NikonGear'23
Images => Themes, Portfolio Series, PaW, or PaM => Topic started by: Olivier on September 06, 2015, 20:34:09
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I need to bond with my X-T1 and have decided to work on an informal project, somewhat similar to what I already started a few years ago. I meet many people that I think would by a good subject for a portrait, now I actually ask them for one. I will not run this as a daily or weekly project, but rather post something whenever I am happy to.
It will be b&w mostly (so much easier for me!) but maybe not only.
Today we went to a music festival at the castle of Villarceaux. This year's theme was Morrocan music.
We pique-nique'd next to a stage in the gardens and there he was, Ali Chouhad, who attracted the crowd with his deep voice and captivating melodies. We had a blast.
Based on the Morrocan's reactions around the stage, I guess he is a famous artist in his country. I met him later in the gardens and asked for a portrait after we chatted for a minute or so. He accepted to pose briefly under a nearby tree.
1. Ali the sorcerer
X-T1, Nikkor 105mm f/2.5, Lens Turbo.
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Olivier, this is an exemplary portrait. The expression on his face tells a lot of stories. You surely set the bar for your new project very high.
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Thank you Akira. The man is very warm and easy to approach. Obviously he draws a lot of respect from people around him.
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Beautiful portrait, Oliver. There is an endearing softness of the facial features that seems to suit the subject, other than the eyes which are in sharp focus.
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This is a wonderful start of your project. I do think I would like it even more with a bit more DoF.
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A great start for both you and the XT1. (My Fuji's are my go to cameras.)
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Indeed, f/4 would have been a better idea than f/2.5. Too late now and one of my goals was to work on MF with this combo. I set the lens to the most difficult aperture in order to see how I would perform. The sharpness is where I wanted it, it could of course expand to the whole face. Next time...
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The eyes are too dark IMHO
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Thank you Erik, you are probably right and I will try to rework the file. Now I am off to the airport for a business trip to Bosnia.
Olivier
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I need to work more on this... but my wife and my boss will tell you that without firm deadlines I am not really reliable...
So here is Julie, growing much too fast for my taste.
She was n.12 in my 52 weeks projects three years ago, 7 years old then and now already in middle school.
http://52bwportraits.blogspot.fr/2013/04/week-12-dancing-princess-julie-is.html
She is also getting too smart for me!
2. passe, passe le temps, j'ai du dormir vraiment longtemps
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my thought on number #1 un meme-selfie
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Sorry Fons but i don't get it!
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the guy looks like you
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Nice portraits... :-) Ali the magnificent... ;-) And your daughter is perfect... C'est vrai que le temps passe si vite ... :-)
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Fons: this thought never occured to me! I will check again next time I find a mirror.
Jacques: the problem is that she knows she is perfect...
Thank you
Olivier
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Fons, it looks like you are on to something.
My wife agrees with you...
OK, just to piss her off, I now post a picture of myself that she absolutely hates.
I don't shave during vacation times, and she loves it (I don't get that but am ok with it!). However she has a personal thing against moustaches, so just before I went back to work, this summer, I shaved everything but the moustache.
That was fun.
Here I am (still married but she gave me 2 minutes to get rid of it just after the photo was taken...).
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Cool! Probably she doesn't want you to look too attractive with the moustache.
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Thank you Akira,
I did everything I could to be off-putting for my wife (just a game to tease her).
To be honnest, I don't like it either...
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I always enjoy to watch and photograph photographers.
4. The camouflaged hunter
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i told you
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Great set of portraits. There is strong connection in each of the portraits making eye contact. The mustache goes quite well with your expression, and unbuttoned shirt.
I look forward to the evolution of this series.
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The last posted image is soooo cool - everything comes together
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Olivier. How do I say this. There is just a tiny tiny bit of Something missing from the conversion/editing of these portraits compared to the superb portraits we have seen you post in the past. But what it is that I think is missing I am not quite sure how to define. And I could be completely wrong with such a comment based on two shots only. So I'm not even sure if I should say anything at all? But we have been on forums together for a long time now. I know you will respond to this with understanding.
Are you perhaps using a new converter/editor?
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Thank you.
Andrea, no need to take gloves with me...
I am not completely at ease with my current photographic process, organization and software setup. You are right and I thank you for your honnesty, this is what I what I hope to get when I post images.
