Blog | Mezzaninehttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/2024-03-19T05:19:40+00:00BlogA Preview of Katherine and Sam's Legare Waring House Wedding in Black and White2021-01-07T12:12:57+00:002024-03-19T01:47:07+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/stories/a-preview-of-katherine-and-sams-legare-waring-house-wedding-in-black-and-white/<h2>A Preview of Katherine and Sam's Wedding Photography Documentary</h2>
<p>Katherine and Sam were married at Charleston wedding venue, Legare Waring House in October of 2020. They were joyful, and endlessly expressive and I cannot thank them enough for the contagious happiness that I got to witness and document during their Charleston SC wedding. This is a documentary preview, all in black and white, of their fall Charleston wedding. This is a wedding documentary focusing on the moments that really matter. </p>
<p><img alt="black and white wedding reception with bride laughing at charleston sc wedding reception legare waring house" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/katherine-sam-legare/2010-katherine-sam-legare-waring-fall-charleston-wedding-film-00876_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>Congratulations Katherine and Sam</p>
<p><img alt="blurry black and white image of bride and groom walking at charleston sc wedding at legare waring house" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/katherine-sam-legare/2010-katherine-sam-legare-waring-fall-charleston-wedding-film-00624_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<p><span></span><em>FROM BRIAN D SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY</em></p>
<p><span>If you are inspired by what you read, I'd love to invite you to reach out about the wedding photography services I offer. My guarantee is that you won't find a photographer that cares more about you and your story than I. I'm endlessly passionate about telling stories on film and pushing the boundaries of art in wedding photography. I'd be thrilled to work for you and document your wedding and tell your unique story with an artful eye. I celebrate all couples, LGBTQ and straight. I celebrate all races and backgrounds, and there isn't a soul in this world that doesn't have an inspiring story to be told. </span></p>
<p><span>If you'd like more info about this post, would just like to chat, or are ready to book, reach out to me by visiting my contact page here</span><span>!</span></p>
<h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span><a href="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/" title="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/">Contact Destination Wedding and Elopement Photographer Brian D Smith Photography</a></span></span></h3>Fall Wedding on Film at Legare Waring House in Charleston SC2021-01-07T11:41:35+00:002024-03-19T05:19:40+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/stories/fall-wedding-on-film-at-legare-waring-house-in-charleston-sc/<h2>Katherine and Sam's Fall Wedding at Charleston Wedding Venue Legare Waring House</h2>
<p>Katherine and Sam's wedding was one of the most joyous I have ever photographed in my short years as a Charleston wedding photographer. They chose Legare Waring House as their wedding venue, for it's lush greenery, stunning row of oaks, and it's ability to host everything in one location. The day was busy, but I found myself lost in the excitement and contagious joy of it all. Portraits were effortless, continuing well past sunset, and documenting was joyful reflecting the joy and true love shared by the couple. </p>
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<p><img alt="wedding portrait at legare waring house in charleston sc on kodak portra 800 film with blooming flowers on oak trees" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/katherine-sam-legare/2010-katherine-sam-legare-waring-fall-charleston-wedding-film-00518_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<h3>Charleston Wedding Vendors</h3>
<p>Photography: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://briandsmithphotography.com/" target="_blank" title="http://briandsmithphotography.com/">Brian D Smith Photography</a></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/briandsmithphotography/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/briandsmithphotography/">https://www.instagram.com/briandsmithphotography/</a></span></p>
<p>Planning + Design: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.charlestonweddingsbyallison.com/" target="_blank" title="http://www.charlestonweddingsbyallison.com/">Charleston Weddings by Allison</a></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.instagram.com/chasweddingsbyallison/" target="_blank" title="www.instagram.com/chasweddingsbyallison/">www.instagram.com/chasweddingsbyallison/</a></span></p>
<p>Floral Design: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://palmettobloom.com/" target="_blank" title="https://palmettobloom.com/">Palmetto Bloom</a></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.instagram.com/PalmettoBloomJKL/" target="_blank" title="www.instagram.com/PalmettoBloomJKL/">www.instagram.com/PalmettoBloomJKL/</a></span></p>
<p>Venue: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://southcarolinaparks.com/legare-waring-house/event-space" target="_blank" title="https://southcarolinaparks.com/legare-waring-house/event-space">Legare Waring House</a> </span><span> </span>/ <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.instagram.com/legare_waring_house/" target="_blank" title="www.instagram.com/legare_waring_house/">www.instagram.com/legare_waring_house/</a></span></p>
<p>Hair + Makeup Artist: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.slatehairandmakeup.com/about" target="_blank" title="https://www.slatehairandmakeup.com/about">Slate Hair and Makeup</a></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/slatehairandmakeup/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/slatehairandmakeup/">https://www.instagram.com/slatehairandmakeup/</a></span></p>
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<p>Band: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.thevistasband.com/" target="_blank" title="https://www.thevistasband.com/">The Vistas</a></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.instagram.com/thevistasband/" target="_blank" title="www.instagram.com/thevistasband/">www.instagram.com/thevistasband/</a></span></p>
<p>Rentals: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.snyderevents.com/" target="_blank" title="https://www.snyderevents.com/">Snyder Events</a></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.instagram.com/snyderevents/" target="_blank" title="www.instagram.com/snyderevents/">www.instagram.com/snyderevents/</a></span></p>
<p>Transportation: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.scsedan.com/" target="_blank" title="https://www.scsedan.com/">SC Express</a></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.instagram.com/scexpresscharleston/" target="_blank" title="www.instagram.com/scexpresscharleston/">www.instagram.com/scexpresscharleston/</a></span></p>
<p>Bar: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.charlestonbarservice.com/" target="_blank" title="http://www.charlestonbarservice.com/">Brand Bars</a></span><span> </span>/ <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.instagram.com/brandbarsandevents/" target="_blank" title="www.instagram.com/brandbarsandevents/">www.instagram.com/brandbarsandevents/</a></span></p>
<p>Catering: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.bennetthospitality.com/good-food-catering/" target="_blank" title="https://www.bennetthospitality.com/good-food-catering/">Good Food Catering</a></span></p>
<h3>How Would I Describe my Charleston Wedding Photography Style</h3>
<p>My style is a bit unique for the Charleston wedding market in that I try to photograph weddings with a bit more realism and grit. I think it makes the story more authentic. I'm less worried about creating a fairty tale depiction of a wedding, but more so with documenting the actual event in the most artistic and compelling way possible. My style is a mix of dramatic film portraiture and spontaneous, joyful and haphazard wedding day documentary. I made a commitment to myself this year, starting largely with this wedding, to push myself as a documentary wedding photographer. I started carrying along a dedicated camera for documentary, shooting all in black and white. The result was what I think is my most thorough and compelling job documenting and creating art at a wedding yet!</p>
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<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/stories/a-preview-of-katherine-and-sams-legare-waring-house-wedding-in-black-and-white/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/stories/a-preview-of-katherine-and-sams-legare-waring-house-wedding-in-black-and-white/">HERE</a></span> is a link to the all black and white documentary preview I delivered to the couple. </p>
<p><img alt="bride laughing during wedding reception in black and white photograph at legare waring charleston sc venue" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/katherine-sam-legare/2010-katherine-sam-legare-waring-fall-charleston-wedding-film-00876_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h2>Why You Should Hire Me as Your Charleston Film Wedding Photographer</h2>
<p>You won't find another film wedding photographer, destination or in my hometown of Charleston SC that challenges himself more or pushes his creativity further than I do. I have an appreciation for the timeless and the classic, but strongly believe the great art is the most timeless of all and echo that in the amount of experimentation I do in my work as a destination wedding and portrait photographer. Humbly speaking, I'm the hardest working wedding photographer you'll meet. I have a style that transcends Charleston, SC and have received nationwide recognition for my film work because of it. Ask yourself if you want your wedding photos to look like every one elses, perfect curated perfection, or if you want an artful story to be told. If the latter has your heart, then it's likely that you'll have mine. </p>
<p><img alt="charleston sc wedding couple in black and white at legare waring house wedding with bride laughing while dancing" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/katherine-sam-legare/2010-katherine-sam-legare-waring-fall-charleston-wedding-film-00640_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h2>Why You Should Hire Me for your Legare Waring House Wedding in Charleston South Carolina</h2>
<p>Legare Waring House is one of my favorite Charleston wedding venues...for so many reasons. I love that it is all self contained. Bride and bridesmaids and groom and groomsmen can all get ready onsite. Ceremony and reception are both held on the grounds, and their are plenty of beautiful locations to choose from for each. Having everything all in one location means you can take your time. A typical wedding timeline, for a photographer, is 8-10 hours. Think about how much extra relaxation can be squeezed in when you aren't spending 45 minutes of your day traveling between locations. Legare Waring has so many beautiful locations for portraits. This is why it is a top South Carolina wedding venue for me. I love to explore when I do wedding day portraits and the vast grounds of the venue are perfect for that. It also has some of the best oak trees and spanish moss in the lowcountry!</p>
<p><img alt="bridesmaids at charleston sc wedding venue legare waring captured on kodak portra 800 film with a contax 645" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/katherine-sam-legare/2010-katherine-sam-legare-waring-fall-charleston-wedding-film-00200_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<p><span>If you are inspired by what you read, I'd love to invite you to reach out about the photography services I offer. My guarantee is that you won't find a photographer that cares more about you and your story than I. I'm endlessly passionate about telling stories on film and pushing the boundaries of art in editorial, lifestyle and portrait photography. I operate a photography studio in Charleston SC and Traverse City Michigan. I'd be thrilled to work for you and document your story, wedding or business in Charleston South Carolina, Northern Michigan, or any destination abroad. LGBTQ supporter and firm believer in the cause for all races to fight for equal rights. </span></p>
<p><span>If you'd like more info about this post, would just like to chat, or are ready to book, reach out to me by visiting my contact page here</span><span>!</span></p>
<h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span><a href="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/" title="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/">Contact Film Wedding and Portrait Photographer Brian D Smith Photography</a></span></span></h3>Charleston SC Anniversary Session Portraits at Hampton Park on Film2021-01-05T21:44:42+00:002024-03-19T03:11:34+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/stories/charleston-sc-anniversary-session-portraits-at-hampton-park-on-film/<h2>About the Dowtown Charleston SC Anniversary Session in Hampton Park</h2>
<p>Bronte and Bobby reached out to me through Instagram, finding me through a mutual love for film. They were interested in an anniversary session to celebrate 5 years of marriage and knew they wanted a film photographer for the task. The connection was instant. We bonded over our approach to film, pursuing it as an art and trying to craft our own paths and styles as film wedding and portrait photographers. We chose Hampton Park for the Charleston couples session because of it's lush greenery and plenty of space to move and play. </p>
<p><img alt="couple shot on kodak portra 800 medium format film during charleston sc anniversary session at hampton park" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/bronte-hampton/2021-01-05_0012.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>Why Hampton Park for Your Charleston SC Couples or Portrait Session</h3>
<p>Hampton Park is a VERY popular spot for photographers in Charleston. You can hardly take a trip there without seeing at least 4 or 5 portrait sessions taking place, mostly engagements and family's. The few opportunities I've had to shoot there, I've absolutely adored the results. Its the best greenspace in Charleston and it's plenty big enough to stay out of people's way and find your own spots. Most of my Charleston engagement and couples sessions are shot downtown. That's the Charleston look afterall. Shooting downtown can be a bit hectic, constantly dodging people, always having to angle your couple just perfectly to avoid getting passers by in your shot. It can feel a bit restricting at times. I spoke with the couple and we both agreed that we were more drawn to greenery than streets and Hampton Park was the only choice! It has plenty of open space and the most beautiful oak trees and spanish moss in all of downtown. </p>
<p><img alt="hampton park downtown charleston sc couples portrait session on kodak 35mm portra 400 film with girl in vintage dress" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/bronte-hampton/2021-01-05_0030.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>Just look at those oak trees and spanish moss!</p>
<p><img alt="couple running through oak trees in downtown charleston sc for anniversary portrait session on kodak portra 800 film and hasselblad" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/bronte-hampton/2021-01-05_0018.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<h3>Why I Shoot My Charleston Couples Portrait, Engagement and Anniversary Sessions all on Film</h3>
<p>Film is always my preferred medium to photograph portraits and couples. Sometimes weddings require digital because of the pace and unpredictability, but couples and anniversary portrait sessions are a bit more relaxed and predictable and I can shoot the entire thing on film. For this portrait session, I shot a mixture of 35mm and medium format kodak film - more on my camera and film choices below. The main reason I shoot film is that I like what it does for my process and the end result, particularly the colors, are just undeniable. I feel more present and connected to the couple when I shoot film and the result is one of my favorite Charleston portrait sessions yet. </p>
<p><img alt="kodak tri-x 400 black and white medium format film portrait of charleston couple at hampton park" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/bronte-hampton/2021-01-05_0035.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>What Film Cameras and Film Stocks did I use for this Shoot</h3>
<p>I used two of my most trusted cameras, ones that I feel very connected to, and my go to film stocks. It's important to find cameras that you connect with. A camera that makes you feel good, feel cool, or feel creative can do wonders for your end result. It's also important that the camera feels natural and doesn't get in your way. No camera is perfect and there is always a compromise or a tradeoff, but these cameras find a great balance for me. Oh...and they also really deliver on results. </p>
<h4>Hasselblad 202FA Camera, 110mm F2 Lens, Kodak Portra 800 and Tri-x 400 Film</h4>
<p>This is my show stopper portrait camera. It feels cool to shoot, and the lens delivers the closest rendering to large format you can get in a medium format camera. You can find my full review of the camera system <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/hasselblad-202fa-film-camera-review-for-portraits-and-weddings/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/hasselblad-202fa-film-camera-review-for-portraits-and-weddings/">HERE</a></span>. I paired it with my favorite color 120 film stock, Kodak portra 800 and my favorite black and white 120 film stock, Kodak Tri-x 400. Portra 800 is so perfect for fall and anywhere with a ton of greenery. It has a slight blue/aqua tint to the shadows in greens that really render the scene with this almost dreamlike quality...oh and it's perfect for people with red/orange hair. </p>
<p><img alt="hasselblad 202fa portrait on kodak portra 800 film with charleston anniversary couple" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/bronte-hampton/2021-01-05_0008.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h4>Nikon FM3a, Nikkor 50mm F1.2 ai-s, Kodak Portra 400 35mm Film</h4>
<p>My nikon fm3a is probably the camera that I would keep if I could only keep one. There are cameras I love more, just for what they are (my leica and hasselblad come to mind). My nikon, however, just goes. It's so easy to use. It has the best metering system of any camera ever. It allows for easy double exposures, as you'll see below. Also, it's all manual, but still super quick to use so I feel like it lends itself really well to experimentation and movement shots. It's also super lightweight and features a 1/4000s top shutter speed. I pair it with my Nikon 50mm F1.2 ai-s lens and trusty portra 400 film. I took a few shots in the camera on Kodak P3200 35mm film as well that were left over from a previous wedding. </p>
<h5>Double Exposures on 35mm Film</h5>
<p><img alt="35mm film double exposure on kodak portra 400 35mm film of girl with orange sky overlay in charleston sc" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/bronte-hampton/2021-01-05_0042.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>To find out how I do these double exposures, click <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/how-to-twice-exposed-roll-of-35mm-film/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/how-to-twice-exposed-roll-of-35mm-film/">HERE</a></span>. </p>
<p><img alt="charleston couples portrait session double exposure on 35mm film with nikon fm3a and portra 400 of girl and guy " src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/bronte-hampton/2021-01-05_0046.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h5>Portra 400 35mm Film Portraits</h5>
<p><img alt="close up portrait of girl in charleston sc hampton park on kodak portra 400 35mm film" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/bronte-hampton/2021-01-05_0011.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h5>Kodak P3200 Black and White 35mm Film Portraits</h5>
<p><img alt="kodak p3200 35mm film portrait of guy and girl motion blurred in charleston sc park during downtown engagement session" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/bronte-hampton/2021-01-05_0004.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<h2>Why You Should Hire Me as Your Charleston Film Portrait and Couples Photographer</h2>
<p>You won't find another photographer, destination or in my hometown of Charleston SC that challenges himself more or pushes his creativity further than I do. I have an appreciation for the timeless and the classic, but strongly believe the great art is the most timeless of all and echo that in the amount of experimentation I do in my work as a destination wedding and portrait photographer. Humbly speaking, I'm the hardest working wedding photographer you'll meet. I have a style that transcends Charleston, SC and have received nationwide recognition for my film work because of it. Ask yourself if you want your wedding photos to look like every one elses, perfect curated perfection, or if you want an artful story to be told. If the latter has your heart, then it's likely that you'll have mine. </p>
<p><img alt="black and white 35mm film ethereal expression portrait during charleston sc engagement couples session" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/bronte-hampton/2021-01-05_0033.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="charleston sc couple under spanish moss oak tree at hampton park shot on kodak portra 800 film with hasselblad" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/bronte-hampton/2021-01-05_0006.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<p></p>
<p><span>If you are inspired by what you read, I'd love to invite you to reach out about the photography services I offer. My guarantee is that you won't find a photographer that cares more about you and your story than I. I'm endlessly passionate about telling stories on film and pushing the boundaries of art in editorial, lifestyle and portrait photography. I operate a photography studio in Charleston SC and Traverse City Michigan. I'd be thrilled to work for you and document your story, wedding or business in Charleston South Carolina, Northern Michigan, or any destination abroad. LGBTQ supporter and firm believer in the cause for all races to fight for equal rights. </span></p>
<p><span>If you'd like more info about this post, would just like to chat, or are ready to book, reach out to me by visiting my contact page here</span><span>!</span></p>
