Archive 2014 · Portraits in an antiquated style

Arka
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Portraits in an antiquated style

Here are two of my daughter. I'm doing a series of her and trying to achieve a very particular look, something ain to late 19th or early 20th century, minus the view camera. The rendition of the old 90mm Summicron gets me closer to what I want, particularly since even the in-focus areas retain some of their "dreaminess." The 50 Summilux is much sharper and contrastier even at f/1.4.

Any thoughts as to whether these are working, and how to improve them? These are WIP, so thoughts are welcome.

M240 + 90mm Summicron (Pre-APO circa 1981)

Leica M240 + 50mm Summilux

Sep 09, 2014 at 04:29 AM

BigIronCruiser
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Portraits in an antiquated style

Congratulations on having a very cute daughter.

Stepping back 200 years, prints wouldn't have had perfectly smooth skin and no grain. Stated another way, these images may be too perfect for what you're trying to achieve.

I know this is personal taste, but IMO the floating birds are a distraction. I also prefer the short-lighting setup in the first image, although the key light (notice the catchlights in the center of her eyes) should probably be higher.

Sep 09, 2014 at 09:18 AM

dmacmillan
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Portraits in an antiquated style

She's very cute!
As far as the "antiquated style" goes, the only thing resembling that period is the toning. I suggest you buy and look at the images in "A History of Photography".

The background, props and lighting of your images do not evoke that period of photography.

Sep 09, 2014 at 09:42 AM

Cr VI
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Portraits in an antiquated style

Based on baby photographs of family from the 1920s, I would also suggest getting to eye level rather than looking down. Perhaps using a small table to raise your daughter might be a little easier on the back.

Sep 09, 2014 at 10:21 AM

Michael H
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Portraits in an antiquated style

BigIronCruiser wrote:
Stepping back 200 years, prints wouldn't have had perfectly smooth skin and no grain. Stated another way, these images may be too perfect for what you're trying to achieve.

^^this

Sep 09, 2014 at 12:24 PM

runamuck
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Portraits in an antiquated style

Michael H wrote:
^^this

200 years ago there were no photographs. First successful photo was 1822.
http://www.geog.ucsb.edu/~jeff/115a/history/niepce.html

Sep 09, 2014 at 04:22 PM

Michael H
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Portraits in an antiquated style

runamuck wrote:
200 years ago there were no photographs. First successful photo was 1822.
http://www.geog.ucsb.edu/~jeff/115a/history/niepce.html

Correct of course. However, the subject said antique style. I know for me at least these look too good/perfect to fully hit that mark. Just my humble opinion and not really significant other than that.

Sep 09, 2014 at 06:18 PM


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