TECHNICAL NOTES
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PHOTOGRAPHIC
FILM
Up until 2004, I worked with Fuji film stock almost exclusively, post-processing from my own scans. For colour projects I mostly used Provia 400f slide film, and, when conditions permitted, Fuji Provia 100f. For stage work I used NPZ 800 colour negative film. For black and white I used Neopan 400 and 1600.
DIGITAL CAPTURE
I am now working pretty exclusively with digital capture. I started with a little Canon Ixus and then went through the Canon 20D, Canon 1D mk II and then the Canon 5D and 5D mk2 for use with zoom and longer telephoto lenses. I moved back to rangefinder cameras when the Leica M8 was introduced and now work mainly with Leica M9 - this really feels like coming home as it's made it possible to return to a style of work which was my starting point in photography.
My first fully digital project was with Teatr Polski (see Odyseja - Teatr Polski) and gives an idea of what is possible with digital capture under artificial light. Basic camera settings for this shoot were 1600 ASA / Tungsten White Balance / -1/3rd stop EV compensation. For lenses, I used 16-35mm f2.8 USM L / 28-70mm f2.8 USM L / 70-200mm f2.8 USM L lenses. Although the 1.6 crop on the 20D was a limiting factor when working close up with the 16-35, I was very impressed by the capacity of the sensor to capture detail with the 70-200mm. The next combination was the 1.3 crop 1D Mk2 and 1.6 on the 20D. This was good for exploiting lenses for maximum reach and coverage, but was eventually frustrating when working wide. For DSLR work I now use 5D and 5D mk2 bodies, with x1.4 and x2 extenders when I need extra reach. Given the high ISO capacity of these bodies and the marginal drop in resolution (especially if I use the prime f2.8 200 USM L), this covers most of my needs for performance photography. For work in intimate theatre and perfermance spaces, I use the M9 (which is remarkably quiet in operation) with lenses from 18mm through to 90mm. The Canon 5D mk2 (especially with the 70-200 or 300mm lenses) is also invaluable - especially in Live View where it is effectively silent in operation- a real boon in concert spaces.
RAW PROCESSING
I am now using Photoshop Lightoom 3 for almost all image processing and printing purposes, with Adobe Camera RAW / Adobe Photoshop CS5 for occasional image correction and output.
SCANNER
The Nikon Coolscan 4000 ED still does good service. Colour correction of TIFFs in Adobe Lightoom has revolutionised post-processing workflow. (I find that Lightroom gives unparalled correction capability when working with TIFF scans).
CAMERAS
I work in 35mm, mostly working with available light. I currently use both an SLR system and a Rangefinder system (film and digital bodies). The vast majority of personal and documentary work is now being carried out with Leica M9 cameras.
SLR - Bodies:
Lenses
RANGEFINDER - Bodies:
Lenses:
Small sensor
The Ricoh GRD2 comes in for occasional use where a completely silent shutter is helpful.