Several things are not well in place right now:
1. I probably lack involvement, will, whatever you would call that. I've had better times and it will come back. At least I pick up the camera again, this is already an improvement... But definitely, the relationship with people in front of my camera is harder to establish and develop, and I know it shows. I just give up too rapidly! Knowing me, I need a project and someone to kick my butt.
2. I felt very at ease with the D700/105mm couple, however it was a burden to haul around and I wished to get something smaller, lighter. Maybe also something new... So I got a Fuji X-T1 and have not spent enough time with it yet to feel comfortable although it gets better with time. I am definitely not satisfied with auto white balance (everything is too cold!) and don't get what is wrong, especially when I read all the praises the camera gets for this point specifically.
3. You were mentioning the conversion and I believe the problem is one step ahead in the chain: I am using Photo Ninja to convert the X-T1 RAWs and just dont get along with this piece of sofware. The rest is done in PS CS6 and Nik Silver Efex for B&W. I don't like the midtones and highlights I am getting with PN. My fault obviously as it is highly regarded by many. I will probably go back to ACR, upgrade to PS CC and stop reading about the potential imperfections (adobe and X-Trans...) that I don't see or care for anyway!
Well, this thread was meant to "force" myself into doing something again, hopefully I will get to a much better point some time in the future. The first objective in time is to shoot more and enjoy it!
Thank you again!
Olivier
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Manon is 5 years old, a very interesting little girl that simply did not feel like speaking for very long. Now she is ready and sounds remarkably articulate and mature. She decided after this shot that I had enough of her precious time.
This definitely is a shot I am happy with (because of her, not the technical aspects). However there is no way for me to make a decent B&W with it and I don't get why.
So by default, here she is in colors, adjusted as well as I could using Lew's "colors by the numbers" technique which saved me in many occasions (I am colorlind).
5.
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Just Beautiful !!
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Thank you Bob!
L. is a little girl at the perfect age. she has the cutest smile I know, and to top it all, she said yes when I asked her to make a few pictures to please her mother...
6. Petit sourire angélique
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Great portraits, Olivier. The smile of Manon is like a 'Mona Lisa'.
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Olivier, thank you for your response to my comment. And so - it is New-camera-itis and its associated woes which has probably affected your work just a little bit. Well, certainly that is curable - by shooting lots and lots with the new camera, yes?
Even though I typically move from Nikon to Nikon and do not make such a large change as you made, I am always surprised just how long it takes me to adjust to the "quirks" of a new Nikon body and how long it takes me to refine the converting and editing techniques. I'm quite sure you will get conversion and B&W edits sorted out with the XT1.
As for Photo Ninja - it may not work out for you even though PN does such good extraction from raw X-trans files. The PN B&W tool is a little strange, isn't it? For one example, I did not realize for quite some time that I could make use of more than one colour patch in that tool. But it is an unusual way of implementing channel manipulation for B&W work. I have not pursued it further because, of course, I do not actually make many B&W fotos. I'm hoping the big PN release they are working so hard on will have a much broader range of tools.
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I was going to make a similar reference just as John did: Manon is a very mysterious little Mona Lisa. Clearly you have captured something of her inner self in that excellent portrait.
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Thank you John and Andrea.
I had the same impression about Manon and this muted smile is actually what I tried to capture.
Andrea: I haven't even tried the b&w conversion in PN! I really feel comfortable with Nik Silver Efex and don't wish to change.
And I guess you are right shooting more will definitely help. I need to find more willing models!
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Another one from L.
7. Grand sourire angélique!
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Beautiful portrait
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Sweet portraits
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Laura turned 20 today. I don't even want to think about it...
8. Joyeux anniversaire ma Grande
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... and her youngest brother cooked a great lunch for her.
9. Petit chef
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both of them photogenic subjects
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Thank you Fons, I am quite partial when it comes to them!
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We went out today to enjoy the autumn colors which are nearing their maximum here, according to the people around who actually can see colors (not me!).
We met Thierry, a local policeman and park guard who was obviously looking for some positive interaction. We spoke for a while about how nice the parc was in this season (Chateau de Méry sur Oise, almost my garden!).
