Photography technique

Alicia Kornick · 08-08-2002, 11:43 PM

In reply to a request this is how I photograph. I always set up the photo shoot between the hours of 9:30 am to 11:00 am. I like morning light. My camera is a 26 year old Minolta SRT 200 with a manual focus and built in light meter. Not fancy, but a good reliable 35mm camera, very easy to use. I use a special portrait lens 85mm 1:1.7 MD Rokkor-X. The film is Kodak Supra 100 and the shutter speed is 1/60.

I never use a flash. I place the subject near a window and sometimes use a white sheet or reflective shield (the ones used in cars to block the sun) off camera opposite the light source to bounce light back into the shadows. Then just click away!

The problem I have found with this method is that it is totally reliant on the weather. I have had to reschedule many times because of rain or cloudy days. Currently considering using lights to simulate natural lighting.

Patt Legg · 08-09-2002, 12:03 AM

Wow, Alicia what nice results and yes, your technique is not too unlike mine. I simply need more practice with my camera. It is old also but I bought it used as a suggestion from another artist who I apprenticed under. He believes in simplicity also and feels that understanding your camera and how to use it is most important. I think I am finally learning the settings without flash, etc. I had always had a simple 35mm auto focus. Now I have an older model Canon AE1 program, manual focus 100mm Macro Lens and one other 50mm lens.

Thanks for sharing. Keep posting, especially on the Critique section as we can watch your progress with this one.

In art,
Patt

Alicia Kornick · 08-09-2002, 12:48 AM

Patt,

The 85mm portrait lens has made all the difference in the world. It wasn't easy to find because they don't make them anymore. I emailed Minolta and they directed me to a reliable source. It wasn't cheap, $400 and I had to make the decision to either invest in a new camera or try the lens. I bought the lens and it has paid for itself (a few times over).

Michele Rushworth · 08-14-2002, 12:14 AM

I, too, have had shoots rescheduled far too often because of weather. (And here in Seattle there are more cloudy days than most people can stand!) My solution has been to shoot the subjects "under cover" when it's an overcast day. Shooting indoors near a window or outdoors under a porch or tree blocks the unflattering "down" light you get from an open overcast sky. There is still plenty of bright light and no unflattering sharp shadows that you get when a subject is out in the bright sun.

Then, with that miraculous tool, Photoshop, I increase the contrast and warm up and saturate the colors a bit and voila! ...a bright day. I try to keep the shadow areas somewhat cool when I get to the painting stage.

It still doesn't have the look of a subject out in the full sun and I can't get that lovely halo look of a backlighted head of hair in the low sunlight that I like so much, but it's still pretty good. And no more rescheduled outdoor shoots...unless it's actually raining, which of course NEVER happens here in Seattle!

Alicia Kornick · 08-14-2002, 03:38 PM

Hi Michele,

One of the problems I face here in bayou country is the heat and mosquitoes. I'm sure you've heard the news about the West Nile virus transmitted by our state bird (mosquito)!

The last time I tried to shoot outside, it was so hot and humid, the poor child's face was red and sweaty. Not to mention her hair which was stuck to her head with sweat. Not a pretty picture. About the only time the weather is tolerable is in October, then we have beautiful cool days. Lately it has been raining every day and that keeps the humidity up. Thanks for the advice and I still have to find time to learn Photoshop!