two test rolls.

(mods, not quite sure if this is the appropriate forum for this post. Feel free to move it if it's not)

one more for good measure

Set up consists of:
Hasselblad 500 C/M
150 f4 Zeiss lens with 21mm close focus adapter
Kodak T-Max 400
orange filter
black fabric backdrop
natural window light

I would prefer to keep natural light, but will definitely need to choose my windows and times better. May need to incorporate a reflector as well.

C&C and pointers always welcome and appreciated.


Cheers,
M

 

[Paulbe]

Matt--excellent portraits! I particularly like the last two--let's see some more!
Paul

 

[mfogiel]

I suggest to drop the orange filter, switch to tri x and shoot wide open. These look too dermatologic to me.

 

[Darshan]

Expressions on their faces make the photos, they are pretty good. Someone mentioned dropping the orange filter, you may try that as their skin "color" seems off (as far as filters are concerned - I am zero). I also like the natural light idea.

My 2c.

 

[mdwsta4]

Thank you Paul. I'll post more that I'm satisfied with later.

Matt--excellent portraits! I particularly like the last two--let's see some more!
Paul

Thank you for your feedback Mark. These are shot wide open at f4. I used the orange filter to soften/brighten skin tones and help with some potential blemishes. Chose T-Max over Tri-X (which is what I shoot on 35mm) for the softer grain. Figured both the filter and film choice would be more flattering for a portrait. Not quite sure I understand what you mean by 'dermatologic'.

I suggest to drop the orange filter, switch to tri x and shoot wide open. These look too dermatologic to me.

Thanks Dan. I'll give the next roll a shot without the orange filter and see what kind of difference it makes. These women all have relatively fair complexion to being with if that makes a difference.

Expressions on their faces make the photos, they are pretty good. Someone mentioned dropping the orange filter, you may try that as their skin "color" seems off (as far as filters are concerned - I am zero). I also like the natural light idea.

My 2c.

 

[brusby]

Nice photos and some pretty models.

You asked for comments and criticisms so here goes.

From a technical standpoint my main concern is that most of the shots appear a bit underexposed. For example, if you look at the last photo and compare the deepest shadows to the border, the shadows seem to be a stop or two lighter, a little milky looking and lacking in detail.

I'd also loose the orange filter. And from a personal perspective, on some of the shots I'd like to have a bit more light in the eyes -- a reflector could help or just repositioning the subjects.

edit: Plus, when things are underexposed some of the tones fall on a different part of the curve and tend to look a bit unnatural. Not trying to be picky here but hope this is helpful for you in the future.

 

[mdwsta4]

Thanks Brusby. Looks like I'll definitely be ditching the filter and seeing how that goes 🙂

One of the biggest things I feel I need to work on is when/where I'm shooting since I'm using natural light. A few of the shots were done later in the afternoon and window light was fading. Even though I'm using a tripod and shutter release, the Blad's mirror slaps pretty hard so I was trying to keep shutter speeds higher. I also don't think I'm compensating enough for the extension tube which I believe cuts off 1/2 stop or so. Agree that these were slightly underexposed and also agree I'd like more catch light in the subject's eyes. Thank you

Of course, not all were underexposed (instead the focus was off a bit) but the ones I liked most were.

Nice photos and some pretty models.

You asked for comments and criticisms so here goes.

From a technical standpoint my main concern is that most of the shots appear a bit underexposed. For example, if you look at the last photo and compare the deepest shadows to the border, the shadows seem to be a stop or two lighter, a little milky looking and lacking in detail.

I'd also loose the orange filter. And from a personal perspective, on some of the shots I'd like to have a bit more light in the eyes -- a reflector could help or just repositioning the subjects.

 

[brusby]

Yep, that is definitely better. Not only are the shadows improved, but more importantly the skin tones are too. Personally I'd probably print with a bit less contrast, but that's an artistic decision only you should make.

Don't forget the filter reduces light too, so if you use one you should compensate for it as well as the extension tube.

Here's an old outtake using natural light and a Hasselblad. Her face was somewhat backlit and in shadow so I had to boost exposure quite a bit to get decent shadow detail.

H. West - plantation 2 - Hasselblad contact sheet by brusbybrusby, on Flickr