Fast Lenses: I have with interest observed the "Bokeh" worship and the razor thin focus worship. I saw a new f1.2 lens introduction photo were the model's eye was the only thing in...

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I have with interest observed the "Bokeh" worship and the razor thin focus worship.
I saw a new f1.2 lens introduction photo were the model's eye was the only thing in focus.
It got me to thinking how after we get over this Bokeh and thin focus fad how many of the current photos will become a dated joke like homes of the 80's are Architectural jokes now.
I personally like to see the whole face in focus not just the eye and ears etc. all fuzzy.
The photo of my grandmother to me beats an eye only in focus and will be timeless after the eye only is relegated to a silly fad and an embarrassment.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Nice copy!

(There's a fad???)

I agree, whole face in focus.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Whole face in focus, of course. Trick of the mind, though, if the eye is in focus, the brain seems to fix the rest being slightly OOF.

Ourspolair

The DOF in this portrait is still quite shallow, but from her nose to her hairline everything is in focus. Guessing f4 to 5? Also have to consider that this was probably shot at around 1/30s on an ASA (ISO) 25 or 50 film, so the subject had to stay quite still. In general I try to keep as much of the head in focus as the lighting permits. We are so lucky to have high ISO equivalency available today. Something we take for granted.
Stay well and keep on shooting.

Haydon

Maybe you should look into Elena Shumilova's work where shooting wide open becomes art. Many portrait photographers shoot wide open and know how to use it to their advantage. Her work has brought in 60,000,000 viewers. She's still regularly shoots with a 5DIII with the EF 85 1.2.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/75571860@N06/

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Haydon wrote:

Maybe you should look into Elena Shumilova's work where shooting wide open becomes art. Many portrait photographers shoot wide open and know how to use it to their advantage. Her work has brought in 60,000,000 viewers. She's still regularly shoots with a 5DIII with the EF 85 1.2.
...
...

That won't make me want to shoot the same way she does.
I shoot what I want. I don't copy. I don't get along with "art" either.
(Don't care if she has 60 bazillion viewers.)

BudsOwl Loc: Upstate NY and New England

Longshadow wrote:

That won't make me want to shoot the same way she does.
I shoot what I want. I don't copy. I don't get along with "art" either.
(Don't care if she has 60 bazillion viewers.)

👍👍

gwilliams6

Your art is your art. Whether you choose to shoot wide aperture or stopped down, there is no right or wrong, just what you prefer at the moment for that subject, that moment. In a pro award-winning career of four decades I have shot it all ways. And as a longtime professor of photography at the university level, I have taught and mentored hundreds of photography students to follow their own vision. There are no rules that cant be bent or broken,no one way for visual expression. Cheers

https://www.facebook.com/GSWilliamsPhotography

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3048747915213474

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

.

I like fast lenses not because of the shallow depth of field but because they focus better in low light. They really pay off in early morning or late evening.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

gwilliams6 wrote:

Your art is your art. Whether you choose to shoot wide aperture or stopped down, there is no right or wrong, just what you prefer at the moment for that subject, that moment. In a pro award-winning career of four decades I have shot it all ways. And as a longtime professor of photography at the university level, I have taught and mentored hundreds of photography students to follow their own vision. There are no rules that cant be bent or broken,no one way for visual expression. Cheers
...

ronpier Loc: Poland Ohio

Haydon wrote:

Maybe you should look into Elena Shumilova's work where shooting wide open becomes art. Many portrait photographers shoot wide open and know how to use it to their advantage. Her work has brought in 60,000,000 viewers. She's still regularly shoots with a 5DIII with the EF 85 1.2.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/75571860@N06/

I never cease to be amazed when I view her work. I spend a lot of time trying to get sharp images and her work is anything but sharp, simply astounding.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Ourspolair wrote:

The DOF in this portrait is still quite shallow, but from her nose to her hairline everything is in focus. Guessing f4 to 5? .

This looks like a turn of the century portrait, and f/4 lens would have been a speed demon.
It is almost a certainty that it was shot with a larger format camera and probably had a maximum aperture closer to f/8.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Longshadow wrote:

That won't make me want to shoot the same way she does.
I shoot what I want. I don't copy. I don't get along with "art" either.
(Don't care if she has 60 bazillion viewers.)

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Joe makes a very interesting point "...I like fast lenses... because they focus better..." Bingo! I shoot league soccer... my client(s) want to see both the ball and their player's faces in focus... And without motion blur... The difference between an AF 200-500mm f/5.6 and an AF 300mm f/2.8 is EPIC! Virtually mind blowing... my "keeper" rate more than quadruples using that "Fast" 2.8 300mm telephoto prime!

Not only that I'm able to crank up the SS to 1/4000 and above... virtually eliminating any "perceived" benefit of VR or OS (which actually slows focus down while the servos spin up).

For portraiture? tip of the nose to the ears must be sharp... whatever f stop that takes I use...
If you need fabulous bokeh shoot long glass... a 300mm f/2.8 prime has far more subject separation than a 50mm f/1.2. And with long glass it's far easier to eliminate acuity robbing lens flare since the angle of acceptance is so tight. However don't forget to use that lens hood!

Thank you for the link to Elena Shumilova's portfolio Haydon... her visual statement is breathtaking! Love her book!

radiojohn

I love the fact that I have been able to "thin" the wallets of several bokeh-fans who bought my old screw mount lenses that are now fashionable.

When a 50mm 1.4 Takumar or 28mm 2.8 one goes for $100, I'm pleased.

I'm not in the market for a full-frame digital. When I want funky, I put various TV lenses on my Olympus or use a few cameras with an obscure chipset that offers "Japan Style," "Aibo" and "Dog Eye" settings among others.