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Photography On The Web – Minor Annoyances
Remember when I wrote a post way back about 80% of all photography stuff you read is bullcrap? Whether it be on the web or in print or wherever. I really wasn’t trying to blast any particular person or photographer – some that will remain nameless deserve it but I really wasn’t. I believe most photographic bullcrap are lies of omission although some are despicable deception to feed individuals own ego. Like a bunch of numb-nuts spouting the virtues and their apparent god like abilities of using one light and their entire portfolio consists of images made with 4 or 5 lights used in very very obvious ways.
I strive to tell the whole story – sometimes I screw up. If I do I really really want people to call me on it. when something just doesn’t make sense. The reason for this is that I like to pass on what little wisdom my experiences have brought me in a meaningful and helpful way. If there are things that just don’t add up they are distractions that get in the way of that goal.
Those distractions as I said are probably unintentional – here is an example. Joe McNally’s latest post. I do not know Joe, never met him. I am sure he is a standup guy and a wonderful teacher. He probably deserves every bit of the reputation that he has. He is also probably a lot more sophisticated than his down home simple boy persona that he puts on. I just glanced at his latest post and I see a giant distraction in his description of what he is doing vs. the images he has illustrating it. In fact the illustrations are a bit contradictory. I am sure that he did not mean them to be. In fact I am sure there is a good explanation even if it is just the point of view that he chose for those illustrations.
I am going to call him on it – just because I would want someone to do it to me. Not in a nasty way, just in a curious searching for clarification way.
RB
Ps. Five points for anyone that sees the same discrepancy that I do – you don’t even need to read the post.
You mean where is the backlight comming from?
Nope. He explains that.
RB
You told me I didn’t have to read it, because everything was supposed to be one light, it’s 2 lights so how was I supposed to know he explined it. ?? ; -)
Actually what you noticed is not a background light – here is what I noticed the light in the wide shot held by the “guy” is on the wrong side compared to the actual shot displayed.
RB
Yes, I see that, his assistant probably posted the wrong shot, the other one is correct,
Backlight, hairlight, separation lite, whatever, there is a second light back there No? I went back and looked at it and I didn’t see where he explained it?
Although I did get lost in all the folksy banter a few times. ; -)
His explanation of that is the bottom of the diffuser in the shot and out of focus.
RB
Ps. The shot at the top of the post is the M6, rockin’ and rollin’ again. I have about 8 bricks of old film I am going to use up in the M6 before I even consider an M9. I am really lovin’ the range finder thing again – I take it everywhere. Unlike the big bulky DSLR w/ big bulky zoom. Anyway I am shooting the lousy stuff first – Ilford HP5 – never liked it for my uses except that it has extreme compensation ability in PMK.
RB
RB.
It’s not even the same shot. The out of focus diffuser is in front of the model and he caught a piece of the bottom by mistake.
In the last picture (all glammed up) there is a second light blasting her hair from the back. He never mentions that, which is odd considering it was a post about one light.
Unless he is trying to say ALL the light is coming from behind her and her face is lit with reflected light. It looks like 2 sources to me. (Catchlights, lower lip reflection)
Re the M6, it makes great sence to me to really get back in the groove with it before plunking down all that money for an M9, –I have heard of no one who owns one who doesn’t like it. If you buy it though , you know you’ll want a nocti ; -)
Who knows though, after all that film is run through it, you may decide that an M6 & Tri-X is the penultimate Leica experience. Unless you can dunk the M9 CF cards in Pyrocat HD.
Michael,
You might just be onto something about a film leica = I sent a couple of prints from that roll to my sister and law and she absolutely loved them – It has been a while since she has seen real BW prints and they were not all that “good” just proof type stuff – first try from a guess at the contacts.
RB
Ps. The light you see is coming from the silver reflector.
Pss. I am slowing down but can still do a toddler.
Pssss. I love contact sheets, and another reason I don’t like HP5 is they started putting that stupid looking barcode in the edge markings, the fucks up my beautiful contact sheets and is a big distraction. I hate it.
6×9 on 8×10 paper with black frame borders – delicious.
RB
RB/Michael,
For what it’s worth, the McNally blog that you mention is in reference to a video lesson that he did for Kelby training. It helps to see this video before reading the blog. The last image wasn’t part of that shoot and most likely was done with more than one light.
It was actually a cool lesson. He started with paparazzi on-camera flash and the first thing he did was move the light to a stand. From there a diffuser panel was used along with a reflector from underneath.
I have no idea about the last image other than it’s the same model but wasn’t part of the “one light” lesson.