BELGIAN PORTRAITS

[jaco]

BP01

BP02

BP03

BP04


Edited by Stubbsy - too many images

[Alpha_7]

These are great Jaco Each shot sets up some form of connection between the subject and the audience, too difficult to pick a favourite out of this set. Where these all taken in the same lens ?

[drifter]

Great shots jaco
#5, #8 and #9 are excellent . Love the bokeh on #5 .Really well isolated .

[jaco]

These are great Jaco Each shot sets up some form of connection between the subject and the audience, too difficult to pick a favourite out of this set. Where these all taken in the same lens ?

No.... four lenses

Nikkor 70-200 VR
Tamron 28-200
Nikkor 18-70 DX
Nikkor 17-55 DX

[wendellt]

This is Absolutely senational work, love the way you have captured the endless storys behind your subjects faces. What aperture did you use for number 2?

[ozczecho]

jaco, well done once again. #1 #9 and #10 are my faves from a great series.

[jaco]

Thanks to all!

Just refind an old one (2 years ago!!!)

Objo Sigma 24/70 - f:2,8 - 800 iso - 1/60th - f:5,6 - +1,3 IL - focal 56mm - lightning: 2 neons...



Your impressions?

I've printed an A3+: a dream!!!!!

[Sheetshooter]

Jaco,

It is an all too rare and delightful experience to witness portraiture of this level on an internet forum site. It would seem that some of this work has been done to either illustrate, promote or report on theatrical events. That is a field of endeavour that I have always found richly rewarding because of the fusion of art disciplines and the general levels of energy that performers radiate. I applaud you on a consistent and excellent application of your craft and vision. Simply excellent in all regards.

Cheers,

[Killakoala]

I love good portraiture and these are definately of great interest to me. I really like the use of an 'up close and personal' style. The subjects themselves are interesting but the way you have shot the image just amplifies how interesting they are.

Great work.

[gstark]

Jaco,

While I think the first two are excellent, and paticular the fineness of the lighting in these two images. I feel that many of the others are sufferring as a result of your strict adherance to to your three rules.

To so slavishly retain your "no vertical" rule simply destroys about half of these images.

You should remember that rules are not meant to be slavishly followed, but are there to act as a guiding light, and it's not simply ok, it's highly recommended to break them from time to time.

This was one such time.

the last one - the group shot - works exceptionally well however.

[Alpha_7]

To so slavishly retain your "no vertical" rule simply destroys about half of these images.

Um.. vertical as in Portrait / Landscape vertical ? I'm not afraid to ask stupid questions (as I often do) but I hadn't applied that rule to shot orientation but rather to the subject. It seems obvious to me I didn't think about the 3 rules very much...

[gstark]

To so slavishly retain your "no vertical" rule simply destroys about half of these images.

Um.. vertical as in Portrait / Landscape vertical ?

Yes. Look at Jaco's signature line for his three rules.

I believe that to apply those sorts of rules slavishly could be both restricting, but at the same time they could present an interesting challenge in order to satisfy them with many types of subject.

That said, and as I already noted, rules should only be used as a guide, and should be freely broken when required.

I'm not afraid to ask stupid questions (as I often do) but I hadn't applied that rule to shot orientation but rather to the subject. It seems obvious to me I didn't think about the 3 rules very much...

Understand that these are simply Jaco's own rules, that he applies to his image making. I've not seen them published anywhere, and those are not, to my knowledge, any form of general rule.

Another of Jaco's rules is "no flash". Were I to follow that rule, I'd never be able to get some of the shots I get, due to the atrocious lighting that exists in many of the places I shoot.

Many people feel that flash is harsh and detracts from an image. And in many instances, they're correct.

But you can, too, balance the light from your flash with the available light and produce some quite excellent images, reducing harsh and extreme contrasts back to within the limited range that our cameras can handle.

Look at Jaco's image 7, for instance, where, on my calibrated monitor, all we can see of the subject's RH side of his face is simply the rest of his mouth and teeth. The rest of that siude of his face has no detail whatsoever - it's totally black - which may be exactly what Jaco wanted.

However, this gentleman has a beautiful, character-enriched face, and I, for one, would love to see the rest of it, along with more detail in his left eyebrow, and perhaps his forehead.

