Re: [Leica] Filters for black and white

["Dan Post" <dwpost@email.msn.com>]

Jean-Claude:
I was surprised at the difference a red or orange filter can make in a
portrait! If someone had red, or ruddy complexion, or red 'bumps' or
blemishes, they seem to 'disappear' when using a red filter! It works well
with girls and women, especially in 'environmental' portraits with greenery
or leaves as a backdrop- the leaves become very dark!.
I found that the green, or Yellow-Green (to a lesser extent) will darken
most men's complexions, giving more texture, or lending a more masculine,
'swarthy' look to male portraits. It is a matter of taste- I used to shoot
with and without the filter, and let the subject or client decide on their
favorite. Character portraits of men, especially older men with lots of
interesting lines and such on their faces ( dare I say- wrinkles!?) are much
more interesting taken with a green filter.
Play around with them- explore the results- you may find that your style of
photography might benefit with the judicious use of filtration! It is just
one more way to use the light, or certain portions of it!
Dan

- ----- Original Message -----
From: Jean-Claude Berger <jcberger@jcberger.com>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Friday, October 01, 1999 8:42 AM
Subject: RE: [Leica] Filters for black and white


> Thanks Bernard,
>
> I learnt something. You're a much subtle photographer than I am.
>
> The red filter for portrait surprises me, I thought it would give a
illness
> effect. I may be confused but I would use the green if ever I had too (and
if I
> did portraits :-) ). I'll give it a try.
>
> Oh, BTW I do my own lab (and other's when photo was my job). But (I'm sure
to be
> flamed for that), frankly, I enjoy it as much as housekeeping :-(.
>
> --
> Jean-Claude Berger (jcberger@jcberger.com)
> Systems and RDBMS consultant (MCSE)
> Lyon, France
> http://www.jcberger.com
>
> ...
> >
> > Do you do you own printing? I ask, because who knows... maybe the lab
> > you use has some sort of equalizing automation built in. ..
> >
> > I would like to add that factor-5 red is a gorgeous filter for
> > portraits. The skin becomes very soft and comes to look like porcelain.
> > If you want a flattering portrait and aren't a fan of those banal
> > soft-focus filters, then in black and white, the red filter is the way
> > to go. The results inevitably lead to streams of ooooh's and aahhh's for
> > me.
> >
> > Bernard.
>