"Some togs might argue "why not just use an 85L and get the same look", which has some credence.. f/2 of a head-n-shoulders portrait will have the same DOF for each lens"
Of course, this is false, because the 85 gives a very different look from the 200 with the subject sized the same in both images. The 200 flattens the perspective much more - an extreme closeup portrait with the 85 will show a much more bulbous nose than the 200. Additionally, the longer lens compresses the background, so it's much easier if you want to crop something out (like the sky) or just want more of that 'telephoto' look, such as those in this series that were taken in the alleys, streets and corridors.
"I want to know what the lighting was many of these. A 580 triggered with PWs?"
John, most of these were taken with two 580s on stands; one shooting through a small 16x22 LiteDome softbox used as the main light (hence the rectangular catchlights in the eyes), and the other used as a kicker or hairlight with no modifier. Occasionally I'll use a third light as a kicker from the other side (see the football player and the runner). These lights are all set on ETTL, triggered by an ST-E2 with RadioPoppers all around.
"And surely you must have the new 17 TSE on your "to buy" list..."
I've already sold my 24 TS-E in anticipation of the new one...are they being shipped yet in any numbers?
JH,
Incredible shots! Makes me think that if I go buy that lens I will get pics like yours. Then I come to my senses and realize it's 20% equipment and 80% the person behind the camera.
Regarding your focusing you mention you use the joy stick to focus. I am assuming you are on a tripod and in "Live View" and manually focus on a spot using the 5x or 10x zoom, no?
"Then I come to my senses and realize it's 20% equipment and 80% the person behind the camera."
More like 5% - 95%
"I am assuming you are on a tripod and in "Live View" and manually focus on a spot using the 5x or 10x zoom, no?"
No. Handheld, autofocus set to single spot, using the joystick to navigate the 19 focus points inside the viewfinder. I move the focus point to the eye, rather than center focus and recompose. Because I never shoot with a tripod, the chance for error is greatly reduced this way.
You have an amazing skill here. These shots are very inspiring. I do have a question on your lighting though. How did you get the background to underexpose at f/2? Were you shooting late in the day, or using high-speed sync? Even in the shade @ ISO 100 I could never get flash sync speeds at f/2. I would greatly appreciate any info.
"How did you get the background to underexpose at f/2?"
That's the magic of high speed sync. Check out the exif data on each photo. Most were shot well above the 1/250 sync limit. With HSS you can dial in any amount of underexposure for the ambient light for complete control of the background. Note that in most of these, the main light is barely obvious. That's because there's generally no more than 1 stop difference between the flash and the ambient. So the ambient light is the 'fill', and your flash becaomes an infinitely positionable main light - no more waiting for the 'sweet' light. It's now wherever you want it to be.
Great set of portraits! Can you elaborate on your 2-3 light setup? What kind of softbox on the main light? And how are you aiming the hard accent light(s). Thanks!
jhartman wrote:
"How did you get the background to underexpose at f/2?"
That's the magic of high speed sync. Check out the exif data on each photo. Most were shot well above the 1/250 sync limit. With HSS you can dial in any amount of underexposure for the ambient light for complete control of the background. Note that in most of these, the main light is barely obvious. That's because there's generally no more than 1 stop difference between the flash and the ambient. So the ambient light is the 'fill', and your flash becaomes an infinitely positionable main light - no more waiting for the 'sweet' light. It's now wherever you want it to be.
Because I can. ;-) Actually, I want a look that is not easily duplicated. No plug-in can create this look. It's not easy, and it's not cheap, which helps keep my style unique. Also, my clients really like this look. And since beauty is in the eye of the checkbook holder, I like it, too.
