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AfricanObserver ā Cello Practise II
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#cello #fingers #hand #light #music #practise
Published: 2018-04-08 18:46:25 +0000 UTC; Views: 741; Favourites: 26; Downloads: 0
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I don't normally like to spam images from a session, but the light on the hand was too pretty to turn up.The other side of
A7s on a 1972 Vivitar 28-85 f2.8, somewhere around f4. Feel free to try it full size!
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Comments: 20
good exposure in non studio. movement.
grain/noise gives cinematic effect.
The first thing that came across my mind upon seeing this photo, was how clever the idea is to shoot from this angle, a cellist in action. To shoot down the scroll on to the hands requires one to get all up close and personal, an opportunity you had, many will never get. You saw it, and you took advantage of the moment, as one should. Again, great idea.
The composition in itself is well balanced and the image is pleasant to look at, whilst somewhat relaxing at the same time. It is crisp and sharp where the index finger meets the strings. I can not tell if this is due to manual or A7/lens auto focus, but it is spot on.
The lighting and exposure is impressive for a shot from this position and angle, in what appears to be a normal non-studio environment. That said, there is some noise due to high ISO or editing most noticeable top left and bottom right. The hands move relatively fast so I do think this is almost as good as it can get without studio lights. Since you chose a B&W finish for the image, maybe a light touch of film grain effect would help mask the noise a bit.
I am by no means an expert on photography, but I hope these comments will be of some use to you. Thank you for sharing!
Side note: As a fellow cellist, this image also evokes the comforting sensation of smelling rosin in the room. One of the great pleasures of bowed instruments. e.deviantart.net/emoticons/s/sā¦ " width="15" height="15" alt="
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Thanks for the detailed analysis and thinking. It made me go back and check a few things!
I was actually exploring shooting macro video with the a7s when I shot these, so I have a number of interesting angles! None of the macro stills quite made it through the edit though. This is a crop from a wider over-the-shoulder shot. There was a bit a mess of cables and bags on the floor, and I was trying to work out how to get rid of it, and this tight crop just clicked - unusually quickly for me.
The lens pre-dates autofocus by around 20 years! The Sony's have really great focus peaking options, so one can tell quite easily and quickly. That said, I'm pretty impressed that a 1972 (or possibly 82) lens can pull this level of sharpness. It takes a little getting used to, but it can do the job.
Your comments about lighting are spot on - this was in the dining room. I'd closed one curtain, originally to shield the lens from a flare, but it gave some really nice direction and texture to the image.
In terms of grain, I see what you mean. At 100ISO, this sensor is perfectly clean. I always shoot in available light, and happily gain a decent shutter speed in return for a bit of grain. That's why I bought the a7s. 5000 ISO - most other cameras are unusable at this level - certainly if you want to blow the image up any. The A7s is usable right up to 8000 or 10000. 12K is quite noisy, but OK at laptop screen sizes. The fact that one could still get a decent 16x20" print from 35% of the image here blows me away a little.
I've never played with adding grain - I'm normally fighting to keep it down from the low-light shooting! I tried a GIMP grain plugin once, and was rather underwhelmed. Having pushed HP5 film to 3200ISO chemically, I have a different feel on grain, contrast and low-light shots.
But that said, there is a bit of grain in the blurry areas.
Your comments are indeed useful, and help me to see "what works" as much as anything else. And if an image can evoke the smell of rosin, I claim a win!
Thanks very much for your time and insights.
Grant H
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Thank you for sharing your process. It is a pleasure to read! Also, the A7s is a wonderful machine and it is great how older lenses still hold up to modern standards Ā
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Pleasure, and indeed.
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Haha, I forgot to edit one thing: The first two phrases were meant to be a note-to-self when writing the te critique, but I forgot to edit it out of the final post.
That was kind of dumb Ā
Anyway, it can serve as a quick reference for people who do not like reading. Ā
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You're right. The light is very beautiful on the hands. Too beautiful to pass up. 
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Thanks
I'm quite pleased with its reception - it's turning out relatively popular!
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I loved the shot of your son too.
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Well, I'm a bit biased, but thank you.
No, he's only recently started the cello. Has Royal Schools Grade 8 in piano though, and plays half a dozen other instruments: Concert Boet And The Boys
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hehe...I heard the song. Cute! He plays all those instuments...wow. He must be really musically talented. I don't know what Royal Schools Grade 8 is, but I'm sure it's something very prestigious. Congrats!Ā
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The Royal Schools Gr8 is the equivalent of high school grade 12, at least around here.
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OK, got it. Smart too!
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There's a thing. Normally only do that when teaching how sound works! But yes.
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I love it !
All is good on this picture, the short depth od field, the composition, the light !!!Ā
Great work
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Thank you. Once cropped, it all snapped into place.
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