Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/01/09

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Subject: Re: [Leica] non-leica picture
From: Ted Grant <tedgrant@shaw.ca>
Date: Fri, 09 Jan 2004 07:17:04 -0800
References: <128184739593.20040107105900@sonc.com> <3.0.5.32.20040108114142.008fc5b0@shawmail>

 Ted Grant wrote:
> <snip>
> > "Shoot from the shadowside! Watch the eyes and get the action!" And
> >you rarely go wrong! :-)  "Light - eyes - action!"   It's KISS
simple!<<<<

Barry Hinderks asked & showed:
> Is this kinda what you mean??

Hi Barry,
Comment with each as posted:

1/ >> http://www.members.shaw.ca/bhinderks/EdMis.1.jpg<<<
You are close on the lighting, soft on the focus! This is a family moment
and although we always strive for sharp focus, sometimes it's a nice picture
so we live with it being slightly off. However, the focus point here is the
eyes and you're just behind it leaving the face soft.

Having it right on the mark using a wide aperture is difficult with a child
moving and squirming and to get the eyes smack dab on the mark means it
comes down to "experience of handling" the camera and how quickly you move
your fingers. The more you shoot the more adept you become and the next time
chances are you'll be right on the mark sharp.

2/ >> http://www.members.shaw.ca/bhinderks/EdMis.2.jpg<<
Now you're very close! And in this case with nice soft light and open
shadows. And good eyeline attention. Unfortunately on my screen it appears
slightly soft and not on the mark sharp on the eyes? Disregard the comment
if in reality it is sharp. ;-)

3/ >> http://www.members.shaw.ca/bhinderks/Grams.1.jpg<<
Where you were close above, this one couldn't be any better for "shooting
from the shadow side," it's perfect!!  It's typical Rembrandt 3/4 lighting
that we see in his paintings. It's what I look for in most situations,
obviously it's not always there. But if one works at it all the time,
eventually  it becomes an automatic recognition factor without hunting for
it.

Remember this lighting look on the baby's face because that's what Rembrandt
light from the shadow-side is all about! And no matter what the situation,
if you find the shadow-side and use it with good composition the content
will be enhanced and your pictures will have a greater degree of success.

4/ >> http://www.members.shaw.ca/bhinderks/Grams.2.jpg<<
The light works very well as it skims the "grandmother's?" face contrasting
the softer light on the baby, which accents the contrast between old and
new. No offense intended to the lady in the picture being "old."

This is the kind of content where ones immediate re-action is "jeeesh look
at that - shoot!" And that's an immediate action before one even has any
thoughts about "shooting from the shadow-side!"  And we get lucky because it
all works very well.

Over the years when I explain "shoot from the shadow side" people make a
point of looking for it whether taking pictures or not. After awhile the
looking part becomes a natural observation and an instinctive assessing of a
scene without thinking about being on the shadow side. Why? Because you
automatically gravitate to the shadowside without thinking about it.

It's called "doing what comes naturally." ;-) I hope this helps.

> Been lurking here for the past couple of months. Must say I love your
> Doctor's series.<<<

Thank you, much appreciated. Watch for "Women in Medicine" it's a beauty!
:-)
ted


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In reply to: Message from Sonny Carter <sonc@sonc.com> ([Leica] non-leica picture)
Message from Barry Hinderks <bkhinderks@shaw.ca> (Re: [Leica] non-leica picture)