Use of a reflector or flash would have helped aleviate the exposure issues I'm seeing here, and switching the aspect to portrait orientation would have permitted exactly the same close cropping (which helps to make the image as powerful as it is) but provided even more detail and interest than the current image offers.

Agaiun, just my opinion ...

[ajo43]

I applaud Jaco for what I think is a fantastic set of photographs.

To me good portraiture is one of the highest forms of photography. It demonstrates a maturity in the photographer that I really envy. The ability to have the confidence to get close to a subject while still communicating with them enough to develop a rapport and not losing their character.

Then there is the lighting which is just so important and gives so much texture to the features of an interesting.

Gary, I’m not sure what is wrong with your monitor but I have a crappy laptop and the left hand side of the mans face in # 7 is filled with details and depth.

[gstark]

Gary, I’m not sure what is wrong with your monitor but I have a crappy laptop and the left hand side of the mans face in # 7 is filled with details and depth.

Nothing at all, actually.

It's a three month old LCD, calibrated, and I see nothing but his mouth and teeth. (And FWIW, on the DPR contrast chart, I see all of the gradations)

[Oneputt]

The easiest way to put this is to say simply that I thoroughly enjoyed looking at this work, and am envious of your obvious talent.

[leek]

Some great portraits Jaco... Personally I love the use of space to the left & right and the use of shadow adds to the mood conjured up by the images.

The faces are full of character.

I'd be interested to hear how you took these... Some are obviously theatrical, but others seem to be candid or people posing for you... Do you approach people on the street or did they ask you to take the images?

[Sheetshooter]

Jaco,

.....

To so slavishly retain your "no vertical" rule simply destroys about half of these images......

Sorry sir,

But I feel that this is a great collection of elderly shoemakers. I can see no real improvement of framing, cropping or scale that could readily enhance the statement made by any of these portraits and, likewise, no devaluation of the content by "slavishly' following the rules. While I wholeheartedly concur with breaking rules with good cause I fear that there may be little point to being a renegade without a reason. I guess it is like 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'.

As for the three-rules, I whole heartedly agree with setting defined parameters within which to operate. It may not always be that workls are eventually reproduced exactly as the artist intends, but honing the skills to fit the defined task is a highly beneficial discipline and hones skills. Can the motion picture cameraman choose to frame vertically for a few shots - can he even alter the aspect ratio. I think not. And do people stay away from the idiot box or the cinema because the world is presented in landscape orientation? Not that I can see.

These portraits stand like a beacon of hope and promise in the global cavalcade of dross that makes its way into our face on varioous fora.

The full dynamic range of the system seems to have been utilised to admirable effect and there is detail in both the high- and the low-lights on my LCD monitor with mid-tones ranging from the sumptuous to the radiant.

[embi]

.......As for the three-rules, I whole heartedly agree with setting defined parameters within which to operate. It may not always be that workls are eventually reproduced exactly as the artist intends, but honing the skills to fit the defined task is a highly beneficial discipline and hones skills. Can the motion picture cameraman choose to frame vertically for a few shots - can he even alter the aspect ratio. I think not. And do people stay away from the idiot box or the cinema because the world is presented in landscape orientation? Not that I can see.......

I agree especially with the section I have bolded. Are not our challenge themes a set of "rules" in which we work and produce many different results??

[gstark]

I can see no real improvement of framing, cropping or scale that could readily enhance the statement made by any of these portraits

And while I accept and respect your view, I feel that there is more to be seen here, and I am disappointed that it is not.

As such, we shall surely agree to disagree, and that is a perfectly acceptable outcome for me.

[marcotrov]

Jaco, you have a gift my friend.

You have set yourself tight, uncompromising parameters and you have taken a measured and visually enticing course constructing the images, very disciplined indeed. Congratulations, I truly think they are terrifically powerful and, for the guidelines you've set yourself, technically very well constructed images with, once again, good social commentary.
cheers
marco

[Nnnnsic]

I think the first two and the last group portrait are fantastic shots, but I think a lot of them suffer from a lack of depth and vibrancy.

And while I don't agree with your rule of "no verticals" for shooting portraits, I also don't disagree.

I've shot a lot of portraits previously in landscape position but I feel many of yours are too close and become not really portraits but close-ups of a part of the face.

[ajo43]

Woohhooo fellas, aren’t we bing a little critical here.

