Portraiture question (Re: [Leica] 75/1.4 versus 90/2.0)

["Roy Zartarian" <royzart@connix.com>]

Let me expand, if I may, the scope of Richard's question for I 
experienced a problem where the lens I used was "too accurate" for 
one of the two subjects in a recent portrait session. I did use 
medium format SLR with a 150mm lens primarily for the size of the 
negative and secondarily because my R body was in the shop at the 
time.

I was doing 75-year-old twins - brother and sister. He was in good 
health, tan complexion, smooth skin. Her face showed the etchings of 
age.  And she was not overly enthused about what the sharpness of the 
lens did to her.  A softening filter would have helped her but not 
him.  The lab doing the final prints was able to soften just her face 
a little.

So my question is: how can one handle differences in skin quality 
among subjects in a single portrait?

Roy 

On 11 Aug 98 at 13:43, Richard Clompus wrote:
 
> One of my areas of interest is to take portraits of my family and
> friends. I use both the R8 and 100/2.8 apo lens and an M6 with
> 90/2.0 lens.  I actually like the optics of the 90 better than the
> 100 apo.  Sometimes the apo is "too accurate" in resolving facial
> details blemishes and fine lines. The 90 used wide open delivers a
> wonderful image with a narrow depth of field.
>