Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-10-2015, 08:32 AM
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Kindness is an aspect of the photographer's intentions less than it is a technical quality of a piece of glass. As has been stated, the key to setting any sort of mood or feeling in an image is lighting and setting. Mostly lighting. Soft window light from an open sky is ideal. Add a white reflector if need. (a sheet or towel will do) to fill in any overly dark shadows. If for some reason softening or other enhancement is appropriate, then this is always best done in post processing - if possible.
A comfortable subject and empathic photographer are the critical ingredients and no lens or technique can replace that. For me the sense of presence in a subject is a function of intimacy - connectedness with the photographer. To this end, and for the sort of portrait I hear you seeking, I recommend a shorter focal length than the 77 (I am partial to the 55mm) so as to offer the possibility of a closer working distance and easier communication with your subjects, be that verbal or otherwise.
Time is another factor, as many of our species are uncomfortable being photographed. As may be appropriate, showing your subject some shots as you go along on the screen of the camera has in my experience supported my subjects to trust the process and relax. Good luck to you!
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
02-23-2012, 01:23 PM
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It's really quite simple. If you like the results that the in camera processing creates, simply stay with the JPGs as they are. The point of shooting RAW is precisely that you decide every detail of what an image should look like, while maintaining access to the original unprocessed file for future interpretations. Yes unprocessed files look 'dull'. It's like looking at a film negative - it's like having the ingredients for a recipe. YOU decide how it 'print' or 'cook' it.
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