We also found out he is passionate about mushroom hunting in the nearby forests. It was quite disappointing to find out that the hundreds of unknown to me white mushrooms that we had left in the forest two days ago were actually delicious according to him. Well, mushrooms are too dangerous to play with when you are uncertain. Sometimes there is no second chance...
We also spoke about the castle's park, how much it had favorably changed in the recent years. It was quite obvious that Thierry is somewhat bored by his long days at work, where nothing happens (fortunately!).
He agreed to pose for one picture with the castle in the far background, not really recognizable givent the shallow DOF.
This was shot with my X-T1, Lens Turbo 2 and Nikkor 105mm f/2.5.
10. une minute de pose dans une journée d'ennui
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The petit chef resmples you very much, Olivier!
The mushrooms are indeed very dangerous. My impression is that there are so many poisonous ones that look very similar to edible ones.
I've always enjoy your portrait works. Thanks for sharing!
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Hi Akira
Thank you. Yes, It is sad to see how much Robin looks like me!
Mushrooms are a dangerous game to play, but they can be delicious...
I know of entire family who was poisoned to death near my village, not so long ago.
There is also the great movie "le roman d'un tricheur" (The novel of a cheater) by Sacha Guitry, in which the starting point is that the hero, as a kid, was misbehaving and got punished by not beeing allowed to eat mushrooms with the rest of the family. Of course he was the only survivor. He then built his entire philisophy on the idea that being honnest is not the best option in life...
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There is a close relationship with your subjects -not only family- you let everyone step into a private place through your images. Thanks for all that generosity
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Olivier, all your portraits have a special warmth that you bring out :)
Your son is a full copy of you :)
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Hi Akira
Thank you. Yes, It is sad to see how much Robin looks like me!
Mushrooms are a dangerous game to play, but they can be delicious...
I know of entire family who was poisoned to death near my village, not so long ago.
There is also the great movie "le roman d'un tricheur" (The novel of a cheater) by Sacha Guitry, in which the starting point is that the hero, as a kid, was misbehaving and got punished by not beeing allowed to eat mushrooms with the rest of the family. Of course he was the only survivor. He then built his entire philisophy on the idea that being honnest is not the best option in life...
Here in Japan, we also hear some news of the victims of poisnous mushrooms every year. The philosophy established by the punished boy seems to have some truth in human life...
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The 11th of November (celebration of the end of WW1) has progressively transformed in France from the celebration of what we thought was a victory, to a more soft commemoration of all the casualties due to too many wars. It is now a way to remember that peace has a price and that we have to build on the past to prevent war in the future.
Michel, as an ex military who fought in Algeria more than 50 years ago is very sensitive to this message and is now a self-appointed memory carrier for all the veterans in the area.
A well respected man who expresses his patriotism in a rather positive way, with principles and a strong will to prevent everyone, especially the young people, to forget what war really means.
This year again he hired my 10 years old daughter to collect money for the veterans: she is absolutely not shy and very efficient at convincing people that they should contribute...
11. Un homme en mission
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Masato (I believe it means something related to the lion, but Akira may explain much better than I could) is half French and half Japanese, and he could even be described as more multicultural still. So to make it simple, he says he is French. He is now three years old and started school in September.
He is in love with my wife because she makes the best cookies in the world, according to him (of course I agree). It is amazing to see how this little man already understand what really matters in life!
He actually asked for pictures, and then more, and even more. I had to say enough at some point as it was time for dessert.
Shot with my X-T1, Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AF-D (not ideal for manual focusing!), Lens Turbo 2.
12. The little cookies lover
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Olivier, you, as always, captured a fantastic moment!
As for the meaning of "Masato", I would need to make sure which Chinese letters his name is written with. But I would say his name is more likely to mean "elegant person" or "righteous person", according to the Chinese letters.
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Thanks Akira. I will ask his mother again about the meaning of his name, since I definitely can't provide you the Chinese writing!
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Melisse is 8 and the oldest of three sisters.
She shows a good sense of responsibilities and is also strongly committed to the team's mischieves...
Here she is, quite proud of her siblings wo where totally dominating my son in their pillows and stuffed animals fight.
Fuji X-T1 - Nikkor 28mm f/2 AI.
13. Girls Power
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The little cookies lover, number 12 is extra cute!
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Thank you Jakov. It helps to have a willing model.
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Little R. is impatient to meet his brother or sister, probably just after Christmas. He sure hopes for a brother...