<h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span><a href="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/" title="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/">Contact Film Wedding and Portrait Photographer Brian D Smith Photography</a></span></span></h3>Studio Maternity Portraits on Film in Charleston SC2021-01-02T14:50:14+00:002024-03-18T21:04:09+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/studio-maternity-portraits-on-film-in-charleston-sc/<h2>About the Charleston SC Studio Maternity Photography Session</h2>
<p>Natalie reached out to me and Studio Sixty Reid about wanting something a bit more classic and elegant to pair with her outdoor maternity session photographs. We decided on a few outfits to pair together, coordinating warm tones with a few cool touches in wardrobe and backdrop. All images were shot on Kodak film, 35mm adn medium format. </p>
<p><img alt="studio maternity portrait on 35mm kodak portra 400 film with a teal dress and cream savage universal seamless backdrop" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/natalie-maternity/2021-01-02_0075.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h2>Why Should you Schedule Your Maternity Photographs in Studio</h2>
<p>Studio portraits are timeless, much like the beauty of motherhood. Studio maternity portraiture presents an opportunity to strip away all of the external distractions and focus simply on the quiet beauty of the pregant body. The studio also presents the perfect opportunity to style the session anyway you like, coordinating colors in set and outfits to create the perfect mood for your maternity session. Studio Sixty Reid specializes in dramatic, yet timeless portraiture and well styled color matching to turn your Charleston SC maternity session into a work of art. </p>
<p><img alt="charleston sc studio maternity portrait on kodak medium format film with strobe mother holding dried flower bouquet against a muslin savage backdrop" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/natalie-maternity/2021-01-02_0073.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<h2>Portrait Photography Studio Locations - Studio Sixty Reid</h2>
<h3>Charleston SC Photography Studio</h3>
<p>I own and operate a portrait photography studio in Charleston, SC. Charleston South Carolina is the birthplace of my photography business and where I discovered and refined my love for studio portraiture. Studio Sixty Reid, named after a location where I created some of my favorite early portrait work, is a natural light and flash photography portrait studio right in the heart of Downtown Charleston. The studio is in a prime location, just a short walk from bustling king street and features solid color seamless backdrops, clean white walls, a mid century styled section for lifestyle photography shoots and enough space to create custom sets for your portrait and editorial photography projects. </p>
<h3>Northern Michigan Photography Studio - Traverse City</h3>
<p>I spend most of my Summer in Northern Michigan, 45 minutes south of Traverse City. I run an in home studio, under the same name of Studio Sixty Reid, in my lakefront family cottage. The studio features natural light and flash photography capabilities and has beautiful lake front views in the small town of Bear Lake Michigan. My Bear Lake studio is where I first set up a portrait studio, and first developed my love for flash photography and shooting film with strobes. </p>
<h2>Learn more about Brian D Smith Studio Portrait Photography</h2>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/portraiture/studio-portraits/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/portraiture/studio-portraits/">Brian D Smith Photography Studio Portrait Portfolio and Information</a></span></p>
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<p><span></span><em>FROM BRIAN D SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY</em></p>
<p><span>If you are inspired by what you read, I'd love to invite you to reach out about the portrait photography studio services I offer. I have poratrait studio locations in Charleston SC and Traverse City Michigan. My guarantee is that you won't find a photographer that cares more about you and your story than I. I'm endlessly passionate about telling stories on film and pushing the boundaries of art in portrait photography. I'd be thrilled to work for you and tell your story through intentional and creative portraiture. I photograph Branding Portraits, Bridal and Wedding Portraits, Heirloom Portraits, Boudoir, and Creative / Editorial Portraiture and Fashion in studio. I celebrate all people, LGBTQ and straight. I celebrate all races and backgrounds, and there isn't a soul in this world that doesn't have an inspiring story to be told. </span></p>
<p><span>If you'd like more info about this post, would just like to chat, or are ready to book, reach out to me by visiting my contact page here</span><span>!</span></p>
<h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span><a href="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/" target="_blank" title="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/">Contact Studio Portrait Photographer Brian D Smith Photography</a></span></span></h3>Reminiscing on Summer with Friends in Northern Michigan2021-01-02T13:14:40+00:002024-03-17T07:36:59+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/01-02-21/<h2>Lifestyle Photography and Documenting a Northern Michigan Summer with Friends - Part 1</h2>
<p>My sweet girl and my wedding photography crew finally made their way up to Michigan to spend some time at my family's cottage. All images shot on my new Fuji X100V. I still prefer to shoot film in most scenarios, but for documenting and quick snaps when I don't feel like spending the money on film, the fuji has been such a welcome addition to the camera collection. </p>
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<p><img alt="fuji x100v documentary photography camera image of girl in kichen wearing blue denim dress" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/weekly/2021-01-02_0010.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h2>See More Weekly Documentary Projects and Lifestyle Photography</h2>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/weekly/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/weekly/">Brian D Smith Photography Weekly Lifestyle Blog</a></span></p>
<h2>Learn more about Brian D Smith Photography</h2>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/">Brian D Smith Portrait, Wedding, Editorial and Branding Photography</a></span></p>
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<p><span>If you are inspired by what you read, I'd love to invite you to reach out about the photography services I offer. My guarantee is that you won't find a photographer that cares more about you and your story than I. I'm endlessly passionate about telling stories on film and pushing the boundaries of art in editorial, lifestyle<span> </span>and portrait photography. I operate a photography studio in Charleston SC and Traverse City Michigan. I'd be thrilled to work for you and document your story, wedding or business in Charleston South Carolina, Northern Michigan, or any destination abroad. LGBTQ supporter and firm believer in the cause for all races to fight for equal rights. </span></p>
<p><span>If you'd like more info about this post, would just like to chat, or are ready to book, reach out to me by visiting my contact page here</span><span>!</span></p>
<h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span><a href="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/" title="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/">Contact Lifestyle Photographer Brian D Smith Photography</a></span></span></h3>Classic studio fashion editorial on black and white film with a tulle dress2020-12-31T14:53:20+00:002024-03-18T23:36:18+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/classic-studio-fashion-editorial-on-black-and-white-film-with-a-tulle-dress/<h2>About the Charleston SC Studio Fashion Editorial</h2>
<p>This studio fashion editorial was inspired by the great black and white fashion photographers of generations past - think Richard Avedon. They were masters of lighting and creating something so classic and timeless that it became transcendant. I have an accompanying shoot that I did in color, shooting digital, that was inspired by a mixture of Avedon, Vogue and Paolo Reversi mystery. </p>
<p><img alt="charleston sc studio sixty reid fashion black and white film editorial image on hasselblad and kodak tri-x 120" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/projects/2020-12-31_0157.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<h2>About the Fashion and Styling</h2>
<p>The dress was a teal blue Tulle dress, layered fabric with an underskirt made by a local designer here in South Carolina. The styling, for this portion of the shoot, was kept simple and classic, using only a single strobe and a dark seamless paper backdrop from Savage Universal. I wanted to create something that felt ageless, like the photos of Richard Avedon. Although, I can't help but ignore my constant draw towards something a bit more ethereal and dramatic and I think that came out in this photo set. </p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.cassbbydesign.com/" target="_blank" title="https://www.cassbbydesign.com/">Cass B By Design</a></span></p>
<p><img alt="black and white studio fashion portrait a la richard avedon on kodak tri-x 400 film and hasselblad 202fa" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/projects/2020-12-31_0161.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<h2>Equipment Used and Why I Use Film for Fashion</h2>
<p>I used my favorite portrait camera, my Hasselblad 202 FA - <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/hasselblad-202fa-film-camera-review-for-portraits-and-weddings/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/hasselblad-202fa-film-camera-review-for-portraits-and-weddings/">Review Here</a></span>. There is something freeing and timeless about the square format and I've always been drawn to the shooting experience of it, moreso than my traditional SLR cameras like my Contax 645 - <a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/contax-645-medium-format-film-camera-review-for-weddings-and-portraits/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/contax-645-medium-format-film-camera-review-for-weddings-and-portraits/">Review Here</a>. I decided to shoot only on black and white film. My stock of choice is Kodak Tri-X 400 medium format. Shooting only in black and white was a chance for me to slow down and focus on the beauty in simplicity. Ever since I opened my new studio space, Studio Sixty Reid in Charleston South Carolina, I've been so focused on styling and color that at times it has become exhausting. The shoot was also meant to be an ode to the past era of fashion photographers and the amazing mood they created with such simplicity. </p>
<p><img alt="charleston sc studio fashion portrait on black and white film of girl in tulle dress lit with strobe shot on kodak tri-x 120 with hasselblad 202fa" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/projects/2020-12-31_0159.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<p>I kept it simple with lighting as well, using only a black card for negative fill and a single strobe (godox AD600PRO) with a 48" softbox. I had the light as close to the model as possible while staying out of the frame. </p>
<h2>Portrait Photography Studio Locations - Studio Sixty Reid</h2>
<h3>Charleston SC Photography Studio</h3>
<p>I own and operate a portrait photography studio in Charleston, SC. Charleston South Carolina is the birthplace of my photography business and where I discovered and refined my love for studio portraiture. Studio Sixty Reid, named after a location where I created some of my favorite early portrait work, is a natural light and flash photography portrait studio right in the heart of Downtown Charleston. The studio is in a prime location, just a short walk from bustling king street and features solid color seamless backdrops, clean white walls, a mid century styled section for lifestyle photography shoots and enough space to create custom sets for your portrait and editorial photography projects. </p>
<h3>Northern Michigan Photography Studio - Traverse City</h3>
<p>I spend most of my Summer in Northern Michigan, 45 minutes south of Traverse City. I run an in home studio, under the same name of Studio Sixty Reid, in my lakefront family cottage. The studio features natural light and flash photography capabilities and has beautiful lake front views in the small town of Bear Lake Michigan. My Bear Lake studio is where I first set up a portrait studio, and first developed my love for flash photography and shooting film with strobes. </p>
<h2>Learn more about Brian D Smith Studio Portrait Photography</h2>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/portraiture/studio-portraits/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/portraiture/studio-portraits/">Brian D Smith Photography Studio Portrait Portfolio and Information</a></span></p>
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<p><span></span><em>FROM BRIAN D SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY</em></p>
<p><span>If you are inspired by what you read, I'd love to invite you to reach out about the portrait photography studio services I offer. I have poratrait studio locations in Charleston SC and Traverse City Michigan. My guarantee is that you won't find a photographer that cares more about you and your story than I. I'm endlessly passionate about telling stories on film and pushing the boundaries of art in portrait photography. I'd be thrilled to work for you and tell your story through intentional and creative portraiture. I photograph Branding Portraits, Bridal and Wedding Portraits, Heirloom Portraits, Boudoir, and Creative / Editorial Portraiture and Fashion in studio. I celebrate all people, LGBTQ and straight. I celebrate all races and backgrounds, and there isn't a soul in this world that doesn't have an inspiring story to be told. </span></p>
<p><span>If you'd like more info about this post, would just like to chat, or are ready to book, reach out to me by visiting my contact page here</span><span>!</span></p>
<h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span><a href="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/" target="_blank" title="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/">Contact Studio Portrait Photographer Brian D Smith Photography</a></span></span></h3>Charleston SC Elopement at the Hotel Bennett and a Private Mount Pleasant Home2020-11-22T12:39:02+00:002024-03-18T21:24:33+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/stories/charleston-sc-elopement-at-the-hotel-bennett-and-a-private-mount-pleasant-home/<h2>About the Charleston Intimate Wedding by Elopement Photographer Brian D Smith</h2>
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<p>Carson and Mike hired me a year prior to their wedding date. They had the full wedding planned with a big venue and all the trimmings. What they, and none of us, anticipated was getting married during a pandemic. With grace and good spirits they changed their wedding plans, downsized the entire event and had a wonderful time eloping in the beauty that is May for a Charleston SC wedding. </p>
<p><img alt="35mm film portrait of bride and groom in front of charleston sc wedding venue hotel bennett" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/2005-carson-mike-charleston-may-elopement-hotel-bennett-mt-pleasant-00067_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>About the Venue and Intimate Wedding Locations</h3>
<p>Carson and mike got ready at the Hotel Bennett, right in the heart of downtown Charleston's' bustling upper king street district. We had a first look right out in front of the hotel, photographed the bridal party, did a quick stroll around downtown for some portraits before the rain set in then went to a private, waterfront home in Mt Pleasant for the elopement ceremony and reception. </p>
<p><img alt="35mm film portrait in downtown charleston at hotel bennett elopement by film wedding photographer brian d smith" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/2005-carson-mike-charleston-may-elopement-hotel-bennett-mt-pleasant-00084_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<h3>Why You Should Elope in Charleston South Carolina and Why a Downsized Wedding is Just as Special</h3>
<p>I'm so grateful for my 2020 couples that took the pandemic in stride, embraced the changes to their Covid effected Charleston wedding and decided to switch things up with grace and style and have a small elopement or intimate wedding. I photographed quite a few elopements this year and one thing that rang true was that there was no special feeling or magic lost in a smaller wedding. In fact, at times, they felt more special and more rooted in what is really important on a wedding day...the couple, their love, and those closest to them who have witnessed that love grow. So, if you are thinking about changing up your wedding plans, cancelling, or postponing, please give me a call and ask me why elopements are so special in the Holy City. An elopement can be anything and I think that is the beauty of it. You can make it a small wedding or something entirely non-traditional and as long as you are happy the moments and wedding photographs will be beautiful. </p>
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<h2>Why I Shoot Film as a Charleston Wedding and Elopement Photographer</h2>
<p>Film is special. It's special to me for many reasons, but at the end of the day what is most important is the impact the image makes. All of the special reasons that I love film, shooting it, feeling it, waiting for it to return from the lab, coelesce into a beautiful image that makes a statement on me the second I view them for the first time. I shoot medium format and 35mm film, mostly kodak. I prefer to let the character of the images do the talking, so if you have any questions about film wedding photography, please just ask! It's one of my favorite things to talk about. </p>
<p><img alt="bridal portrait in charleston sc at golden hour on 35mm kodak portra 400 film" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/2005-carson-mike-charleston-may-elopement-hotel-bennett-mt-pleasant-00101_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="mt pleasant charleston wedding couple eloping on the water shot on kodak portra 800 medium format film with hasselblad 202fa and 110mm F2 lens" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/2005-carson-mike-charleston-may-elopement-hotel-bennett-mt-pleasant-00243_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="dreamy portrait of a charleston sc bride in front of hotel bennett on 35mm kodak portra 400 film shot with canon eos 1v" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/2005-carson-mike-charleston-may-elopement-hotel-bennett-mt-pleasant-00075_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="charleston sc elopement couple first look by film wedding photographer brian d smith photography" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/stories/2005-carson-mike-charleston-may-elopement-hotel-bennett-mt-pleasant-00017_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<h2>Why You Should Hire Me as Your Charleston Film Wedding Photographer</h2>
<p>You won't find another photographer, destination or in my hometown of Charleston SC that challenges himself more or pushes his creativity further than I do. I have an appreciation for the timeless and the classic, but strongly believe the great art is the most timeless of all and echo that in the amount of experimentation I do in my work as a destination wedding and portrait photographer. Humbly speaking, I'm the hardest working wedding photographer you'll meet. I have a style that transcends Charleston, SC and have received nationwide recognition for my film work because of it. Ask yourself if you want your wedding photos to look like every one elses, perfect curated perfection, or if you want an artful story to be told. If the latter has your heart, then it's likely that you'll have mine. </p>
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<p><span>If you are inspired by what you read, I'd love to invite you to reach out about the photography services I offer. My guarantee is that you won't find a photographer that cares more about you and your story than I. I'm endlessly passionate about telling stories on film and pushing the boundaries of art in editorial, lifestyle and portrait photography. I operate a photography studio in Charleston SC and Traverse City Michigan. I'd be thrilled to work for you and document your story, wedding or business in Charleston South Carolina, Northern Michigan, or any destination abroad. LGBTQ supporter and firm believer in the cause for all races to fight for equal rights. </span></p>
<p><span>If you'd like more info about this post, would just like to chat, or are ready to book, reach out to me by visiting my contact page here</span><span>!</span></p>
<h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span><a href="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/" title="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/">Contact Film Wedding and Portrait Photographer Brian D Smith Photography</a></span></span></h3>Hollywood Glam Bride and Groom Portraits on Film in an Outdoor Studio2020-11-16T05:09:19+00:002024-03-18T21:19:47+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/stories/hollywood-glam-bride-and-groom-portraits-on-film-in-an-outdoor-studio/<h2>About the Charleston SC Bride and Groom Portraits in an Outdoor Studio</h2>
<p>I have been photographing studio bridal portraits for a bit over a year, but had yet to do the same with a bride and groom. With the ucoming launch of my new portrait studio location, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/portraiture/studio-portraits/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/portraiture/studio-portraits/">Studio Sixty Reid</a></span>, and putting together my first bride and groom studio editorial, I knew I wanted to go big. I worked with a backdrop setup that had proven successful for me once before, and partnered with a few of my favorite vendors to create something that was all at once editorial yet romantically, classic. The idea was to echo old Hollywood style and the vibe of 1950s vogue. This era of fashion photography was the perfect blend of grit and glam. It was artful and experimental, but so well styled and photographed that it will always be classic. Afterall, true art never goes out of style. </p>
