2018 Project 52 by billtils, first quarter

[billtils]

OK, I'll give it a go! The concept appeals, largely because I have my preferred genres (Birding and Macro), with another two that I'd like to explore more (Portraits and Table top), but don't want to get stuck in a rut (or even 4 of them).

I'm currently with family in Texas, visiting for Christmas and New Year holidays, and sans camera so the first post is from earlier in December. It was chosen because I like it and the background was discussed in another thread here. However, it fits the portrait theme, and is in Mono - which will be a recurring theme as I got the AE-1 back from the workshop just before we left and intend to use it as much as possible, but with B&W film only.

So, let the adventure begin:

[Wavelength]

Well begun!!! Excellent image

[billtils]

Thank you Nanda!

[Geoff F]

Viewing with the Lightbox option brings out more of the contrast and fine detail compared to the image which initially appears here.

[Shadowman]

Nice effort.

[sachtjen]

Hi Bill,

In addition to posting to the 52 week challenge, I am going to "follow" you and commit to commenting on every photo, even if at first I don't know what to say. I need to learn to give feedback as well as receive it.

I'm always impressed with group photos where despite being in a crowd of people the photographer can make one or two people stand out from the rest. To me it is the 3rd gentleman from the left and the 4th woman from the left in the front row. My eyes are drawn to them, but yet they are not completely isolated by going overboard with a narrow depth of field to completely fuzz out everyone else. I don't know if this was your intention or not, but for me it makes a stronger image than if all 21 singers were equally in focus like a kindergarten class photo.

Very sharp image and I like the B&W treatment.

[billtils]

Hi Bill,

In addition to posting to the 52 week challenge, I am going to "follow" you and commit to commenting on every photo, even if at first I don't know what to say. I need to learn to give feedback as well as receive it.

I'm always impressed with group photos where despite being in a crowd of people the photographer can make one or two people stand out from the rest. To me it is the 3rd gentleman from the left and the 4th woman from the left in the front row. My eyes are drawn to them, but yet they are not completely isolated by going overboard with a narrow depth of field to completely fuzz out everyone else. I don't know if this was your intention or not, but for me it makes a stronger image than if all 21 singers were equally in focus like a kindergarten class photo.

Very sharp image and I like the B&W treatment.

Thanks Mike - this is my first "Project 52" and I'm delighted to have you "follow" me and comment - OK if I reciprocate? Is there a simple way to follow or is done by picking up posts on the Forum?

Thanks for your comments on the image - I was quite pleased for hand-held at 1/60s and ISO 5000 😀.

As far as composition goes, yes, the aim was to capture the general choir setting but with an accent on a few figures. There is some selective treatment in Capture One and NIK SilverEfex, and some vignetting. The B&W is partly a personal preference and partly as a way to deal with some difficult WB issues from the venue lighting.

[sachtjen]

OK if I reciprocate? Is there a simple way to follow or is done by picking up posts on the Forum?

Yes. Absolutely.

I make sure notifications are checked when I reply to a thread, but as far as I know there is no way to know when I published a new photo vs more comments were added to the thread.

[joebranko]

Nice portrait. I like how you have been able to highlight some participants in sharp focus while others less so.

[billtils]

Thanks Joe