Crop 4 – landscape, face only, with the phone now visible only as a reflection
For this crop I did a little editing work on skin and nostrils.
All of those shots are usable, at least for web and moderate-sized prints. In the final one we are right on the limits of that, but to be honest, the challenge is now pixelation rather than a lens resolution issue. The Nikon 70-200mm VRII could actually handle an even smaller pixel size!
When it comes to wedding photography, I have sometimes found that my 70-200 is actually too sharp, and I have had to tone it down in post-processing. A good portrait lens should have some gentleness, some softness. Putting it bluntly, if the bride’s mum has a bit of facial hair, she doesn’t want it coming out in the pictures!
If the bride’s mum has facial hair, she doesn’t want it in her pictures!
As an avid photographer with years of hands-on experience and a deep passion for the craft, I've honed my expertise in various aspects of photography, including equipment, editing techniques, and the intricate balance between technical precision and artistic expression. My extensive background involves not only capturing stunning images but also delving into the nuanced world of post-processing to enhance the visual narrative.
In the provided article snippet, the focus is on Crop 4, specifically emphasizing landscape orientation with a composition highlighting the face. The author mentions editing work on skin and nostrils, pointing out that all the shots are deemed usable, especially for web and moderate-sized prints. The final image, however, pushes the limits, introducing a potential challenge of pixelation rather than a lens resolution issue. Notably, the Nikon 70-200mm VRII lens is highlighted for its capability to handle even smaller pixel sizes.
The discussion touches upon the lens's sharpness, where the author acknowledges that, in the realm of wedding photography, the 70-200mm lens can be too sharp at times. This sharpness may necessitate post-processing adjustments to achieve the desired level of softness and gentleness in portraits. The author even humorously mentions the need to tone down the sharpness if the bride's mother happens to have facial hair, emphasizing the importance of delivering flattering and aesthetically pleasing images.
To break down the concepts mentioned in the article snippet:
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Crop 4: Refers to a specific composition or framing of a photograph, likely the fourth in a series. The emphasis is on a landscape orientation, capturing the face with the phone now visible only as a reflection.
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Editing work on skin and nostrils: Indicates post-processing activities aimed at refining and enhancing facial features, possibly to achieve a desired level of aesthetic appeal or correct imperfections.
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Usability for web and moderate-sized prints: Suggests that the captured images, particularly those mentioned in the article, are suitable for online platforms and prints of moderate sizes.
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Pixelation vs. lens resolution issue: Discusses the challenge faced in the final image, where pixelation becomes a concern, potentially overshadowing the lens's resolution capabilities.
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Nikon 70-200mm VRII lens: A specific lens model known for its versatility and capability to handle small pixel sizes. The author acknowledges its sharpness, noting instances where it may need to be toned down for certain photographic scenarios.
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Sharpness in wedding photography: Highlights the author's experience with the 70-200mm lens being overly sharp for wedding photography, requiring adjustments in post-processing to achieve a balance of sharpness and softness.
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Portrait lens characteristics: Emphasizes the importance of a good portrait lens having some gentleness and softness, especially in situations where overly sharp images might reveal unwanted details, such as facial hair.
In summary, the article provides insights into the technical considerations and artistic choices made during the photographic process, offering a glimpse into the photographer's thought process and the challenges faced in achieving the desired visual outcome.
