Controlled lighting makes things much simpler

Over the years I have consistently taken controlled pictures of friends in what, for lack of a better word, would be best described as a studio environment. That may take the guise of soft northern window light at one extreme, or strictly controlled studio flash with umbrella reflectors and drop backgrounds at the other. For the latter I have long owned a small three head Novatron electronic flash outfit which has been superbly reliable and is easily (OK, so you have to lift the heavy storage case) transported to any location. Add Photek’s compact ‘Background in a Bag’, a support system for a 6 foot by 7 foot backdrop, and you are set for most eventualities.

Ollie the Pug. Leica M3, 90mm Elmarit-M, Novatron.

You can see a few of these by clicking here.

The pictures span a thirty year time frame, mostly taken with a Leica rangefinder (ideal for critical focus) with 90mm lenses ranging from the economical Elmar, made some fifty years ago and discontinued long ago, to the exotic Apo Summicron Aspherical which is current and ridiculously expensive.