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The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.
The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.
riot


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Photographer Quotations (Standard Editing)
Camera: Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
Lens: Helios 44 58mm f/2.0 in M42
Location: Manchester
Date: Aug 4, 2016
Aperture: 4.0
ISO: 1600
Shutter: 1/30
Galleries: Portraiture, Street
Date Uploaded: Aug 4, 2016

 Title is a well known quote by Dorothea Lange.

Perhaps a dubious entry, which pivots on the subtlety of its content. Generally sodium street-light-lit portraits are seen as a bit of a faux pas. This was shot with a Soviet-made Helios 58mm f/2.0 modified to have a square aperture; it's easy to overplay the effect this has, and I'm still getting used to the lens, but I wanted to use a level of subtlety while exploring its remarkable capabilities. In thumbnail view, the bokeh looks almost entirely normal, which is the intention - only upon closer examination do you notice there's something more going on beneath the surface. It's supposed to be a classic portrait, despite the background.

Editing: Curves to get the white balance a bit tamer and bring up some blues in the shadows, dodging and burning, resize and selective sharpen.

Statistics
Place: 25 out of 48
Avg (all users): 5.8750
Avg (commenters): 6.5000
Avg (participants): 5.8077
Avg (non-participants): 5.9545
Views since voting: 919
Views during voting: 98
Votes: 48
Comments: 6
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
Canon EOS-80D
 02/17/2017 11:03:35 AM
Beautiful shot. I gave a 9 on this one. Love the lighting style.
Sony Alpha a1 II
Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS
 08/12/2016 04:27:01 PM
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that contributes well to the challenge

A fascinating image that intrigues and leaves you asking questions whose answers are so unexpected. What an unusual lens you have there, certainly a great plaything that with careful use could enable you to create some unique images such as you have here. The colours and shapes in the background are really quite magical. It's a shame about the bright light to her left rear, it overpowers the beautiful rest of the frame. I'm sure you will have lots of experimentation lined up for this, I look forward to seeing the results, happy shooting Eugene
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Ricoh GR III
Pentax DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] WR DC
 08/11/2016 01:07:43 PM
beautiful seeing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony Alpha a55
Sony DT 50mm f/1.8 SAM
 08/07/2016 10:21:37 PM
the BG is charming. In fact, the whole thing is charming.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM
 08/06/2016 03:01:04 PM
Fantastic choice on the bokeh modifier.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS 80D
Canon EF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 II
 08/05/2016 02:37:46 PM
OK. How did you do that? Lights in background are square due to vertical motion, but subject is in crisp focus. Fill flash?
I like that your picture encourages one to look deeper than just viewing a picture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Theme: Classic / Light / Dark
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