Submitter's name:	Ron Spolarich
Title:	Self-portrait
Gear used:	OM-4Ti, 50/1.8, T32 flash on TTL and a Sunpak 144PC (PC socket) both bounced into umbrellas.
Diaphragm:	F4
Shutter speed:	1/60
Film used:	Kodak TMAX 100 B&W
Technical information:	I tried various setups. One with only the T32 bounced into an umbrella and a reflector on the other side. This setup underexposed on the reflector side. I then used both flashes at 45 degree angles from me. This setup was okay but the umbrellas are a bit too far. Next time I’ll move both umbrellas in closer to provide more illumination.
Subject information:	The guy in this picture prefers to remain behind the camera!
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Comments:

Comment left by: Olaf Greve (ogreve@web-wizards.com)

Nice lighting. I shall have to work on getting equally well results from my own little home studio...

Comment left by: B.B. Bean (bbbean@beancotton.com)

Looks like you've done this before - you shoot a lot of portraits?

Comment left by: wiliam wagenaar (wiliam2@wish.net)

You certainly don't look uncomfortable in front of the camera instead of behind one!

Comment left by: Giles (cnocbui@indigo.ie)

Nicely done, I like the lighting. I don't think you need to move the brollies in closer going by this.

Comment left by: John A. Lind (jlind@netusa1.net)

Well done! Excellent, relaxed pose and you got a very good reflective glint off your eyes. This is the type of portrait people pay big money for to have a huge print of the wall. Don't know _why_ you would want to change the setup.

Comment left by: Siddiq (siddim01@student.ucr.edu)

Nicely done, esp. the catch-light in your eyes. What's that little white thingy lower right of frame that looks like it's on your knee?

Comment left by: Ron Spolarich (caesar2@mediaone.net)

To Acer: Actually, I'm sitting on a chair reversed with my arms across the back. I'd pulled the white terry cloth over the chair but when I sat down it obviously pulled back exposing the chair back. And to Barry: Portraiture is VERY new to me. Just bought a used Minolta Flashmeter IV to really learn how to do it right ala Phillip F. To John: No money coming in yet!!

Comment left by: Joel Wilcox (jowilcox@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu)

Nothing new to add to previous comments. Hats off!

Comment left by: B.B. Bean (bbbean)

Ron- on second viewing, this is clearly the most "portrait-like" shot of the bunch, and a *very* nice portrait at that. Combined with your apparent comfort in front of the camera (the reason my shot was sideways was that I can't smile to save my live), I'd say you have a promising career in both portrait photography and sweater modeling!

Comment left by: Ian Nichols (i.a.nichols@bris.ac.uk)

I don't know why you'd want to change the lighting either. You might get softer light, and more dof by moving the brollies closer, but I can't how that would enhance the shot, since the lighting is already soft enough and there's no background detail anyway. I'm particularly impressed because I never could do high-key myself.

Comment left by: Chuck Norcutt (norcutt@attglobal.net)

Yup, I like it too. Don't think you need to change anything.

Comment left by: Andy Beals (bandy@cinnamon.com)

I like this photo as well. No camera (ok, my personal bias is showing) and if the subject was just a hair more relaxed...

Comment left by: Jay Maynard (jmaynard@conmicro.cx)

Even after all of the other submissions, this is still, to me, the best out-and-out portrait of the bunch. Hang out a shingle.

Comment left by: James Spolarich (JimS1428_99@Yahoo.com)

Google my name and foud a few spolarich's from Pa. but live in Fla. now im not a camera nut but take pictures of Family functions and stuff like that.

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