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To round up this issue, here are some photos from the launch of the new Image Stabilizer fast aperture-type of USM super telephoto lenses. Like I have described in issue No: 9 on composition and framing, how you compose and frame your photos is basically up to you, as long as they adhere to essential questions No: 2 and 3 of focusing attention on the main subject and simplifying them with only the necessary elements. The first photo shown below (left) was shot horizontally, a change from the usual vertical formats when shooting portraits. The photo fulfils everything which I aimed for: eye contact at any viewer (focus attention) and the blurred background (simplify). So who's complaining?
The second photo (above, right) of the familiar IXUS girl, minus the make-up, was shot with the new EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM. An out-of-focus background makes her stand out and provides impact to the shot. Blurred background is, of course, natural with any telephoto lens, even if you close down the aperture two stops from the maximum opening. If you have family members like your spouse (husband or wife), siblings, parents or relatives who are fussy about their appearances in photographs, you may want to think twice about investing in L-series lenses. This is because such lenses, when used with ultra-fine grain films, will render all the pores and other facial blemishes in all their "glory". They will not blame the L-series lenses for faithfully reproducing their "bad" parts but on your photographic ability instead. I am sure many EOS users have experienced such erratic remarks from their respective family members. Below are two examples of how the L-series lenses reproduce details as they are.
Text and photos by Philip Chong. |