<p><img alt="hasselblad and kodak film portrait of a charleston bride and groom in lace cream dress and white dinner jacket tuxedo in outdoor wedding portrait studio" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/sabine-kris/2006-charleston-sc-outdoor-studio-bride-and-groom-portraits-kodak-film-00061_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<p><img alt="light leak 35mm film image from leica m-a of bride and groom in charleston sc wedding editorial" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/sabine-kris/2006-charleston-sc-outdoor-studio-bride-and-groom-portraits-kodak-film-00086_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>About the Charleston SC wedding real couple and models</h3>
<p>I met Sabine through a mutual friend a few years back and I used to work with Kris before I began my photography career. Ever since I found out they were a couple, I've been wanting to plan a shoot for them. When they got engaged, I reached out and learned that they were getting married in South Africa - where Sabine's family is from. However, they had to schedule their wedding for a long ways out because of uncertainty around international travel with Covid. I had a vision for a bride/groom portrait shoot in an outdoor studio where the backdrop blended into the surrounding foliage. I knew I wanted Sabine and Kris for the shoot, so I reached out to them with the opportunity to get some beautiful portraits before their 2021 wedding day. </p>
<p><img alt="close up 35mm film portrait of charleston sc bride and groom in outdoor portrait studio sixty reid" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/sabine-kris/2006-charleston-sc-outdoor-studio-bride-and-groom-portraits-kodak-film-00098_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>About the styling of the old hollywood wedding fashion editorial </h3>
<p>Fashionable styling is very important to me in editorial work, and I knew I wanted something cream/warm toned to stand out against the dark cloth backdrop. I have a good working relationship with Claire Pettibone, so I reached out to her about a dress I've long been wanting to photograph and I began planning. I paired the lacey, embroidered, sleeved dress with a classic Ivory dinner jacket tux. The resulting look is both fashionable, but timeless and traditional. It echoes 1950's hollywood vibes, my favorite era for fashion photography. Weddings and wedding photography in the south, Charleston specifically, tend to rely to heavily on tradition and bride's don't often take fashion risks. I styled this shoot to meet somewhere in the middle. If I have seen something before, I tend to look the other way. I want to see new styles, new ways of photographing couples, new methods for experimenting with portraiture. Thus, the idea of the outdoor studio was born. Studio bridal portraiture is timeless and always in style, and it's something I want to bring back in a big way to the wedding world. I constructed the studio outdoors to add another textural element to the scene. I played with different film techniques, exposing some of the film to light leaks, and shooting bride and groom portraits on Large Format Film...something I've never seen done before. I worked with a local florist to create complimentary bride and groom bouquets. I think the result is edgy, and gritty, and fashionable, but classical and timeless as well. </p>
<p><img alt="black tie wedding bride and groom film portrait with cream lace claire pettibone gown and white dinner jacket in charleston sc portrait studio" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/sabine-kris/2006-charleston-sc-outdoor-studio-bride-and-groom-portraits-kodak-film-00067_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>I had the idea of a bride and groom bouquet set to break down wedding traditions within the context of something so traditionally romantic. I love traditions for what they mean to people, personally, but am not too keen on traditions for the sake of the populous. Different and bold can be timeless and beautiful. This is a value I always strive to reflect in my work through styling, posing and use of color and contrast. </p>
<p><img alt="groom bouquet wedding flowers on kodak portra 800 film through hasselblad 202fa in charleston sc portrait studio" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/sabine-kris/2006-charleston-sc-outdoor-studio-bride-and-groom-portraits-kodak-film-00052_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>About the outdoor portrait studio </h3>
<p>One of my Covid quarantine projects was to set up a studio outdoors, blending the backdrop into the surrounding foliage, but still retaining the classically romantic vibes of studio portraiture. It started out of a sheer desire to create during a time when the city was on lockdown and on location photography was frowned upon. I erected a backdrop in my lush green backyard outside my studio and what was meant to be a one time thing, quickly turned into an ongoing series of portraits. The setting was unique, classic yet whimsical, but what kept drawing me back to the setup was the lighting. I shot in the late afternoon / evening, with the sun backlighting the foliage and occasionally piercing through the cloth of the backdrop. The house behind me reflected the sunsetting light onto the front of the set, all at once providing front lighting and backlighting. In fact, each time I have posted photos from this project, I have been asked if they were artificially lit. </p>
<h4>Other outdoor portrait studio sets at Charleston's Studio Sixty Reid</h4>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/film-bridal-portraits-and-a-claire-pettibone-gown-in-an-outdoor-portrait-studio/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/film-bridal-portraits-and-a-claire-pettibone-gown-in-an-outdoor-portrait-studio/">Film bridal portraits in an outdoor studio and claire pettibone dress</a></span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/projects/creating-moody-editorial-fashion-photography-in-my-charleston-sc-backyard/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/projects/creating-moody-editorial-fashion-photography-in-my-charleston-sc-backyard/">Moody fashion editorial in my Charleston SC outdoor portrait studio</a></span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/projects/fashion-editorial-in-a-backyard-portrait-studio/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/projects/fashion-editorial-in-a-backyard-portrait-studio/">Vintage chic fashion editorial in an outdoor photography studio</a></span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/charleston-south-carolina-portraits-in-an-outdoor-studio/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/charleston-south-carolina-portraits-in-an-outdoor-studio/">A vintage pink dress and building an outdoor portrait studio</a></span></p>
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<p><img alt="hasselblad 202fa and kodak portra 800 portrait of charleston sc bride by film wedding photographer brian d smith in an outdoor portrait studio" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/sabine-kris/2006-charleston-sc-outdoor-studio-bride-and-groom-portraits-kodak-film-00034_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<h2>Charleston SC Wedding Vendors for the Bride and Groom Editorial</h2>
<p>Photography: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://briandsmithphotography.com/" target="_blank" title="http://briandsmithphotography.com/">Brian D Smith Photography</a></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/briandsmithphotography/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/briandsmithphotography/">https://www.instagram.com/briandsmithphotography/</a></span></p>
<p>Set Design and Styling: <span>Brian D Smith Photography</span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></p>
<p>Floral Design: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.onalimbflorals.com/" target="_blank" title="https://www.onalimbflorals.com/">On A Limb Florals</a></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/onalimbflorals" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/onalimbflorals">https://www.instagram.com/onalimbflorals</a></span></p>
<p>Hair and Makeup: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.wildivorybeauty.com/home.html" target="_blank" title="http://www.wildivorybeauty.com/home.html">Wild Ivory Beauty</a></span><span> </span>/ <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/wildivorybeauty/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/wildivorybeauty/">https://www.instagram.com/wildivorybeauty/</a></span></p>
<p>Venue: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/portraiture/studio-portraits/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/portraiture/studio-portraits/">Studio Sixty Reid</a></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/studiosixtyreid/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/studiosixtyreid/">https://www.instagram.com/studiosixtyreid/</a></span></p>
<p>Gown: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.contoursandcurls.com/" target="_blank" title="https://www.contoursandcurls.com/">Contours and Curls</a></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/contoursandcurls/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/contoursandcurls/">https://www.instagram.com/contoursandcurls/</a></span></p>
<p>Gown: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://clairepettibone.com/products/pearle-gown" target="_blank" title="https://clairepettibone.com/products/pearle-gown">Pearle by Claire Pettibone</a></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/clairepettibone/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/clairepettibone/">https://www.instagram.com/clairepettibone/</a></span> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></p>
<p>Men's Attire: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.berlinsclothing.com/" target="_blank" title="https://www.berlinsclothing.com/">Berlin's For Men</a></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/berlinsformen/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/berlinsformen/">https://www.instagram.com/berlinsformen/</a></span></p>
<p>Film: Kodak / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kodakprofessional" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/kodakprofessional">https://www.instagram.com/kodakprofessional</a></span></p>
<p>Film Lab: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://photovisionprints.com/" target="_blank" title="https://photovisionprints.com/">Photovision</a></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/photovisionprints/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/photovisionprints/">https://www.instagram.com/photovisionprints/</a></span></p>
<p>Models: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/sabine_hg/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/sabine_hg/">https://www.instagram.com/sabine_hg/</a></span> / <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kriswithak/" target="_blank" title="https://www.instagram.com/kriswithak/">https://www.instagram.com/kriswithak/</a></span></p>
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<h2>Film Equipment and Techniques Used</h2>
<p>I shoot all of my work on Kodak film, both medium format and 35mm. Recently, however, I have started shooting large format as well! I tend to shoot a lot of cameras during weddings and editorials, all with a very specific purpose. I'll break down my film camera and stock selection, here. </p>
<p>1. Hasselblad 202FA + 110mm F2 lens - This is my favorite portrait camera. The F2 lens is contrasty but dreamy and it's the closest thing I've ever shot to large format without actually shooting 4x5. I shot two rolls through this camera, 1 portra 800 and 1 Kodak T-max 400. </p>
<p>2. Leica m-a + summilux-m 50mm F1.4 - This is a camera that I always tell myself I am going to shoot more but sometimes I just feel it slows me down. The results from the lens are simply outstanding, however. I shot 2 rolls portra 160 + 1 through this camera and 1 roll of portra 400. I even added in another element of experimentation and opened the film back when I finished the roll, before rewind. I LOVE the results. </p>
<p>3. Nikon Fm3a + Nikkor 50mm F1.2 ai-s - My favorite 35mm camera, and the cam I'd keep if I could only have one. During shoots like this, I typically use the nikon as either an experimental camera or close up camera. I shot kodak gold 200 in this cam. The lens tends to be much softer than my leica, so it's great for dreamy shots or injecting a bit of calculated imperfection into your images. </p>
<p>4. Contax 645 + 80mm F2 - I only shot this camera because It acted up on me in the prior shoot and I wanted to put a roll of Portra 400 through it to make sure it was still working. </p>
<p>5. Intrepid 4x5 Mkiii + Schneider symmar-s 210mm F5.6 - My first ever opportunity to shoot large format film portraits of a wedding couple did not disappoint. I shot 6 images and got 3 that I absolutely adore. Not bad for my first go around. Developed and scanned myself. Ilford Hp5 (i prefer tri-x but this is what I had around)</p>
<p><img alt="large format black and white film portrait of bride and groom in charleston sc outdoor studio backdrop" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/sabine-kris/2006-charleston-sc-outdoor-studio-bride-and-groom-portraits-kodak-film-00056_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="light leak 35mm film portrait of bride and groom in charleston wedding shot with leica m-a" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/sabine-kris/2006-charleston-sc-outdoor-studio-bride-and-groom-portraits-kodak-film-00025_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://ruffledblog.com/autumn-engagement-session/" target="_blank" title="https://ruffledblog.com/autumn-engagement-session/"></a></span></p>
<h2><span></span>Why You Should Consider Studio Portraits for your Charleston Wedding</h2>
<p>My pitch to couples for studio wedding portraiture is simple. You are likely going to get beautiful, traditional outdoor portraits at your wedding venue the day of your wedding, so why not mix it up and do your engagement photos, wedding day portraits, or couples session in studio. It's an oppportunity to strip away the distractions and extraneous elements. It's an opportunity to slow down and create something deconstructed and beautiful. My Charleston SC portrait studio, Studio Sixty Reid, focuses on creating experimental works, well styled, yet simple in their ultimate goal of showcasing you without any other distractions. Studio portraiture is classic. It's timeless. It's artistic and will never go out of style. No two results can ever be similar because when you strip away the beautiful venue, or the crowded downtown Charleston streets, what's left is only you, your love, and your style. </p>
<h3>When should you schedule your Charleston studio wedding portraits</h3>
<p>If you don't wish for one another to see your wedding attire before the wedding, you can schedule them after ward. Doing the wedding session in studio after your actual wedding day is a great way to focus less on portraiture the day of your wedding, meaning you can enjoy more of the spontaneity and cocktail hour. It's also a wonderful excuse to get dressed up in your wedding dress once more. If you wish to do them before hand, but still are unsure about seeing eachother's dress and suit for the wedding day, pick up a second wedding outfit. Maybe a bold suit, or a more playful dress. Alternatively, you could do the opposite and make it the most regal, black tie, over the top styled affair in contrast to a more understated wedding. Nothing is off limits. I help with coordination, styling, and set design to make it a truly one of a kind portrait experience. Studio bride and groom, bride and bride, groom and groom sessions make for a wonderful 1 year wedding anniversary celebration as well. </p>
<p><img alt="like leak 35mm film bridal portrait on kodak portra 400 film with close up red lipstich and bridal bouquet shot on leica m-a" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/sabine-kris/2006-charleston-sc-outdoor-studio-bride-and-groom-portraits-kodak-film-00042_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<h2>Why You Should Hire Me as Your Charleston Film Wedding Photographer</h2>
<p>You won't find another photographer, destination or in my hometown of Charleston SC that challenges himself more or pushes his creativity further than I do. I have an appreciation for the timeless and the classic, but strongly believe the great art is the most timeless of all and echo that in the amount of experimentation I do in my work as a destination wedding and portrait photographer. Humbly speaking, I'm the hardest working wedding photographer you'll meet. I have a style that transcends Charleston, SC and have received nationwide recognition for my film work because of it. Ask yourself if you want your wedding photos to look like every one elses, perfect curated perfection, or if you want an artful story to be told. If the latter has your heart, then it's likely that you'll have mine. </p>
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<p><span>If you are inspired by what you read, I'd love to invite you to reach out about the photography services I offer. My guarantee is that you won't find a photographer that cares more about you and your story than I. I'm endlessly passionate about telling stories on film and pushing the boundaries of art in editorial, lifestyle and portrait photography. I operate a photography studio in Charleston SC and Traverse City Michigan. I'd be thrilled to work for you and document your story, wedding or business in Charleston South Carolina, Northern Michigan, or any destination abroad. LGBTQ supporter and firm believer in the cause for all races to fight for equal rights. </span></p>
<p><span>If you'd like more info about this post, would just like to chat, or are ready to book, reach out to me by visiting my contact page here</span><span>!</span></p>
<h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span><a href="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/" title="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/">Contact Film Wedding and Portrait Photographer Brian D Smith Photography</a></span></span></h3>Film Bridal Portraits and a Claire Pettibone Gown in an Outdoor Portrait Studio2020-11-11T10:50:36+00:002024-03-18T21:56:44+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/film-bridal-portraits-and-a-claire-pettibone-gown-in-an-outdoor-portrait-studio/<h2>About the Whimsical Film Bridal Portraits at Charleston's Studio Sixty Reid</h2>
<p>This was my second time constructing an outdoor studio at the old location of my Charleston portrait photography studio - Studio Sixty Reid. This go around, I wanted to do something bridal, shoot it all on film, and use this whimsical <a href="https://clairepettibone.com/products/marie-gown" target="_blank" title="https://clairepettibone.com/products/marie-gown">Victorian wedding gown (Marie) from Claire Pettibone</a>. Kyleigh modeled the gown with grace and the whimsical, fashion forward flair that is a staple of my <a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/portraiture/studio-portraits/#studio-bridal-portraits" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/portraiture/studio-portraits/#studio-bridal-portraits">studio bridal portraiture</a>. </p>
<p><img alt="35mm film double exposure on kodak gold 200 of charleston bride in outdoor studio" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/2006-kyleigh-double-exposure-35mm-film-roll-charleston-bridal-claire-pettibone-00006_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>Photographing Portraits in an Outdoor Studio</h3>
<p>The oudoor studio is a pretty simple concept, and simple in construction. The idea came to me for an outdoor backdrop that belnds into the surrounding foliage, all the while still looking slightly out of place as an entity in nature. The studio is erected from a simple set of backdrop stands and a Savage Universal dark grey muslin cloth backdrop on the ground and some linen curtains I found at Ikea in the spare parts bin. That's it!</p>
<p><img alt="contax 645 film portrait of a bride in an outdoor portrait studio in charleston sc on kodak portra 800" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/2006-charleston-studio-bridal-portrait-south-carolina-wedding-photography-00008_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>Equipment, Cameras and Film Stocks Used </h3>
<p>I shot the entire series on film using a few cameras. For 35mm, I used my trusty Nikon Fm3a loaded with my favorite color 35mm stock, Kodak Gold 200. For medium format, I shot 1 roll of Kodak Portra 800, my favorite medium format color stock, through my Contax 645 (<a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/contax-645-medium-format-film-camera-review-for-weddings-and-portraits/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/contax-645-medium-format-film-camera-review-for-weddings-and-portraits/">review here</a>). I also shot a roll of Kodak T-Max 400 120 film through my Hasselblad 202FA and FE 110mm F2 (<a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/hasselblad-202fa-film-camera-review-for-portraits-and-weddings/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/hasselblad-202fa-film-camera-review-for-portraits-and-weddings/">Review of both here</a>). </p>
<p>Hasselblad 202FA + T-Max 400</p>
<p><img alt="kodak t-max 400 black and white 120 film portrait of charleston bride in outdoor portrait studio in victorian wedding dress" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/2006-charleston-studio-bridal-portrait-south-carolina-wedding-photography-00018_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>Nikon Fm3a and Kodak Gold 200</p>
<p><img alt="bridal portrait by film wedding photographer brian d smith in charleston sc on kodak gold 200 35mm" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/2006-charleston-studio-bridal-portrait-south-carolina-wedding-photography-00039_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>Contax 645 + Kodak Portra 800</p>
<p><img alt="studio bridal portrait with victorian dress on kodak portra 800 120 film" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/2006-charleston-studio-bridal-portrait-south-carolina-wedding-photography-00007_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>I even shot some large format film and developed and scanned it myself. The result was my favorite bridal portrait EVER! Intrepid Mkiii 4x5 and Schneider 210mm F5.6</p>
<p><img alt="large format film bridal portrait with intrepid mkiii black and white film photo of bride in charleston sc" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/2006-kyleigh-charleston-sc-backyard-studio-bridal-large-format-tri-x-film-00005_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h2>35mm Film Double Exposure Bridal Portraits </h2>
