Personalities on film

[Jon Allen]

These are my three children. Ethan, Jamie and Alicia.
I have tried to capture their personalities. Their expressions say it all about them, to my wife and I.

Film - Kodak portra 160.
Camera - 35mm Pentax
Lens - 50mm

I overexposed the film and added a silver reflector to the front for the look i wanted.
I am impressed at how much detail is still in the highlights. I wouldn't get that with digital

I did a slight crop to them and tweaked the colour balance slightly in post.

 

[Brian Moore]

What a great set! I cannot know of course how well you have achieved your objective, but you've produced a delightful series of portraits, John.

 

[Jon Allen]

Thanks Brian. I really like overexposing portra 160, it has a great look with portraits.

Yeah the expressions will only mean something to my wife and I.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Terrific trio of troublesome tykes!

 

[Jon Allen]

Thank you Rob.

 

[Pete Askew]

I agree with Brian and you have created a superb set and I like your treatment too. Hamish has made similar comments about over-exposing Portra. It seems to have amazing latitude.

 

[Jon Allen]

Thanks Pete.

Its not so good underexposing but works great overexposed and can be pushed hard.
I'm still experimenting with it though and once I'm happy with the look i want i will try something different.

 

[Pete Askew]

We used in it the lab (NC) for many years before switching to mainly digital for our captures. I have some in the fridge still and must get round to using some.

 

[Jon Allen]

Have you ever used the film out of date Pete?

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

Super set Jon a delight to view.

 

[Pete Askew]

Portra? Yes, very forgiving.

 

[Jon Allen]

Thanks Julian.

Thanks Pete. Thats good to know as i can buy the portra cheaper out of date. Can you recommend any other film which can give great looks for portraits especially when experimenting with it.

 

[Douglas McMann]

Nice one Jon...worthy of printing large....

 

[Pete Askew]

Thanks Julian.

Thanks Pete. Thats good to know as i can buy the portra cheaper out of date. Can you recommend any other film which can give great looks for portraits especially when experimenting with it.

Good question. Maybe Cinestill would be the other to try. FotoImpex in Berlin are the cheapest usually, even when ordering from the UK.

 

[Ivar Dahl-Larsen]

Four personalities including Portra. Very well done.