Yes, it’s a beautiful shot. If I wanted to be picky, I’d say that the Merrill is probably too good at what it does. It’s at the opposite end of the spectrum to film, exactly where the medium format digital sensors are. The M9 is in between. I say this because it’s a little bit clinical (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
The Foveon is perfect for architecture or commercial work, or perhaps landscapes. I dare say it would make a heck of a film duplicator (pseudo scanner). But not ideal for portraiture, IMHO.
P.S. I demand that you fix the white balance in this shot. There’s a warm tint all over it. Everyone knows that sensors are calibrated to 5,500K and you’re supposed to use a grey card. These kinds of photographs are what happens when people don’t go to photography school to be guided by qualified instructors.
Funny, I had a comment earlier today, seemingly just as rude (but he explained himself later), saying that my son looked “seasick” (green?). So by criticizing the “warm tint” you are saying the opposite of what he was, I guess.
Hmmm… colour seems to be a subjective thing, n’est-ce pas?
I can tell you, as the photographer who actually took this shot, that the setting sunlight was even warmer than this. I dialed it down a bit because I knew people would be eager to find fault with the colour. Because they are used to my Leica images.
So Karim, please point me to your lovely photographs. School me.
Thanks for your wonderful site, commentary and pictures/shots/takes/snaps; or should I call them photographs? I’m not sure but I have no doubt someone will point me in the right direction!
Loving the Merril and your commitment to what works or doesn’t work for ‘you’!
Thank you Gary – I appreciate it.
Peter: I should have capitalized “demand”, and also demanded that you show us a Kodachrome shot to compare with. I think that clears things up? 😉
(Seriously: I might be a bit of an idiot but I would never be rude without provocation, and even then, I’d probably hold back).
Your naivety and undeveloped knowledge and understanding of photography and art is exceeded only by your absence of tact and manners.
Hi, David. Under ordinary circumstances I’d agree with you.
However, my first comment (the postscript of it) on this thread was misunderstood by Peter, and that was my fault. My second comment explained the first, referring to a similar sarcastic comment I made in the preceding entry, ‘Snow Bunny (revisited)’, which you may have read.
He allowed my second comment, implying to me that he understood that I was carrying over the sarcasm from the previous entry (which also referred to an incident where a blogger used one of his photos without permission, hence the comment about blog traffic).
However, I will plead guilty to not making my sarcasm obvious. Perhaps the /sarc tag should be used to avoid confusion.
What I like about this portrait is the strong shadow. It’s what makes this image more than just your average portrait.
It’s the whole shadow business, in addition to the light, that inspired me to shoot it. I have a second image, where the shadow is more pronounced (because I’m photographing from another angle), but my son’s expression isn’t as natural.
I like the shadow(s) also. This is a crisp image that is also sweetly expressive. The precision of the focus and imaging do not take away from the playfulness…in fact, .I think it is beautifully balanced in this regard. The image looks neither gangrenous nor jaundiced to me. A beautiful image of a healthy and happy boy (and his shadow) is what I see.
Karen, thank you so much. Yes, clinically sharp images should not be automatically dismissed if they do not conform to the modern notion of what portraiture should be (the shallow depth of field that I too have been guilty of propagating with Noctilux lenses, etc).
I once viewed the B&W portraiture (in print form) of Yousuf Karsh and was struck by how clinically sharp, yet immensely evocative, many of his images were.
So beautiful. Looks like an angel if I may. What I love either is that the shadow is smiling too!
You are so good at noticing the details Luiz. That is one of the things I enjoy about your photography too. Speaking of angels, I hope your daughter is well.
Such a nice picture in many ways. To me the way your son connects with you (not the camera) is what speaks the most.
Given the title and you explanation about the moment you took the shot, a warm(er) tint is perfect. You can’t please everyone and it is your vision.
Thank you kindly Roel.
It’s been interesting seeing the Merrill images Peter. Really liked Snow Bunny and this one in particular. Liked them all really! Certainly is a different output from the CCD. In fact I think it’s almost film like over the CCD even though the MF’ish resolution is evident.
So this has gone now and back to the M9? I purchased a $30 Yashica J the other day and is the go to for a little while!! Viewfinder not quite up to Leica standard and with shutter options of 1/300, 1/100 and 1/50 and now meter it could be a real lottery once i get the film developed!
Looking forward to a big year of images from you!
Hi Andy. Still have both my CCD-sensor Leicas (M-E, M8)… still the best all-around digital cameras out there for intimate photography. Still hoping more people will sign my letter.
I guess your Mamiya is gone? And now a $30 Yashica J, lol, I am sure you will come up with some great images, knowing you.
Wonderful portrait, you’ve really caught that fleeting, almost intangible expression of personality that only photography can do and the shadow gives it another dimension and life. The texture and sparkle from that sensor/lens combo is really quite stunning too.
Thank you David. That little spark of personality is what I strive to document… thank you for noticing. And thank you for your manners.
This remark that the DP3 Merrill is not good for portraits keeps coming up and it makes no sense. Why does taking a portrait somehow require a lack of fidelity? I have taken some beautiful portraits with my DP3 Merrill. It’s ridiculous to say that this camera is not suitable for portraiture – you can always remove fidelity if you wish, but you sure can’t add it if it isn’t there in the first place.
Incidentally, how are you getting on with the lack of viewfinder Peter? I would have thought you would find it really annoying.
Thanks Chris for your thoughts, which of course I completely agree with.
With respect to your question, yes, lack of a viewfinder bothers me. It’s a definite liability.
I love that this is filed under “reader smackdown”, teeheehee. 🙂
Lovely photograph
Yeah, I couldn’t help myself… it was a rough week of full of wacky reader comments and I had to respond.
Prosophos 
What a beautiful picture of a beautiful boy!
