The Times ARE Changing - Digital Pres. Portrait

[Gabriel M.A.]

Gabriel - while I like the overall drama that you've created in the shot, I think that it loses some of the midtone detail - like the blue shirt, for instance, has gone almost white on my monitor (in your version).

Thanks. And hey: if they were paying me to do this, I'd salvaged the shirt detail. I'm currently working on a different project trying to catalog a whole bunch of digital files. I'm checking in here in between CPU chokes 😀

 

[charjohncarter]

Part of the "secret" is to convert back to sRGB. As far as the wedding photography issues: that's why they still have that "M" (Manual) mode in cameras. Most "professionals" leave the camera in "P" (or the Green Square), and then blame the camera. Any good photographer would take out his light meter and dial in accordingly. If that's too much, metering your palm gets you out of a lot of trouble.

Or they use C-41 portrait film, here is my Antonio and Lorraine from a very bad scan using slide film. After this shot in 1970 I changed to C-41 for color:

 

[Al Kaplan]

Well, I'm going to say it! Most of the white people I know here in Miami are darker than our "black" president. It's time to call Obama exactly what he is. He's the president. He's bright and well educated but he wasn't "raised black" and steeped in "black culture". He's an American. There are plenty of photographers around that could likely get a better shot than that one though. (Just let me know when. I already have the security clearance.)

 

[gb hill]

I did a google search and he uses Canon 5D but according to this article he will be upgrading to a Canon 5d Mk2 and a Leica M8.2.
http://www.nppa.org/news_and_events/news/2009/01/souza.html

 

[charjohncarter]

Al, what does that have to do with the problems of photographing Antonio and Lorraine (or our new president). Get off the politics.

 

[Bob Michaels]

We should remember that our next President is biracial.

I am no fan of labels unless they are pertinent. But that is an important factor when we are evaluating photos of him.

 

[rogue_designer]

I did a google search and he uses Canon 5D but according to this article he will be upgrading to a Canon 5d Mk2 and a Leica M8.2.
http://www.nppa.org/news_and_events/news/2009/01/souza.html

He already has the Mk2 - according to the exif data. 🙂

 

[charjohncarter]

Bob, exactly, just like Antonio and Lorraine. When I take pictures of Antonio and Lorraine I use an on board meter. And if Al hasn't noticed it whites are Zone 6 Lorraine is Zone 4.6 and Antonio is Zone 5 or a little more. So I compensate, but it is not as easy as it seems. Remember OJ's picture on Time magazine's cover, horrible, some boozo/a shot it maybe on purpose, maybe not, but the point is if he/she knew what they were doing; then we would have had a much better depiction of OJ at that moment.

 

[Pablito]

he wasn't "raised black" and steeped in "black culture".

....whatever that means.....

 

[Rick Waldroup]

This notion that a digital camera is not up to the task of taking this portrait is ridiculous.

 

[Rick Waldroup]

....whatever that means.....

Yes, exactly what does that mean?

 

[gb hill]

He already has the Mk2 - according to the exif data. 🙂

He must of ran out & bought it with his sign on bonus. I guess he has to wait for his next check to get the M8.2. The way the photo looks I think he should of bought the M8.2 instead.

 

[charjohncarter]

Rick, you are right, much better controlled lighting, proper exposure, reflectors, heavy use of Photo Shop all would have helped.

 

[charjohncarter]

Rick, it means he's black, so learn how to do a portrait of a black.

 

[gb hill]

....whatever that means.....

That means he didn't grow up eating soul food, like chitlins & turnip greens & fat back & black eyed peas.

 

[Al Patterson]

Moving to "Off Topic" in 5,4,3,2,1...

 

[Pablito]

That means he didn't grow up eating soul food, like chitlins & turnip greens & fat back & black eyed peas.

ohhhhhh sh*t....I'm outa here

 

[gb hill]

But I think he likes it now. From some of the photos I have seen of Barak in dinars he has a healthy appitite. BTW soul food is good stuff. 🙂

 

[Rick Waldroup]

Rick, it means he's black, so learn how to do a portrait of a black.

Al's orginal post had to do with him being raised "black". What does that have to do with shooting him? I think most competent, professional photographers would know how to shoot dark skinned people.

Also, the portrait is not that bad. Not as bad as some of the nitwits on this forum think that it is.

 

[Rick Waldroup]

That means he didn't grow up eating soul food, like chitlins & turnip greens & fat back & black eyed peas.

Good grief......

**** off

Next Tuesday can't come fast enough.....