<p>One of my favorite personal experiments in film is shooting a roll of film twice (<a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/how-to-twice-exposed-roll-of-35mm-film/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/how-to-twice-exposed-roll-of-35mm-film/">How To Here</a>). The process requires me to shoot through a roll of 35mm film once, this time with the subject being clouds and sky, then I wind it up, reload it and shoot through it again with portraiture. The results this time were absolutely fantastic and resulted in, again, one of my favorite bridal portraits ever (see top image). I initially shot through the film roll in my Nikon fm2n then the second go around in the nikon fm3a. The film used was kodak gold 200. </p>
<p><img alt="double exposure on 35mm kodak gold 200 film of bride and clouds in charleston sc photography studio" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/2006-kyleigh-double-exposure-35mm-film-roll-charleston-bridal-claire-pettibone-00013_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="double exposure film bridal portrait on 35mm kodak gold 200 of charleston bride close up on red lipstick" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/2006-kyleigh-double-exposure-35mm-film-roll-charleston-bridal-claire-pettibone-00011_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<h2>Portrait Photography Studio Locations - Studio Sixty Reid</h2>
<h3>Charleston SC Photography Studio</h3>
<p>I own and operate a portrait photography studio in Charleston, SC. Charleston South Carolina is the birthplace of my photography business and where I discovered and refined my love for studio portraiture. Studio Sixty Reid, named after a location where I created some of my favorite early portrait work, is a natural light and flash photography portrait studio right in the heart of Downtown Charleston. The studio is in a prime location, just a short walk from bustling king street and features solid color seamless backdrops, clean white walls, a mid century styled section for lifestyle photography shoots and enough space to create custom sets for your portrait and editorial photography projects. </p>
<h3>Northern Michigan Photography Studio - Traverse City</h3>
<p>I spend most of my Summer in Northern Michigan, 45 minutes south of Traverse City. I run an in home studio, under the same name of Studio Sixty Reid, in my lakefront family cottage. The studio features natural light and flash photography capabilities and has beautiful lake front views in the small town of Bear Lake Michigan. My Bear Lake studio is where I first set up a portrait studio, and first developed my love for flash photography and shooting film with strobes. </p>
<h2>Learn more about Brian D Smith Film Wedding Photographer and Studio Portrait Photography</h2>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/portraiture/studio-portraits/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/portraiture/studio-portraits/">Brian D Smith Photography Studio Portrait Portfolio and Information</a></span></p>
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<p><span></span><em>FROM BRIAN D SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY</em></p>
<p><span>If you are inspired by what you read, I'd love to invite you to reach out about the portrait photography studio services I offer. I have poratrait studio locations in Charleston SC and Traverse City Michigan. My guarantee is that you won't find a photographer that cares more about you and your story than I. I'm endlessly passionate about telling stories on film and pushing the boundaries of art in portrait photography. I'd be thrilled to work for you and tell your story through intentional and creative portraiture. I photograph Branding Portraits, Bridal and Wedding Portraits, Heirloom Portraits, Boudoir, and Creative / Editorial Portraiture and Fashion in studio. I celebrate all people, LGBTQ and straight. I celebrate all races and backgrounds, and there isn't a soul in this world that doesn't have an inspiring story to be told. </span></p>
<p><span>If you'd like more info about this post, would just like to chat, or are ready to book, reach out to me by visiting my contact page here</span><span>!</span></p>
<h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span><a href="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/" target="_blank" title="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/">Contact Studio Portrait Photographer Brian D Smith Photography</a></span></span></h3>Findley And Robert's Pawley's Island Wedding Story in Black and White2020-10-06T10:03:38+00:002024-03-18T21:21:24+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/stories/findley-and-roberts-pawleys-island-wedding-story-in-black-and-white/<h2>A Preview Of Findley And Robert's Pawley's Island SC Wedding in Black and White</h2>
<p>Findley and Robert were married on October 3 2020 in an imtimate wedding ceremony in Pawley's Island South Carolina in front of close family and friends. The wedding was downsized due to Covid, but once again this pandemic has provided reflection into what's really important in weddings. These black and white moments are a few favorites from Findley and Robert's wedding story, focusing on candid, spontaneous documentary and the lasting moments that make weddings so timeless. </p>
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<p><img alt="black and white wedding photo of bride and groom dancing under string lights at pelican inn pawley's island" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/2010-findley-robert-pelican-inn-pawleys-island-wedding-black-and-white-documentary-00123_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>About the Pawley's Island SC Wedding Venue - The Pelican Inn</h3>
<p>This was my second time photographing a wedding at the Pelican Inn and I was absolutely thrilled to be heading back. The venue is right on the water and seems to always deliver on spectacular sunsets. The home is quaint and cozy, but with enough space to host a sizeable wedding party. Guests can even stay the night in one of the home's many rooms. It's full of charm, old wood and furniture, and the most charming wrap around porch - a lowcountry staple. </p>
<p><img alt="pawley's island pelican inn wedding couple smiling for a candid wedding photograph in black and white" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/2010-findley-robert-pelican-inn-pawleys-island-wedding-black-and-white-documentary-00077_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<h3>More Black and White Wedding Documentary Photography by Brian D Smith Photography</h3>
<p>Black and white images are timeless and seem to draw my eye toward moments over details. They're perfect for the imperfect. You can find more black and white wedding photography previews <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/tag/bnw-story/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/tag/bnw-story/">HERE</a></span></p>
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<p><span></span><em>FROM BRIAN D SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY</em></p>
<p><span>If you are inspired by what you read, I'd love to invite you to reach out about the wedding photography services I offer. My guarantee is that you won't find a photographer that cares more about you and your story than I. I'm endlessly passionate about telling stories on film and pushing the boundaries of art in wedding photography. I'd be thrilled to work for you and document your wedding and tell your unique story with an artful eye. I celebrate all couples, LGBTQ and straight. I celebrate all races and backgrounds, and there isn't a soul in this world that doesn't have an inspiring story to be told. </span></p>
<p><span>If you'd like more info about this post, would just like to chat, or are ready to book, reach out to me by visiting my contact page here</span><span>!</span></p>
<h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span><a href="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/" title="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/">Contact South Carolina Wedding Photographer Brian D Smith Photography</a></span></span></h3>Ashten and Frank's Aiken SC Wedding Story in Black and White2020-09-25T11:27:58+00:002024-03-19T00:22:36+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/stories/ashten-and-franks-aiken-sc-wedding-story-in-black-and-white/<h2>A Preview of Ashten and Frank's Aiken SC Wedding in Black and White</h2>
<p>Married on a family property, Ashten and Frank got married on an early fall day in Aiken South Carolina with close friends and family. Downsized because of Covid, this is a preview of their story in black and white</p>
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<p><img alt="aiken sc intimate backyard wedding with bride and groom walking in black and white" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/2009-ashten-frank-aiken-wedding-black-and-white-preview-x100v-00076_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<p><span></span><em>FROM BRIAN D SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY</em></p>
<p><span>If you are inspired by what you read, I'd love to invite you to reach out about the wedding photography services I offer. My guarantee is that you won't find a photographer that cares more about you and your story than I. I'm endlessly passionate about telling stories on film and pushing the boundaries of art in wedding photography. I'd be thrilled to work for you and document your wedding and tell your unique story with an artful eye. I celebrate all couples, LGBTQ and straight. I celebrate all races and backgrounds, and there isn't a soul in this world that doesn't have an inspiring story to be told. </span></p>
<p><span>If you'd like more info about this post, would just like to chat, or are ready to book, reach out to me by visiting my contact page here</span><span>!</span></p>
<h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span><a href="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/" title="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/">Contact South Carolina Wedding Photographer Brian D Smith Photography</a></span></span></h3>Portrait and Lighting Tips for Shooting Film with Strobes in Studio2020-09-14T09:15:46+00:002024-03-19T04:49:09+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/portrait-and-lighting-tips-for-shooting-film-with-strobes-in-studio/<h2>Why I Photograph Studio Portraits with Film and Strobes</h2>
<p>To be perfectly honest, I started shooting strobes with film because I didn’t know anyone that was doing it. All of the studio film work that I had seen was all window lit, and largely from the side. It was all very beautiful, but I craved something with more shadows, depth, and drama. Right around the time I began experimenting with studio strobe work and digital cameras, I loaded up a roll into my Hasselblad H1 and shot my first ever studio strobe portrait on film. The subject was my grandfather – the man I admire most and the very person who started my film journey by gifting me his old Zeiss TLR. The portrait was a success. I shot it on Kodak TMAX 400 film. It wasn’t perfect. It had deep blacks and bright whites, but not a lot of tonality. All that being said, it was brilliant. I was hooked. I soon-after sold the Hasselblad and didn’t attempt strobes in studio again until the following year, when I picked up a Contax 645. My first attempt with the Contax wasn’t quite so successful. I recklessly assumed the sync speed was 1/125 of a second and got back 2 rolls from the lab with the shutter curtain covering half the frame. This is the biggest risk with film and strobes but once you refine a process and you stick to it, the results are just as consistent and predictable as shooting film in natural light.</p>
<p><img alt="studio portrait of girl on film with strobes in front of black seamless paper with shutter curtain cut off" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/film-strobes-studio/27061_15_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h2><img alt="bad sync speed studio portrait on film of girl in front of black savage seamless paper backdrop" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/film-strobes-studio/27061_13_web.jpg" width="600"/></h2>
<h3>Natural Light Film Portraits in Studio Are Cool Too</h3>
<p>Studio portraits with natural light can be cool too. I don't mean to say that I never shoot natural light in studio, I'm just more often frustrated by the lack of ability to control the light and often find the intense highlights reflected off seamless paper backdrops to be distracting. You need such large and tall windows in a studio for natural light to be flattering and soft, that it often is easier to just master strobe lighting. </p>
<p><img alt="natural light studio portrait on film of girl sitting on stool against savage thunder grey seamless paper backdrop" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/film-strobes-studio/27061_06_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>The other downside is you lose all ability to creatively isolate your subject from the backdrop with natural light. This means any imperfections in your backdrop will be visible and with seamless paper that isn't fresh out of the box, this means lots of photoshop work. </p>
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<h2>How I Shoot Studio Portraits with Strobes and Film</h2>
<p><img alt="studio portrait of girl in white jeans against savage universal ultramarine seamless paper backdrop shot on kodak Portra 160vc film and contax 645" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/film-strobes-studio/1908-riley-grace-studio-blue-olive-contax-645-strobe-film-portraits-00004_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p></p>
<h3>My Process for Consistent Results on Film for Studio Portraits</h3>
<p>My process is consistent nearly every time I shoot. I try and use the same lighting setup, partly to establish an identity for my portraits, but likewise to ensure predictability in results. I set up my lights, in an approximate position, recalling how I had them setup previously. I started taking photographs with my phone of my lighting setups each time I shoot to make it quick to replicate on my next project. I darken the room as much as possible and use the modeling lights on the strobes to try and dial in the height and angle of the lights. The modeling lights on most strobes aren’t bright enough to fully dial in the lighting unless the room is almost fully blacked out. I don’t have this convenience, as my studio is setup in a shared living space, so I get it as close as I can and then I shoot digital to tweak it to perfection. As a quick side note, I often ask myself if shooting film in studio is really necessary when I am getting everything set up using digital anyway. I always edit a few digital shots right after each shoot and am always pleased with the results. I’ll say, however, that the reasons for shooting film in natural light still apply to studio strobe work. There is such a vast tonal range in shadow transitions and the depth and texture of skin tones is just far superior on film. There are other reasons that I like to shoot film in studio and I’ll touch on those later.</p>
<p><img alt="studio portrait lighting technique and setup with 2 strobes and savage seamless ultramarine backdrop in charleston sc " src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/film-strobes-studio/fb211e2d-372f-4e06-aee1-5de1036ac587_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>Ignore the dog butt. The large modified on the right edge is my key light and the tall, smaller modifier is my fill light. It's positioned just high enough to avoid a second catch light in my subject's eyes. I find 2 catch lights to be really distracting and unnatural in portraiture. </p>
<p><img alt="studio strobe lighting positions and diagram for shooting studio portraits on film against savage ultramarine seamless paper" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/film-strobes-studio/img_5476_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="studio portrait on film and contax 645 of model wearing tan tranch coat smiling in front of ultramarine savage seamless paper backdrop" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/film-strobes-studio/1910-haylee-charleston-studio-film-ultramarine-seamless-fashion-portrait-portra-160vc-strobe-00021_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>Camera and Lighting Settings for Contax 645 Studio Film Portraits with Strobes</h3>
<p>First, I’ll cover camera and light power settings. My film speed (iso) is fixed, between 100 and 400 depending on which stock I am using. The whole point of shooting strobes is to have full control over your light direction and quality, so you want to set your camera settings to kill all ambient light. This means high aperture. I am typically shooting around F8-F13 in studio. Obviously, this all requires a strobe powerful enough to expose the film properly. My key light strobe is typically firing at ¼ power during my studio portraits. This is powerful enough to allow for a high aperture, but not quite at full power so I can fire in quick succession if needed be without exhausting the strobe. The Contax 645 has a setting specifically for strobes. On the mode dial, set the camera to “X”. All this does is set the shutter speed to a default of 1/90s. The strobe light peaks so quickly that it exposes the frame well faster than the 1/90s – somewhere closer to 1/1000s. The 1/90s is just used by the camera to make sure it can adequately sync the front and rear shutter curtains around the triggering of the strobe. Now, you can see why we want a high aperture. If the camera shutter is firing at 1/90s, we would likely pick up some ambient light at low apertures, even with a low speed film. I trigger the strobes using the brand’s wireless hot shoe trigger meant for canon cameras. This just happens to be the one that fits the Contax 645’s flash shoe. All flash powers are set manually on the trigger – more on that later. I highly recommend test firing the strobes with the camera before you load film in. However, if you forgot to test fire and you already loaded film, there is a hack. I set the camera to multiple exposure mode, and put the lens cap on! I can fire away without exposing the frame.</p>
<p><img alt="charleston sc photography studio film portrait of girl in earth toned clothes against olive savage seamless backdrop" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/film-strobes-studio/1908-riley-grace-studio-blue-olive-contax-645-strobe-film-portraits-00028_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>I follow a few basic lighting principles to achieve my signature look:</p>
<p>1) I use the largest, therefore softest, modifier on my key light that I can fit in my studio space.</p>
<p>2) I place my subject as close as possible to the key light without the light modifier entering the camera field of view.</p>
<p>3) I use a fill light to soften the shadow side and typically set it’s power 3 stops lower than the key light.</p>
<p>4) I position the key light as high as possible while still being able to see the light catching in the subjects eye. The second that catch light disappears, I know I’ve gone too high.</p>
<p>I tend to create a Rembrandt or loop lighting pattern with the key light, meaning the light is angled down and to the side such that the shadow of the nose is either connected to the shadow of the cheek or there is a small gap between.</p>
<p><img alt="kodak portra 160vc expired film portrait of a girl in earth toned blouse against olive savage seamless paper backdrop" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/film-strobes-studio/1908-riley-grace-studio-blue-olive-contax-645-strobe-film-portraits-00015_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>Film Camera and Lighting Gear For Studio Portraiture</h3>
<p>I do shoot with other film cameras in studio, some with strobes and some without, but for studio protraiture on film with strobes, this is my go to kit. The 140mm F4 macro lens allows me to shoot a tighter crop which is flattering for portraits and let's me use more narrow seamless paper backdrops. </p>
<p><u>Equipment Used</u></p>
<p>1) Contax 645 + 140mm F4</p>
<p>2) Godox AD600 Pro TTL</p>
<p>3) 2 x Godox AD200</p>
<p>4) Godox Xpro Canon Wireless Trigger</p>
<p>5) Sekonic L-558 Light Meter</p>
<p>6) Wescott 48” Rapid Box Octabox</p>
<p>7) Glow Parapop 28” Softbox</p>
<p></p>
<p><img alt="contax 645 medium format film camera and portra 160vc expired film with godox pro wireless trigger" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/film-strobes-studio/1911-studio-portrait-camera-film-contax-645-00005_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>My Favorite Light Modifiers for Studio Strobe and Flash Portraiture</h3>
<p>I tend to prefer softboxes over umbrellas because they produce a soft, beautiful light pattern that still creates contrast and shadows and keeps less light from spilling onto the backdrop and surrounding walls. My key light is typically a large octabox. I always start off by only turning on the key light. I set it’s position and power, then add the fill light to recover some shadows. I find the that ideal key light position seems to be about 30 degrees off center to the right or left and 45 degrees off vertical, pointing down at the subject. The further down you angle the light, the more the nose shadow will dip. If the nose shadow starts to run too far down the face, I find that it becomes unflattering. Also, remember to keep an eye on that catch light in the eye. Once the key light is too high, the eye no longer reflects it’s light and they tend to be dark and without character. Angling the key light further to the left or right will lengthen the nose shadow until it connects to the cheek shadow and becomes Rembrandt lighting. This is a universally flattering, male or female, lighting pattern but is a bit more dramatic than your standard loop lighting. I then position my fill light high and to the opposite side of the key light. I position it high enough so that it doesn’t create a second catch light in the eye, as this tends to look unflattering. I tend to angle my fill light further to the side than I do my key light, since it won’t be casting a shadow and I like a bit of the light to wrap around onto the backside of the head/hair.</p>
<p><img alt="rembrandt lighting pattern with godox studio strobes and girl sitting against savage seamless paper backdrop" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/film-strobes-studio/img_5474_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="studio editorial portrait on film with contax 645 and girl wearign tan hat white blouse and black jeans " src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/film-strobes-studio/1910-studio-hat-fashion-urban-outfitters-kodak-portra-160vc-film-strobe-charleston-00023_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>How to Meter Flash With Film and Strobes</h3>
