RayPA
Ignore It (It'll go away)
Barack Obama, the first U.S. president to have his official portrait taken with a digital camera.
Now what camera did the new white house photographer use (I don't know, I'm wondering)?
BTW, the full-size image is available for free HERE.
.

Now what camera did the new white house photographer use (I don't know, I'm wondering)?
BTW, the full-size image is available for free HERE.
.
rogue_designer
Reciprocity Failure
Pete was a Trib photographer - if he was using pool equipment, it was a Nikon dSLR of one variety or another.
But who knows what he put on his wishlist for the new gig as White house photographer.
But who knows what he put on his wishlist for the new gig as White house photographer.
rogue_designer
Reciprocity Failure
edit:
the exif metadata on the full file says he was actually using a Canon 5D mark II
Focal length 105mm, but does not specify what lens.
the exif metadata on the full file says he was actually using a Canon 5D mark II
Focal length 105mm, but does not specify what lens.
charjohncarter
Veteran
Doesn't look to good. Maybe he ought to get a back up. The blacks in the flag and the hair are blocked out, but owing to Nikon's (and Canon's) desire to not blow highlights at least they are OK. The colors look flat and uninspired. Better luck next time.
EDIT: I guess it is a Canon; rogue jumped back in, it doesn't matter there isn't much difference between DSLRs.
EDIT: I guess it is a Canon; rogue jumped back in, it doesn't matter there isn't much difference between DSLRs.
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rogue_designer
Reciprocity Failure
the full file in a color managed workspace (photoshop) is much better than the small one posted here.
Still loses the blacks, but at least the colors aren't all washed.
Still loses the blacks, but at least the colors aren't all washed.

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Lani Kai
Member
I'm going to guess 24-105L IS at the 105mm end, but I suppose it could be one of the 70-200s.
35mmdelux
Veni, vidi, vici
mediocre mug shot.
capitalK
Warrior Poet :P
I agree it looks better in Photoshop in the proper colour space but the portrait itself does look pretty rushed.
He's a busy guy right now, so I guess it's understandable.
He's a busy guy right now, so I guess it's understandable.
rogue_designer
Reciprocity Failure
Needed a basic image to send out with press releases, not a fine art portrait for the national gallery, I guess. 
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
Doesn't look to good. Maybe he ought to get a back up. The blacks in the flag and the hair are blocked out
??? I don't see a problem on my monitor. Perhaps your monitor isn't calibrated?
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
mediocre mug shot.
I'd put it in less crass terms and say that it requires post-processing. I know W. has created a power vacuum right now, but Obama isn't yet President, so probably they're waiting for the time he's actually in office so they can take an official photo.
charjohncarter
Veteran
Gabriel, maybe my monitor isn't calibrated like all digital nuts do. But the blacks are zero on all the shots I've seen. And some have not been on my monitor. Isn't this the digital age of politics? So then get it right for the Proletariat Socialist masses.
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
Gabriel, maybe my monitor isn't calibrated like all digital nuts do. But the blacks are zero on all the shots I've seen. And some have not been on my monitor. Isn't this the digital age of politics? So then get it right for the Proletariat Socialist masses.
I agree, you have to do a bit of balancing, specially when there's a whole gamut of users out there on the Internets.
I'm curious (genuinely) if my attempt looks better on your monitor.
35mmdelux
Veni, vidi, vici
it needs more than post processing IMHO.
(why are the flags so bunched up?)
(why are the flags so bunched up?)
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
it needs more than post processing IMHO.
(why are the flags so bunched up?)
I agree, the framing and DOF could have used a bit more attention. This was clearly a very very rushed job. For a very important, professional, world news-worthy shot, it was foolishly rushed.
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
Hmm, I see that the RFF attachment uploading tool does some post-processing of its own and soften things up.
Let's try this:
Let's try this:

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charjohncarter
Veteran
Gabriel, your version looks better on my uncalibrated monitor, but you know and I know that any number of MF cameras using a any number of portrait specific film would have done a much better job. Black guys are hard to photograph (ask any wedding photographer in California where white gowns on white girls are getting married to black guys in black tuxedos or even vice versa) so why make it worse by using digital when it isn't able to do the job.
rogue_designer
Reciprocity Failure
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).
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
Gabriel, your version looks better on my uncalibrated monitor
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.
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