ONE APRIL MORNING
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Wake Up (4:23 AM) Yes, that’s correct. Couldn’t sleep, so headed down to the bagel shop, which is why this looks like it was taken at night - it was. |
Third Avenue, Bus Is Finally Leaving
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 Expensive Cup of Joe (Or - no mercy. He tries to get his two cups from Starbucks but his cab is already ticketed). |
Umbrellas for Sale |
Rain Shield |
Near Newsstand |
Comments
Comment from dave
Time: April 4, 2008, 7:58 pm
Jeff - there is no need for you to toss away film. What you are seeing is the result of working many years with one foot in the film world, and one in the digital world.
I don’t know how much of what I’m producing is based on my “ideas,” of what a picture should look like, and knowing how to make it “look that way.”
But just as a starting point — all the images are shot in RAW MODE. If you aren’t sure exactly what that is, or what it means - than that is where you’ll have to start the learning curve. The digital camera can put a temporary filter on the RAW image so that when I look at it on the back of the camera - I see it in a sort of low-contrast b&w.
When the raw image is imported into Lightroom - it is immediately given a filter (non-destructive) that also give a certain more fine-tuned b&w image for me.
In short - I never (or almost never) see the image as a color image (although I always could if I wanted to); and I’m essentially always dealing with layers of non-destructive filters that sit on the RAW file.
Lightroom was very easy for me to take to because I had a history of lighting for films; and more than 10 years with Photoshop; and maybe 35 years with film.
The point of all this is — I was at the perfect point in my development and curiosity to pick up this combination of digital capture, printing, and Lightroom. I don’t know what else to say. I hate giving advice because many times what works for me doesn’t make sense to the person at the other end of the email. It’s one of the shortcomings of exchanging information through the web.
So it isn’t necessary to do anything drastic. You need a camera with a good prime lens that can shoot in RAW mode; and you can download the trial version of Lightroom; and take a look around for a good book on Lightroom or a good video.
Comment from Mike
Time: April 5, 2008, 6:08 am
Hi Dave
Love this selection of images. The vignette works really well in drawing the eye to the main focus of the image. Contrast is superb also.
Cheers
Mike
http://www.picturesforwalls.com
Comment from jb
Time: April 5, 2008, 7:52 am
whats the story behind the new “welcome” sign on the homepage? looks a bit too down homey which conflicts with my overall impression of your work/site, that being more sophisticated. Kind of like an Alman Brothers album cover (a band I love) for a Nat Cole record. IMHO
Comment from JPH
Time: April 5, 2008, 8:40 am
Mr. Beckerman -
I agree with the shortcomings of communicating via email… I wasn’t looking for advice per se from you to make me make the digital leap, that will come in it’s own time when I am ready and feel it is the better option for me and my work… just seeing your work recently has strongly pushed that all more to becoming a reality.
Thank you for the info on how you shoot it, that is interesting to me that it is in that b&w filter way that you described. So do you shoot with the little monitor on the back being your viewfinder, or do you still actually use the viewfinder?
Bottom line, again as always, is just my being very impressed of the work you have produced, both as a Photographer, and from the current digital work. All the best to you, and thanks again.
Comment from dave
Time: April 5, 2008, 9:02 am
JPH - I use the viewfinder; just like in the good olde days.
Speaking of good olde days - I sort of had this old fashioned feeling the other day which lead me to the WELCOME SIGN on the home page. It is true that it doesn’t fit with the images - but I sort of like it anyway. Reminds me of a visit to an old-fashioned (are there any of these) barbershop.
Comment from JPH
Time: April 4, 2008, 6:42 pm
I do declare, Mr Beckerman, with every new photo you post, the more you sell me on abandoning film myself and going fully digital!
Ever since your foray into digital this past month plus, I have just been absolutely amazed and astounded at the work you continue to produce. Not only because of the photos themselves that you capture and take, but almost as much, the quality of the digital images themselves… if I wouldn’t have known that you were shooting digital, I never would have guessed by looking at the photos. Like the Third Ave Rain above, I love the deep, saturated blacks, the only thing that gives that away as not being film, is the crisp, clean, clearness of it, lack of film grain.
I thought I would never stop shooting film, almost solely because of my love of shooting black and white… but, sir… a very quick convert you are making me! I’m dumbfounded at myself that I am really so close to just casting away film!
When you do capture your images, are you shooting in color, or do you have your camera set up to capture in some black and white mode? I’m sure whatever b&w setting is still an RGB file, right? Do you enter into Lightroom with a full color image and start from there?
I’ll stop gushing now… I am just glad that Richo directed me to you a couple years ago… your work, your blog, all are great sources of admiration and inspiration, thank you for sharing it with us all. Happy shooting to you, sir.
Jeff