Steady Hand
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
|
 p.1 #1 · Your Impressions? #53 Pianist 3 | |
#53 in a Series of Impressions Threads: "Pianist 3"
Franz Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major
_____________________________________________________
First...a couple of important points to read BEFORE seeing this image.
MY SPECIAL REQUEST FOR YOUR HELP:
I know this particular woman was self-conscious of how she would appear in a photo. That is natural, especially if most people only see themselves in "snapshots." So, please take a moment to write a few words in an "impression" comment that I can share with her to help boost her self-confidence and give her a new view (in your own words) of her unique and natural beauty. A few words from you may make a big difference in how she sees herself. Of course, from my POV, I think she is a natural beauty. But, if you folks around the world will say a word or two of the "beauty" (or other impressions) you see in her face, I will share those comments or impressions with her and I am sure it will make her feel not only better about her own appearance, but also more confident in her very public performance role too. I hope you will help me help her. By the way, she is about 21 years old, but has a very nice "mature" personality and impressed me as a very special and very talented young woman. And...for those who like to know a bit about the "subjects," she is not only a highly talented pianist, she is also an electrical engineer! So she has beauty, talent, and brains!
READ THIS FIRST: SOMETHING TO HELP YOU
For this discussion/image thread, I am also posting two "snapshots" of the portrait subject (the woman) that were taken with the same camera and lens just to illustrate a few things to help YOU folks on the forum. These snapshots were taken in the same location but using either ambient light (overhead lights) or "on camera flash" light. I want you folks to see the difference. Nothing was done to the snapshots except to take a "smile and say cheese" shot. NO effort was made to make a "bad" picture or a "good" picture. It was simply, point the camera, "say cheese" and click. But if you take a look at them in comparison to the final portrait, you should see differences in how the face and features appear. Why am I posting these for you to see? Well, I hope it helps some forum members or visitors "see the light" differently. I also hope to encourage you to use light to show a face in "the best light." And because I often recommend using natural window light (as used here). And...because I often make comments about how the facial features of a person can be seen differently because of the light striking them. These are just provided to help you understand "light." Please DO NOT comment on the snapshots in your impressions comments about the portrait (the B&W image). IF you want to tell me something about the snapshots versus the portrait, please send it to me via a Private Message (PM) via the forum. Finally, the makeup is the same, the hair is the same, the person is the same. Only a couple of tiny skin blemishes were retouched on the final portrait. The rest is all natural.
THE IMAGE LINK: Impressions Image #53 "Pianist 3"
http://www.steadmanuhlich.com/impressions53/index.html
NOTE1 : Make sure you scroll down the page linked above. Otherwise, you will not see the two snapshots that are posted below the Portrait.
NOTE2: Read the "Tools" and "Techniques" notes below to understand how this image was made without flash and how it captures a natural moment (not posed) as the musician is actually performing a piece of music. I wrote those sections to help you with some tips. 
_______________________________________________
NOTE: This is a temporary title. Put your Impressionista beret on and if you have a title in mind for this image, tell me. This is part of the fun of considering images from different POVs.
My Intent or Goal:
Create a Black and White portrait of this woman that shows her unique beauty. For this image I wanted to create an image that captures her playing. She has fair skin, brown hair and a charming personality. I thought her eyes were beautiful (brown), her features very nice and her look refreshingly "natural." This image is one of several I made of her as I found her to be a "chameleon" who changes very easily from one "mood" to another and so she became the subject of several "Impressionistic" images.
This particular image is one of a set to show a few of those "moods." This one is one of the more "serious" portrait images. Now...what do YOU see?
The Piano (Prop):
For those of you who like pianos...I am sure you would like to see more of the instrument. This is a 9 foot Steinway Concert Grand piano. The price is about $100,000 or so for this instrument.
The Light:
She is sitting near a large window. I prefer natural light. See the note below about the limits of web viewing this image.
The Tools:
My preference is for keeping the use of tools very simple. The image is made with minimal equipment and processing. The lens was a 50mm, set at f2.8 and shutter speed 1/50sec and shot hand-held (in keeping with my nickname).
The Technique:
The most important things to use during a session like this is...patience and an open mind. Patience to see the image when the light and expression were just right. And while you might not think it, she is actually playing the piano for me and looked up at the moment...the moment I captured here. Since the shutter speed is relatively slow, I had to time this exposure just right. . I watched her play for a few moments and saw a movement that I wanted to capture. So, I asked her to play the musical phrase again. I waited until I saw what I wanted (I knew what was coming) and then "click" got this moment frozen. Her hand is obviously a key element of this image. It is at the position at the height/apex of her movement. That took careful timing and careful observation. Other exposures/frames were similar but it is a matter of "timing" (knowing or anticipating when to click the shutter release) more than a matter of luck or shutter speed. I use this same method when photographing dancers where flash is not allowed. It really helps if you listen to the music and understand and observe the rhythms and cadence and movements. IF you do that, you can get wonderful images that "appear" frozen at the "decisive moment" due to knowing what will happen with the figure in motion. This can work despite a relatively slow shutter speed. I hope that "tip" helps you.
