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Re: [OM] Andean Portraits [was Shepherd, Farmer, Knitter]

Subject: Re: [OM] Andean Portraits [was Shepherd, Farmer, Knitter]
From: Tina Manley <tmanley@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 5 Dec 2014 07:26:34 -0500
I disagree.  I have examined these photos at 100% and they are sharp.  The
aperture on the farmer and shepherd is 9,5 - plenty of depth of field for
the eyes and nose to be sharp and they are.

Tina

On Fri, Dec 5, 2014 at 12:19 AM, Moose <olymoose@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> I find all of these portraits frustrating to look at.
>
> They are stunningly good shots of wonderful subjects, caught mostly in
> engaging eye contact and interesting expressions.
> <http://www.moosemystic.net/Gallery/Others/Manley/Andean_Portraits.htm>
> But OTOH, they are technically so much less than they could/should be.
> Done right, they're the stuff of National Geographic covers, NY gallery
> shows. Even the backgrounds of three are perfect! (and the other
> correctable)
>
> The very shallow DoF on the Shepherd has managed to leave his cheeks in
> wonderful focus, his eyes and nose out of focus. I know, you do this a lot,
> and say you like it. I still feel that the general portraiture rule is
> valid. If the eyes are obviously visible, and particularly if they are
> looking at the camera, they should be in focus.
>
> You've argued before that some other thing is the real focus of the image.
> With Shepherd and Farmer, there isn't anything else - it's all about the
> face. They are people, we are people, and people relate to each other
> through the eyes.
>
> Shepherd has such a sweet face, add clear eyes with a little sparkle, and
> I just melt, almost can't tear my eyes away.
>
> Personally, I don't like big, blurry noses sticking out toward me, but I
> suspect that may be less universal than the eyes.
>
> Then, the Farmer's chin is what's in focus.
>
> OK, the knitter's knitting is interesting, but Knitter I is the same as
> the others, plane of focus between eyes and nose, with neither in focus. I
> know you love shallow DoF. Might there not be subjects where it isn't the
> best thing to do?
>
> Well, I don't know what happened to Knitter II. Some kind of flare? In any
> case, there's a powerful portrait beneath that veil. I made his knitting
> more in focus, too.
>
> As always, I hope this is not just critical, but helpful.
>
> Moose D'Opinion
>
> --
> What if the Hokey Pokey *IS* what it's all about?
> --
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>


-- 
Tina Manley
www.tinamanley.com
tina-manley.artistwebsites.com
http://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/3B49552F-90A0-4D0A-A11D-2175C937AA91/Tina+Manley.html
-- 
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