“I think a lot of them suffer from a lack of depth and vibrancy”

IMO these shots are some of the better ones we have seen on this forum for quite a while. Maybe because the standard is so high we feel it is a little easier to see imperfections in some of them. To my eye they are far better than some other shots seen here that received far less criticism.

Jaco’s rules are reasonable ones but in the end who cares what his rules are, his shots work well and the rules seem to adhere to a principle of simplicity and a minimization of intervention in his image making choosing to let the subject speak for itself.

I have an SB800 (thanks to Birdy), if only I was skillful enough to switch it off all the time then I would…

[Nnnnsic]

I don't think it's being critical at all.

A few curves adjustments or better framing could give the images the depth or vibrancy I think some of them lack.

[embi]

Maybe its a jealousy thing...

... I for one am dissapointed that because someone has a personal set of rules for thier work, they have been treated this way.

Maybe we as a group should look at his rules and see how his images fit into them, and not how we would like to see them in our "postcard" world.

One thing I love to see in images is grain but it seems here if grain is noticed it is a bad thing.

Try it, "bend the norm" and take something different.

[phillipb]

I think these pictures are great, until Gary pointed it out, I didn't even realise Jaco had those rules. I guess everyone is entitled to choose their own paramaters, sames as just shooting in B&W etc. But I would like to know why he has chosen those rules for himself.

[gstark]

Woohhooo fellas, aren’t we bing a little critical here.

Yes.

Isn't that what a section entitled "Image Reviews and Critiques" should be about? And please go to our front page and reread the description for this section. We're discussing the image, and, as it says, honesty is encouraged.

What's the problem that you're seeing?

IMO these shots are some of the better ones we have seen on this forum for quite a while.

Jaco has posted some excellent images in the past. His images of the wedding in Moscow, and his first NY series - of which one was awarded PotW just two weeks ago - were amongst the best I've seen.

IMO, these are simply not in the same category, and in a couple of instances, not even the same ballpark.

Again, my opinion, and in an earlier post I've explained why I feel that way. Others have expressed differing opinions, and that is fine.

To my eye they are far better than some other shots seen here that received far less criticism.

And nobody has disagreed with that; my opinion is that Jaco is capable of far better than this, and I feel that many others here are too.

That opinion should threaten nobody, and nobody should become defensive because of it.

Jaco’s rules are reasonable ones but in the end who cares what his rules are,

Good question; I don't, but my remarks were intended to suggest that, at times, he should consider breaking them. Nothing more, and nothing less.

[gstark]

Maybe its a jealousy thing...

Moderator hat on

That's getting somewhat close to a personal attack. Please refrain from making personal remarks, and remain focussed on discussing the image.

Moderator hat off

... I for one am dissapointed that because someone has a personal set of rules for thier work, they have been treated this way.

What's your problem with this discussion? I raised that issue, because while I believe that setting rules such as those can be an excellent way to challenge onesself (and I said as much in my first post in this thread), I'm simply pointing out that if one slavishly follows those rules, there is a risk of falling into a rut of some sort.

This is not Jaco's best work, and it is simply my opinion - and nothing other than my opinion - that it may have been hampered by his adherance to his rules.

You are free to disagree with my (and others') opinion, but you are not free to argue that other members are "jealous".

One thing I love to see in images is grain but it seems here if grain is noticed it is a bad thing.

And you would be very wrong on that point; there have been many shots posted here, not just with grain, but with it added to the image for effect.

And they were, as I recall, acclaimed.

[gstark]

Phillip,

I think these pictures are great, until Gary pointed it out, I didn't even realise Jaco had those rules. I guess everyone is entitled to choose their own paramaters, sames as just shooting in B&W etc. But I would like to know why he has chosen those rules for himself.

And I would be interested in hearing if he has ever broken them.

[DionM]

Jaco,

Admirable work, yet again.

[jaco]

I'm sorry to "perturb" your minds concerning my "rules" but I NEVER transgress them...
A rule is a rule... and the reason is extremely simple: I can't shoot in vertical (it's horrible when I tried), I can't use a flash and I've a lot of problems in resizing...

More portraits? OK?....Let's go!

BP11

BP12

BP13

BP14


Thanks for your supports and comments!

BBR (Best Belgian Regards)

Edited by Stubbsy - too many images

[embi]

Once again some amazing images captured. I love your idea of rules and may even try something like this myself.