Notes:
1. This is part of my Natural Expressions series and part of a project focused on pianists. So, while some "expressions" are very easy to see because of a broad smile, laugh, or scowl, this one is something more subtle, and depends on the body language or expression using the body. I don't expect everyone to see this.
2. This is a greatly reduced file for the web. Unfortunately, the image appears to lose some details at this reduction and also is beginning to show some jpg artifacts from all the saving for different sizes and formats I use on the web and in other media. So...the skin does not look as smooth (naturally) as it does in the actual print. In the original print (which appears sharper), the individual hairs on her head and her eyelashes are very distinct (as an example) and the skin has a completely natural texture (no smoothing). Also at this size on the web, the contrast is not what one sees in a final print. For example, in the web view, you may see a lack of texture in the highlight areas of the skin (or they may appear 'hot') and in the shadow areas too. In the final print there is a very natural look to the her skin, brown hair, and the textures of her garment. In fact, in large prints (and on my calibrated monitor) one can see the very subtle tonal differences between the dark background and the dark hair or black garments. The final print has natural texture there. It is subtle but lost in the web viewing.
3. This made a very "natural" and beautiful portrait that appears very much alive and 3-D.
_______________________________________________
Why is an Impressions Style Thread Used Here?
Short answer: To get a different kind of discussion going on a posted image, encourage lurkers to participate, and for the artist to learn something about the interpretations or impressions evoked by the image posted.
My Simple Suggestion for this forum: Contribute what you can in photographs, or comments or Impressions (as requested here) and this will be a richer viewing experience for everyone who visits.
IF you are a lurker, this type of thread is a very easy way for you to participate in the forum and you can contribute something and it can be fun. Go ahead and jump in. If you were a lurker before, let me know that too. I am hoping this type of discussion will get more people to participate here as that will enrich the forum.
I believe many people are just lurkers because they feel they cannot post "proof" of their expertise and they may be intimidated from posting anything that would not sound "smart enough" regarding photography and the technical aspects of it. I think the technical discussions are fine for those that want them (in their own threads). I also think there are many others who may not want to get technical and enjoy their photography a different way. This is NOT about technical stuff, so feel free to be poetic or "impressionistic" as that is encouraged.
The development of this new style of thread posting (Impressions) will give an opportunity to many people who do not feel comfortable discussing photos in technical terms.
This type of thread is NOT about technical things (that is "off topic" in this kind of thread), it is simply about how you "see" and "feel" things in the image shown. So, anyone from a rank beginner or newbie to an expert can participate on equal standing. Here is your chance.
A FUN Tip: It is more fun if you look at the image before reading any other Impressions posted by others. So take a look, get an impression, add your impression at the bottom (and please give your first name and city), and then take a minute to read some of the earlier postings. You might chuckle or smile as you see how others see the same image.
________________________________________________
How an Impressions Discussion Works:
This is the 51st Impressions Thread I have started. IF you have never read one of these before, please read the middle and bottom of this thread before viewing the photo or posting your comments.
This type of thread or discussion is NOT about technical critiques. IF you don't understand what I mean by "Impressions," simply spend a few minutes reading below or on the linked page where the image is shown. I give tips on this type of thread and answer some questions people have asked me here before.
I have put the link to the image closer to the top of this post to make it quick and easy to find. The other detailed text below the portrait introduction is for those who want to read it or need some guidance on this new approach to discussion threads here on the forum. Over time, I will reduce the amount of text as I believe others here on the forum begin to understand the intent of this type of discussion or "Impression" thread. You are encouraged to leave your Impressions (as described below) but I do ask that you leave "Impressions" as that is the topic. IF you missed the other earlier Impressions threads I started, simply look back in the forum or search for a thread with topics starting "Your Impression?" and you will find them.
IF you feel a need to debate the value of Impressions versus Technical Criticism, then please do not do it in this thread (as that is "off topic"), and instead do it in the thread where that debate IS the topic of discussion, here: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/649345
You might also enjoy reading the different "Impressions about Impressions" thread here:
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/653643
It is very simple. Here is my request: To add positive value to this thread or discussion, please share your "Impressions" of the figure or face or expression or action or "total image" in the photo you see. Put very simply: "What do you see or sense about the person in the photo?" Also, please tell me your First Name + City when you give me your Impression. That is important for my Global Impressions Project (A few paragraphs describing my project are found on the page linked to the image page. You will find it on the second page if you want to know more.)
Also, I encourage you to post your own "Impressions" thread with a photo some time. Reading the variety of Impressions is very satisfying and helpful to any artist who is interested in how a work of art (photo) affects a viewer or viewers. So, try it some time. My Simple Suggestion: Place the word "Impression" as the first word of your topic title for the thread and then people will know you want Impressions rather than technical criticism. The rest is up to you.
Edited on Nov 12, 2008 at 07:29 PM · View previous versions
|
