Portraits in the Rain

Portraits in the Rain

It's always a pleasure working with a model you have a history with. Lauren has been great to work with for well over a year now. Once you develop a working relationship with your crew things go smoother.

We had a full afternoon to explore Scottsboro, Alabama to shoot some upcoming Spring apparel for an ad I'm buildling. This particular day the sky decided to fall out and we had to work with the limitations we were given. "But Matt... why not just work on a different day"? Great questions, it's becuase this is the only day we had the model and opportunity to shoot. So... adapt and overcome. Fortunately, the sky dried up just long enough for us to capture this beautiful back country road and stay relatively dry.  

Equipment Used:

• Canon 5D Mark IV
• Canon 70-200 Lens
• Paul C. Buff Einstein 640
• Paul C. Buff 64" PLM
• Paul C. Buff Vagabond Battery
• Pocket Wizard Triggers\Recievers

Final Note:

I did want to point out a little note on the last image. This was shot outside under a gazebo. To get this "studio backdrop" feel to the image I exposed my background first, then angled higher than normal, exposed the model a bit brighter than her surroundings and BAM... it looks fake LOL! Kind of a neat look to it that may work well for some of you. This was a happy accident. Not a designed shot.  

Go to Paul C. Buff and check out their gear. It's proven time and time again to get me the look I want. They'll serve you well

Ilford Delta 3200

Ilford Delta 3200

Ilford Delta 3200 is a bit tough to get through being a higher ISO (for my style of shooting), but when you get through your first roll and see what it produces... you'll be hooked for sure.

For me, I shoot a lot in direct sunlight then slowly transition to darker city scapes or inside venues. I fell like in order for me to keep pushing this beautiful film I'll need to invest in a good ND filter for the Bessa R2A and Zeiss ZM 50mm f/2. Sure I could nab Fuji Acros 100 and push it to 400 or 800 to find a happy middle ground, but I'm really in love with the Ilford 3200 feel.

What do you think?

35mm Portrait with Paul C. Buff

I'm not really sure where to begin with this one. I feel like I just hit the next level in my pursuit to create something unique that fulfills me creatively on all levels.

A couple fun facts: I just picked up a Voigtlander Bessa R2A and Zeiss ZM 50mm f/2. With this new camera I have the idea to start shooting portraits with strobe. This is the first round of what that looks like. 

Lindsay Carver

So... I went to Imaging USA in Nashville, TN and connected with the Paul C. Buff crew. Come to find out, they had a photo walk planned with Jeff Carpenter of Ready Light Media. I signed up for that and used the opportunity to play with this new idea.  Ok, I say "new" idea loosely because really, I reverse engineered portraits to the days of film, but using baller new lighting by Paul C. Buff. These two shots were captured with the Voigtlander Bessa R2A | Zeiss ZM 50mm f/2 | Kodak Ektar 100

I'll really begin to understand the different tones in different films after a few rolls shooting portraits with strobe. I have a good idea of what film serves me best on the street, but shooting portraits and dialing in skin tones is a totally different ball game. My next round of 35mm film portraits will be captured with Fuji 400H. It will be a bit more purple vs. the orange of the Ektar, but really, Ektar is better for landscape than portrait, but what I had in my camera at the time. 

I hope this gets you pumped and motivates you to push your film use OR to just start shooting film in general. Film provides so many different affordable shooting styles and will teach patience to nab the best shot you can via a classic medium that's going nowhere but up. 

Making The Streets My Studio

I go back and forth loving the studio over the streets. As you can tell from my Instagram vibes, I transition from 35mm film, to portraits, to lifestyle. I love them all and all provide a unique create outlet for me when one style of shooting is driving me insane. 

The next step in my photographical journey is to implement photo regression and dive into shooting portraits on 35mm. It will be so much fun and provide a look I long for. 

This was a shoot in support of growing the Huntsville community featuring Honest Roasters Coffee and apparel from Unclaimed Baggage in Scottsboro, AL. I had a Paul C. Buff Einstein 640 posted up in the street and shot around Clinton Ave. in Huntsville, AL. I live for shoots like this. I hope you enjoy. 

Shoot More 35mm

Don't argue. Don't question it. Don't say anything at all. Just go shoot more 35mm

Explore more with the Canon Canonet28 & Kodak Ektar 100.

Jason Lee & Film Photographic

Why is film still around? I believe it's because nothing else can replicate it. You can't replicate the patience that film demands. There's a peace behind shooting film and letting those memories sit in hiding only to be rediscovered weeks down the road. There's joy in knowing light well enough to capture stories manually.  

Growing up skateboarding, I've followed along as a few pro's have taken to photography, but one of my favorites has to be Jason Lee. He's a big influence in my rediscovery of film and focusing my shots on a consistent topic.

One of my weaknesses is a lack of consistency. I'm in love with a lot of different shooting styles and bounce from idea to idea. Digital photography makes this easy to do and with the ever growing demand to stay "connected" and share the next "greatest shot" on social platforms only compliments my weakness. Film, on the other hand, does not allow this so easily. I can slow down and think out my next shot and focus in on a specific idea. Jason is a great example of consistency and knowledge to tell a story over time. Becuase of this and his beautiful images, I'm reengaging with film and may even bring it to my portrait sessions.

Above is an image of a general store in Woodville, Alabama. This shot is a reflection of my inspiration from Jason. If you haven't checked out Jason Lee's work before, I highly encourage you to do so now.

Follow along on Instagram | @matttpittman