8 Comments

Don't know why this was the one that got me to pay for a sub, but here we are. I think it became imperative that I throw some cash into the hat after I'd forwarded this newsletter to my professional photographer friend — and realized it was the third time I'd done so along with the message "so good". as an ex-reporter turned pr flak and hobbyist photog with unrealized pro photo dreams i'm always swept away by your missives. thanks for all you do.

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I'm always so grateful for your insights and your process. As I teach myself lighting, this is invaluable information, made that much more so by your emphasis on the concept behind any given portrait. Adam, just a quick technical question, if you might have the time; what temperature do you set your camera to? The light you mentioned was at its warmest, but how about the camera? Thank you so much for this newsletter, and good luck in quarantine!

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Hi Olga, my camera white balance was set to daylight. But my file type was also set to raw, so my camera white balance didn't really matter, I could set my colour balance after importing the file into post-production software. And then of course I made color temperature adjustments in post-production.

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That's good to know. Thanks so much, Adam!

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Thanks as always! Love the insight into your process.

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Hi Adam, I’ve just subscribed to your Substack after hearing an interview you did with Ben Smith. Welcome back to Australia. I can’t believe this is the first question I’m going to ask but here goes. I’ve noticed on a couple of settings like this image you’ve set the shutter at 1/30. I would never do this because my images won’t be sharp, especially with a moving subject. I would have changed the iso to 800 instead. Did you set the camera at 1/30 to ensure enough ambient light and avoid the noise of an underexposed image at iso 800? Also, do you know any late starters to photography that have actually produced anything decent? I’m 49 and am grieving the fact I didn’t pursue my love of photography due to self confidence issues. I’m picking it up now but feeling like it’s too late. I need inspiration.

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Great description and great results on the "previous work" link. But what would you do if you HAD to produce results in black and white - AND still have to use your DSLR?

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Hi Johny, it's not really about the camera for me. It's more what the story is and if color or BW will serve the narrative best. Of course when working digitally creative decisions like this can me made after making the photographs. But, I generally decide beforehand because the final tone of the work is created by how you frame it.

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