<p>The last technical bit to cover is metering. I use my digital camera to dial in the light positions and the relative power of the key and fill lights. I then meter the flash with my light meter, and always trust the result it gives me. It has never steered me wrong. My Sekonic L-558 has a mode for reading flash power. You press the button, then trigger the strobes, and the light meter tells you which aperture to set the camera to for proper exposure. You can either adjust your flash power until the light meter reads the aperture that you desire, or you can adjust the aperture to work with the current flash power. If you decide to adjust the flash power instead of aperture, be sure to adjust the key and fill light by the same amount. I find that my light meter consistently reads 1-1.5 stops lower than what I adjusted everything to with the digital camera. I trust it’s reading and adjust my flash power to suit!</p>
<p><img alt="35mm double exposure film portrait with studio strobes of black and white girl against savage universal thunder gray seamless" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/film-strobes-studio/1910-kodak-tri-x-35mm-film-double-exposure-twice-shot-roll-portraits-00015_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="studio strobe portrait of girl in earth toned orange and blue clothes and flare jeans shot on kodak portra 160vc expired film" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/film-strobes-studio/1911-charleston-studio-fashion-film-kodak-p160vc-contax-645-orange-fall-mocha-seamless-portrait-00006_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="studio strobe and film portrait lighting on female wearing all black against black savage seamless paper backdrop" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/film-strobes-studio/1911-reagan-studio-black-seamless-p160vc-strobe-charleston-film-00002_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h2>Why Studio Strobes with Film Became my Signature Portrait Look</h2>
<p>Shooting film in studio consistently gives me the look I want and I find that it makes me shoot less and have more quality images. There are times when shooting digital is preferred, notably when there is a lot of subject movement as I am manually focusing. Whenever I want those slow and dramatic portraits, however, I always turn to film. The colors and the depth and tonal range in the shadows just gives a portrait so much character. It’s something I’ve never been able to replicate with digital cameras. I also like how film makes you think a bit more about the resultant image ahead of time, as there is less flexibility in editing and the film stock selection is so influential on the outcome. All of the portraits in this article were shot on 15 year expired Kodak Portra 160VC. I have built a small portfolio around that look. Kodak films tend to gain some red tint in the shadows when they become expired, and I love the subtle character this adds to the portrait. There is something romantic in its imperfection. Shooting expired films is a bit risky, as the results are often unpredictable, but some skillful editing can often recover significantly fogged film in post.</p>
<h3>What I Love About Studio Portraiture</h3>
<p>I find myself shooting more film in studio than I do outdoors these days. Shooting in studio is an opportunity for me to slow down, build into an image, and be intentional with every single detail that fills the frame. From the colors, to the styling, to the film stock, to the subtle changes in the lighting angles; everything is intentional. Film as a medium seems to fit this mentality and process so effortlessly. The biggest advice I could give in shooting studio portraits, particularly on film when the results aren’t immediately visible, is to take your time and really fine tune your lighting. Keep making those minor adjustments until the angles, the highlights and shadows are perfect. I’ve gotten pretty quick at replicating the general light pattern I use, but every subject and mood is different. Sometimes I’ll spend 20-30 minutes just tweaking the lighting, adding reflectors, and moving the subject closer to or further from the backdrop. The end results have been some of my most rewarding images of my short photography career. I tend to be drawn to more dramatic portraiture and the combination of film and studio lighting has proven to be the perfect environment and medium to create something from scratch that feels so distinctly mine.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/tag/studio/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/tag/studio/">Click Here to See More Studio Portrait Work on my Blog</a></span></p>
<h2>More Camera Reviews, Photography Tips and Helpful Articles on the Blog</h2>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/category/forphotographers/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/category/forphotographers/">For Photographers - Brian D Smith Photography Film and Education Blog</a></span></p>
<h2>Learn more about my Charleston SC Portrait Photography Studio</h2>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/portraiture/studio-portraits/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/portraiture/studio-portraits/">Brian D Smith Charleston SC Portrait Studio - Studio Sixty Reid</a></span></p>
<p>~~ ~~</p>
<p><span></span></p>
<p><span>If you are inspired by what you read, I'd love to invite you to reach out about the photography services I offer. My guarantee is that you won't find a photographer that cares more about you and your story than I. I'm endlessly passionate about telling stories on film and pushing the boundaries of art in editorial, lifestyle<span> </span>and portrait photography. I operate a photography studio in Charleston SC and Traverse City Michigan. I'd be thrilled to work for you and document your story, wedding or business in Charleston South Carolina, Northern Michigan, or any destination abroad. LGBTQ supporter and firm believer in the cause for all races to fight for equal rights. </span></p>
<p><span>If you'd like more info about this post, would just like to chat, or are ready to book, reach out to me by visiting my contact page here</span><span>!</span></p>
<h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span><a href="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/" title="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/">Contact Film Studio Portrait Photographer Brian D Smith Photography</a></span></span></h3>Building a Eclectic Plant Filled Desk Inside a Closet in my Home Studio2020-09-11T11:27:18+00:002024-03-19T01:10:29+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/09-10-20/<h2>How I Constructed a Plant Filled Desk in an Old Closet</h2>
<p>I made a trip to ikea before I even set foot in my new house and home photography studio in Charleston, SC. I found a green desk board in their parts section for $10, a couple of hanging plant holders and brought them home with me. I then found the file cabinets when a friend was throwing them away. When I moved into my new studio space, I noticed that the closet doors were removed and it looked about the exact width of my desk board. Space saving is critical in a photography studio, so I checked if my desk would fit inside and it did! I mounted the desk to the ikea rolling file cabinets, and added two table legs to the backside for extra stability and moved the desk into the closet. A few plants, photos hung in an old frame I found at the Habitat re-store and a few other quirky stylings and I have a cozy, but functional desk space in my new photography studio. </p>
<h2>My Color Scheme for my Mid Century Eclectic Home Office and Studio</h2>
<p>I decided early on primary colors with a bit of earth tone influence for my Charleston South Carolina photography studio and home office space. I've long admired primary color palettes, influenced by the work of early film fashion photographers. The earth tone touches are my own personal default color scheme. My clothes are earth toned, and I think it adds a bit of grit and depth to the colors of my brand that aren't quite there in bright primary color spaces. This was the brilliance of mid century design aesthetic, afterall - the ability to mix bright colors with dark browns and blacks. </p>
<p></p>
<p><img alt="hanging plants in a primary color mid century styled eclectic desk space built into my home photography studio closet" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/weekly/img_7758_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h2>Learn more about Charleston Photography Studio - Studio Sixty Reid</h2>
<p><span><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/portraiture/studio-portraits/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/portraiture/studio-portraits/">Studio Sixty Reid - Photography Studio in Charleston SC</a></span></p>
<h2>See More Weekly Documentary Projects and Lifestyle Photography</h2>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/weekly/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/weekly/">Brian D Smith Photography Weekly Lifestyle Blog</a></span></p>
<h2></h2>
<p>~~ ~~</p>
<p><span></span></p>
<p><span>If you are inspired by what you read, I'd love to invite you to reach out about the photography services I offer. My guarantee is that you won't find a photographer that cares more about you and your story than I. I'm endlessly passionate about telling stories on film and pushing the boundaries of art in editorial, lifestyle<span> </span>and portrait photography. I operate a photography studio in Charleston SC and Traverse City Michigan. I'd be thrilled to work for you and document your story, wedding or business in Charleston South Carolina, Northern Michigan, or any destination abroad. LGBTQ supporter and firm believer in the cause for all races to fight for equal rights. </span></p>
<p><span>If you'd like more info about this post, would just like to chat, or are ready to book, reach out to me by visiting my contact page here</span><span>!</span></p>
<h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span><a href="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/" title="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/">Contact Lifestyle Photographer Brian D Smith Photography</a></span></span></h3>Hasselblad FE 110mm F2 Planar Medium Format Film Lens Review2020-09-06T18:45:20+00:002024-03-19T04:44:26+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/hasselblad-fe-110mm-f2-planar-medium-format-film-lens-review/<h2>Planar FE 110mm F2 - A Review of one of the Best Medium Format Film Camera Lenses Ever Made</h2>
<p>The Hasselblad Planar FE 110mm F2 is one of the greatest portrait lenses ever made, for any system. When you consider that it is the shallowest depth of fielf lens for any medium format film camera system, you start to realize just why it is so fabled and why it commands such a price tag - I paid $1675 for mine. </p>
<p><img alt="shallow depth of field portrait of girl under tree in outdoor studio taken with hasselblad 110mm F2 lens" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/hasselblad%20202fa/2005-charleston-fashion-portraits-kodak-tmax-400-film-hasselblad-202fa-12_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h2>Reasons the Hasselblad 110mm F2 is My Favorite Portrait Lens</h2>
<p>I'll keep this review a lot shorter than my usual review and mostly let the images to the talking, because that is why I love the lens. To get into a few important details, I'll say that the lens just renders beautifully. </p>
<p><img alt="bride and groom kissing on black and white film shot on hasselblad with 110mm f2 lens" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/110mm%20f2%20lens/2006-felt-mansion-michigan-wedding-editorial-film-photography-brian-d-smith-00021_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>Planar FE 110mm F2 Bokeh</h3>
<p>The bokeh on the hasselblad 110mm f2 lens is fantastic. It's not distracting which is usually the most important thing. Bokeh is pleasantly circular, with a bit of hexagonal shaping, and even across the background. There is no distracting swirly bokeh or line artifacts created by this lens. Honestly, I've never been anything but blown away by the beautiful character and rendering of the bokeh on this medium format film lens. Here are two extreme examples where there was a complex layering of foliage behind my subjects. You can see that the bokeh is pretty wild, but the shapes are still pleasing and the way the subject pops is just beautiful. </p>
<p><img alt="bokeh of hasselblad 110mm f2 lens and a black and white film portrait of a bride in charleston sc" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/110mm%20f2%20lens/2006-katy-ryan-middleton-summer-charleston-engagement-session-kodak-film-00070_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="male film portrait with shallow depth of field on hasselblad 100mm f2 lens with 202fa" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/110mm%20f2%20lens/2006-katy-ryan-middleton-summer-charleston-engagement-session-kodak-film-00068_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>And here is a more realistic example of the bokeh when the background is less distracting and variable. </p>
<p><img alt="portrait of a girl in vintage dress close up on film with shallow dof bokeh from hasselblad 110mm f2" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/hasselblad%20202fa/2006-sally-backyard-charleston-studio-kodak-portra-800-hasselblad-202fa-film-portrait-00002_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>Depth of Field, Background Separation and Rendering of the Lens</h3>
<p>The background separation is the main reason people buy this lens. The ability to shoot at F2 on medium format film is unheard of and highly desirable, but doing so with such little distortion and excellent sharpness is what really make this lens special. I can shoot at F2 all day long and not worry about sharpness problems, curvy planes of focus or strange spherical aberations and highlight bleed that is common to planar lenses. A lot of this is attributable to the excellent Zeiss T coatings. </p>
<p><img alt="close up ultra shallow depth of field portrait on black and white kodak t-max 40 film" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/110mm%20f2%20lens/2006-sally-charleston-sc-self-developed-black-and-white-film-hasselblad-studio-portraits-00017_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="film bridal portrait with lace dress and bouquet in front of savage muslin backdrop outdoors" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/110mm%20f2%20lens/2006-charleston-sc-outdoor-studio-bride-and-groom-portraits-kodak-film-00033_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>Handling of the Zeiss Hasselblad FE 110mm F2 Film Lens for Portraits</h3>
<p>One of the amazing characteristics of this lens is how light it is. It weighs little more than the 80mm F2.8 lens for the Hasselblad systems, and given that combination of focul length and max aperture, it is pretty remarkable. This lens remains fixed to my camera for all day weddings and hours long portrait sessions and I never feel taxed by its weight. Focusing is smooth, another huge plus of the FE lenses over the CF lenses for the 500 cameras, if not a bit long on the focus throw. You have to expect that from a medium format telephoto lens, however. </p>
<p><img alt="studio portrait of girl in white top against savage seamless tan backdrop on kodak portra 800 film in studio" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/110mm%20f2%20lens/2005-film-chelsea-green-cmi-charleston-sc-studio-portraits-branding-00001_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p></p>
<p>Thank you for reading my review of the Hasselblad Planar FE 110mm F2 lens for the Hasselblad 200 series medium format film cameras. It is by far my favorite portrait lens on my favorite portrait camera and, honestly, I think it is one of the best film camera lenses ever made. You just can't get this quality of a lens with that combination of low max aperture F stop number and telephoto focal length with all of the adjustability, aperture controls, and modern lens coatings any other way. </p>
<p></p>
<h2>More Camera Reviews, Photography Tips and Helpful Articles on the Blog</h2>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/category/forphotographers/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/category/forphotographers/">For Photographers - Brian D Smith Photography Film and Education Blog</a></span></p>
<h2>Learn more about Film Photographer - Brian D Smith Photography</h2>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/">Brian D Smith Portrait, Wedding, Editorial and Branding Photography</a></span></p>
<p>~~ ~~</p>
<p><span></span></p>
<p><span>If you are inspired by what you read, I'd love to invite you to reach out about the photography services I offer. My guarantee is that you won't find a photographer that cares more about you and your story than I. I'm endlessly passionate about telling stories on film and pushing the boundaries of art in editorial, lifestyle<span> </span>and portrait photography. I operate a photography studio in Charleston SC and Traverse City Michigan. I'd be thrilled to work for you and document your story, wedding or business in Charleston South Carolina, Northern Michigan, or any destination abroad. LGBTQ supporter and firm believer in the cause for all races to fight for equal rights. </span></p>
<p><span>If you'd like more info about this post, would just like to chat, or are ready to book, reach out to me by visiting my contact page here</span><span>!</span></p>
<h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span><a href="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/" title="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/">Contact Film Wedding and Portrait Photographer Brian D Smith Photography</a></span></span></h3>Hasselblad 202FA Film Camera Review For Portraits and Weddings2020-09-06T16:43:40+00:002024-03-19T01:30:46+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/hasselblad-202fa-film-camera-review-for-portraits-and-weddings/<h2>Hasselblad 202FA Medium Format Film Camera System Overview</h2>
<p>The Hasselblad 202FA is a focal plane shutter medium format film camera from Hasselblad. It's designed and built with the same ergonomics as the classic Hasselblad, modular, square body camera system but with the addition of a few extra electronic bits. The 202FA features a focal plane shutter, as apposed to the traditional leaf shutter that is incorporated into the lenses of the 500 series cameras. The focal plane shutter has the benefit of a faster shutter speed, but most importantly it allows for the design of faster lenses since you don't have to incorporate a shutter into the design. This was my main reason for purchasing the 202FA camera. I wanted to shoot the legendary Hasselblad FE 110mm F2 lens. The 202FA is one of a few cameras in the focal plane shutter line from Hasselblad. Hasselblad first introduced the focal plane shutter in a 2000 series, but most people avoid those cameras for their poor build and lack of features. The 202FA sits ahead of the 2000 series, but slightly below the top of the line 203FE and 205TCC/FCC cameras. The features are similar among the 4 cameras, but the 202FA has a 1/1000th max shutter whereas the others have a 1/2000. There are other features that differ between the cameras, but none that were a deal breaker for me. So, I decided to save a bit of money (about $500 or so) and go with the 202FA. If I had found a good deal on a 203FE, I would have bought it just for the extra stop of shutter speed. </p>
<p><img alt="hasselblad 202fa film camera product photography in charleston sc studio on tan savage seamless paper backdrop" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/hasselblad%20202fa/2008-hasselblad-202fa-100mm-f2-film-camera-review-brian-d-smith-photography-00003_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>The legendary, FE 110mm F2</p>
<p><img alt="hasselblad FE 110mm F2 medium format film lens studio porduct photograph in charleston sc" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/hasselblad%20202fa/2008-hasselblad-202fa-100mm-f2-film-camera-review-brian-d-smith-photography-00008_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>Hasselblad 202FA Camera Specifications</h3>
<p>I won't go into crazy detail about specs or minute details of the camera's operation, as I mostly care about real world experiences, pros and cons, and image quality. </p>
<ol>
<li>1/1000s Top Shutter Speed</li>
<li>Interchangeable Film Backs, E12 and E24</li>
<li>In camera TTL metering</li>
<li>Interchangeable Lenses</li>
<li>Multi-Exposure Mode (infinite). A decouple lever to disengage the film advance from the shutter cock.</li>
<li>Flash sync at 1/90s, and TTL capabilities with dedicated hasselblad flash units. </li>
<li>Aperture Priority</li>
<li>Full Manual Operation</li>
<li>Manual Focus</li>
<li>Self Timer</li>
<li>Manual Film ISO Setting on Back</li>
<li>Comes with the Hasselblad Acute Matte D bright screen</li>
<li>Takes Hasselblad FE lenses. All of the standard hasselblad focal lengths, but the FE lenses are 1 stop faster</li>
<li>Can use Hasselblad CF and CFi lenses but only in stopped down mode. You cannot use the leaf shutter of the lens like you can on the 203FE</li>
</ol>
<p><img alt="hasselblad 202fa medium format camera system in pieces in studio on tan seamless" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/hasselblad%20202fa/2008-hasselblad-202fa-100mm-f2-film-camera-review-brian-d-smith-photography-00006_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="hasselblad 202fa dials and exposure adjustment buttons in studio" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/hasselblad%20202fa/2008-hasselblad-202fa-100mm-f2-film-camera-review-brian-d-smith-photography-00004_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="hasselblad 202fa medium format film camera with FE 100mm F2 lens in studio" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/hasselblad%20202fa/2008-hasselblad-202fa-100mm-f2-film-camera-review-brian-d-smith-photography-00005_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="exposure adjustments and controls of hasselblad 202fa medium format focal plane shutter camera system" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/hasselblad%20202fa/2008-hasselblad-202fa-100mm-f2-film-camera-review-brian-d-smith-photography-00001_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>It's just as beautiful as every other hasselblad camera but with just a bit of modern lines and controls. Shown here is the 202FA with the 45 degree prism finder, FE 110mm F2 lens and E12 back. </p>
<p><img alt="a studio product shot of the hasselblad 202fa with 110mm F2 lens in charleston sc" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/hasselblad%20202fa/2008-hasselblad-202fa-100mm-f2-film-camera-review-brian-d-smith-photography-00002_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>Prism and Waist Level Finders for the Hasselblad 202FA</h3>
