Portrait

Your technique is flawless, you capture people beautifully.

I note that you are typically shooting half or three quarter portraits. As an exercise, I'd love to see apply your considerable skills and what you could do with just head and shoulders or even just eyes and face.
 
Thanks thronobulax and Marty for your kind words.

You're right, thronobulax, this is my main approach to portrait so far. However I already shot some closer and front portraits (see below), but not that much. It's funny because I have this idea in mind since a few months: shooting just face and eyes. The main problem I think is the very short depth of field and it must be tricky to get the perfect shoot ! I'll probably try this during the summer break...



 
Stunning portraits
I love all of them but the lighting on the last headshot is superb
 
Francis R said:
Thanks thronobulax and Marty for your kind words.

You're right, thronobulax, this is my main approach to portrait so far. However I already shot some closer and front portraits (see below), but not that much. It's funny because I have this idea in mind since a few months: shooting just face and eyes. The main problem I think is the very short depth of field and it must be tricky to get the perfect shoot ! I'll probably try this during the summer break...
Click to expand...
That last one is world class... that's Avedon, or Karsh level of goodness. Do more of this ;)

I'd be curious as to what you're using in the way of equipment, lenses, development, whether you're silver printing or just scanning the negatives, and so forth.

Superb work indeed.
 
thronobulax said:
That last one is world class... that's Avedon, or Karsh level of goodness. Do more of this ;)

I'd be curious as to what you're using in the way of equipment, lenses, development, whether you're silver printing or just scanning the negatives, and so forth.

Superb work indeed.
Click to expand...
That's really kind of you! Avedon and Karsh are deep sources of inspiration to me and I'm really full of admiration for their work :).

The last shot was made with Sinar F1 and 360mm Doctar. Film was Foma 200 and Dev was Fomadon Excel.
The other shots were made with Woodyman 4x5 and Nikkor-W 210mm. Film was Foma 200 or TMax 100 and Dev was HC-110 (Dilution B).

As of ligthning, I use an Elinchrom 1200 and a 500, mounted with a 70x70 cm sotfbox, a small umbrella or a reflector.

I scan my negs with an Epson v850.

Unfortunately I'm not equiped with an appropriate enlarger for 4x5...
 
Last edited:
I so enjoy seeing your work here, Francis. Please keep sharing your portraits
 
My comments are not meant as criticism of any individual image, as they are excellent. If you were to exhibit these images together, then perhaps the 2nd image in Post #4 needs re-interpretation. It just doesn't work with the others, as it is.

It's actually 30 years ago when I had my first large Art gallery exhibition (65 prints), on the weekend before hanging a friend came to help on final sequencing, I had to make 3 new exhibition prints to ensure the images worked in context of the whole.

This also meant I didn't use (but a much earlier decision) at least two of my favourite images from the project.

Ian
 
Thank you Ian for your comment. I agree with you, but may I ask how you would re-interpret this one?
I still haven't exhibited the portrait series. I need to figure out how I could build that.
 
Others have commented on your technical excellence and I agree. What impresses me the most is how your subjects are so relaxed and natural. No signs of nervousness, self-consciousness or trying to strike a pose. Very well done.
 
David M said:
Others have commented on your technical excellence and I agree. What impresses me the most is how your subjects are so relaxed and natural. No signs of nervousness, self-consciousness or trying to strike a pose. Very well done.
Click to expand...
Thank you David. Well, I can't really say why it is so. I usually process as quickly as possible, without discussing much and without directing the subject that much.
 
Francis R said:
Thank you David. Well, I can't really say why it is so. I usually process as quickly as possible, without discussing much and without directing the subject that much.
Click to expand...

Having worked for a portraitist for some years, I can say with some assurance that - no matter how you work - you do not get that kind of engagement from the subject unless they trust you. Your work is only partially in the camera, it is also substantially in your manner, how you operate your studio, and how you do engage with the subject.

You have a tremendous gift for this work. Do explore it widely and share your successes (AND failures!).
 
Thank you so much. For sure, it is a way I want to explore as much as possible and I'll share with you :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top