New Technology Enters the Process: Kirk Tuck of Visual Science Lab Reinvents His Portrait Style

 

Portrait by Kirk Tuck, Visual Science Labs,

Olympus EP-3, Olympus 45mm f1.8 Lens

Image Source:

http://visualsciencelab.blogspot.com/2012/02/re-inventing-portrait-for-myself.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheVisualScienceLab+%28The+Visual+Science+Lab%29

 

Kirk Tuck has posted a great blog entry about his portrait technique:

 

(Click Here) to read Kirk's post.

 

He shares the history of his training in portraiture, including processing films quickly, and printing onto paper that would soon fade, to ensure that customers wouldn't just go home satisfied with the proof prints. It's a great story.

 

Then Kirk describes his new technique, which he is still developing. He uses the Olympus EP-3 Micro 4/3 format camera, and Olympus 45mm f1.8 lens. This evolution from medium format film, which produced negatives larger than some of today's cameras (not the images, the cameras!) to a tiny digital sensor is very interesting. You can tell by the result posted that nothing has been lost in the process; it's a beautiful portrait. In fact, I think it's safe to say it's better than what would have been produced by the old process.

 

Kirk also talks about the face recognition focus in the EP-3. This motivates me to explore what the Lumix system can do. I'll report back on that subject later.

 

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End of Winter Photos From Manassas National Battlefield

Thornberry House, By Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 14mm f2.5

iso160, f8, 1/400 sec

Yesterday, I took a walk around the Thornberry House at Manassas National Battlefield. For another post on Manassas, with a little background information about the battles, (Click Here) for my previous post on the Old Stone House.

 

The Thornberry House, pictured above, was an impromptu field hospital for the Union Army during both battles. Those floors and walls have seen the unspeakable horrors of the war and the wounded.

 

 

 

Thornberry House Trees, By Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 14mm f2.5

iso160, f8, 1/40 sec

I decided to focus on using a wide angle lens this weekend. At this time of year in Virginia, it is difficult to find a wide field of view outside with anything of interest to photograph. With the leaves down, all looks dull gray and brown. But, I managed a couple of shots.

This is a very contemplative place for me. I can imagine the 15,000 soldiers crossing the creek and coming up the hill, headed for the main battlefield in Manassas. Harder to imagine, for me, they also retreated from here, fewer men, many wounded, some never made it past this point.

Contemplation, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 14mm f2.5

iso160, f8, 1/320 sec

I always feel a little haunted after visiting this place, but also a little more informed. Now it is a very quiet place, as it should be.

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Geoff Steven's Images of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, Using DMC-GH2 and G3

Professional photographer Geoff Steven recently traveled to Vietnam to photograph World Heritage Site Ha Long Bay.  He traveled with the winner of a Lumix photography competition, and shot with the DMC-G3 and DMC-GH2.  I've included a couple of his images below:

 Image Source:  http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/ourplace/img/activity10/image04.jpg

 Image Source:  http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/ourplace/img/activity10/image02.jpg

(Click Here) to see the complete story and more images.

In order to capture a comprehensive set of images over a four day period, Geoff traveled the bay in a combination of a speed boat and a local slow boat, and climbed mountains and into caves.  I find it interesting to speculate how much more mobile he was as a result of using two excellent, small cameras, as opposed to full-sized DLSRs.  It is my opinion that Micro 4/3 equipment has just recently advanced to the point that one can feel confident in the ability to capture great images in a wide range of lighting situations, even on once-in-a-lifetime situations.

To see Geoff's website, (Click Here).

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I Haven't Had My DMC-TS3 Underwater Yet, But...

I do find it fun to use at the water's edge and surface.

 

Catharpin Creek, by Reed A. George

Panasonic DMC-TS3, Intelligent Auto Settings

iso100, f3.3, 1/1000 sec

 

This image was taken at the confluence of Catharpin Creek and Bull Run Creek, a place known as Sudley Springs, where 15,000 Union soldiers crossed to fight at the first battle of Manassas (Bull Run). The same place was used in the Union's retreat after a sound defeat on the battlefield.

 

The TS3 couldn't be easier to use. So far, I have been quite pleased the the iAuto setting.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Awesome Aurora Borealis Photos With Lumix DMC-GH2

 User "rune b" on dpreview posted some unbelievable images of the aurora borealis:

Image Source: 

http://g3.img-dpreview.com/7F0C485B2AD44D06A9D9D8CAE8CE2EE7.jpg

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2, Olympus 12mm

iso1600, f2, 20 sec

You should definitely (Click Here) to see the rest of the images posted.

 

I truly enjoy seeing how people are using these cameras all over the world to capture their own little (or big) piece.

 

Digital photography and the internet make it possible, even easy, to share.

 

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Missing Shooting Film

 

Duck, by Reed A. George

Pentax Spotmatic, Takumar 200mm f4

I am taking this Lumix blog thing so seriously, I have shot only digital so far in 2012. I averaged nearly one roll of film per week in 2011 (total of 50 rolls). I must admit, I am missing it.

Not only that, I am neglecting my other great digital equipment.

I do enjoy focusing on one camera, but the opportunity cost seems high. Also, it will become more and more difficult to go back to film as time passes. Maybe next year will be my "Film365" year? Honestly, I don't know if I could pull that off.

I will just lighten up, and shoot some film as the mood strikes me.

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Ultra Wide Angle Lenses

 Image Source :  http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7168/6396263783_1b91e74ab0.jpg

As I have mentioned, I tend toward normal and telephoto focal length lenses.  The widest lens I have for my Lumix kit is the 14mm f2.5 (28mm full frame equivalent field of view).  Back in the day, a 28mm lens was considered wide, at least in my photographic circle.  Anything wider was probably a fisheye, which is a real novelty lens, in my opinion.

Today, there are many ultra wide options available.  For the Lumix Micro 4/3 system, the 7-14mm f4 is most popular.  

I found this post asking how people use these ultra wides very interesting:

(Click Here) to read the post on rangefinder forum.

source: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115563

Personally, I have a 12mm Voigtlander lens in Leica screwmount.  I almost never use it.  That is my own limitation;  I need to use it exclusively for a week or two, to see if I can make any interesting images with it.

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