<p>The 45 degree prism is removable and can be swapped out for the traditional hasselblad waist level finder, 90 degree prism finder or even metered prism finders....which is strange because the camera already has TTL metering and a readout right above the matte screen that is visible through the prism. I bought the camera with the 45 degree PM5 finder but quickly ordered the PM90, non metered, finder. The downside to using angled finders is that they force your perspective to be a bit lower for portraiture. I shoot a lot of close up portraits, and this 'nose up' perspective is generally considered unflattering. I ordered the PM90 prism so that I could shoot at a higher, more flattering perspective. I will say, however, that Hasselblad cameras are ergonomically terrible when using a 90 degree finder. A lot of the rotational resistance and stability from holding a hasselblad comes from pressing the camera into your palm, both when looking through the viewfinder and when depressing the shutter on the front of the body. When you are using a 90 degree finder, the camera tends to sit less cradeled in your palm and and pressing the shutter button can often cause the camera to want to move. I still use the 90 degree finder, but am just a little more careful about how i grip the camera. The PM5, 45 degree, finder is significantly more ergonomically friendly. </p>
<p></p>
<p>IMPORTANT: If you are going to buy this camera, make sure it comes with a waist level finder. WLFs are nearly impossible to find for these cameras and when you do find one, expect to pay around $600 for one. I assumed that a normal WLF would fit from a 500 series onto my 202FA when I bought it, but I quickly realized that there is a cutout on the front of the prism mounting channel where the metering readout slides into so that it is visible in the prism and the WLF that comes with the camera. You can identify the meter window WLFs by 2 blue lines, same with all prisms for the system, on the side of the unit. They are often called "blue line" finders. I didn't want to spend the money, so I painstakingly modified the 500 series WLF I purchased off ebay with a dremel tool. It was quite difficult to get the size and cuts right and it still doesn't sit perfect as there are other slight design changes to the mounting tracks on blue line finders.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Another important note to mention with waist level finders on the 200 series cameras is that the meter display will read upside down. This is because it is meant to be used with a prism which is flipping, 180 degrees, what is coming through its mount and into what you are seeing through the eyepiece. It's a bit annoying and you wouldn't think so, but it is actually quite hard to read shutter speeds upside down, particularly 5s and 2s since they look like one another inverted. </p>
<p><img alt="hasselblad e12 film back with darkslide in studio on tan seamless paper" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/hasselblad%20202fa/2008-hasselblad-202fa-100mm-f2-film-camera-review-brian-d-smith-photography-00007_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Hasselblad 202FA Lens Options - FE Lenses</h3>
<p>The 200 series cameras take a new series of lenses, designated FE. Most of the Hasselblad FE lenses are most easily noticeable by their 1 stop faster aperture, except for the 80mm which still remains at F2.8 maxium aperture. You can tell the FE lenses apart in pictures by 2 blue lines on the side of the lens, just as the prism finders have. I own the 50mm F2.8, 80mm F2.8, 110mm F2 and 150mm F2.8. All lenses except the 110mm F2 came with the camera. All I really wanted for the camera was the 50mm and 110mm. I told myself I would sell the other two as soon as I got the camera. I decided to hold onto the 80mm, because it's such a good do it all lens, especially when the 110 is too long. I will most likely sell the 150, however. I just don't often find a need for it. </p>
<ol>
<li>Zeiss FE 50mm F2.8 Distagon</li>
<li>Zeiss FE 80mm F2.8 Planar</li>
<li>Zeiss FE 110mm F2 Planar</li>
<li>Zeiss FE 150mm F2.8 Sonnar</li>
<li>Zeiss FE 250mm F4 Tele-Tessar</li>
<li>Zeiss FE 350mm F4 Tele-Tessar</li>
</ol>
<p><img alt="hasselblad FE 110mm fe lens side view with blue lines" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/hasselblad%20202fa/2008-hasselblad-202fa-100mm-f2-film-camera-review-brian-d-smith-photography-00009_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p></p>
<p>Here are two examples of where the two lenses I primarily use for the Hasselblad 202FA really shine</p>
<h4>Hasselblad Planar FE 110mm F2 Lens for 200 Series Cameras</h4>
<p>The 110mm F2 lens is legendary for its ultra shallow depth of field. As far as I know, it is the shallowest DOF lens for a medium format camera system. The mamiya 80mm F1.9 is faster, but given the Hasselblad's longer focal length, it has a significantly shallower DOF. The DOF is so shallow and the focal plane is so flat that it renders close to large format. When I am shooting this lens, I am shooting it at F2 at least 80% of the time. It's super sharp at F2 and only suffers from slight vignetting in the corners. Otherwise, you can just shoot at F2 all day long. You do have to be really careful with focusing, which isn't always the easiest thing to do on a hasselblad. </p>
<p><img alt="hasselblad fe 110mm f2 planar lens bokeh for 200 series cameras" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/hasselblad%20202fa/2006-sally-backyard-charleston-studio-kodak-portra-800-hasselblad-202fa-film-portrait-00002_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>As you can see in the image, above, the bokeh of the lens is really beautiful and not at all distracting when shot wide open. The bokeh is pleasantly circular, with just a touch of hexagonal shape from the large aperture blades. It's also really really sharp in the center. It doesn't have the surreal rendering of the Zeiss 80mm F2 for the Contax 645 system - <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/contax-645-medium-format-film-camera-review-for-weddings-and-portraits/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/contax-645-medium-format-film-camera-review-for-weddings-and-portraits/">Contax 645 Review</a><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/contax-645-medium-format-film-camera-review-for-weddings-and-portraits/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/contax-645-medium-format-film-camera-review-for-weddings-and-portraits/"> Here</a></span>. Honestly, the Zeiss 80 at times appears to have a shallower depth of field because it has such creamy, blended bokeh and the focal plane isn't perfectly flat, but if you want that large format rendering then the Hasselblad Planar FE 110mm F2 lens is the only way to go in medium format film. </p>
<h4>Zeiss Distagon FE 50mm F2.8 Wide Angle Lens for Hasselblad 200 Series</h4>
<p>This is the other legendary lens for the Hasselblad 200 series medium format film cameras. Nearly everyone who shoots medium format film knows of the Hasselblad 50mm distagon lens design, the F4 version for the 500 series cameras. It's a storied lens with beautiful rendering and very little distortion. The FE 50mm F2.8 lens is stellar...nearly flawless. The lens has 4 floating elements so distortion is nearly non-existent. It's the most beautiful wide angle lens I have ever used, having about a 28mm lens equivalent on 35mm full frame cameras. I tend to never shoot 35mm. It's a relatively boring focal length for me. I always gravitate toward 50mm equivalent, and if I go wide, I tend to go really wide. </p>
<p><img alt="hasselblad FE 50mm f2.8 engagement portrait from hasselblad 202fa on chalmers st in charleston sc" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/hasselblad%20202fa/2002-nash-amy-charleston-downtown-february-engagement-photos-film-00046_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>I haven't used the 50mm nearly as much as I would like to. I want to take it traveling with me and use it more for scene setting portraits at weddings, but the lens is SO heavy. It weighs nearly 5 pounds. It's exhausting to carry around. I don't think I could ever use it as a dedicated lens on the camera because it would make my neck and shoulders so sore at a wedding or portrait shoot. </p>
<p></p>
<h2>Hasselblad 202FA Medium Format Film Camera for Wedding Photography</h2>
<h3>Shooting Manual Focus Film at Weddings</h3>
<p>Honestly, it isn't easy manual focusing at weddings. Even when you take your time, there is still that ever existing pressure of the schedule or timeline weighing on you and I find that my hit percentage for manual focus is much lower at weddings than it would be during a portrait or studio shoot. That being said, I would rather miss by my own mistake than relying on finicky AF systems of film cameras. I also enjoy the process of slowing down at weddings. </p>
<p><img alt="bokeh of hasselblad 110mm f2 with bridal portrait holding bouquet in northern michigan at aurora cellars" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/hasselblad%20202fa/2007-michigan-bridal-editorial-aurora-cellars-film-wedding-photographer-brian-d-smith-00089_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>I also think that square format is something so timelessly cool and there is something to be said for a format and look that not many other wedding photographers pursue. I think using the Hasselblad is a good way to make my work stand out, with the unique 6x6 negatives. </p>
<p><img alt="bride and groom portrait in an outdoor studio with savage muslin backdrop taken with 202fa hasselblad" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/hasselblad%20202fa/2006-charleston-sc-outdoor-studio-bride-and-groom-portraits-kodak-film-00061_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="bride and groom film portrait with pink flowers in west michigan wedding on hasselblad and kodak film" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/hasselblad%20202fa/2006-felt-mansion-michigan-wedding-editorial-film-photography-brian-d-smith-00111_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>Speed and Usability of the Hasselblad for Wedding Photography</h3>
<p>Honestly, this is the only area where I would ding the Hasselblad for being a great medium format film camera for wedding photographers. You really have to be diligent and make sure you don't run out of film near a critical moment because winding and changing the film is not a fast process. I definitely recommend having a spare back or two for quick swapping. It isn't particularly hard to load the camera...honestly, it's quite a nice experience, but it isn't nearly as fast as a auto camera. If I am shooting the hasselblad 202FA at a wedding, I typically have an auto film camera on me as well, like my Canon EOS 1V. It takes a lot of practice to be comfortable with the Hasselblad as a primary wedding film camera, but it is doable if you commit to loving the process of slowing down. This is what I have done, but I do stress that you should have a backup camera of some sort that is very quick to load. The square format, though...it's just cool. </p>
<p><img alt="black and white film wedding portrait on hasselblad with bride and groom standing beneath tree at felt mansion" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/hasselblad%20202fa/2006-felt-mansion-michigan-wedding-editorial-film-photography-brian-d-smith-00087_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Additional wedding photography information and Hasselblad 202FA images on the site</h3>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/weddings/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/weddings/">Film Wedding Photography by Brian D Smith</a></span></p>
<h2>Review - Photographing Portraits with the Hasselblad 202FA Film System</h2>
<h3>Why the Hasselblad is my Favorite Film Portrait Camera</h3>
<p>Nobody shoots film regularly and isn't intrigued by the square format, and particularly the Hasselblad system. It's a legendary camera, and almost every famous film photographer in history used it in some fashion in their work. I initially started by purchasing a Hasselblad 500 c/m and fell in love with the top down viewfinder and the classic approach to photography that the system seemed to coerce me into. It was never my end goal, however. I wanted the focal plane system, so as soon as I scored my 202FA, I sold the 500 c/m and then I really fell in love with Hasselblad. I think there is something huge to be said about the camera that feels cool, the camera that wills you to go out and shoot more. That is the hasselblad for me. I feel so connected to the process, to the bright viewfinder, to the manual focus lenses, to the hand crank to advance the film. I genuinely feel like this connectedness makes me a better portrait photographer. The other main reason is the lens selection. I bought this camera, intentionally, for the lenses. The lenses are unlike none I have ever used and that is enough to justify a camera...much like the Contax. However, if I was only allowed to have 1 camera for the rest of my life, it would be an easy decision picking the Hassy over the Contax 645. </p>
<p><img alt="kodak t-max 400 portrait in an outdoor studio of sad girl on black and white film" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/hasselblad%20202fa/2006-sally-charleston-sc-self-developed-black-and-white-film-hasselblad-studio-portraits-00023_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>Shooting a Hasselblad 202FA Film Camera in Studio</h3>
<p>The hasselblad is also my go to film camera for studio work that is LED lit or naturally lit. I still use the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/projects/fall-themed-fashion-shoot-in-studio-with-strobes-on-film/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/projects/fall-themed-fashion-shoot-in-studio-with-strobes-on-film/">contax 645 for studio strobe work</a></span>. I find that subjects seem to connect better with a familiar camera and one that is maybe less "technical" looking like a modern AF film camera or digital camera might be. When all of the other movements involved with the shot are slower and more thought out, I find that I am more patient waiting on that exact moment where the subject's expression is what I want. The only downside to shooting a Hasselblad as a studio portrait camera is that it can be hard to focus in dim lighting. My 500 c/m, without the bright screen was so difficult to focus in studio settings (light reference, ISO 400, F2.8, 1/60). I missed focus about 40% of the time with my 500 c/m. With the bright screen and proper split prism of the Acute Matte D focusing screen, my percentage is much higher. That being said I still miss...maybe 3 shots per roll of 12. It's just one of the quirks of the camera that I deal with because I love the process and results so much. </p>
<p><img alt="studio portrait of artist holding paint brush and easel on kodak film with hasselblad 202fa" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/hasselblad%20202fa/2005-film-chelsea-green-cmi-charleston-sc-studio-portraits-branding-00003_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>I even use the camera when I shoot fashion work. It's just such a joy to use and I'm often okay with a bit of motion blurr and out of focus images that a slower camera like the hasselblad can be susceptible to. </p>
<p><img alt="fashion portrait on kodak portra 800 film with hasselblad 202fa of girl in bandana top and black jeans" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/hasselblad%20202fa/2006-glennon-charleston-hasselblad-kodak-film-portraits-p800-00004_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>Viewing the World Through a Waist Level Finder is Magical</h3>
<p>If you've never used a WLF, waist level finder film camera like a Hasselblad or TLR...go out and do it now. It's hard to explain just how enjoyable it is. There is a presence to the viewfinder. Colors are vibrant and light is beautiful. Subjects seem to exist in your camera. That's why I own a WLF for my Hasselblad 202FA, even though a prism finder is better for portrait work because it puts the perspective closer to subject eye level. I use my WLF when I am doing more documentary work, like photographing my family. This film portrait of my family on vacation was shot on Portra 800 film. You can see all of those film documentary portraits, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/weekly/07-04-20/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/weekly/07-04-20/">here</a></span>. </p>
<p><img alt="Kodak portra 800 film shot of family in water in northern michigan with giant boat tube" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/hasselblad%20202fa/2007-bear-lake-michigan-family-kodak-gold-portra-800-film-00028_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p></p>
<h2>Cons and Downsides of the Hasselblad 200 Series Film Cameras</h2>
<p>Really, the only thing that would ever keep me from buying into the 200 system from Hasselblad, or using it as my primary medium format film camera is the price and the lack of repairability of the shutter. It's an expensive system to buy into, bodies alone cost upwards of $2000 and that is if you can find one. Most for sale on ebay are buy it now auctions from Japan with inflated prices. The biggest downside, however, is that the silk focal plane shutters cannot be repaired, so you'll just have a brick of a body. If you don't mind just continuously buying new bodies when they inevitably fail then this won't be a problems. However, the cameras will get harder and harder to find and more expensive because of it. </p>
<p></p>
<p><img alt="black and white film portrait of girl laughing in outdoor studio taken on hasselblad 202fa and 110mm f2 lens" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/hasselblad%20202fa/2006-glennon-self-developed-film-black-and-white-kodak-trix-charleston-00009_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h2>Why You Should buy a Hasselblad 202FA - One Reason</h2>
<h3>The FE 110mm F2 Lens is One of the Greatest Medium Format Film Lenses Ever</h3>
<p>The 110mm Planar F2 lens is just surreal...literally surreal. It so nearly obtains that large format surreal rendering, that it almost convinced me to sell my 4x5 camera. The focal plane is so razor flat and the rendering is so pleasant. It's just a dream lens and the only way to shoot it is to buy a 200 series camera or find one that was strangely adapted to a Pentax 67 or digital camera. I wrote a detailed review of that lens, <a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/hasselblad-fe-110mm-f2-planar-medium-format-film-lens-review/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/hasselblad-fe-110mm-f2-planar-medium-format-film-lens-review/">here</a>.</p>
<p><img alt="shallow depth of field film portrait from hasselblad 202fa and 110mm f2 lens of girl on stool in fall" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/hasselblad%20202fa/2005-charleston-fashion-portraits-kodak-tmax-400-film-hasselblad-202fa-12_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p></p>
<p>Thanks for reading my review of the Hasselblad 202FA medium format film camera system for weddings and portraits. I am an experienced film photographer, shooting all my work on film, and having shot most of the popular camera systems on the market. If you have any questions about the Hasselblad 200 series film cameras and my exerience as a wedding and portrait photographer, please reach out! Be sure to check out the rest of my blog for more camera reviews, galleries and other film photography work. </p>
<h2>More Camera Reviews, Photography Tips and Helpful Articles on the Blog</h2>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/category/forphotographers/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/category/forphotographers/">For Photographers - Brian D Smith Photography Film and Education Blog</a></span></p>
<p></p>
<h2>Learn more about Film Photographer - Brian D Smith Photography</h2>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/">Brian D Smith Portrait, Wedding, Editorial and Branding Photography</a></span></p>
<p>~~ ~~</p>
<p><span></span></p>
<p><span>If you are inspired by what you read, I'd love to invite you to reach out about the photography services I offer. My guarantee is that you won't find a photographer that cares more about you and your story than I. I'm endlessly passionate about telling stories on film and pushing the boundaries of art in editorial, lifestyle<span> </span>and portrait photography. I operate a photography studio in Charleston SC and Traverse City Michigan. I'd be thrilled to work for you and document your story, wedding or business in Charleston South Carolina, Northern Michigan, or any destination abroad. LGBTQ supporter and firm believer in the cause for all races to fight for equal rights. </span></p>
<p><span>If you'd like more info about this post, would just like to chat, or are ready to book, reach out to me by visiting my contact page here</span><span>!</span></p>
<h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span><a href="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/" title="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/">Contact Film Wedding and Portrait Photographer Brian D Smith Photography</a></span></span></h3>A Kiawah Island Beach Storm Captured on 35mm Film2020-09-03T21:29:56+00:002024-03-18T21:07:32+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/09-03-20/<h2>35mm Film Lifestyle Documentary of Good Friends and A Charleston Beach Trip</h2>
<p>A threatening storm rolled in on our beach trip to Charleston's Kiawah Island and cut our day short, but produced some breathtaing clouds and intense wind. Featuring Olly, my girl, and some new friends. </p>
<p></p>
<p><img alt="nikon fm3a and kodak gold 200 35mm film portrait of girl and dog running on kiawah island beach" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/weekly/2008-bear-lake-summer-kodak-gold-35mm-film-lifestyle-00073_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h2>Film Stock and Camera Gear Used</h2>
<p>All images were shot on my Nikon Fm3a, 50mm F1.2 AIS lens, and Kodak Gold 200 35mm film</p>
<h2>See More Weekly Documentary Projects and Lifestyle Photography</h2>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/weekly/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/weekly/">Brian D Smith Photography Weekly Lifestyle Blog</a></span></p>
<h2>Learn more about Brian D Smith Photography</h2>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/">Brian D Smith Portrait, Wedding, Editorial and Branding Photography</a></span></p>
<p>~~ ~~</p>
<p><span></span></p>