In the meantime, he spends his time taking care of his mother, reading stories to his little sister and deciding which dinosaur he was in another life.
X-T1 with 18-55 lens.
14. Sweet uncertainty
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sweet uncertainty :) precious image
btw quite a bit of 'visible' noise reduction
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Thank you Fons. I will look in that noise issue.
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Olivier, I saw the image on my phone this morning without reading the text and I thought it was a behind, and said to myself what a great photo :)
It is only when I started reading that I realised that I didn't look at it with proper attention :)
Congratulations!!!
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Jakov, you made me laugh...
I can't show this thread to the expecting mom!
Of course, now that you have mentioned your vision, I can't see the image anymore the way it should be. And I still like it.
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Preciosus and intimate -again- Thanks Olivier for sharing those moments
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Here in Japan, we also hear some news of the victims of poisnous mushrooms every year. The philosophy established by the punished boy seems to have some truth in human life...
Don't mean to derail this thread but with a good book on mushrooms and some patience, wild mushroom hunting is quite safe. Most edible mushrooms are readily identifiable, and those you can't identify, you don't eat. Many mushrooms can be easily distinguished from poisonous ones with spore prints, the volva and the ring. Sadly, most do not take the time or have the knowledge to make use of these things.
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Beautiful portraits.
I am sure you will like the X-T1, especially with the 16, 56, and 90mm lenses!
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back to this thread...
thanks for the latest comments.
PeterN: yes, I really long for the 16 and 56mm lenses, just don't want to spend the money now. They will come one day. The next lens is likely to be the Samyang 12mm f/2, before summer. And Yes I am liking the X-T1 more and more and now feel confident in most situations. I don't use AF much as my arsenal mostly mostly consists of adapted nikkors, although the Fuji 18-55mm is more than decent.
In the meantime the sweet uncertainty (picture 14) has dissipated just before New Year, and it is a boy. We had fun shooting a few pictures of the newborn today.
Meet B.
I forgot how difficult it is to shoot babies. They just don't care for what you want them to do!
15. Just unboxed.
X-T1 with Fuji 18-55mm lens.
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Congratulations!!!!
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Hello B, nice to meet you :)
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Congrats to you all Olivier. And such nice photos you've shown us!
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Congratulations, Olivier!
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Nice 'Openings-Shot' ;) Congratulations.
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wait wait wait...
this is not my son, it is my friend's son! I already have plenty enough of those!
But thanks anyway, we enjoyed meeting him and taking pictures.
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yep babies aint all that easy - thats why I hate shooting them. They just dont listen when you tell them to hold a pose!
nice capture. I think you can improve by smoothing the background and - I like the skin to be soft since its a baby - less red and a bit of smoothing. But thats personal of course.
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Some grab shots at a school in India:
(http://imageshack.com/a/img903/1249/m0febE.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img903/912/MPMe1T.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img907/405/WfNPYb.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img907/4592/7S6URS.jpg)
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Kitanikkor: some great images. I love the third one, especially with the look of the woman in the back!
My daughter is not at all willing to cooperate these days. We made a few pictures nonetheless, here is one of them...
16. Not in the mood.
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17. ma Chérie. I fall for her eyes every day...
I just wish I had kept the hair on her forehead more in focus.
X-T1, Nikkor 50mm 1.4 @ f/2.
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Olivier: mother and daughter have a striking resemblance ... They should be proud of having their portraits taken in such an exemplary and enjoyable manner.
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Bjørn, thank you very much.
Maybe one day... In the meantime, they all want me to keep taking portraits, but not of themselves!
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I am sure that they will treasure these portraits!
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Very nice, I really like the tones and the framing - Their eyes tell me that they enjoy your attention and devotion to them!
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Thank you Jakov and Erik! My pictures don't do them justice...
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My son had is birthday party (he is 10 already!) today and invited a few friends at home.
H. is an interesting boy, he speaks like an aduld and can play the silliest games forever... Obviously, the transition has started for him already. He will be interesting to follow in the upcoming years.
18. H, in progress.
X-T1, Nikkor 50mm at f/2
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you certainly found your way with the fuji xt1, would be my choice if i went mirrorless
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Thank you Fons, I am sure you would enjoy, the whole system is well designed for your style of photography.