Rolleiflex 2.8GX, Ilford XP2 @200, Rodinal stand, Imacon 848:



Chris
Chris, some very high standards to set for yourself. If you work is only 1/4 or so of those 3 artists (photography is an art isn't it?) you will have made some really fantastic images. Good luck with your efforts.drmoss_ca wrote:I'm thinking I'll not be using the Rolleinar in future. It is a pair of close-up lenses that fit onto the fixed lenses of the TLR. It thins the depth of field to the point that either the eyes are in focus or the nose, but not both, and even more disturbing it distorts the image, making the closest part look bigger than it really is. The last four photos of Treva look rather like the podlings in The Dark Crystal as a result. Better I use it without the close up lenses and simply crop down.
I am a huge fan of the close portrait with a non-distracting white background. Avedon, Bailey and Duffy all did them to great effect, and if I can do a few I'm proud of I can die happy.
Chris
I agree with you, Chris. I have seen a lot of portraits, from years ago, taken from close range with a Rolleiflex and Rolleinar. They had the expected perspective distortion. I thinking that the very shallow depth of field might actually help to mask a little of said distortion. Either way, since one has to work around the lack of lens interchangeability with these wonderful cameras, I think stepping back for improved perspective and cropping for a tight head shot would be the best solution. Otherwise, a normal focal length works better for environmental portraits. (As an accomplished photographer, this is hardly news for you.)drmoss_ca wrote:I'm thinking I'll not be using the Rolleinar in future. It is a pair of close-up lenses that fit onto the fixed lenses of the TLR. It thins the depth of field to the point that either the eyes are in focus or the nose, but not both, and even more disturbing it distorts the image, making the closest part look bigger than it really is. The last four photos of Treva look rather like the podlings in The Dark Crystal as a result. Better I use it without the close up lenses and simply crop down.
I am a huge fan of the close portrait with a non-distracting white background. Avedon, Bailey and Duffy all did them to great effect, and if I can do a few I'm proud of I can die happy.
Chris