<p><span>If you are inspired by what you read, I'd love to invite you to reach out about the photography services I offer. My guarantee is that you won't find a photographer that cares more about you and your story than I. I'm endlessly passionate about telling stories on film and pushing the boundaries of art in editorial, lifestyle<span> </span>and portrait photography. I operate a photography studio in Charleston SC and Traverse City Michigan. I'd be thrilled to work for you and document your story, wedding or business in Charleston South Carolina, Northern Michigan, or any destination abroad. LGBTQ supporter and firm believer in the cause for all races to fight for equal rights. </span></p>
<p><span>If you'd like more info about this post, would just like to chat, or are ready to book, reach out to me by visiting my contact page here</span><span>!</span></p>
<h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span><a href="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/" title="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/">Contact Lifestyle Photographer Brian D Smith Photography</a></span></span></h3>A Month of Shooting and Developing Large Format Film Portraits2020-08-27T16:59:44+00:002024-03-19T01:51:10+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/a-month-of-shooting-and-developing-large-format-film-portraits/<h2>Shooting Large Format Film for a Month - A Review</h2>
<p>I set up a outdoor portrait studio in the backyard of my Charleston SC home, using a savage muslin backdrop and the surrounding foliage. Simultaneously, I just started developing and scanning my own film as a way for me to shoot large format film in a more cost affective fashion. Each time I set up a portrait shoot in my backyard photography studio, I shot 6 sheets of large format 4x5 black and white film - enough to fill my developing tank. Large format film is a love hate for me. If I'm being honest, I don't really enjoy the process of it for portraiture. It's just a bit too slow and I find that myself and the subject can easily check out of the moment. I typically try to focus on the model's expression and posing right before pressing the shutter, but with large format film there are so many other things you need to concentrate on in those moments before relasing the shutter button - especially if you are shooting at shallow apertures. The images below are everything I shot on large format film for the month. As much as the process bothered me at times, the results make it all worth it. You just can't replicate the effects, the presence, and the imperfections of shooting large format film. </p>
<p></p>
<p>If you want to read about my very first experiences shooting large format film, please check out my earlier blog post. </p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/large-format-black-and-white-film-portraits-in-my-charleston-back-yard/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/large-format-black-and-white-film-portraits-in-my-charleston-back-yard/">First Experience Shooting Large Format Film - Black and White and Color</a></span></p>
<p></p>
<p><img alt="large format black and white film portrait of bride in white sleeve wedding dress in charleston sc with intrepid mkiii 4x5 camera" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/large-format-1-month/2006-kyleigh-charleston-sc-backyard-studio-bridal-large-format-tri-x-film-00005_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>The above image was probably my favorite from the entire month. There is so much mystery and mood to the image. Film images always have a presence and a inexplicable quality to them, but this image has an added layer with the tilt-shift and imperfections from self developing and scanning. </p>
<p><img alt="large format fashion portrait on black and white film in charleston sc" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/large-format-1-month/2005-mya-beasenberg-large-format-film-ilford-hp5-portraits-charleston-sc-00004_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>What do I like about Large Format Film For Portraits</h3>
<p>My favorite thing about large format film for portraiture, and the main reason that I keep coming back to it amidst all the pain points, is the ability to apply tilt-shift affects. I use a bit of tilt shift in most of my large format portraiture to produce surreal blur and focus that draws the viewers eyes into the image and creates a dreamy / ethereal effect. This extreme blur also seems to be complemented quite well by the imperfection of the home development and scanning process. </p>
<p><img alt="bride and groom studio portrait on large format 4x5 black and white film with cream dinner jacket and cream lace dress in charleston sc" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/large-format-1-month/2006-charleston-sc-outdoor-studio-bride-and-groom-portraits-kodak-film-00056_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>The other main reason I shoot large format film is the presence of it. There is this unexplainable quality to large format film that leaves it feeling like you're staring at something other than a photograph. You feel present in the image. Film sort of has that quality, in general, but large format film takes this feeling to a new level. Large format film is known for its surreal, shallow depth of field and razor thin and flat focal planes, but I think the effect comes largely from it's beautiful tonal range. Blacks are deep, but the shadows and midtones seem to so graciously roll into one another like water. </p>
<p><img alt="large format film fashion portrait of girl in black jeans and bandana top in charleston sc portrait studio" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/large-format-1-month/2006-glennon-kodak-tri-x-320-large-format-black-and-white-film-portrait-00002_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p></p>
<h3>What Don't I like about Shooting Large Format Film</h3>
<p>I touched on it above, but the main reason I dislike 4x5 film is the process of it all. I know some photographers revel in this and feel connected to this, but I just haven't found that to be my case for portraiture. Film already does that for me, in general, but large format seems to just take it a step too far. Between locking the movements down, making sure the model doesn't move at all while still holding a natural facial expression, loading the film back, closing the aperture, removing the dark slide, triggering the shutter and reinserting the dark slide, there is just a lot of room for error and a lot of opportunities for the portrait subject to change expression or get uncomfortable. There are also a lot of ways to screw up....and when the medium is this expensive, those screw ups hurt. I managed 2 blank images during this month because I didn't do a great job of keeping track of my spent and fresh film backs. I think some of my problems could be solved with a bit of additional equipment and more dilligence. If I had a sturdier tripod, locking down the movements wouldn't be so tedious and focus would be more consistent. If I had a proper dark cloth, instead of fiddling with my twice folded black curtain, it might not be so difficult to focus and I might not get so frustrated. I have a system for keeping track of my film backs and which are loaded fresh, exposed, and empty, but sometimes during loading in the dark bag I will forget to place the darkslides to the proper side. Also, it is worth mentioning that it all gets better with time and practice. </p>
<p><img alt="multiple exposure film portrait on large format intrepid mkiii camera of girl in black jeans and crop top" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/large-format-1-month/2006-glennon-kodak-tri-x-320-large-format-black-and-white-film-portrait-00001_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="fashion portrait on large format black and white film in charleston sc outdoor portrait photography studio with savage muslin backdrop" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/large-format-1-month/2005-mya-beasenberg-large-format-film-ilford-hp5-portraits-charleston-sc-00002_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p></p>
<h3>My Overall Thoughts on Shooting Large Format Film - Will I Continue?</h3>
<p>Yes, absolutely I plan to continue shooting large format film. Every single time I have shot 4x5 film, I've been a little miffed while shooting and swore I would reconsider doing it again, but then I'd develop the film and immediately load up some film in my dark bag. It's a really fun thing to experiment with and I think there is a lot to be said about continuing to push yourself into new mediums and let the mediums influence your style a bit. I think that is one of the beautiful things about film. I find its constraints to be a beautiful and beneficiary thing. Knowing you only have black and white film, or six shots, causes you to change your approach and focus on different things that you might not have in a more universally flexible medium. </p>
<p></p>
<p>I think it is also worth noting that a lot of my pain points with the medium came from me feeling pressure while shooting. I shot medium format film and 35mm film during all of these shoots, so there was always a bit of a time crunch to get the 4x5 shot and then move on. The 4x5 felt more like an experiment than an integral part of the shoot. I think if I did a portrait shoot where I only shot, say, 10 frames of large format film I would be a lot more comfortable with the medium and feel a lot less stressed to move quickly. </p>
<p><img alt="ethereal black and white film portrait on 4x5 intrepid camera with vintage dress in charleston sc studio" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/large-format-1-month/2006-sally-mahon-4x5-kodak-tmax-100-film-portraits-intrepid-charleston-00001_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h2>My Large Format Film Camera Gear, Film Stocks, and Developing Kit</h2>
<p>For all of the images in this set, I shot my Intrepid 4x5 mkiii camera. I love that camera. Yes, it is a bit flimsier than most and some of the controls can feel a bit stubborn and lacking of fine adjustment, but its light and it is cheap. Without it, I never would have even attempted large format film. It was basically just a curiosity for me and the cost approachability of the intrepid system really allowed me to find the medium. I shoot with a Schneider 210mm F5.6 Symmar-S convertible lens and a mismatch collection of film backs that I got off ebay. You will also need a trigger release for the lens shutter, a mounting board for the lens, a dark hood to block light while focus on the ground glass, and a steady tripod. For film stocks, I shot Kodak Tri-X 320 (which turned out to be my favorite), T-Max 100 (second favorite), and Ilford HP5. For whatever reason the larger identifying tabs on the Ilford HP5 make it harder to load into my holder for film developing. </p>
<p></p>
<p>For developing, I use the Film Photography Project 4x5 holder. I was recommended it by another photographer and it has been an absolute gem to use. It's easy to load and keeps the film well separated. I can develop 6 sheets at a time in my Patterson System 4 tank (can't remember the model but it holds 2 medium format reals or 3 35mm reels). All images were developed in Kodak Hc-110, Ilford Ilfostop, Ilford Rapid Fixer and Kodak Photoflo. </p>
<h2>More Camera Reviews, Photography Tips and Helpful Articles on the Blog</h2>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/category/forphotographers/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/category/forphotographers/">For Photographers - Brian D Smith Photography Film and Education Blog</a></span></p>
<h2>Learn more about Film Photographer - Brian D Smith Photography</h2>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/">Brian D Smith Portrait, Wedding, Editorial and Branding Photography</a></span></p>
<p>~~ ~~</p>
<p><span></span></p>
<p><span>If you are inspired by what you read, I'd love to invite you to reach out about the photography services I offer. My guarantee is that you won't find a photographer that cares more about you and your story than I. I'm endlessly passionate about telling stories on film and pushing the boundaries of art in editorial, lifestyle<span> </span>and portrait photography. I operate a photography studio in Charleston SC and Traverse City Michigan. I'd be thrilled to work for you and document your story, wedding or business in Charleston South Carolina, Northern Michigan, or any destination abroad. LGBTQ supporter and firm believer in the cause for all races to fight for equal rights. </span></p>
<p><span>If you'd like more info about this post, would just like to chat, or are ready to book, reach out to me by visiting my contact page here</span><span>!</span></p>
<h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span><a href="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/" title="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/">Contact Film Wedding and Portrait Photographer Brian D Smith Photography</a></span></span></h3>Using Pushed and Expired 35mm Film for Grainy Black and White Studio Portraits2020-08-24T17:33:04+00:002024-03-19T04:17:13+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/using-pushed-and-expired-35mm-film-for-grainy-black-and-white-studio-portraits/<h2>About the Creative 35mm Film Portrait Project in Charleston SC</h2>
<p></p>
<p>Brandy and I have photographed many times before, but these portraits came out something extra special. We tried 4 or 5 different portrait setups on the day, and this was the last lighting setup in my Charleston SC portrait studio. I had seen an image recently of a spotlit face where the body sort of blended into the backdrop and wanted to try something similar, incorporating my love for grainy film. I loaded up my Leica M-A with a roll of 15 year expired Fuji Acros 400. I metered the film, for the highlights, at 800 and had my photo lab push it 1 stop in post. </p>
<h3>Shooting 35mm Film with off Camera Lighting</h3>
<p>I find that 35mm film often requires me to meter for the highlights. Most of the time, in fact, when I shoot film in studio, I am metering with my meter tilted up toward my light source. I work a lot with off camera constant lights and strobes. This gives me a more direct light source and in my experience, I have gotten very blown out highlights when metering shadows in studio, as would normally be my process for outdoor portraiture. So, I metered with my Sekonic L-558 positioned in front of the model's face and pointed toward the light source. </p>
<h3>Shooting and Metering Expired 35mm Film</h3>
<p>Generally, when shooting expired film, I will meter at least a stop over. So, I would typically have rated this 400 iso film at 200 iso. However, my intended result was different for this project. I wanted crushed shadows, deep blacks and tons of grain. So, I decided to go against convention and treated it like fresh film, while also pushing it a stop in development. So, the film was treated as 400 +1, rated at 800 iso while shooting. </p>
<h3>About My Lighting Setup for the 35mm Film Studio Portraits</h3>
<p>I used a pretty strange lighting configuration for this project. I set up my LED light and positioned it, bare bulb, with only the flash tube surround/bounce pointed directly at the models face about 2.5 feet from her. My light was angle up 45 degrees and about 60 degrees off center, nearing complete side lighting. Still, however, there was more light spill than I wanted. In order to reduce the light spill, I needed a snoot. I don't own a snoot. So, I made one by cutting open a cereal box and wrapping the cardboard around the light housing in a tube shape. This narrowed my beam and focused it like a spotlight on the face. The light was a bit intense, in terms of light quality, so I took a white t shirt and covered the tube opening, holding it on with a rubber band. It was now exactly like I wanted it!</p>
<p><img alt="pushed and expired 35mm film studio portrait of girl in black and white in charleston sc portrait studio" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/brandy-grainy-bnw/1911-charleston-studio-fuji-acros-400-pushed-film-35mm-dramatic-portraits-black-and-white-00012_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p></p>
<h2>The Results of Shooting Pushed and Expired 35mm Film in Studio</h2>
<p>Honestly, I was blown away when I got the film back. I introduced so many new variables into this shoot: shooting expired 35mm film in studio, pushing expired film, using spot lights with film. These studio portraits turned out so much better than I ever could have imagined. Honestly, the unknown and the wait of seeing results on film has done more to encourage experimentation in my photography than just about aything else. It is too easy to chase perfection or to quickly write off lighting setups or techniques when shooting digital because of the instant preview. It's always important to remember that digital is such a blank canvas and the images require so much post to fulfill a vision. So, sometimes the lighting might be exactly what you need to achieve the finished product, but since it doesn't meet the initial expectation in RAW form, you move on. </p>
<p><img alt="grainy 35mm black and white film portrait of a girl in studio against a black savage seamless paper backdrop" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/brandy-grainy-bnw/1911-charleston-studio-fuji-acros-400-pushed-film-35mm-dramatic-portraits-black-and-white-00024_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="grainy black and white female studio portrait pose with spotlight on face using expired and pushed 35mm black and white film" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/studio/brandy-grainy-bnw/1911-charleston-studio-fuji-acros-400-pushed-film-35mm-dramatic-portraits-black-and-white-00003_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p></p>
<h2>Portrait Photography Studio Locations - Studio Sixty Reid</h2>
<h3>Charleston SC Photography Studio</h3>
<p>I own and operate a portrait photography studio in Charleston, SC. Charleston South Carolina is the birthplace of my photography business and where I discovered and refined my love for studio portraiture. Studio Sixty Reid, named after a location where I created some of my favorite early portrait work, is a natural light and flash photography portrait studio right in the heart of Downtown Charleston. The studio is in a prime location, just a short walk from bustling king street and features solid color seamless backdrops, clean white walls, a mid century styled section for lifestyle photography shoots and enough space to create custom sets for your portrait and editorial photography projects. </p>
<h3>Northern Michigan Photography Studio - Traverse City</h3>
<p>I spend most of my Summer in Northern Michigan, 45 minutes south of Traverse City. I run an in home studio, under the same name of Studio Sixty Reid, in my lakefront family cottage. The studio features natural light and flash photography capabilities and has beautiful lake front views in the small town of Bear Lake Michigan. My Bear Lake studio is where I first set up a portrait studio, and first developed my love for flash photography and shooting film with strobes. </p>
<h2>Learn More About Shooting Film in Studio</h2>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/category/forphotographers/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/category/forphotographers/">For Photographers - Brian D Smith Photography's Tips, Film Techniques, and How-Tos</a></span></p>
<h2>Learn more about Brian D Smith Studio Portrait Photography</h2>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/portraiture/studio-portraits/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/portraiture/studio-portraits/">Brian D Smith Photography Studio Portrait Portfolio and Information</a></span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></p>
<p>~~ ~~</p>
<p><span></span><em>FROM BRIAN D SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY</em></p>
<p><span>If you are inspired by what you read, I'd love to invite you to reach out about the portrait photography studio services I offer. I have poratrait studio locations in Charleston SC and Traverse City Michigan. My guarantee is that you won't find a photographer that cares more about you and your story than I. I'm endlessly passionate about telling stories on film and pushing the boundaries of art in portrait photography. I'd be thrilled to work for you and tell your story through intentional and creative portraiture. I photograph Branding Portraits, Bridal and Wedding Portraits, Heirloom Portraits, Boudoir, and Creative / Editorial Portraiture and Fashion in studio. I celebrate all people, LGBTQ and straight. I celebrate all races and backgrounds, and there isn't a soul in this world that doesn't have an inspiring story to be told. </span></p>
<p><span>If you'd like more info about this post, would just like to chat, or are ready to book, reach out to me by visiting my contact page here</span><span>!</span></p>
<h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span><a href="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/" target="_blank" title="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/">Contact Studio Portrait Photographer Brian D Smith Photography</a></span></span></h3>Contax 645 Medium Format Film Camera Review for Weddings and Portraits2020-08-16T16:24:35+00:002024-03-19T04:48:02+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/contax-645-medium-format-film-camera-review-for-weddings-and-portraits/<h2>Contax 645 Medium Format Film Camera System Overview</h2>
<p>The Contax 645 has become synonomous with wedding photography - so much so that the very branding of the camera is front and center in nearly every film wedding photographer's headshot. The Contax 645 is a medium format film camera with interchangeable backs, lenses, screens and prism finders. The camera functions and operates like nearly every other 645 film system in existence with a few small exceptions that I will address below. It's a wonderful camera on it's own right, but the reason the camera became so popular is because of one lens - the Contax 80mm F2. It's a dreamy lens, with a very large focusing element that creates beautiful 3D pop. At F2 on a medium format system, you can achieve surreal background separation. This lens renders 'dreamier' than most other ultra shallow depth of field lenses thanks in part to it's planar design and traditionally warm Zeiss optics rendering that the company is known for. Bokeh is incredibly pleasant and the lens can be shot wide open with very little negative effects that plague planar lens designs. I've owned my Contax 645 for nearly 2 years at the time of writing this article and have photographed everything from weddings to location portraiture to studio portraiture and boudoir with it. </p>
