Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/02/02
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]wharting@adelphia.net (Bill Harting)2/2/015:04 PM > Wow. I'd love to hear some more details about how you did those > barber-haircut shots with an 8x10. Can you make up a Leica-link to keep this > list-related? > > bill Leica fiction: All 8x10 concepts are rough comped for the client with Leica Digilux Zoom. 8x10 facts: I saw the idea in my mind as soon as I saw the black & white color(less) scheme of the shop. The first one I saw was the comb with the back light casting shadows on a bald head, but near the hair line. And that shot went fairly easy. The lens about an inch and half from the subject. One focused spot light. Two sheets of film (always a backup). And I had it and they loved it, "Let's do the other 3." About 40 minutes in the studio, start to finish. And then came the razor: Night mares begins. How do you get any light in an inch and half of space (without fiber optics available in the budget). Clamp the straight razor to a heavy light stantd, focus, hope the model doesn't cut himself as I move him towards the razor, Little tiny mirrors, little tiny reflecting cards, apply shaving foam, check focus, close down lens to f:16, close shutter, shaving foam turning hard, every thing is moving, depth of field about 8mm, 4 sheets down and I knew I had nothing. Cut hole in a white card, stick the lens through it and try and bounce some light in. Open lens, check focus, New foam, everything's moved and moving. 8 sheets and one good one. Maybe two. About an hour to set up and an hour and a half to shoot - up and down a step ladder constantly. The shears were next: The week before this one was scheduled, I walked into my local pro photo shop and saw in the used area an old ring light that was used by a dentist. Aha, $40 and I had a macro fill light. Add two spot lights and oh hell the Synch on the ring light's a bit eratic and frustrating but - 3 sheets exposed and one winner. The clipper: weeks of night mares, trying to clamp the clipper, the comb and still be able to turn the clipper on and off. An hour and half, 8 sheets and they're all boring as hell. Reschedule, new clamping arrangement, beefier supports, new model, flash once off, turn on clipper another flash, do that on 5 more sheets and one useable. Another hour and a half. In all four shots the models are lying, with their heads on firm foam, and at variously ridiculous angles to the hardware and the camera, complaining of cramps and freely letting me know that I am quite out of my mind. The biggest problem was maintaining 8mm of focus while closing the diaphragm ring, which was now inside the ring light (had to use the littleist pinky, cocking the shutter,inserting the holder, pulling the slide, and not allowing the models to breath. And then there's the handling of 30x40 paperŠ another story And then there's the mountingŠ I don't know if this is what you had in mind, :-) George