The Lunch

Another view from last Sunday’s visit to the Borderers re-enactment group that comes together at Buittle Tower-house, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. An example of opportunistic photography. You sit yourself down and wait to see what happens. I tried an HDR with this guy who was sitting quite still, but in the end went with this slight underexposure.

Tags: Buittle Tower, Dumfries & Galloway, Kirkcudbright, Photography, Portrait, Scotland, The Borderers

23 thoughts on “The Lunch”

mikeosbornphoto on July 25, 2012 at 6:19 pm said:

This has the feeling of a painting which suits the period feel of the shot.

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- John Smith on July 25, 2012 at 11:47 pm said:
  
  Hi Mike, thanks, much appreciated.
  
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LeBlogDuSpectateurSentimentale on July 25, 2012 at 7:26 pm said:

it looks like a painting, indeed.

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- John Smith on July 25, 2012 at 11:48 pm said:
  
  Thank you, thanks very much.
  
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neverphoto on July 25, 2012 at 9:23 pm said:

Vermeer.

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- John Smith on July 25, 2012 at 11:55 pm said:
  
  Well thank you….. Vermeer, Franz Hals or Rembrandt all painted sombre looking pictures. I suppose you can’t help the similarity when he is wearing a costume of the period. Thanks again.
  
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  - neverphoto on July 26, 2012 at 12:41 am said:
    
    For me, it is the light. Where it comes from and how it hangs on the subject.
    
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seekraz on July 25, 2012 at 10:12 pm said:

Yes, John…it does rather have the appearance of a Renaissance masterpiece…very nice. I like the underexposure…shadows can be good things….

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- John Smith on July 26, 2012 at 12:04 am said:
  
  Hi Scott, yes, shadows are typical of Caravaggio as well………… just needs a bowl of fruit and a lute.
  Thanks very much, regards, John.
  
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  - seekraz on July 26, 2012 at 1:10 am said:
    
    Very welcome….
    
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Leanne Cole on July 26, 2012 at 10:01 pm said:

This is a beautiful image John, great capture, I love the lighting and the clothing the guy is wearing, just make it.

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- John Smith on July 26, 2012 at 10:43 pm said:
  
  Hi Leanne, have just been looking at your fabulous photos. I am stuck with more or less ‘straight’ images with a little vignetting……. how would you process this image, I wonder…. ?
  
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  - Leanne Cole on July 27, 2012 at 12:40 am said:
    
    That is a really interesting question. I think the composition is great, though if he had looked up at you and you could see his face more, that would have made it perfect, The background, his clothes and even what he is eating his lunch with give a place in time, which isn’t right now. I remember seeing this and it really caught my eye.
    So processing, I wouldn’t do very much at all. Maybe soften it a little, very little, like using a diffusing filter, maybe bring up on the highlights ever so slightly on the face, hands and spoon. I probably would so more vignetting on the bottom, draw you in more. These are not very much and very subtle ideas. Like I have said, it is a fantastic image, and as it is, it is brilliant. I love it and would be so happy if it was mine.
    
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    - John Smith on July 27, 2012 at 5:54 pm said:
      
      Hi Leanne, and thanks very much for your thoughts. Posing a figure in a public place is always possible though we don’t always have the confidence and you risk embarrassing the person involved, but what’s good enough for Robert Doisneau and Henri Cartier-Bresson ought to be right for you and me as well. In this case, of course, I didn’t tell him, but next time ….
      I have gotten out of the habit of softening… used to filter landscapes often….. its generally true that we aim for sharpness rather than the opposite, but it does help to contain and focus on the salient bits….. yes, a good idea. Certainly a stronger vignetting at the bottom is required though I find the settings in Adobe Bridge not quite comprehensive enough to darken the lighter parts of an image and probably need to use a multiply filter on these areas.
      Very interesting. Your time and consideration are very much appreciated Leanne; I know you lead a hectic life, but your commitment to photography is highly valued.
      Thanks again, regards, John.
      
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Lesley on July 26, 2012 at 11:48 pm said:

Very Holbien, super light

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- John Smith on July 26, 2012 at 11:51 pm said:
  
  Thanks Lesley……
  
  best regards, John.
  
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throughenglisheyesmark on July 28, 2012 at 9:45 am said:

An Old Master by a blogging Master, well done 🙂

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- John Smith on July 29, 2012 at 10:46 pm said:
  
  Thanks Mark. Blogging becomes habitual…….its a bit like publishing in a way………. giving your ideas an airing and hoping that people will be honest, but kind with their comments. Am in the middle of preparing a set of work for exhibition, and using some of the pictures posted here which I wouldn’t have come up with if I hadn’t been blogging.
  Regards, John.
  
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  - throughenglisheyesmark on July 30, 2012 at 3:07 am said:
    
    Good lucik with the exhibition my friend, I wish I could be there to see it.
    
    Regards
    Mark
    
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    - John Smith on August 14, 2012 at 12:48 am said:
      
      Thanks Mark
      
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  - throughenglisheyesmark on July 30, 2012 at 3:11 am said:
    
    Good luck with the exhibition my friend, I just wish I was there to see it.
    
    Regards
    
    Mark
    
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    - John Smith on July 30, 2012 at 9:39 pm said:
      
      Thanks very much Mark, its putting me behind in visiting all the great blogs that I follow, including yours……. love the wall pictures.
      Regards
      John
      
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Patti Kuche on July 4, 2013 at 4:55 pm said:

This has such a timeless, candlelit quality to it. From the blue cap down to his boots with the spoon in the middle, you have caught him so thoroughly at home in this space of shadow and light. What a beautiful shot!

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