White on White -- Portrait of a Physicist

[Don Ellis]

We were sitting in the living room of a friend's home the other day and Ken was facing the picture window, listening to his wife, Aileen. I pulled out the G2 and steadied it on my knee to compensate for the 1/13-second shutter speed. Because I keep the shutter sound turned off, I was able to take half a dozen photos without anyone noticing.

[oops]

Astounding portrait, Don. It kind of made my breath stop. Talk about all the elements coming together at once!

My very first thought was, "Don't I know this guy?". I then realized that the object of a portrait is to capture the subject's soul, which really happened here. I'll bet you were pleased when you viewed the lcd and floored when you saw just how good it was later. Was the 1/13 your choosing or the choice of the camera? Thanks for sharing.

[Pekka]

A really good and moody portrait. VERY well done.

[Don Ellis]

Hi Pekka... thanks very much for your kind words, and the capitals.

And oops... I held my breath as well, not only to keep the camera from moving but in the hope that the people would stop moving. The 1/13-second shutter speed and 2.5 aperture setting were chosen by the P (program) mode of the camera.

You're right about seeing the picture. When I saw the scene and looked in the viewfinder, I figured it would be good if it were in focus. But ultimately the viewfinder is a tiny TV that's more for framing than evaluating reality so you never quite know what you've got until you convert it and open it up on the big screen.

I did the usual leveling and sharpening, no saturation boost (which is set to Normal in the camera). If I were to completely correct the picture, I might clone out the shadow in the lower-left corner cast by his daughter's wheelchair. I suppose I could have gotten up and rolled her into the foyer, but I thought that might disrupt the ambience of the room. (She's 30, mostly ambulatory and has a sense of humor, so she won't mind that comment.)

When I grow up, I want to look this distinguished. While I'm waiting, I'll take Ken's total focus on whoever is speaking as a useful everyday lesson.

Thanks for your comments.

[Leighow]

This seems to me to be a wonderful shot.

It is so realistic, and flattering -- relaxed and not over posed. Really fantastic. I like the texture in the white wall.

As the entire picture fades left into shadow, I would not had been noticed the bottom corner -- it all seems to flow.

HOWIE

[Don Ellis]

I think you've taught me another lesson, Howie: To keep quiet while I'm ahead -- -- it was, after all, a casual rather than a formal portrait.

Thank you for your words and observations.