Military Portraits with 55mm Petzval
What brand is best, what camera is best, what lens is best…
My answer is, they can all be the best depending on the moment. At this moment after a long day in extreme conditions hauling video and photo equipment, I only wanted to hold the lightest equipment I had in my bag. It was so dusty in Niger you only knew the sun was setting when the light would start fading from the sky like lights dimming in a room. For safety reasons we always needed to be back to the compound before dark, but despite feeling completely depleted, I wanted to capture our military escort.
GEAR USED:
The Captain of our military escort was very into selfies, so I had promised him a photo with my camera, which of course led to most of the unit, but it gave me a chance to play with my newest lens: The Petzval 55 Mark II
I had bought this lens to suit my Nikon Z7 ii to avoid using the mount adapter - which I have had multiple negative results using.
I have since added the Sony a7R IVA to my bag, which I’m still sizing up to the Nikon Z7ii, but that’s only to say that I have found myself no longer committed to a single camera brand.
We were in the compound for the night so limited in surroundings, but the trees in the foreground helped the signature swirl bokeh really do it’s job. It’s a manual focused lens, but I enjoy it forcing me to slow down. The men would stand still making sure to not crack a smile, but then would laugh at the next man to come forward. I have found the sweet spot for my style of portrait to be about 2.5 feet from the subject, but I also liked the further distance at full body - look at the fun effect on the boots.
A quick rule on aperture:
To change my aperture to bring two subjects into focus, I would rotate the aperture ring on the lens.
This image was at least f/5.6 - ISO 400 - Shutter - 1/125
f/1.7 - Closer portraits with the most bokeh in the background. (This can be hard with a manual lens, but so worth it)
f/5.6 - Almost everything is in focus on the face, but background is still slightly blurred. (Great place to start)
f/22 - I haven’t played with this on this lens, but f/22 is ideal for landscapes, especially to get a slow shutter effect, (think smooth ocean waves)
I hope you enjoyed this photo series and these insights on equipment and settings. I’m thankful for organizations that work hard to make sure safety is the last thing our team worries about while we’re shooting on the ground and for so many unforgettable moments. Plus, having more than a FEW selfies with this military unit.
TARA SHUPE
is a Humanitarian Photographer and filmmaker, constantly traveling with a camera attached to the hip and a notebook in her pocket. With the goal of not simply creating beautiful content, she approaches each story with intention, ethics and relationships at the forefront, resulting in powerful storytelling that nudge people’s hearts while challenging their actions.