Thanks for sharing your work

[Matt. K]

Jaco
You have posted some very interesting portraits and They are a pleasure to look at. Rules, schmules...I don't care how images are captured. I let the image speak for itself and your best do that very easily. Both Gary and Sheetsheeter have made some interesting comments and they are both right and both wrong...depending on how you decide to look at it. Your formula is that of simplicity....get close.....use soft natural light....photograph interesting faces...get eye contact where it is called for. This has always been a winning way to create excellent portraits and I recommend it to all newcomers to photography. Well done! PS ....I tell my photography students that there is only one rule in photography....and that is that there are no rules.

[phillipb]

 PS ....I tell my photography students that there is only one rule in photography....and that is that there are no rules.

I have a slight variation to that rule.

Shoot first, think about what I should have done later.

[E1Shane]

Rules or no rules I think there wonderful. The expression on BP04 is the bomb.

[jaco]

OK

But my rules are only my point of view...

[kipper]

These are some brilliant shots Jaco. I quite love the photos of the people of Asian Decent (eg. Indian/Pakistan etc). They to me seem to exhibit more character than some of the other portraits. I guess it's because life looks like it's been quite hard on them. Keep up the good work, and keep up the rules.

I can see some of the points that Gary and Leigh have made, and it's possible you could experiment maybe backing off being so tight on the shot so that some of the facial features aren't cropped out. You could also experiment with using some flash or if you're against it, use a reflector as most of these shots seem to have enough sunlight it just needs to be balanced more.

[gstark]

A rule is a rule... and the reason is extremely simple: I can't shoot in vertical (it's horrible when I tried), I can't use a flash

With all due respect, it seems to me as if, by your own admission now, you're actually choosing to avoid these issues, rather than learning how to deal with and master the challenges presented here.

And no, I'm not trying to ttack you, but understand, and perhaps get you to challenge yourself and overcome what (I feel) you're now describing as problems you may have encountered in the past.

And finally, rules are meant to be bnroken. What's important is to understand when and why they should, at times, be broken.

As Kipper has observed, there is more of many of the faces that you are presenting here, but because you have cropped in tight, but shot in a landscape mode, some of the facial features have been excluded from the image.

By keeping the tight crop, and retaining the lighting, but simply altering the camera postion in your hands, you may find that you could include more facial features and perhaps improve this work.

Or perhaps not, but unless and until you try, you will never, ever, know.

As a creative artisit, is that something you can live with?

[Mj]

....I tell my photography students that there is only one rule in photography....and that is that there are no rules.

Bugger... that's where I've been going wrong all this time... let me make a note of that rule and I'm sure all my work will improve !!!

Jaco... not sure of the wisdom of your rules, but love your work mate... keep 'em coming whatever artistic process you choose to use.

Gary may, or may not, be right regarding rethinking your boundaries. In the end their your images, and it's your choice (as is Gary's choice to suggest it !!!).

[jaco]

OK let's forget my own rules and let's continue....
Do you like those one?
The story of a little Zeppelin radiocommanded making the show in a cathedral...
Nikon D70 + Nikkor 17-55 DX
Just added one word in my profile...









Edited by Stubbsy - too many images

[gstark]

Jaco,

The shots with the images on the screens are somewhat interesting, but what I would truly love to see are some images of that cathedral, without the theatrical event.

It looks to be a truly majestic structure, both from the interior, and, I think one can safely assume, from the outside as well. If you can, please make a return visit (and also let us know where it is so that when we travel, we can visit it too) and shoot some of the stained glass, and the cieling, and the statuary .....

[Sheetshooter]

Glad you asked Gary,

I was meaning to request that BBJ show a shot of the bike in his 'money shot' sitting shiny and pristine in the showroom, too.

Jaco's pics are of an EVENT which happens to be staged in a Cathedral just as John's pic was of an incident (accident). Not of a machine, nor the 'place' where the incident occurred.

While there is nothing wrong with expressing an interest in either the Cathedral or the Motorcycle or the track I feel that of late there is a great deal of hubris creeping into many of the posts - particularly with regard to people's motifs and methods. I have a shelf full of books of photographic critique by all sorts of acclaimed and venerated critics and in not one of them has there ever been a statement questioning what else might have been had the motif been changed or the minutiae of performance been different. If critiques are to hold any merit at all surely they must refer to the intent of the picture (or statement) as it is produced and presented.

