[Aaron28]

sears 135/f2.8 macro....both at f2.8

[clackers]

Julie, K-1 and Sigma 85mm f1.4. Her intensity does show the value of persistence. Patience is what we need as photographers, IMHO, instant results aren't always possible.



The first 30 minutes or so we were really meeting the models, the mood was social rather than artistic, and we only got what I'd call snapshots of a naturally happy, pretty girl. Pleasant, but dull - not stuff for her portfolio or ours. The following example is with the DA*55 wide open:



Once you've made the breakthrough in rapport, a heap is possible, such as when I saw the disappearing sun and said, let's go now for a pic where it's all about shape, nothing else matters. 85mm again, f7.1 this time.

[Aaron28]

Once you've made the breakthrough in rapport,

that makes a big difference....the connection whatever it may be....which leads to 'comfortable & confident'.....I don't have much experience but some that I have shot and made that 'connection' have made much better results

btw very nice images!

[clackers]

that makes a big difference....the connection whatever it may be....which leads to 'comfortable & confident'.....I don't have much experience but some that I have shot and made that 'connection' have made much better results

btw very nice images!

Thanks, Aaron, I liked the setup for the pool table pictures you posted, you should revisit that because with that lighting and a relatively dark background, some dramatic photos are possible!

And yes, I find the keepers come from the last thirty minutes, not the first thirty.

In my experience, just telling someone to 'relax' is a pretty empty thing, it'll have the opposite effect.

The first few shots will help clear their nerves, but they will still have quite contrived poses and expressions, with a bit of defensiveness tossed in. It takes a bit to get past the automatic selfie looks people put on these days when a lens is pointed at them.

But if you haven't stopped talking and listening … it works both ways … and concentrate on what the two of you have in common (I said I'd liked Paris, but could've lived in Nice!), trust and acceptance does happen. Especially if you don't stop to fiddle or check gear, we have to master all that beforehand, like an infantryman stripping and reassembling his rifle blindfolded, so we're totally devoted to our subject, and not some camera or lens or strobe. Silence between clicks is a mood killer.

The pics that come out of this 'acceptance of the situation' phase will eventually be much more natural. Quite pleasant, but dull. They're so relaxed the shots will be 'low energy'. Time to get them to do more interesting things. When you've got enough to cover the bases of what the other person was hoping to get out of the session, you can move onto the shots you want - a strong superwoman pose, legs apart. Vulnerable with side lighting. Very, very close with a wide angle. Whatever. And by now, hopefully they're up for the challenge, you're creative partners, now! Your own banter, conversation and movements need to match the mood the shot requires because the two of you are now in some sense linked in a way you weren't half an hour beforehand.

Julie is a non-model, and as I said, French, so having two different cultures extends the first contact phase a little bit, but the final one, once we understood each other (and you can show them the results on the back of the screen to encourage doing it a little differently for the next shot without it being taken as criticism) was effortless.

Really sweet person, too, which always helps.

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Last edited by clackers; 02-07-2020 at 12:02 AM.

[Botanizer]

K-1 35mm macro

[Hattifnatt]

More silent parties (with FA 77).

[WPRESTO]

K-1 35mm macro

Really nice detail in that image.Here there are months to go before flowers appear (sigh!). Why is it as I get older that time flies but winter lingers?

BTW: That is a blood root, correct? They should grow here, but I've never seen one locally despite woodland walks four or five times a week.

[5r82]

K 1 + D FA 28-105

[GvilleRick]

We got over 5 inches of rain yesterday so this morning I went downtown to get some shots of the Reedy River Falls. All shots with my K-1 and Tamron 28-75.

[fs999]

FF Mode • 100 ISO • Pentax DA 70mm F2.4 Limited


FF Mode • 100 ISO • Pentax DA* 55mm F1.4 SDM
Walimex Pro Flash 3xVC-400
Lobster and Truffle Spaghetti

[eaglem]

Damn Cat!

[Aaron28]

Thanks, Aaron, I liked the setup for the pool table pictures you posted, you should revisit that because with that lighting and a relatively dark background, some dramatic photos are possible!

thanks appreciate that and valuable feedback !!

like all that you have to say in that post! good reference material and good food for thought!

[Aaron28]

fa-77....maybe 4 frames and auto complete artifacts

[Rondec]

Sunburst (DFA 24-70mm/pixel shift)

[northcoastgreg]

Very nice colours and good framing.

Thanks. Not always easy to get good results out of a cheap lens, but it's sometimes possible.

Here's a shot of a rainbow out at Sharp Point, also shot with FA-J 75-300: