September 2007

I really like the 5D because of the full frame sensor. It´s something completely different. There are some areas in photography where the cropped sensor has an advantage: wildlife-, bird- and close up - photography. On all other areas the full frame sensor is the better solution mainly because of field of view in wide angle shots and the possibility to get a very narrow depth of view for portraiture or everywhere you want to seperate the subject from the background. It´s an 1 stop advantage in this area. The 5D really shines for architecturial shoots and portraits. It is also great for reportage style shots because you can mix short focal lengths with narrow depth of field with lenses like the 1.4/50 or the 1.4/35L ( must get this one! ). I have visited a dog show and shot almost all images with the 1.4/50mm mainly because of the poor light but also to be able to seperate the subjects from a cluttered background. On a full frame camera f1.8 or f2 means really swallow depth of field even on a 50mm lens.

This month I shot some very nice portraits and discovered the power of black and white. I´m now trying to build up a portfolio to be able to create a B&W folder in the near future. I have done a "hip shooting" ( that means shooting without using the viewfinder, kind of LOMO style ) in the inner city of Vienna and finally spent a very nice half day at a big dogshow. Though I´m very busy in my job and in my sparetime regarding the house I was able to spent some hours with my favourite hobby.

Why did I choose the shot above then? Because I really like it. 1. It is a very "quiet" image. 2. It is not a very obvious motive. 3. It is temporary. It will not be there in a couple of weeks. It is all about the color of light because with flash ( I have tried it ) and exactly the same framing the image dissapears. With flash everthing is grey ( because it is grey ) but with natural light there are blues in the shadows and orange tones in the light. Something the painters discovered long ago and the style was called impressionism.

Here is the flash-shot:

settings for the main shot: A-Mode, 1/10s@f5.6 at 400ASA handheld, lens on 17mm

Finally here is a more meaningful image regarding the progress of our new home: