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Dennis Lee's avatar

Boy, I'm definitely in the choir on this one. I ran into the same thing just the other day. My neighbors are building a new house and asked if I could make a few quick portraits on site of their two boys for a holiday card. Well they got there late, we kinda missed the good light, but we got pictures of the boys and were wrapping up when dad arrived. Dad doesn't really like to sit for pictures but he wanted one with the boys and their hard hats on. So super quick compose and shoot and afterward I saw that I had slowed down to 1/45 and it was still a hair under. Fortuna smiled though and we remained sharp on this one, but I've done the same as you many many times in the past at even slower speeds.

I'm not one to spend a lot of time looking at all the information in the finder. Frankly I don't see it at all when I'm making a picture. It simply evaporates visually when I'm thinking about composition and moment. I think the 'visual exposure' adjustment we make with mirrorless cameras these days bites us in the ass far more often than a DSLR or film ever would have. It's just to simple to turn that dial until it looks right and NOT pay attention to where that dial has been turned.

Really enjoyed your chat with David Hobby the other day and you guys touched on so many many things that normally take years and years of experience to learn. That was a real treat to hear. Respect to both of you for sharing those insights with listeners.

Finally, frustrated with the autofocus staying on the right spot or my continuously having to put it there, tempted me to try using my old manual focus, Leica M glass, on my digital Nikon about nine months ago. I absolutely love it. That and only exposing manually have changed my approach to my personal work. The engagement these two changes require have brought my personal work back up to a level of enjoyment and I haven't experienced in a long while with new cameras. So much so that I've photographed my last two portrait sessions with only one lens, my 50 Summicron. I'm happy with the results and it was actually fun.

My apologies for the ramble, I really enjoy your work Ibarionex. d:-)

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Ibarionex  - The Candid Frame's avatar

thank you for taking time to read the post and sharing your experience. I have to remind myself of the importance of slowing down every time I pick up the camera whether it is for myself or a client. All the best.

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Gil Aegerter's avatar

All very important things for me to remember too.

And very, very sorry about the loss of your home in the fires. Such sorrow.

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Ibarionex  - The Candid Frame's avatar

Thank you so much, Gil. My family and I appreciate it.

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Stillness in Focus's avatar

I can definitely relate to this, especially if it’s in the beginning of my day. I’ll walk around on f2.8 for 30 min before I notice it because I’m so anxious. Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves?

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Ibarionex  - The Candid Frame's avatar

I can't speak for everyone else, but my ADHD and related anxiety are ever-present and takes conscious work to move past it and be more calm and centered even when doing something I love as much as photography.

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Stillness in Focus's avatar

For me, I think part of it is excitement as well. I’ve been shooting for 25 years and I still get excited when I go out on the street (I think that’s good?). Then that feeds into my anxiety and off we go. Still better than the anxiousness I get from not going out for several days, though.

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Ibarionex  - The Candid Frame's avatar

Better to shoot that sit on your but. Absolutely.

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Juan - STUFF EYE SEE's avatar

Ha! I thought that I was the only photog on the planet doing all of that and more. Great piece. Onward.

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Ibarionex  - The Candid Frame's avatar

Thank you, Juan. So appreciated.

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Sue Morris's avatar

What an amazing portrait Ibarionex! And extremely timely advice. Recently when I go out I have to remind myself to “focus”. Slow down in my head,be patient and take my time. Thank you. Blessings and best wishes always. Suzi

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Ibarionex  - The Candid Frame's avatar

Thank you, Suzi. Hope all is well.

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