Carpenter – 35mm 1/125 f5.6
The project is to shoot informal portraits with a wide angle and a tele lens.
For this daunting assignment I’ve selected 2 superb Tamron lenses; the 70-200mm f/2.8 and the fabulous 35mm f/1.4. Both are outstandingly sharp with instant accurate focus… love them both!
Eyes & M Leica – 70-200mm 1/60 f5.6
Man sitting with print – 35mm 1/30 f4
A close-up portrait at 135-200mm most certainly establishes the ‘who’ in the journalistic adage; “who, what, when and why”. This focal length nicely isolates your subject from the background producing a natural and pleasant composition which eliminates peripheral distracting details… a very nice portrait perspective. The same subject shot with a 35mm adds the ‘where’ and often the ‘why’ to your shot. The 35mm perspective is more ‘journalistic,’ adding a feeling of depth largely absent with the tight close-up with the tele. I happen to like getting close, as a photojournalist a 35 was my go-to ‘normal’ lens.
Lady w/photographer – 35mm 1/125 f.14
Lady holding broom – 70-200 1/250 f2.8
The photo scribes discourage getting close to your subject shooting with a wide angle lens. You do need to be sensible and with practice a 35 might just become your favourite perspective. What I most like about shooting with a 35 is you’re close to your subject, there’s this feeling of a close interaction, and there is, heck you’re within ‘the 3′ circle’. The wide angle certainly adds a nice sense of depth to your shots.
Guy sitting on carriage – 35mm 1/750 f11
Spinning wheel lady – 35mm 1/30 f2.8
A tip… be decisive when photographing people. So before engaging make up your mind on the perspective you want, your exposure settings, in fact all the technical stuff so you’re not fussing while shooting. And please, never ever disengage from your subject by reviewing your LCD, it’s rude and makes your subject feel alienated.
Have great fun and good portraits!!!
Portrait of David – 70-200 1/30 f2.8
Man with glasses – 35mm 1/30 f2
Lady sitting with coffee – 35mm 1/30 f5.6
Photographer with 4×5 camera – 70-200 1/125 f2.8
Guy looking straight to camera – 35mm 1/60 f1.4
Street personality – 70-200 1/200 f2.8
Man wearing straw hat – 70-200 1/250 f4
Entwined hands – 70-200 1/60 f5.6
Man wearing straw hat – 70-200 1/250 f4
Young lady w/rangefinder camera – 70-200 1/500 f4.5
Lady with curly hair – 35mm 1/60 f3.5
About the Author
Crombie McNeill – My career spans 40 years with credits in National Geographic, Time, Newsweek. Maclean’s, Chatelaine, Stern, Fortune, Sports Illustrated, Financial Post, Paris Match, ELLE… and lots more!
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