<p><img alt="contax 645 medium format film camera review with body in studio and lit like product photography" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/contax-645/2008-contax-645-medium-format-film-camera-review-weddings-portraits-brian-d-smith-00002_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>Contax 645 Camera Specifications</h3>
<p>I won't go into crazy detail about specs or minute details of the camera's operation, as I mostly care about real world experiences, pros and cons, and image quality. </p>
<ol>
<li>1/4000s Top Shutter Speed</li>
<li>Interchangeable Film Backs</li>
<li>In camera TTL metering</li>
<li>Interchangeable Lenses</li>
<li>Multi-Exposure Mode (infinite)</li>
<li>Flash sync at 1/90s</li>
<li>Aperture Priority</li>
<li>Full Manual Operation</li>
<li>Back Button Focus</li>
<li>Self Timer</li>
<li>Manual Film ISO Setting on Back</li>
<li>Optional Maxwell Bright Screen for Better Focusing</li>
</ol>
<p><img alt="contax 645 top down detail studio porduct shot in charleston sc by brian d smith" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/contax-645/2008-contax-645-medium-format-film-camera-review-weddings-portraits-brian-d-smith-00001_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="contax 645 studio product photography medium format film camera system for weddings" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/contax-645/2008-contax-645-medium-format-film-camera-review-weddings-portraits-brian-d-smith-00003_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="contax 645 with zeiss 80mm f2 lens product photography shot in studio" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/contax-645/2008-contax-645-medium-format-film-camera-review-weddings-portraits-brian-d-smith-00004_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Contax 645 Lens Options</h3>
<p>I own the Zeiss 80mm F2 and Zeiss 140mm F4 Macro lenses for my Contax 645 system. Not many people use the macro lens but I LOVE this lens for the occasional macro shot but, more importantly, ultra-sharp studio strobe portraiture. It's my favorite lens to use in studio because of how sharp it is and how close I can focus. It has a very long focus throw, common to macro lenses, so it isn't the quickest. The only other lens I have used is the 45mm F2.8, briefly, and I didn't care for it. It was just too wide, with about a 28mm 35mm full frame equivablent, and it seemed prone to highlights blowing from flare. </p>
<ol>
<li>Zeiss 80mm F2 (the one and only lens you probably want)</li>
<li>Zeiss 140mm F4 Macro (amazing macro and portrait lens)</li>
<li>Zeiss 140mm F2.8</li>
<li>Zeiss 45mm F2.8</li>
<li>Zeiss 55mm F2.8</li>
</ol>
<p><img alt="120mm F4 macro lens on contax 645 shot in studio with LED light in charleston sc" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/contax-645/2008-contax-645-medium-format-film-camera-review-weddings-portraits-brian-d-smith-00006_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p></p>
<p>Here are two examples of where the two lenses I own for my Contax 645 system really shine. </p>
<h4>Zeiss 80mm F2 Lens for Contax 645</h4>
<p>This lens is known for dreamy rendering and bokeh, like this Portra 800 image of a bride and bouquet that I shot during a Charleston Wedding Editorial.</p>
<p><img alt="contax 645 bridal portrait with 80mm F2 bokeh wide open on portra 800 film" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/contax-645/1909-magnolia-86-cannon-boudoir-charleston-bridal-portraits-film-autumn-summer-00232_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h4>Zeiss 140mm F4 Macro Lens for Contax 645</h4>
<p>This lens is sharp, and has a wonderfully pleasing rendering that I just love for studio portraiture with strobes. The strobes are needed to shoot this lens in studio because of the F4 minimum aperture. If you have a very bright, natural light studio, you will probably be fine at F4. You can always use a monopod as well. </p>
<p><img alt="studio bridal portrait on contax 645 with zeiss 140mm F4 macro lens by brian d smith" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/contax-645/2002-charleston-studio-bridal-portrait-green-seamless-florals-kodak-portra-160-film-strobes-00006_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>Long focus throw on the Zeiss 120mm F4 macro planar lens.</p>
<p><img alt="long focus throw of contax 645 zeiss 120mm F4 macro lens shot in charleston sc photogrpahy studio" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/contax-645/2008-contax-645-medium-format-film-camera-review-weddings-portraits-brian-d-smith-00007_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h2>Contax 645 for Wedding Photography Review</h2>
<h3>Useability as one of the best medium format film cameras for wedding photographers</h3>
<p>Honestly, the camera is perfect for wedding photographers (I say this with a caveat to come later). It's lightweight - I previously owned a Hasselblad H1 and the Contax is significantly lighter. It's relatively reliable. These cameras are sort of known for finicky electronics, but I've kept mine clean and it has been quite reliable for me. It's a very fast camera as well. Film advance, initial wind and end wind are all automated and the inserts are quick and easy to change / load. Autofocus isn't amazing on the camera, but it also isn't bad either. You just have to learn to use it, practice, and always be able to manually focus as a back up option. The viewfinder / screen are bright and I've had wonderful luck manually focusing this camera. The camera is just a joy to shoot. I feel nimble and comfortable when shooting it which is quite possibly the most important thing when deciding what camera you are going to shoot during the pace of a wedding. </p>
<p><img alt="contax 645 film wedding portrait on Kodak portra 800 in downtown charleston sc" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/contax-645/2001-january-downtown-charleston-engagement-film-st-lauren-tj-00032_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Dreamy rendering and bokeh review of the Contax 645</h3>
<p>The camera is known for the 80mm F2 lens. This is why people buy this camera - full stop. Somewhere along the line, someone started shooting this camera at weddings (cough cough Jose Villa and Erich McVey) and the look of the lens sort of became synonomous with "film wedding photography". People almost expect that wildly shallow, dreamy warm bokeh that the lens produces. Simply, it's the most beautiful bokeh of any lens I have ever seen. Subjects have this dreamy ability to 'melt' into the background and almost become a painting. It's quite surreal and it makes for beautiful wedding photographs. I will say, shooting at F2 is always tempting, but it isn't always the answer and I think it is often used as a crutch. </p>
<p><img alt="contax 645 wide open bokeh with zeiss 80mm f2 lens of bridal bouquet on kodak portra 800 film" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/contax-645/2006-bear-lake-michigan-bridal-portraits-film-wedding-in-water-00019_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>The images just have a painterly quality to them which, if you ask a lot of people less familiar with the film world (think brides) is something they desire and have come to expect from film. This camera/lens has completely defined the look of what people think "film photography" to be in the wedding world...it's that popular. </p>
<p><img alt="contax 645 bride and groom portrait by film wedding photographer brian d smith photography" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/contax-645/1906-hotel-domestique-vintage-tuscanny-chartreuse-styled-elopement-124_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>See how the bride seems to exist, softly, against the blended backdrop. This image was also shot at F2 on Kodak Portra 400 film. </p>
<p><img alt="shallow depth of field bridal portrait on kodak film with contax 645 by brian d smith" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/contax-645/2007-michigan-bridal-editorial-aurora-cellars-film-wedding-photographer-brian-d-smith-00055_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>If you use the incredible bokeh and shallow depth of field of the Contax 80mm F2 lens as an artistic tool instead of a crutch it can produce some otherwordly images that are just the sort of beauty you want to be adding to a wedding gallery. This bridal bouquet shot of a Michigan bride was shot on Kodak Portra 800 film wide open.</p>
<p><img alt="bridal bouquet shot with contax 645 wide open at f2 for shallow depth of field and bokeh on contax 645" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/contax-645/2007-michigan-bridal-editorial-aurora-cellars-film-wedding-photographer-brian-d-smith-00083_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>Weight and Handling of the Contax 645 Film Camera at Weddings</h3>
<p>As I mentioned, above, the camera is quite light making it very usable for an entire wedding day. When I was shooting Canon DSLRs, the weight of the Contax system was quite comparable to my digital setup. The camera has a very ergonomic grip and the combination of lightweight and a bright viewfinder means I have no problem shooting moving subjects or while running / moving myself. </p>
<p><img alt="photographing weddings and couples with the contax 645 medium format film camera at wavering place " src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/contax-645/1909-charleston-wavering-place-elopement-wedding-fall-film-southern-styled-00076_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>Additional wedding photography information and Contax 645 images on the site</h3>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/weddings/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/weddings/">Film Wedding Photography by Brian D Smith</a></span></p>
<h2>Review - Photographing Portraits with the Contax 645 Film System</h2>
<p>Nearly half, if not more, of the work I shoot is portraiture. When I bought the Contax 645 film camera, I was obsessed. I used it for nearly everything. I have slowed down on my useage of the Contax for my portrait work for a few reasons. There are other cameras that I enjoy shooting more that require a bit more time and concentration that I can afford outside of a wedding day. I find myself leaning more toward my Hasselblad 202FA and Leica M-A film cameras for my portrait work. There is something about the slow, methodical process of those cameras that I feel makes me a better photographer. I am also less concerned about dreamy bokeh when shooting my portrait work. All that being said, it's still a wonderful portrait camera and a joy to use. There is no reason this couldn't be your do-it-all camera system. </p>
<p><img alt="contax 645 film portrait of girl in abandoned building on expired kodak portra 400vc film in michigan" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/contax-645/1909-riley-michigan-contax-645-film-portraits-abandoned-building-fashion-00006_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>The shallow depth of field still can be a nice artistic tool in everyday portrait work. This portrait shot in Asheville, NC at F2.</p>
<p><img alt="shallow depth of field black and white film portrait of girl in vintage clothes with contax 645" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/contax-645/1909-glennon-asheville-river-arts-film-contax-645-ektachrome-100sw-00002_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<h2>Review - Using the Contax 645 in Studio</h2>
<p>Strangely, this is the reason I most use the camera anymore. I love using the camera in studio. Oftentimes studio portraiture is all about capturing that exact moment in between breaths when you the subject's expression is just right. That's hard to do with a film camera system that is slow or has a very dim viewfinder. The Contax is easy to use and I can alternate between the 80mm F2 lens and Macro Planar 120mm F4 lens depending on what I am photographing. For beauty headshots and something where I need the longer compression of the 120mm focal length, the macro planar lens is just perfect. </p>
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<p>I use the contax 645 almost exclusively in studio for my studio bridal portrait work. </p>
<p><img alt="contax 645 studio bridal portrait in custom wedding dress on portra 800 film in charleston sc" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/contax-645/2002-susan-studio-sixty-reid-charleston-studio-bridal-portrait-color-film-kodak-portra-800-lovely-bride-dress-00036_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>I alternate between lighting types depending on what I am shooting. Most often, I shoot this camera with strobes, but the below two images were shot handheld using an LED light and softbox. </p>
<p><img alt="studio bridal portrait in charleston sc shot with contax 645 and LED light by brian d smith" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/contax-645/2002-helen-fine-art-bride-portrait-charleston-studio-angel-film-kodak-portra-800-contax-645-00004_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>I use the camera for anything from bridal portraiture, branding portraiture and headshots, fashion portraiture to boudoir. </p>
<p><img alt="lace bodysuit boudoir photography portrait on black and white film in charleston sc photography studio" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/contax-645/2002-christie-trainer-studio-sixty-reid-boudoir-black-and-white-delta-3200-film-portrait-00002_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p><img alt="contax 645 black and white film fashion bridal portrait on folly beach in charleston sc" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/contax-645/1907-alena-fade-styled-bridal-portraits-folly-beach-charleston-film-kodak-13_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>I still use other film cameras, including other medium format systems, in studio but where I use the Contax 645 exclusively is with strobe portraiture. It syncs at 1/90 of a second with my strobes usign my Godox triggers. I just manually meter the flash power setting using my Sekoni L-558 and I am good to go. I just love shooting this camera with strobes and film. I will be writing an entirely separate blog post reviewing the Contax 645 for studio work and strobe work and will update this blog when I do. </p>
<p><img alt="studio portraiture shot on film with strobes using contax 645 by film photographer brian d smith on kodak portra 160vc" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/contax-645/1908-riley-grace-studio-blue-olive-contax-645-strobe-film-portraits-00005_web_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<h2>Cons and Downsides of the Contax 645 Film Camera System</h2>
<p>As I described above, I quite like the camera. My biggest problem with the camera is kind of a strange one and is the biggest reason that I have started using it very little at weddings. Honestly, if I didn't use the camera so much in studio, I would have sold it. My biggest complaint about the Contax 645...everyone uses it. I've grown to resent the camera for 2 major reasons. First, the lens has such a signature look and I feel like it has made wedding photography a bit homogenized. Nearly everyone shoots that lens at F2, even for things like tablescapes and venue shots. It's too easy to create dreamy images and ignore the art of storytelling or composition. I can look at breathtakingly beautiful film wedding images on instagram all day...and they all look the same. I think the popularity and prevelence of the Contax 645 is slightly to blame for this. Secondly, and sort of an extension of the first, I resent how much the camera system is a part of a photographer's brand. Most film wedding photographers have a headshot where the brand placement is right in the foreground and the most noticeable thing in the portrait. Sometimes, the camera logo is the focus itself, not the photographer! I think it's a bad thing for the photography industry when a camera brand becomes so defining for that photographer's brand and existence. People just getting into film photography go out and buy a $3500 camera and take "mentoring sessions" from photographers specifically on how to use that camera. I think it's a bit of a shame that a camera brand and look overshadows a photographer's sense of composition, color, and storytelling. </p>
<p><img alt="charleston sc contax 645 portrait of a bride in lace bodysuit and skirt wedding dress by sweet caroline styles" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/contax-645/lexxie-hampton-park-charleston-bridal-wedding-portraits-4_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<h3>The Contax 645 and Film Flatness Problems</h3>
<p>Film flatness is a common problem with Contax 645 cameras. The phenomenon occurs when the film is not flat against the film insert, thus you have an appeared shift of the focal plane of the image when moving from left to right. In the most extreme cases, it can cause something near infinity in the background to be in focus on one side and a portrait subject 10 feet from you to be in focus on the other side. Where this causes the most problems is when shooting large groups of people, as someone on the end might be out of focus while everyone else is in focus. This isn't the most extreme example I have ever seen but it is the only one I could locate in my galleries. You'll notice how the bridesmaids on the right side are sharp and in focus, but the bridesmaid on the far left is not. This was shot at F4. The biggest giveaway, since you aren't sure that the bridesmaids were in a perfectly straight line, is how in focus the stop sign 30 yards in behind the bridal party is. </p>
<p><img alt="contax 645 bridal party in blush bridesmaids dresses on kiawah island for charleston wedding" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/contax-645/1905-kiawah-sandcastle-gaia-charlie-charleston-beach-wedding-103_web.jpg" width="600"/></p>
<p>Contax made 'vacuum' inserts for 220 film that were supposed to resolve this issue and a few companies modify these for 120 film, but I haven't heard amazing results and they are quite expensive. Every single person I know that shoots the Contax 645 system has film flatness problems. It's just one of those things you learn to deal with and a great reason for shooting digital backups when doing large groups. </p>
<p><img alt="film flatness issues with contax 645 film camera with bridal party in blush bridesmaids dresses in charelston sc" src="https://briandsmithphotography.com/static/media/uploads/blog/fortogs/contax-645/film-flatness-contax-645.jpg" width="600"/></p>
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<p>Thanks for reading my review of the Contax 645 medium format film camera system for weddings and portraits. I am an experienced film photographer, shooting all my work on film, and having shot most of the popular camera systems on the market. If you have any questions about the Contax 645 and my exerience as a wedding and portrait photographer, please reach out! Be sure to check out the rest of my blog for more camera reviews, galleries and other film photography work. </p>
<h2>More Camera Reviews, Photography Tips and Helpful Articles on the Blog</h2>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/category/forphotographers/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/category/forphotographers/">For Photographers - Brian D Smith Photography Film and Education Blog</a></span></p>
<p></p>
<h2>Learn more about Film Photographer - Brian D Smith Photography</h2>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/">Brian D Smith Portrait, Wedding, Editorial and Branding Photography</a></span></p>
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<p><span>If you are inspired by what you read, I'd love to invite you to reach out about the photography services I offer. My guarantee is that you won't find a photographer that cares more about you and your story than I. I'm endlessly passionate about telling stories on film and pushing the boundaries of art in editorial, lifestyle<span> </span>and portrait photography. I operate a photography studio in Charleston SC and Traverse City Michigan. I'd be thrilled to work for you and document your story, wedding or business in Charleston South Carolina, Northern Michigan, or any destination abroad. LGBTQ supporter and firm believer in the cause for all races to fight for equal rights. </span></p>
<p><span>If you'd like more info about this post, would just like to chat, or are ready to book, reach out to me by visiting my contact page here</span><span>!</span></p>
<h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span><a href="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/" title="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/">Contact Film Wedding and Portrait Photographer Brian D Smith Photography</a></span></span></h3>template - for photographers2020-08-16T16:08:04+00:002024-03-17T09:14:43+00:00adminhttps://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/author/admin/https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/template-for-photographers/<h2>About the post</h2>
<p>Text about the post</p>
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<p> FEATURE IMAGE HERE</p>
<h2>More Camera Reviews, Photography Tips and Helpful Articles on the Blog</h2>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/category/forphotographers/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/blog/category/forphotographers/">For Photographers - Brian D Smith Photography Film and Education Blog</a></span></p>
<h2>Learn more about Film Photographer - Brian D Smith Photography</h2>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://briandsmithphotography.com/" target="_blank" title="https://briandsmithphotography.com/">Brian D Smith Portrait, Wedding, Editorial and Branding Photography</a></span></p>
<p>~~ ~~</p>
<p><span></span></p>
<p><span>If you are inspired by what you read, I'd love to invite you to reach out about the photography services I offer. My guarantee is that you won't find a photographer that cares more about you and your story than I. I'm endlessly passionate about telling stories on film and pushing the boundaries of art in editorial, lifestyle<span> </span>and portrait photography. I operate a photography studio in Charleston SC and Traverse City Michigan. I'd be thrilled to work for you and document your story, wedding or business in Charleston South Carolina, Northern Michigan, or any destination abroad. LGBTQ supporter and firm believer in the cause for all races to fight for equal rights. </span></p>
<p><span>If you'd like more info about this post, would just like to chat, or are ready to book, reach out to me by visiting my contact page here</span><span>!</span></p>
<h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span><a href="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/" title="http://briandsmithphotography.com/contactpage/">Contact Film Wedding and Portrait Photographer Brian D Smith Photography</a></span></span></h3>