Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/02/24
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Ah! The softbox! http://www.faneuil.net/softbox_test.jpg A few years ago I read some photographer say something like "those kids today, they just throw a softbox at something and it's perfectly lit, it's cheating! So I went out and bought a pair for about $100 each. Later I discovered that it really wasn't any different from an umbrella and a bit more difficult to carry around. My own first softbox shots are here: http://www.asc.upenn.edu/usr/cassidy/pix/studio/ Now, onto my critique of yours. I think you've already "mastered" the art of softbox photography and, it also seems you've mastered the art of getting a very attractive model to marry you and some hammy kids all of whom will be willing to participate in your further softbox experiments. You stand upon a converging path. You can now take lovely Sears Style portraits of everybody you know which will wow all of your friends and relatives, or you can now take your lighting skills and photograph interesting and unusual subjects. In 1970 or so, Irving Penn took this gigantic natural-light softbox (in the form of a gause tent) to Africa and did really amazing portraits of people. You can now do amazing portraits of Skate Punks, WWII vets, returning soldiers, people who own fancy roosters, whatever. My vote goes for not so much of the sears portrait. You have taken one of the better baby photos I've seen on the lug (http://www.faneuil.net/2003w02.htm) so I know you have the talent. Now, I'm counting on you to come through. The easy part's done. Kyle - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html