Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/08/31
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Peter Dzwig offered: Subject: Re: [Leica] New gallery up > Great stuff Ted. I like that picture of Ben-Gurion, it captures the man<< http://gallery2.leica-users.org/v/leicated/Israel+Prime+Minister+David+ben+Gurion.jpg.html Hi Peter, Thanks for the compliment on Prime Minister David ben Gurion. Usually people respond about "my portrait studio and what a wonderful portrait... it kind of looks like a Karsh portrait." Obviously I'm very flattered and humbled when it's put in that vernacular. However, the "Portrait studio" was a room in the Parliament building where I was during an interview with the Prime Minister by several reporters and a TV camera. My first re-action as always was to the light and getting to the " shoot from the shadow side." Next important thing.... "do not shoot while the subject is speaking!" Bad! They screw-up their face and in particular their mouth. Always wait for the moment when the subject is intently listening to a question as it shows in the eyes. We as humans listen with our eyes.... but hear with our ears! And it shows! Karsh did this quite often to speak softly to make his subjects make every effort to hear him, therefore they listened more intently adding to the eye / face expression and concentration. Besides they tend to sit very still in most moments of this nature while concentrating. Adding the opportunity to use a normal film speed without pushing the film to 1600 or higher. And heaven forbid one would use a twinky light flashing on and off disturbing the interview. Besides the natural light is so beautiful why would one bother even considering a twinky flash? :-) ted