Portrait Advice Wanted Please.. (Page 2): Thanks for your response. I am now more careful in how I write. I do try to take my time in what I am trying to say and explain and show in my...

AP Loc: Massachusetts

Ponz wrote:

The attached phot was given to me by one of the officers I am going to photograph. She gave it to me as "an example" of what she is looking for. I also went on to question how you guys thought the lighting was set up for the attached example. I'm sorry if all of this eluded you.

I am finished apologizing to you, since you are the only one who insists on continuously misreading my post and casting unfounded accusations.

Thanks for your response. I am now more careful in how I write. I do try to take my time in what I am trying to say and explain and
show in my photos. Respectfully, AP

jim quist Loc: Missouri

If they are wearing glasses you can try this, I have done it and it works.
Take one picture with the glasses on. Tell them not to move. Remove the glasses and take another picture.
In photoshop layers put the picture with the glasses on top of the other picture. Erase the glass from the top picture and you are good to go. This will also work if the face around the eyes is distorted due to the glasses.

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

Looks to me like a light box camera left slightly above his head, a small light on the backdrop. I understood you gave us an example , and that it wasn't your shot.

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

Here is an example of mine.
Lighting setup is explained in the following thread.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-244403-1.html

(Download)

Ponz

PalePictures wrote:

Here is an example of mine.
Lighting setup is explained in the following thread.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-244403-1.html

That's a great result. However, I don't think I want something that dramatic for military poses. Tonight I scope out the venue, take some measurements and practice like hell on my girlfriend. Gladfully, I have about ten days to tweak.

Thanks again - Ponz

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

AP wrote:

I have reread your post. The photo shown is quite ... (show quote)

Jesus Christ old man, take a Valium, then, baby steps boy, baby steps! LoL
Who the heck cares WHO made the pic?!
It's was pretty OBVIOUS to me that this was NOT a quiz !!
IF the OP had made this image he would NOT be here asking, now would he??
You don't need to have written books or be a rocket company employee to figure that out. I have a huge head with an itty bitty brain in one corner and it was pretty straight forward to even me! Nor did he ever claim he made the sample image or misrepresent the image in any way.
Had this been your photo it would be within your right to let your vicious lawyer of his leash and sue!!
Down boy, DOWN!!!!

SS

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Ponz wrote:

My favorite shoots are landscapes and nature. It'... (show quote)

FWIW, here is my setup and one image from that session. It is cropped a bit higher & tighter than your sample, but the light is pretty much what you have there. Camera is Nikon D3 w/70/200 at 120mm. You can see a main, a hair light (turned off for first guy, on for second)), the accent in a 12x36 gridded strip, and the fill is just visible in the upper right corner - an umbrella. Lights are Buff Einsteins.

Personally, I think you are under-equipped to duplicate that image. If you want to do professional-level work, you need the gear to do it.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

I had another thought: I agree the 24-70 is a bit short for this, BUT with the 810, you have tons more pixels than you need unless these are going to be printed at 40x60. So just back up 4-5 feet and that will give you a more flattering perspective and then crop. It'll work.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

CaptainC wrote:

I had another thought: I agree the 24-70 is a bit short for this, BUT with the 810, you have tons more pixels than you need unless these are going to be printed at 40x60. So just back up 4-5 feet and that will give you a more flattering perspective and then crop. It'll work.

That is true. But it appears they want something that might well be blown up as large as it can be! I'd look for a 105mm lens.

Ponz

CaptainC wrote:

FWIW, here is my setup and one image from that ses... (show quote)

Excellent work. The shots will only be used for web and possibly small prints for military publications.
You don't think a softbox off to one side and a brolly off to the other will suffice? Maybe a small light behind the subject to ensure no shadows on the backdrop? I see your SB is right up on the subject and the umbrella is way back near the camera.

How many feet from your backdrop to your camera, please? How many feet between subject and backdrop?

Thanks - Ponz

Ponz

Do you guys think the flag was pinned to the back of his jacket??

Ponz

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Ponz wrote:

Excellent work. The shots will only be used for web and possibly small prints for military publications.
You don't think a softbox off to one side and a brolly off to the other will suffice? Maybe a small light behind the subject to ensure no shadows on the backdrop? I see your SB is right up on the subject and the umbrella is way back near the camera.

How many feet from your backdrop to your camera, please? How many feet between subject and backdrop?

Thanks - Ponz

Will it work? Sure. But the use of two lights will lose some of the dimensionality that you can get with four. I remember years ago attending a seminar by Clay Blackmore and his comment that the little kiss of light from that kicker is how you can tell it was done by a professional. Yes, I know that is a generality, but that little rim light makes a difference and with two lights you cannot do it. That is not a horrible thing, just not as good as it could be. From subject to background was only about 36 inches - maybe a touch more. Camera to subject was about 12 feet, I would guess.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

CaptainC wrote:

Will it work? Sure. But the use of two lights will... (show quote)

Is it possible to use a reflector behind and get enough reflection to give the illusion of a kicker/hair light?
I've never tried it but have thought about it for locations so as to not drag more lights with me. I always wind up with the 3rd light since I have it.
SS

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

SharpShooter wrote:

Is it possible to use a reflector behind and get enough reflection to give the illusion of a kicker/hair light?
I've never tried it but have thought about it for locations so as to not drag more lights with me. I always wind up with the 3rd light since I have it.
SS

Actually, using the reflector in PLACE of the fill and then using the strobe for the kicker, WILL work. I have done that and while it takes some fiddling to get the fill right, it is certainly an option. You do need to have the reflector pretty close and it requires a stand and reflector holder, that is cheaper than another strobe or speedlight.

charlespkeith

I would use two flashes. One to highlight the background and the other should be positioned high above the left shoulder and aimed toward a white card to bounce the light onto the subjects right side. If you have only one flash, use it above the left shoulder and behind in order to highlight the hair and bounce the light back to the subjects right side. You won't be able to just use the flash by itself. You need to focus the light onto the card and if you want to go cheap, buy a plastic downspout and paint it black, fill it full of soda straws about 1/2 inch long and you are ready to go. I have three flashes and made these cheap hoods to use for portrait work. Works great. Practice with something the size of your subject so that you get a good idea of how to position the lights.