I had a lunch the other day in a small restaurant near my work. They have quite some nice decorations and I’ve spotted this instrument. A series of four images (as the instrument was hanging high, I couldn’t get closer) in one of my b/w settings.

Some say that editing is part of photography. It might be, but I don’t like to do it at all. I did it when needed for weddings. I will do it when needed for a commercial assignment. For non-commissioned work I will use as less editing as possible. I want to have it right in the camera as I like it, ready to be printed and shared with my friends. I shoot JPEG and selected the camera which fitted my color pallet, as I would have selected a film in the old days.

That said, my long exposure portraits (‘seconds’) are all shot in RAW and than processed to TIFF. From there on wards I convert them to black & white. Editing is not used in this process: the faces are untouched by any brush or whatever.

A new haircut, a new style, so another portrait is needed. I photographed Rebeka a month ago, and due to her new look I was happy to do another portrait. Same background, same window light, different reflector though. Last photo of the session did it.

This is the second session we did as the first session did not turn out the way I wanted. With long exposure photography this happens and especially with portraits one might need to redo a session. 

Back to Tomislav: it is interesting to see how his left side differs from the right. With normal portrait photography one doesn’t see this so quickly; long exposure portraiture somehow strengthens the effect and it looks like I edited two images into one. I didn’t though.

People in the firm are slowly getting used to the fact that I ask them to sit for me. Finally Marko gives in as well. He is the quiet guy in the office, you won’t hear him bragging around, yet he is always there to do his job. When he sits in front of the camera I manage to take three images, however the first one is really him. Window light, reflector and several seconds.

transcendent: adjective “beyond or above the range of normal or physical human experience”

I’ve always been intrigued with movement within photography, especially when this leads to abstract imagery. Though mostly it is of no use in people photography (who wants to have a blurred wedding photo?), it is a great way for a photographer to keep his creative feelings flowing. 

Though the original version is made of blues and yellows, I prefer the black and white one. It is more calming. Except for conversion to black & white there have been no editing. The image is straight out of the camera.

The photo is made two years ago, right here on ‘my’ hill. Snow was melted, spring was just around the corner. A low sun was shining through a forest where leaves were not yet present. Just bare branches and yellow - long time ago died - grass.

Exposure time was slow, yet much quicker than I use nowadays for my portraits. Main difference though is that in this case, no tripod was used: camera shake was desired to reach the effect I was after: a blurred image of a young forest.

Friday afternoon, working day is almost over. Outside it is snowing, light is dark and I did not take any photo today. Happily Tamara still agrees on a session. We took three images, the last one lasting four seconds only. Window light and a reflector.

I photographed her wedding years ago and I also photographed their newborn. Now she agreed to pose for me again. Lightning was kept simple: one window, one reflector. Exposure time was six seconds. We took 4 photos, but the first one nailed it.

Monday morning. I met Duje down in our coffee bar, he had spend the weekend home and was now in town again for work. I told him to drop by for a portrait and so he did. Window light, reflector and slightly more than three seconds.

His last day in the firm: leaving for another challenge at another great company. I asked him to drop by quickly for a portrait. So he did, at the end of the day. We managed to shoot two images only.

I like the result, partially sharp, partially moved. Question is, what moved him? The past? Or the future?

I met him in the hall, he was on his way out. Warm winterjacket, nice cap and earplugs listening some music. I really liked his cap and asked him to do a session. 

We did three shots (again), it took all probably less then five minutes (again), and we were done. The last images was the quickest (slightly over 3 seconds) but I do love this portrait.