These are images of gypsy children. They are actually the children of Rajhastani road workers who live in an encampment not far from where I live. In fact, all gypsies are descendants of migratory peoples from Rajhastan and Gijirat, two provinces in India.
Taken with a Helios-40 85mm at f1.7. I think I finally tamed this beast to some extent. Firstly, I improved my focus success at nearly wide open. Also, just as important, I am now achieving that strained vintage look which was my goal all along.
Please click on the image for a more pleasing view.
Really great, evocative portraits. I love how that lens renders out of focus areas, and I think you nailed the focus in each shot. The general color tones are really nice as well. Did you do any editing or are these straight out of camera?
The third shot is my favorite. I like his peaceful expression, and I also really like the way the texture of his hair both harmonizes and contrasts with the softness of the rest of the portrait. Again, great work.
DanielScott wrote:
Really great, evocative portraits. I love how that lens renders out of focus areas, and I think you nailed the focus in each shot. The general color tones are really nice as well. Did you do any editing or are these straight out of camera?
The third shot is my favorite. I like his peaceful expression, and I also really like the way the texture of his hair both harmonizes and contrasts with the softness of the rest of the portrait. Again, great work.
That's great encouragement, Daniel. Thank you. I bumped up the contrast a bit, did a bit of noise reduction, and applied a bit of sharpening... but nothing that would interfere with the natural softness and vintage tones of the picture. This is the look I want in my images. I find it very nostalgic. But the lighting was very specific... lightly overcast and the sun had gone behind a mountain. I have to try to replicate these conditions the next time I go out.
charley5 wrote:
That's great encouragement, Daniel. Thank you. I bumped up the contrast a bit, did a bit of noise reduction, and applied a bit of sharpening... but nothing that would interfere with the natural softness and vintage tones of the picture. This is the look I want in my images. I find it very nostalgic. But the lighting was very specific... lightly overcast and the sun had gone behind a mountain. I have to try to replicate these conditions the next time I go out.
