Fiddler (but not on the roof)

[pdk42]

Fiddler by Paul Kaye, on Flickr

[Thomas Westhead]

Re: Fiddler (but not on the roof)

Hi Paul,

A very nice interesting image in every aspect I like his eyes! Very worthy of framing.

[Ross the fiddler]

Re: Fiddler (but not on the roof)

That looks an interesting shot & the violin looks fairly new & pristine fitted with a Teka chinrest (I could probably identify the strings too if it was in colour ).

[banjukes]

Re: Fiddler (but not on the roof)

Well suited to the B&W, It works well.

[Ross the fiddler]

Re: Fiddler (but not on the roof)

Well suited to the B&W, It works well.

Actually, I wouldn't mind seeing the colour too!

[Moss]

Re: Fiddler (but not on the roof)

He'd make a good Tevye; he's got the look. Just wish I could listen to the music..

[pdk42]

Re: Fiddler (but not on the roof)

That looks an interesting shot & the violin looks fairly new & pristine fitted with a Teka chinrest (I could probably identify the strings too if it was in colour ).

Here you go Ross - an in-colour close up of the instrument. So - can you identify the make and the strings?

[Ross the fiddler]

Re: Fiddler (but not on the roof)

This is actually a viola & is newly made, but very nicely done, with less pronounced corners & the points cut more to the shape of natural wear & the wings of the f sound hole are narrow & I'm not sure if this is a Strad pattern or not, although he did make changes to his design throughout his life, having been trained by Amati. Also the internal width of the peg box is narrower than I think is typical of Strad (but that might be because it's a viola), but I could be wrong. I'm curious now as to which pattern was used for this instrument, but I'm sure other makers would recognise it though. The strings are 'Thomastik Dominant' (perlon or nylon core) viola strings. The ribs would have been easier to bend with less pronounced curve in them in the 'C' bouts. I wonder if this guy made his own viola? Also, the pegs are a Swiss design, the tailpiece, the Hill (English) design with inbuilt adjusters, while the chinrest is Teka.

Anyhow, thanks for the colour version.

[Wee man]

Re: Fiddler (but not on the roof)

Super sharp shot you even captured the movement in the string he is playing.

[pdk42]

Re: Fiddler (but not on the roof)

Wow Ross - that's quite a lot of detail you're able to discern! The guy was playing in a busking quartet in Covent Garden in London. They were musically very good and also pretty animated - prancing about while rattling out some popular classics.

[pdk42]

Re: Fiddler (but not on the roof)

Super sharp shot you even captured the movement in the string he is playing.

Thanks Ed. I used the Panasonic 12-35. This shot is wide open (f2.8) at 35mm and 1/180 sec. It's an excellent lens. I've considered selling it for something smaller and cheaper a few times, but I'm now pretty sure I'll keep it.

Interestingly, this shutter speed is potentially in the shutter shock danger area, but I'm yet to see any evidence of this on my E-M5.

[Ross the fiddler]

Re: Fiddler (but not on the roof)

Wow Ross - that's quite a lot of detail you're able to discern! The guy was playing in a busking quartet in Covent Garden in London. They were musically very good and also pretty animated - prancing about while rattling out some popular classics.

Sounds like frustrated classical musicians!

[Ross the fiddler]

Re: Fiddler (but not on the roof)

Super sharp shot you even captured the movement in the string he is playing.

Yes, I noticed that too (on the G string). He must have been digging in & enjoying playing whatever he was. Maybe Bach's [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2j-frfK-yg"]'Air' (on the G string)? [/ame]

[Homer Simpson]

Re: Fiddler (but not on the roof)

This is actually a viola & is newly made, but very nicely done, with less pronounced corners & the points cut more to the shape of natural wear & the wings of the f sound hole are narrow & I'm not sure if this is a Strad pattern or not, although he did make changes to his design throughout his life, having been trained by Amati. Also the internal width of the peg box is narrower than I think is typical of Strad (but that might be because it's a viola), but I could be wrong. I'm curious now as to which pattern was used for this instrument, but I'm sure other makers would recognise it though. The strings are 'Thomastik Dominant' (perlon or nylon core) viola strings. The ribs would have been easier to bend with less pronounced curve in the them in the 'C' bouts. I wonder if this guy made his own viola? Also, the pegs are a Swiss design, the tailpiece, the Hill (English) design with inbuilt adjusters, while the chinrest is Teka.

Anyhow, thanks for the colour version.

Wow! all that just from the photo!

Can you tell what he had for lunch Ross?

[DavidJ1609]

Re: Fiddler (but not on the roof)

I love the treatment on this. The picture is very sharp and there is a tension between the fiddler and what he is looking at. Nice catch.

David.