Bo
Yes, it’s a beautiful shot. If I wanted to be picky, I’d say that the Merrill is probably too good at what it does. It’s at the opposite end of the spectrum to film, exactly where the medium format digital sensors are. The M9 is in between. I say this because it’s a little bit clinical (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
The Foveon is perfect for architecture or commercial work, or perhaps landscapes. I dare say it would make a heck of a film duplicator (pseudo scanner). But not ideal for portraiture, IMHO.
P.S. I demand that you fix the white balance in this shot. There’s a warm tint all over it. Everyone knows that sensors are calibrated to 5,500K and you’re supposed to use a grey card. These kinds of photographs are what happens when people don’t go to photography school to be guided by qualified instructors.
Funny, I had a comment earlier today, seemingly just as rude (but he explained himself later), saying that my son looked “seasick” (green?). So by criticizing the “warm tint” you are saying the opposite of what he was, I guess.
Hmmm… colour seems to be a subjective thing, n’est-ce pas?
I can tell you, as the photographer who actually took this shot, that the setting sunlight was even warmer than this. I dialed it down a bit because I knew people would be eager to find fault with the colour. Because they are used to my Leica images.
So Karim, please point me to your lovely photographs. School me.
Thanks for your wonderful site, commentary and pictures/shots/takes/snaps; or should I call them photographs? I’m not sure but I have no doubt someone will point me in the right direction!
Loving the Merril and your commitment to what works or doesn’t work for ‘you’!
Thank you Gary – I appreciate it.
Peter: I should have capitalized “demand”, and also demanded that you show us a Kodachrome shot to compare with. I think that clears things up? 😉
(Seriously: I might be a bit of an idiot but I would never be rude without provocation, and even then, I’d probably hold back).
Your naivety and undeveloped knowledge and understanding of photography and art is exceeded only by your absence of tact and manners.
Hi, David. Under ordinary circumstances I’d agree with you.
However, my first comment (the postscript of it) on this thread was misunderstood by Peter, and that was my fault. My second comment explained the first, referring to a similar sarcastic comment I made in the preceding entry, ‘Snow Bunny (revisited)’, which you may have read.
He allowed my second comment, implying to me that he understood that I was carrying over the sarcasm from the previous entry (which also referred to an incident where a blogger used one of his photos without permission, hence the comment about blog traffic).
However, I will plead guilty to not making my sarcasm obvious. Perhaps the /sarc tag should be used to avoid confusion.
What I like about this portrait is the strong shadow. It’s what makes this image more than just your average portrait.
It’s the whole shadow business, in addition to the light, that inspired me to shoot it. I have a second image, where the shadow is more pronounced (because I’m photographing from another angle), but my son’s expression isn’t as natural.
I like the shadow(s) also. This is a crisp image that is also sweetly expressive. The precision of the focus and imaging do not take away from the playfulness…in fact, .I think it is beautifully balanced in this regard. The image looks neither gangrenous nor jaundiced to me. A beautiful image of a healthy and happy boy (and his shadow) is what I see.
Karen, thank you so much. Yes, clinically sharp images should not be automatically dismissed if they do not conform to the modern notion of what portraiture should be (the shallow depth of field that I too have been guilty of propagating with Noctilux lenses, etc).
I once viewed the B&W portraiture (in print form) of Yousuf Karsh and was struck by how clinically sharp, yet immensely evocative, many of his images were.
So beautiful. Looks like an angel if I may. What I love either is that the shadow is smiling too!
You are so good at noticing the details Luiz. That is one of the things I enjoy about your photography too. Speaking of angels, I hope your daughter is well.
Such a nice picture in many ways. To me the way your son connects with you (not the camera) is what speaks the most.
Given the title and you explanation about the moment you took the shot, a warm(er) tint is perfect. You can’t please everyone and it is your vision.
Thank you kindly Roel.
It’s been interesting seeing the Merrill images Peter. Really liked Snow Bunny and this one in particular. Liked them all really! Certainly is a different output from the CCD. In fact I think it’s almost film like over the CCD even though the MF’ish resolution is evident.
So this has gone now and back to the M9? I purchased a $30 Yashica J the other day and is the go to for a little while!! Viewfinder not quite up to Leica standard and with shutter options of 1/300, 1/100 and 1/50 and now meter it could be a real lottery once i get the film developed!
Looking forward to a big year of images from you!
Hi Andy. Still have both my CCD-sensor Leicas (M-E, M8)… still the best all-around digital cameras out there for intimate photography. Still hoping more people will sign my letter.
I guess your Mamiya is gone? And now a $30 Yashica J, lol, I am sure you will come up with some great images, knowing you.
Wonderful portrait, you’ve really caught that fleeting, almost intangible expression of personality that only photography can do and the shadow gives it another dimension and life. The texture and sparkle from that sensor/lens combo is really quite stunning too.
Thank you David. That little spark of personality is what I strive to document… thank you for noticing. And thank you for your manners.
This remark that the DP3 Merrill is not good for portraits keeps coming up and it makes no sense. Why does taking a portrait somehow require a lack of fidelity? I have taken some beautiful portraits with my DP3 Merrill. It’s ridiculous to say that this camera is not suitable for portraiture – you can always remove fidelity if you wish, but you sure can’t add it if it isn’t there in the first place.
Incidentally, how are you getting on with the lack of viewfinder Peter? I would have thought you would find it really annoying.
Thanks Chris for your thoughts, which of course I completely agree with.
With respect to your question, yes, lack of a viewfinder bothers me. It’s a definite liability.
I love that this is filed under “reader smackdown”, teeheehee. 🙂
Lovely photograph
Yeah, I couldn’t help myself… it was a rough week of full of wacky reader comments and I had to respond.
You’re the first to have noticed Linden.
—Peter.