Soke (Grandmaster) Takayuki Kubota

[Gary Gruber]

One of many portraits (4x5, Tri-X) I did of my karate master who I studied under for nearly 30 years:

 

[Rob MacKillop]

What a pose! Great composition, Gary. He must surely have been pleased with it.

 

[Gary Gruber]

What a pose! Great composition, Gary. He must surely have been pleased with it.

I was his official portrait photographer. I used to shoot with hot lights. That was a 2 second exposure. When I told him to hold still, there was never movement seen in the image.

 

[Stevenson Gawen]

That was a 2 second exposure. When I told him to hold still, there was never movement

Wow...
Wonderful shots and subject Gary. I recently entered a small club portrait competition... this would have blown the whole field out of the water I reckon.

 

[Gary Gruber]

Wow...
Wonderful shots and subject Gary. I recently entered a small club portrait competition... this would have blown the whole field out of the water I reckon.

Learning to light is everything. I used to do group portraits at country clubs and used to be able to do photos of over 40 people at once -- all with their eyes open!

 

[Ivar Dahl-Larsen]

A wonderful series of portraits. Saludos

 

[Gianluca Drago]

One of many portraits

Great expressiveness and great talent. Hats off to you.

 

[Gary Gruber]

Great expressiveness and great talent. Hats off to you.

Thank you

 

[Wes Hall]

These are incredible Gary, excellent control from the subjects as much the photographer. How long had you been shooting portraiture by the time you photographed the first image?

Also, that from a Polaroid is impressive!

 

[Wes Hall]

20+ years. Thank you for the kind words.

Thank you for answering. I don't profess to tell a gifted beginner from a seasoned eye, but I've noticed my own progress as a photographer, feel those on this forum who've been watching the world through the lens for a while share some truly inspiring images.

I hope to produce a portrait like these in my lifetime.