Sarah - Chair Series (35mm + 75mm)

[sometimesmaybe]

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as a new leica shooter (6 months) it has taken me some time to work out the optimal combo of focal lengths for my portrait work. i've currently settled on using 35mm + 75mm. i find the 35mm gives enough context for establishing shots while the 75mm gives enough compression while still being easier to use than the 90mm.

i shot all these with Sarah in a warehouse type space. the scene was lit only by the barn door on camera left. ISO on the m246 was set to 1000. i don't use auto ISO because it can produce very different exposures between shots. i just use the shutter speed to adjust exposure. images 1 and 2 were shot on the CV 35mm III f1.2 wide open and images 3 and 4 were shot on the 7A 75mm f1.25 at f2.8  

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[sometimesmaybe]

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[StS]

The lighting of the whole series is excellent, the second has an excellent connection to Sarah and the first adds a very strong composition.

Stefan

[stuny]

What a lovely set.  I agree with Stefan

[sometimesmaybe]

6 hours ago, StS said:

The lighting of the whole series is excellent, the second has an excellent connection to Sarah and the first adds a very strong composition.

Stefan

there is nothing like using natural light at an indoor space. it always produces excellent results on the 246. i think it's due to the negative fill being provided by an otherwise unlit space

[S Maclean]

Fantastic set. I love the CV 35 Nokton and use it often. (n I wanted the new Summilux 35 mm FLE 2 but gave up on it after the first copy I received was defective). Lighting and composition are beautiful in all, as is IQ.  In terms of prefference for me the very firs one is the best because it is the one where she is less self aware of the camera.  It is still beautifully posed and composed but the fact tat she seems to be in her own thoughts draws me in.  While the others are equally great in terms of IQ but seem slightly more superficial.

The second 35 mm is my second favorite, again beacasue of the context of your model within the chair and her direct eye contact.

The 75's are absolutely beautiful, just don't capture my attention as much (aside from the obvious appreciation of the image and the model)

I guess the 35 mm seem to be capturing a "moment" beatifully whyle the 75's are capturing "beauty" in a moment.

In any case, amazing set.

[sometimesmaybe]

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9 hours ago, S Maclean said:

I guess the 35 mm seem to be capturing a "moment" beatifully whyle the 75's are capturing "beauty" in a moment.

well said 👏 35mm is very much my preferred portrait focal length on M mount. part of this is practical since it has a wider DOF and makes focusing easier, but from a more philosophical standpoint, i think it makes more interesting portraits. the temptation (for which i've def been guilty myself) is just to use a 85/90mm and shoot it wide open and obliterate the background. i think you need context in order to create mood, esp for BNW works where we can't use colour to distract the viewer 🤓

[sandro]

Beautiful lighting and the black and white works wonderfully. I like number 3 most, but the whole series is realy great!

Lex

[sometimesmaybe]

On 12/29/2022 at 3:45 AM, sandro said:

I like number 3 most

personally i don't think we take enough portraits in profile! the change in perspective really emphasises the cheekbone and jawline

[fotografr]

Really a fine series with excellent use of light. 

[shanefking]

Fantastic work 👍

[werner__]

For me, the third picture, is the best one

[Jul]

On 12/28/2022 at 3:47 AM, sometimesmaybe said:

from a more philosophical standpoint, i think it makes more interesting portraits

I tend to agree with that. As soon as the context is evocative,
it becomes the best foundation for the viewer to build a story on.

The 35mm helps to bring this context in while still looking natural.
For a photograph like the first one (my favorite, dare I say),
the working distance using a 35mm brings intimacy with the model without
being intrusive.

[Herr Barnack]

@sometimesmaybe These images are very beautiful and present your model with dignity class. 

Very well done!  You are most assuredly on the right track.

Edited January 7, 2023 by Herr Barnack