Hey, I like this forum- I just had to put up a couple of portraits I did last month using window light: both of these were done at about 4 pm, hazy light through a big window. (eos with 50mil 1.8) Randall uses ilford hp5, jan uses the new kodak CN C41 stuff.

http://www.chrisyeager.com/digital/onelight.html

They are photoshopped only for spotting and contrast. Never underestimate the power of one light..... I'd like to see other window light portraits if any of you feel like posting them-

-- Chris Yeager (cyeager@ix.netcom.com), February 16, 2000

Answers

at least on my pc, the qualitative difference is striking. that is, the "jan" image is far superior in contrast and clarity. the other image almost appears almost opaque and flat.

again, though, the "jan" image is very effective.

-- wayne harrison (wayno@netmcr.com), February 16, 2000.

Randall is markedly different in that the amount of background makes it more of an environmental piece. The lack of background rivets the focus on Jan - more of a traditional portrait. Both well done. However, I prefer Jan.

-- Bill Stengel (Canis61@AOL.com), February 16, 2000.

Yes, the Randall neg is the harder to work with... i popped up the contrast a bit and sharpened it for display, but for that you lose detail.... It gave me quite a fight on the enlarger, in fact it won the first round...

Randall is a collector and curator of African art, I like the "bokeh crown" behind him, this is really a semi-grab shot. (I turned him to the window..)

You can look at my other portraits at www.chrisyeager.com; you can see I'm really a street shooter who dreams of someday stopping down past F4....

Thanks for the comments-

-- Chris Yeager (cyeager@ix.netcom.com), February 16, 2000.

Good stuff, gotta love natural light. I especially like how you included the window in the Jan shot, some nice lines as well. Nice.

The background around Randall's head/ears would concern me.

cheers,

-- max (maxel@quik.com), February 17, 2000.

Chris........just spent a half hour perusing your site. Fascinating people - wonderful photography. I got so caught up in the faces/ambience I forgot I went there for the photography. Thanks.

Bill

-- Bill Stengel (Canis61@AOL.com), February 19, 2000.