Black & White iso 1600

Forsh · 12-11-2006, 10:52 PM

5D, clean at ISO 1600. It’s quite an amazing camera.

**Cricket** · 12-11-2006, 11:12 PM

I sure hope you plan on sharing some tips and tutorials with us because your work in absolutely incredible.

Forsh · 12-13-2006, 04:36 AM

I certainly don't mind sharing, I only know the few things I do because others have shared with me. To put this shot into perspective let me illustrate to you how it came about, every photo has a story.

She, in the photo, purchased a Canon 5D and brought it to work. She was so excited and wanted me to look at it and give her some pointers, so I held the camera and told her to sit on the edge of her chair.

Now, the lighting in that room is near darkness with a door in front and a door to the rear. She was skeptical of what I was doing, probably because we were practically sitting in the dark. I told her, "No worries, this camera is supposed to have the cleanest ISO range of any camera on the market."

She looked at me, and I framed her up and took the photo.

In this particular photo what's important is the lighting. I won't attribute this lighting to myself, as I am being taught by a Master Photographer, Lloyd Wainscott. Though, he generally only shares info with me when I buy him a beer. And, to be honest I make sure to keep the beer on tap so the information keeps flowing.

He uses a 3-point light setup, in this particular case I only had two light sources:

1-main
1-kicker

I believe the important, and defining, light here is the kicker. The kicker gives the entire right side of her hair dimension--as well as accentuates her cheekbone.

I hope that helps put this shot into perspective. Now, if only I could convince my wife to purchase a 5D.

**Cricket** · 12-15-2006, 07:47 AM

The 5D makes me drool.

DaveyBoy · 12-15-2006, 07:57 AM

I will get a 5D when i'm rich

For now, the xti will have to do! Tsk!

Julie · 12-15-2006, 08:09 AM

Forgive me for being a photography moron, but what is a 5D? And just how expensive are they?

DaveyBoy · 12-15-2006, 08:31 AM

About $3,000 or so I think. Lenses separate

They have a 12mp CMOS sensor for one

**Cricket** · 12-15-2006, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julie

Forgive me for being a photography moron, but what is a 5D? And just how expensive are they?

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos5d/

**Cricket** · 12-15-2006, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveyBoy

I will get a 5D when i'm rich

For now, the xti will have to do! Tsk!

Did you get the xti yet?

DaveyBoy · 12-15-2006, 02:48 PM

Nah, just after xmas

**Cricket** · 12-15-2006, 02:55 PM

Can't wait to see your pictures with it!!

**Cricket** · 12-15-2006, 02:57 PM

In the picture that started this thread, do you see how vivid her eyes are? Is that something done from the photography end? Or is that just her eyes.

Forsh · 12-15-2006, 04:08 PM

A few factors:

Sensor - Remember, this is an iso 1600 shot....but it is so clear. I don't think my 1DSMKII even performs this clean at iso 1600, this file was easy to work with. I didn't even run any noise reduction on it.

L-Lens - The Canon L series lenses are worth their weight imho. This was shot with the 200 2.8, which is probably the best bargain in a Canon L series lens.

Post Production - Sometimes when people take photos, expecially digital, they fail to realize that digital images need post production, the same as film needs processing after the image has been taken. Though, in camera setting sometimes give you choices for sharpening, contrast, color, etc. I usually turn those off and do the work myself.

In this case here are the tools I used in photoshop to give this image some "pop".

*Unsharp Mask - If you have Photoshop CS2 use Smart Sharpen, it's a wonderful tool.

*Contrast Adjustment Layer - The whites need to be white, the blacks need to have richness.

*Shadow Highlight - To bring out detail in the darks, another trait of a good Black & White image.

That's about all, post production took less than 5 minutes.

**Cricket** · 12-15-2006, 04:32 PM

Your tips and notes are very valuable to me. Thank you!

(I have been studying the L series lenses for weeks now!)

Forsh · 12-21-2006, 05:30 AM

Well the L lenses are worth it. Especially the 85mm and up....

simple · 12-24-2006, 09:36 PM

I agree with Forsh and Her eyes are great.

Immo · 12-27-2006, 05:51 AM

Yes its a beautiful picture, the camera looks pretty decent as well.

Forsh · 12-27-2006, 04:21 PM

Thanks Immo.

Shonky · 12-31-2006, 01:12 AM

Beautiful picture, her eyes make the shot.