Stuart The Framer

[Rob MacKillop]

Here's Stuart, who frames my pictures every now and then. He's a rough diamond, for sure, inexpensive by comparison to others, and very professional...if you don't mind waiting. Sometimes he just can't be bothered. I like him. Finally plucked up courage to ask him if I could take his photo. Nikon F4 and Nikon 85mm 1.4, opened to the max, and yellow filter. XP2. The Kodak shop again gave the images a touch of sepia - the problem of running XP2 through a colour bath - so I put it through Nik Silver to get a good b&w, and that brought out the grain, but it seems to suit the character.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

I'm wondering if 1.4 is too much - his nose being oof? But it does catch the eyes.

 

[Pete Askew]

But then you mint not have isolated him so well. The nose doesn't bother me and I think it is a very fine portrait. Great look and it appears to have caught a moment rather than just a pose. Superb.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Thanks, Pete. We were just chatting for a moment. Here's two more:

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He has a great face. I'd love to do more.

 

[Pete Askew]

He does indeed. I quite like the second too, but the first I think is the winner.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Cheers. I agree. I got 7 by 5s, so will take him the first next time I'm in.

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

Excellent Rob, I see what you mean by the oof first one but I cannot come to a decision. His character is strong and the front on shot would be my pick of the picks . A very different character than the first, he almost has a snarl going on. Was that the first taken? The front on one is the more vulnerable one of him from what i see.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Cheers, Julian. I can't remember what order they were taken in. He is certainly a strong character. The whole "shoot" lasted about thirty seconds, before he signalled he wanted to get on. I'm glad I got two worth sharing.

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

All three are worth sharing, the more I see the first the more I enjoy it.

 

[Pete Askew]

Cheers, Julian. I can't remember what order they were taken in. He is certainly a strong character. The whole "shoot" lasted about thirty seconds, before he signalled he wanted to get on. I'm glad I got two worth sharing.

I'll let you on on little secret, Rob. If you look at the strip of negatives you can see what order the shots were taken in!

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Of course, doh!

 

[Rob MacKillop]

The first shot above was actually the first shot. The 3rd shot above was the 2nd. The 2nd shot above was the 3rd. Then there is one where he blinked, and another where he turned away just as I was pressing the trigger, and is out of focus. That's the lot.

 

[Pete Askew]

I'm really warming to that second (i.e. third) shot, especially if presented as 10x 8 or similar o eliminate some of the space at the top. As Julian says, there is a touch of vulnerability to it.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

The straight-on one? Yes, it's the holes in his jumper which add an element of vulnerability, along with his caught-in-the-headlights look.

 

[Pete Askew]

And with the light background and narrow DoF it has a very classic LF look to it.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Yes. I really like this camera/lens combination. Thanks, Pete.

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

Is the tongue in the last a gesture you think

 

[Rob MacKillop]

No He didn't seem too perturbed about it. He's a talker, and wouldn't stop.

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

No He didn't seem too perturbed about it. He's a talker, and wouldn't stop.

It shows how photographs , in that moment of time , take away the moment of emotion expressed , which can be out of context. each one of these images shows a very different persona. The first for me say 'what you looking at laddie' the second one, The young boy within (maybe) and the third, well read what one may .
Not having done any portraits other than snaps, these have certainly brought a lot of food for thought about portraiture, for myself , it's complexities of character and how the one being photographed can have such an influence of the outcome.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Good points, and maybe his character does encompass all those facets. We are mostly made up of parts: fears, joys, influences, etc. It would perhaps be impossible for a camera to capture them all at once.
Well, I'm pleased these images have stimulated you, Julian.