Nice work. I'm sure the prints look beautiful. I'm hoping you also took some classic military portraits of them. You really did the lighting well in these.
I like that these are *not* classic military portraits. These reveal the inner peace these potential warriors may be feeling. I specially like the dream I see in her upward look (#1).
eSchwab wrote:
Nice work. I'm sure the prints look beautiful. I'm hoping you also took some classic military portraits of them. You really did the lighting well in these.
Part of the whole idea of this project is to produce "classic" military photos, as I see the term. Classic has probably come to mean something different now than it used to. I usually try to provide the sitter an option of a fairly standard head/shoulders/lookatcamera shot, but that's not usually what they're expecting or what I hope to produce. The good news is that I don't accept any money for these other than occasionally a few bucks to cover film and processing, and I tell the subjects that since its a free session they should not expect much. If they want something particular they should go hire a real professional.
The first one is top notch and now one of my favorites of yours. The tones are just amazing and the light on the background in just so creamy smooth. Can I ask how you get that subtle gradiation?
sidefunk wrote:
The first one is top notch and now one of my favorites of yours. The tones are just amazing and the light on the background in just so creamy smooth. Can I ask how you get that subtle gradiation?
If you mean the background, I did a faint burn in LR with the brush set at like 30% with a few passes to give some depth, much as I'd expect my darkroom artist to do for a final print. There was a subtle light to dark left to right from the falloff of the close light source, and I've just wrapped that in around her some. The film grain actually helps to keep the dodge/burn nicely blended I find.
These are both fantastic Evan!! I don't typically do portraits, but I have always offered my local military personnel free portraits while they are home on leave so they and their families have a continual track record of their career and a current image for the scrapbooks. I have also always told them not to expect much.
I don't usually have many takers as I do not live anywhere near military bases and the closest ones are small, Coast Guard ones near the beach.... but with my kids graduating High School and their friends joining who know I do photography and offer free military service portraits, I imagine things might pick up soon.
I only hope I can do them anywhere near the justice like this.... really great stuff!
I've always enjoyed your military portraits, Evan. More recently, they seem to have a bit more texture. Grit is a strong word for it but that's what I think I've been picking up.
I like the look of both approaches but for the sake of asking, it's there a reason you're experimenting with that or is it my imagination?
Lee: I know I always feel like I'm doing something useful with my photography when I do these, so I wish you luck with yours!
Chuck: You're probably picking up the transition when I sold the last of my digital cameras (it was actually some time ago, but I hadn't been posting military portraits for a little while due to travel.)
Evan Baines wrote:
I tell the subjects that since its a free session they should not expect much. If they want something particular they should go hire a real professional.
I'm sure they're only letting you do it because it's closer and cheaper than Wal Mart.
These are wonderful! I love how the first one shows female strength and the second one shows a compassionate spirit in a man. Neat juxtaposition from tradition!
