Grandkids updated

[Simlec]

I did wonder this, when you say paper background how does this fair when people stand on it? Or is it more like the stuff projector screens are made of.

 

[stevethesparks]

You really want something that is non reflective - dependant on what effects you want to achieve.
With the paper, I generally use it continuous from background, curved onto the floor. if you use it on a hard floor and keep your subjects shoes off of it, it will last a lot longer, to be rolled up again with a possible couple of more uses from it.
However, yesterday, having it rolled out onto a carpet, holes soon appeared, and so had to cut and roll some more off. It can get expensive.
For head and shoulder portraits, you can use almost anything, if you have the depth between your subject and background, you can be a lot more creative, and also makes it easier to isolate your subject into an almost 3D image up front.
Some people swear by upside down lino, I suppose at least it can be wiped clean.

 

[Besoeker]

Sometimes you just get lucky....

Eldest grandson........the eyes have it.........
No special set up........longish lens and a shallow depth of field.

 

[Besoeker]

And sometimes just opportunity...........

 

[stevethesparks]

After nearly 6 years, not having time due to being self employed. Now forced into early retirement (I put in 49 years) I've dusted off some of my gear. Now fully intend to enjoy my retirement getting back into portraiture.

 

[pirate]

Due to Covid I have been getting back to photography a little bit. Used to do some pro stuff for work, but not really high quality. I use a venerable Canon Rebel (350D) which I have used and abused for many years, and it's hardly state-of-the -art, but it is a workhorse. My go to lens for interior shoots is a 10-20mm Sigma, but I have a variety of other Canon and Sigma ones.
I also have the classic A1, and a AE1, and I have thought about going back to film with those just for fun, but it's expensive compared with digital, obviously. I would have sold them off, but you get buttons for what are pieces of art...
I carry an Ixus in my pocket for fun, but the phone gets used a lot these days.
Still trying to get to grips with my GoPro...but i will persevere!

 

[telectrix]

i still have a canon AE1, 2 canon EOS film bodies, couple od Zenits, and a couple of 1960's 120 roll film jobbies. as you say, film is too expensive these days. pity as we used to make every shot count, whereas now it's the shotgun approach. take 100 and hope that 3 or 4 are worth keeping.

 

[stevethesparks]

Unfortunately I had to sell some gear a few years ago during a lull in my self employment, I wish I hadn't now.
Not so much money available now to purchase replacements :-(
The price of photographic gear has more than doubled IMO over several years.

 

[stevethesparks]

One from today. I cheated and took these separately, Turned one around and merged them. Looks like a floating head on the left, but on my monitor (original image) you can see the detail of the black jumper. 1st studio session with my upgrade in gear EOS 6DMKII

 

[pirate]

Nice image there! I've spent a bit of time revisiting my Canon Rebel over the last year, and while I am fairly happy with the results I never really print any of the images except for any "requests" from friends and family. The photos I take for myself are simply filed on my PC and may never get looked at again. The quality from my phone is perfectly good enough for viewing on a decent sized monitor, so the phone gets used almost daily, but the Canon only comes out for special trips where I have a specific goal in mind. I don't do many "trips" these days as the low cost of digital is outweighed by the high cost of diesel!
Anyway, please do post some more pics in due course. It's refreshing change from electrical stuff!

 

[stevethesparks]

Anyway, please do post some more pics in due course. It's refreshing change from electrical stuff!

Thank you.
I must admit, and it has surprised me that since retiring, I have lost all interest in the electrical trade.

Is that the 550D you have? Was and still is a decent camera. I upgraded to the 6DMKII after buying a second hand 6D, the difference compared to my pre-loved 5D was night and day. As I sometimes make pretty big enlargements I wanted the extra definition. I traded 2x 5D's and my 550D in towards the purchase.

 

[pirate]

Nope, it's the original 350D, known as the Rebel in US and other markets. Must be 25 years old now and has never missed a beat, and served me well at work for 20 of those years. I guess it's relative simplicity and build quality was a factor in me not "upgrading", and the small variety of lenses I have covered every eventuality I encountered.
Saw a Pentax Spotmatic on sale in my local charity shop, immaculate condition...£8!
I didn't buy it, as I still have an immaculate A1 and AE1...but afterwards I thought "hey, no money in these, so why not collect them and build a "camera wall"? Still can't get used to my GoPro either...but I'm probably too old!