Reader's Comments - Index of - Free

Portrait Photography
is an example. It's good quality, but it would be better in 645 format. The proof sheets were hard to view. This
image is on Ilford MG RC warmtone paper, toned in selenium 1:8 for a chocolate look. The subject loved it.
-- Paula Swaim, April 27, 2000
There seems to be too much concentration on equipment and too little on the core subject which is people. I have
noticed that the older I get, the less likely I am to approach people and take portraits in the street. I used to enjoy
it so much, but now don't do it as much. How do most street photographers do it? Do you just click away? Do
you try to engage the person in some conversation? Any pointers? Thanks.
-- Marcelo Salup, December 22, 2000
Good article, but a lot of the comments confirm the belief that most photographers are just equipment buffs.
When I used to shoot professionally, I was appalled that when you get a group of photographers together in a
room, invariably they are talking about equipment, not how to get the shot, marketing, composition, rapport, etc.
Can someone please tell me what difference it makes whether an Nikon FM, FE, F2, or F5 are used to make an
image? A camera body should be viewed as something to hold the film and lens and be good at that. I love it
when I see great images being made on what some would call "inferior" equipment.
-- Mark McCombs, January 9, 2001
i liked the portrait article. but i also understand the other comments. it seems to me that about 80% of creative
portraits is the photographer. Knowing how to use your equipment and its limits. I've seen some great portraits
with equipment most people would have given to the kids. When in doubt shoot the picture. then analyze the
results and learn from them. when you reach the limits of your equipment then move up.
-- steve wall, January 28, 2001
I have two lenses that I prefer to use for portrait: my Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 and my Sigma AF 70-200 f/2.8 HSM
APO. Both of these lense are fast and allow shallow dept of field.
I love the 50mm for getting "up close and personnal" with my subjects, where I can have that special interaction
wich make for great candid portrait. It will ofthen gives a very intimate look to your portrait that is difficult to get
with telephoto lenses. It is also quite fun to play around and improvise the shots with such a small tool (I use a
Rebell 2000). Better yet, the 50mm cost 1/10 of the 70-200!!!.
I usually use the 70-200mm with kids or when getting too close would intimidate the subject. It is also great for
environmental portrait for its ability to compress perspective at the same time.
For some examples take a look at:
http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=107614
http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=49319
http://www.photo.net/portraits/intro (16 of 37)7/3/2005 2:16:41 AM