Cheers,

[Sheetshooter]

Returning to the original portraits:

Unlike the vast majority of photographs posted to forums I find that Jaco's are on target as proficient and accomplisherd statements worthy of publication well able to sit alongside other 'sold' works and hold their own. Call that 'commercial' if you will, pooh-pooh them for their commercialism while you're all at it, but I can't help but feel that the intermediate mediation of a client and their expectations is a worthwhile filter, sadly lacking from unmediated outlets like forum postings, which results in 'commercial' works being both of a certain calibre and an impetus for the striving of some others seeking a commercial (including galleries) recognition and acceptance.

Perhaps it is a function of 'screen' viewing - along with the adjaceny of other attempts - that subtlety and 'quiet' are so oft overlooked in a quest for the bold and loquacious. It should not be forgotten that the whisper can be just as effective as the shout (unless we're talking about a round of drinks, of course.)

In producing a visual statement to communicate the full depth of an idea from one mind to the minds of others all of the elements of production are of equal necessity. The lighting must equate with the motif and the contrast must relate to the lighting and so the chain of interconnectedness goes on.

Jaco's portraits display great empathy for the subject and the person portraying that subject. They are varied and they are precise. What they are NOT is off-the-wall, undisciplined or boisterous. And 'normal' as they may appear to some, they are certainly not predictable or inept.

Well done Jaco.

[kipper]

Love the zepplin Jaco. I so miss the spectacular shows put on in Europe. It has started to make me think that if I ever get back to France I'll have to revist some of the Chateaus at night with my camera. They do some pretty cool stuff.

[Sheetshooter]

You're so right Darryl,

It is a haven of the fertile imagination and application of contemporary purpose which shows great stewardship of the legacies of the past.

Guess it can't happen to that extent here because we have so little of the past left to germinate those processes.

Cheers,

[marcotrov]

jaco wrote:
A rule is a rule... and the reason is extremely simple: I can't shoot in vertical (it's horrible when I tried), I can't use a flash

Changes the picture(no pun intended) a little Jaco. If you choose to use the rules to apply some discipline to your considerable photographic skills that's one thing but to avoid it because you say you 'can't' that's a totally different 'kettle of fish'.

Without getting too philosophical, someone once said that there are only 2 types of people in the world 'those that say they can' and 'those that say they can't'. Funny thing is they are both right!

With the quality of the images you have given us a glimpse of you clearly have skill jaco I'm just wondering what you could push your images to if you choose to become a member of the 'I can' tribe. Give it a go. I'm really keen to see what you could produce not to mention how it will broaden your photgraphic horizons.
But as Mj rightly mentioned

Jaco... not sure of the wisdom of your rules, but love your work mate... keep 'em coming whatever artistic process you choose to

cheers
marco

[thaddeus]

Do you like those one?

Absolutely! I think they are stunning shots in what must have been difficult conditions!

[marcotrov]

jaco
By the way i think you're cathedral series are, once again, significant pieces of work. I wish I had those, whether innate or not obviously creative, elements to seeing photographically. I'm certainly working on developing my abilities in this area and work such as yours only help me get closer to that goal. keep 'em cummin'.
cheers
marco

[Oneputt]

Jayco your work makes me feel inadequate and certainly serves to inspire me to strive harder

[jaco]

Jaco,

The shots with the images on the screens are somewhat interesting, but what I would truly love to see are some images of that cathedral, without the theatrical event.

It looks to be a truly majestic structure, both from the interior, and, I think one can safely assume, from the outside as well. If you can, please make a return visit (and also let us know where it is so that when we travel, we can visit it too) and shoot some of the stained glass, and the cieling, and the statuary .....

Hi Gary

Hope you'll like this description whitout the event...
This is the collegial of HUY, between Namur and Liege in Belgium.
I've no outside pics because too many works all around the edifice.
You'll find those outside pictures on the site of the city

http://www.huy.be

http://www.belgiumview.com/belgiumview/ ... 00364.php4

HUY01

HUY02

HUY03

HUY04


If you lik those pictures have a look here:
http://www.jacobel.net/pages/D70/stoneskies/

ENJOY!

Edited by Stubbsy - too many images

[Oneputt]

I have just looked at your website.............WOW