A self portrait I took a few minutes ago:
I shot this with the Panasonic GF1:
- Camera on manual, f/4.0, 1/60th second, 200 ISO
- Using multiple-point autofocus
- Pocketwizard on the camera
- Pocketwizard on a 430EX flash, connected with Flashzebra cable
- Flash set to manual, 1/32nd power
- Honl Photo Traveller 8 softbox on the (handheld) flash
To lower the noise (“increase the signal to noise ratio”, for engineers) I exposed to the right (i.e. I exposed high, but without actually overexposing anything) and then pulled back a stop in Lightroom.
The 20mm lens (yes you can use 40mm, for that is what it is, for portraits) gives me that wonderful sharpness. Click and view full size to see how sharp it is.
The Honl softbox gives it that nice soft look and the unique round catchlights.
And I have said it before: for creative photography, lighting a subject is as much about what you do not light than about what you do light.
Postscript: And here’s one more: son Jason just now (similarly lit, also shot with the GF1)
This answers my request from yesterday. Thank you, Michael.
Wouldn’t be able to tell these photos were shot with a hybrid.
Exactly, and that to me is the point. The micro four thirds format camera is useable as a “real” camera, and that, for me, is the reason I have finally bought a point-and-shoot.
These are great! I’ve had a very difficult time keeping my shots in focus with the timer, because the GF1 autofocus is locked after the shutter button is depressed. Can you share some advice here?
Oh, wait. With the timer, you prefocus and go to MANUAL focus; then shoot.