Ashley II

Jeez man...is that lovely soft focus dreamy quality just due to the lens alone?

Gorgeous. Be nice if you gave more details than "same ol crap".

With apologies, it's with a 14.5" Verito, f/6-ish if I remember right, on an 8x10. All the other stuff is pretty conventional, (HC-110, Arista.edu Ultra200, Ilford MGIV, Dektol...)

The Verito is a beautiful lens to use; its look changes through the aperture range, but wherever it's set, it's lovely. Even closed down to sharp, things have a little shimmer to them, and the world seems a little more three-dimensional. I think they'd be as expensive as a Pinkham & Smith if there weren't so many of them...

But they take some getting used to, especially if you want to feel you're in control and previsualize the result. It definitely keeps you on your toes mor than most lenses, but I think I'm getting a good handle on it these days. I'd love to write an article on using these lenses some day...

Another amazing frame, Mark. I've seen Verito lens work and it has a lovely signature for sure.
About the photograph: I'm a bit confused about the expression, but have a feeling it's how she usually is. I love how her hair blends with the background while she stands out from the surrounding at the same time. It all just fits together so nicely. The highlights are really beautiful too.

I'm so happy to view more of your work here.

The softness is lovely here, but you might consider cropping out the white top of lamp-pole and go for a square frame. I think it distracts to much, it might enhance the picture

I agree about the overall quality of the image, would love to see a tight, close up of her with this lens.
Tony

Nice one, Mark! I love me some Veritos. I'm back and forth on the white globe. I find it both distracting and interesting at the same time. Kind of like a thought bubble or an idea lightbulb. Whatever, this is a beautiful image.

Thank you for the thoughts, gentlemen! I rather liked the light being there as a second background presence rising from the bushes, and as a compositional element along the diagonal of her body as several branches were on parallel diagonals. I like diagonals. (See? I can rationalize anything...) But I can see how someone else would find it a distraction...


Tony, I was thinking of a closer image next time she's over, but with the 22" Verito so I wouldn't be too much in her face. I've never used that lens on an 8x10, and I'm curious...

And Kerik, as one Verito-lover to another, thank you!