Aura.

2014, Favourite, Film, Kodak Tri-X 400, Mamiya RZ 110mm F/2.8, Mamiya RZ67 Professional Pro II, Portrait, Scanner - Plustek 120

The life savour.

2014, Favourite, Film, Inspiration, Kodak Tri-X 400, Mamiya RZ 110mm F/2.8, Mamiya RZ67 Professional Pro II, Portrait, Scanner - Plustek 120, Teaching point

There’s an ethereal quality in the image towards the right edge of the frame — caused by a bit of lens flare… but it appears as if the film grain is commingling with the very light that it’s trying to contain.

Don’t you just love film?

—Peter.

Radiata.

2014, Favourite, Inspiration, Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH f/1.4, Leica M Type 240, Portrait

Portrait, Part 2.

Inspiration, Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH f/1.4, Leica M Type 240, Portrait

Springtime in Toronto, Part 3.

2014, Favourite, Film, Inspiration, Kodak Tri-X 400, Mamiya RZ 110mm F/2.8, Mamiya RZ67 Professional Pro II, Portrait, Scanner - Plustek 120

Another “winter hat portrait”… it’s supposed to be spring, but it sure doesn’t feel like it.

On another note, I’m hooked on the look of medium format film.

All else doesn’t quite measure up.

Now I’m in trouble.

—Peter.

Lights of our lives.

Favourite, Inspiration, Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH f/1.4, Leica M Type 240, Life's Little Moments, Portrait

Branching out.

Inspiration, Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH f/1.4, Leica M Type 240, Life's Little Moments, Portrait

Serendipitous symmetry.

Eyes – Test Shot Portrait (Mamiya Tilt/Shift).

2014, Favourite, Film, Inspiration, Kodak Tri-X 400, Mamiya RZ 180mm F/4.5 Short Barrel, Mamiya RZ67 Professional Pro II, Mamiya Tilt/Shift Adapter, Portrait, Q&A, Scanner - Plustek 120, Teaching point

My first portrait using the Mamiya 180mm f/4.5 Short Barrel lens with the Mamiya Tilt/Shift Adapter.

I really should be supporting this heavy and unwieldy gear with a tripod, but I’ve avoided tripods all my life (ahhh the undisciplined life of a candid photographer).

Not bad though. I see great potential with this set-up.

—Peter.

Springtime in Toronto, Part 2.

Film, Inspiration, Kodak Tri-X 400, Mamiya RZ 110mm F/2.8, Mamiya RZ67 Professional Pro II, Portrait, Q&A, Scanner - Plustek 120, Teaching point

You have to love this city and its weather 😉 .

This image was taken using the Mamiya 110/2.8 at its near focus limit; even at f/4 (the aperture used for this shot), the depth of field is quite thin — perhaps too thin for this portrait, since only the near eye is in focus.

Still, I like it.

The look of the Tri-X film and the bigger 6 x 7 “sensor” of medium format is quite remarkable. Notice the true-to-life rendering of his face, texture of his hat, etc. Currently, high-end 35mm digital cameras may be able to out-resolve this antiquated gear (at least using the scanner I’m using), but they cannot duplicate the look of this image.

—Peter.