Val Loc: Minnesota

Some outdoor, always with an external flash and some indoor studio shots. Feel free to give me any suggestions.

Canon 5D Mark II 24-70 mmL, canon 580 EX external flash, f/8, 1/125, ISO: 100

joe_flippin Loc: Texan living in Brazil, SA

Question: do you put your name so big on the prints you give the seniors?? Great pictures.

Val Loc: Minnesota

Nope! I don't put my logo on any of the photos. My name is stamped on the back with a "copyright" do not reproduce by the company that prints my images.

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

Val as you probably already know I like to move my flash off camera.
My last shoot "in the woods" I had left my trigger wires accidentally at home.
I was going to use flash fill to supplement the ambient for the face. Some times thing just don't work out.
That being said the catch lights and shadows appear to be on camera flash.
Am I mistaken? It's sure more of a hassle to move the light source especially out of the studio. The shots did seem to have some slight soft shadows.
I get the biggest kick out of figuring out your setup as anything.

Val Loc: Minnesota

I am not seeing the shadows in the face. Are my eyes that bad? Haha! I think that using a flash for outdoor shots light up the face more for a sharper detailed image. Without a flash, it loses so much detail and clearness. Wouldn't you agree?

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

Absolutely. The point I was making is this.
Everytime I use on camera flash I get the mug shot effect
i.e. No shadows. I'm trying to move my flash off camera
Across the subject using a reflector to
Soften the shadow. You appeared to use on camera flash
Is that correct? Have you tried moving your flash off
Camera when outdoors? If so did you feel
Like the lighting was significantly improved?

Sorry about not being clear before.
They've got to get a mobile app for this site.
The text rolls off the screen and I cant see what I've typed.
On my iPhone again
Russ

mooseeyes Loc: Sonora, California

Val,

While I like these images in the main, I do see a problem in the details with the first two images of the young lady. Her peacock earrings ruin the images for me. Also, in the second image of her, the color of her top is a bit of a problem as well. Let me explain.

I have always maintained that when photographing people, the image works or fails with the eyes. The bright color of her earrings not only draws the viewer's eye away from the eyes. . .they also make her lovely pale eye color look flat and dead. This is also the problem with her bright blue top, which clashes with the earrings.

It is good detail practice to note the subject's eyes, and then strive to get a good catch light (off camera flash bounced and small reflectors get wonderful catch lights in the eyes), and have nothing near the face that will detract from the eyes. Light colored eyes need special attention to details. In the second image, if you put your hand over the earring. . .your eye goes back to her eyes. If her top were a pale green, light tan, pale yellow, light blue or even white. . .the eyes would be rewarded.

One of the reasons that I always suggest that studio photographers meet with their subject prior to the actual shoot. Study them, note their eyes, and make wardrobe suggestions (including jewelry), based on what you see, for the actual shoot. A simple interview sheet will go a very long way to you getting "zingers" that your subject will love and buy, proudly showing them to their friends and family. Good work equals the best marketing!

Val Loc: Minnesota

Ok, I think I see what you mean. I do have an off camera shoe cord where I could do that. I haven't really tried it much and may have to do some experimenting!

Val Loc: Minnesota

Again, great suggestions and very helpful. I am so eager to find out what I can do to make an image better. Even when I am satisfied with the outcome, I appreciate to learn more and take it to another level. That is how I grow. I still have a long way to go and want to keep growing! I agree about the peacock earrings but there was something about them that she was so bent on having them show, but even with that, I can still duplicate the image and remove them and give her a choice. That way my photoshop skills can continue to be enhanced! In fact, I think I will try that! See you in a bit!

blind photographer Loc: Rock Hill, South Carolina

Great photos

blind photographer Loc: Rock Hill, South Carolina

Great photos