TLRs. Portraits and being short

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Lilserenity

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Hiya,

Here's a fairly unique question!

I've been using one TLR or another (started with a C330F which had its own issues, namely it was like carrying a cast iron bath tub around my neck! Now settled on the Autocord) for 3 years or so.

For the most part I love the waist level finder, and I love square pictures so it has so much going for it. But I have found one problem, if you're short, unless you have something to stand on, getting good portraits which are not all of the body or say just face shots, or upper body (there are probably proper terms for this but I'm all self taught so you'll have to excuse my lack of words for these things! :D)

Anyway, the problem I have it these usually end up looking odd as I just cannot get the camera up high enough to get the picture so I can focus looking down the WLF and shoot. So I have to hold it lower and invariably the person I am taking the picture of is either slightly looking down (I can't stand too far away otherwise I am back to full body/environmental portraits -- which are fine; but sometimes I want something else) or I am pointing the camera slightly upwards. I am taking into account the 3ft/1m minimum focus distance in this.

I'm not even that short, well 5'6" isn't exactly pint sized :)

So, short of (pun very much intended) standing on a soap box, are there any other tricks of the trade other than either standing on something, wearing heels (not ideal when I'm in photographer mode) or indeed just taking a picture from a distance and then cropping (but then losing some of that lovely MF detail in doing so.)

I suppose the other idea is some kind of prism finder but I am not aware of something like that for the Autocord?

Otherwise I love the camera and using TLRs, they are very versatile but I just wish I could get some of those wonderful portraits that aren't all full body/environmental portraits.

Tips and tricks appreciated :)

Thanks,
Vicky
 
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I had the same problem with TLRs. I also once had a Mamiya C330f and I still have an ancient Rollei. My Hasselblad is easier to hold at eye level (I have a prism) since it isn't so tall and ungainly like a TLR is. The best thing for handholdig at eye level in 6x6 would be something like a Mamiya 6, a rangefinder. Or an old 6x6 folder.
 
The simplest and most straight-forward way to overcome this is have your subject sit down for the portrait.

Im 6'2" and even I prefer to use cameras with waist level finders this way.
 
You could hold the camera above your head. But it's a pretty awkward way to shoot. Or hold it a eye-level with the lens side-ways.
 
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I am a bit taller than you at 6'. I use a C33 with a 135 lens for 6x6 portraits. My essential accessories: tripod, cable release, paramender (raises the camera for parallax correction), and a stool to stand on. As one sitter recently put it, "This is serious photography."

There are pictures of Avedon standing on a box to see his groundglass.

It actually works quite well if you are prepared to work within the frame of immobility. When I want mobility and spontaneity I shoot with an M2.

KenD
 
I added a Hasselblad NC-2 prism to an Autocord. Similar to your problem with portraits, I shoot on the streets and the low angle looking up doesn't work. I am 5' 8".

Here it is mounted on a Yashica-Mat. Same mounting works on the Autocord- remove the front and back pins which keep the folding hood parts in place, find the correct distance to float the prism above the screen and get shims installed, then tape it all together.

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It's subtle, but this gets the taking lens to 'mouth' or throat level. A 90 degree prism would be even higher, but I am not certain how one would fit. The NC-2 is a nice fit once you unscrew the Hasselblad mounting plate.

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Fritz Henle was probably the greatest of all Rollei photographers, but was only about 5'8". Study his portraits. Photographing portraits with the camera pointed up makes the subject look heroic.

Most of Henle's books are long out of print but are readily available as used books from amazon.com. I especially recommend "Fritz Henle's New Guide to Rollei Photography." That book had the greatest influence on me when I was first coming into photography, and after more than 40 years continues to influence the way I see and photograph.
 
I don't know about Autocords, but my Rolleiflex has a "sports finder" function in the hood. A panel flips out of the way and you then view the subject directly through the hood, with the hood acting as a mask to show the picture area. Doing this raises the TLR higher than looking down into the hood.
 
I'm 6'4" and, when taking a portrait with either my Rolleiflex 6006 or Mamiya C220, I stand on a milk crate. The added 16" or so extra height really helps with perspective.

Jim B.
 
HoodedOne said:
You could hold the camera above your head. But it's a pretty awkward way to shoot.
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Providing you don't mind looking like an idiot, this can actually be a pretty good option. It does mean relearning how to move the camera to compose, though - it's like when you first picked up a TLR all over again.

It also works pretty well for looking over walls, fences, crowds... it's certainly not subtle, however!
 
What is wrong with low viewpoints. To me that is one of the attractions of the TLR, you can shoot from ground level without laying on your belly. Also, any serious photographer ought to own a step ladder; a 4 foot aluminum step ladder is fairly easy to carry around; although, I admit that I sometimes wish I had a 12 footer. The ladder is especially nice when taking photos of groups of people.
 
My daughter-in-law is a photographer's model, and she has taught me a lot about shooting with a TLR. Mine are Rolleis, and the first time she saw me taking pictures of her with my Rollei, she quickly and sweetly said, "Why don'r Jason (my son) and I sit down over here for our picture?" I asked my son about that, and he said that she doesn't want to be photographed from below face-level. She has since, over the years given me lots of useful hints, but that was the best one. The other advantage of having your subject looking slightrly upward is that it shoothes out the skin so nicely. Absolutely have them sit for their portrait.
 
If your Autocord is similar to my Rollei you can open the sports finder on the hood—focus on the ground glass with the built-in magnifier and compose in the sports viewer at eye level. It works great.
 
jmcd said:
If your Autocord is similar to my Rollei you can open the sports finder on the hood—focus on the ground glass with the built-in magnifier and compose in the sports viewer at eye level. It works great.
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Thanks for this, I always wondered what that was for! (Pops a little hat with a backwards-scrawled D on it...) :D

That might help a good deal.

Thanks to all of the other suggestions. I'm severely tempted to get a little step to pop in my backpack so I can get some more 'eye-level' portraits when on the go.

I have nothing wrong with low level portraits or indeed aspects, but sometimes I don't want that.

I've also thought getting hold of a complete Rolleinar 1 might be a good idea for tighter portraits.

It's useful to know this isn't just me who has run into this.

Vicky
 
Lilserenity said:
It's useful to know this isn't just me who has run into this.
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No Vcky... you are not alone. I'm your evil twin and have had the same problem for years. My solutions have (different solutions at different times):

- apple box (like a milk crate but with a little more class)
- step ladder
- stting models
- sports finder
- eye-level prism
 
Be careful using the sports finder at close distances. The difference between focusing location and framing location does become significant with wide apertures and faces at 3 feet. And it is rather easy to move back and forth for framing, again running up against depth of field issues and focus spot issues. It's doable, just takes attention to details.
 
Sometimes you just have to work with what you have so maybe find a technique that you like without having to carry a step ladder all the time. Maybe some near by steps you can stand on or something you subject can sit on like a low wall ... you could sit on the roof of your car but that might look a little odd :)
 
The Rolleiflex has the ability to push forward on the top of the hood and you get a second reflex finder, although the image is upside down. Even so, it brings the image closer to eye level. Probably chin level.

I don't know if the Japanese copied this feature.
 
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