Four portraits
Apr 28, 2018 14:10:36 #
Taken for the subjects portfolio and enjoyment
The image of Jessica was taken using one light, an Alien Bee B400 in a 30x60 softbox with both diffusion panels and a dark amber gel installed, bounced into a 4'x'8' "L" made from foam core set at a right angle to a "Window" 4'x7' built into a set of 2' deep shelves. with a 60" reflector behind. I'M sorry I don't have a drawing or a photo of the setup.
The image of Jessica was taken using one light, an Alien Bee B400 in a 30x60 softbox with both diffusion panels and a dark amber gel installed, bounced into a 4'x'8' "L" made from foam core set at a right angle to a "Window" 4'x7' built into a set of 2' deep shelves. with a 60" reflector behind. I'M sorry I don't have a drawing or a photo of the setup.
Jessica and daughter
(Download)
Holly Yes!!!
(Download)
Melissa And your point is !!!!
(Download)
Charles A local stage actor
(Download)
Apr 28, 2018 16:29:27 #
Good Portraiture!
Mother and Child- Excellent profile pose and appropriate rim lighting and a great low key treatment and ratio. I wonder if you have one withou the bottle- just the mom relating to her baby. Nice fall off of light at the bottom of the composition- a natural vignette. I would like to see a little less space at the top.
The lady- HOLLOWOOD! Striking treatment and lighting- The light filtering through the smoke is a nice touch. The second image is effective as well but you are shooting directly into her arm and emphasizing its size. On both shots, burning in the arms slightly work call more attention to the skin tone of the face. Excellent theme and expressions.
The actor- Nice "period piece". I like the environment- looks like a kinda dingy dressing room -back stage! Appropriate image tone- reminiscent of the old Nelson's Gold Toner. I would suggest a slight dodge on the face- bring it up a tone and next time- turn the pitcher in the wash basin sideways to define its shape.
I think your images require less sharpening- you lightingand technique will carry the effect and provide ample separation- the sharpening adds an exaggerated outline.
Keep up the good work and post again soon!
Mother and Child- Excellent profile pose and appropriate rim lighting and a great low key treatment and ratio. I wonder if you have one withou the bottle- just the mom relating to her baby. Nice fall off of light at the bottom of the composition- a natural vignette. I would like to see a little less space at the top.
The lady- HOLLOWOOD! Striking treatment and lighting- The light filtering through the smoke is a nice touch. The second image is effective as well but you are shooting directly into her arm and emphasizing its size. On both shots, burning in the arms slightly work call more attention to the skin tone of the face. Excellent theme and expressions.
The actor- Nice "period piece". I like the environment- looks like a kinda dingy dressing room -back stage! Appropriate image tone- reminiscent of the old Nelson's Gold Toner. I would suggest a slight dodge on the face- bring it up a tone and next time- turn the pitcher in the wash basin sideways to define its shape.
I think your images require less sharpening- you lightingand technique will carry the effect and provide ample separation- the sharpening adds an exaggerated outline.
Keep up the good work and post again soon!
Apr 28, 2018 18:57:56 #
E.L.. Shapiro wrote:
Good Portraiture! br br Mother and Child- Excelle... (show quote)
Thank you very much.
No images of Jessica and the baby without the bottle.
I no longer have a studio where I can do these setups. I haven't shot a portfolio since 2008.
Apr 28, 2018 22:40:35 #
Apr 29, 2018 04:20:15 #
JD750 wrote:
Great lighting! The 4 portraits are the proof!
Thank you very much JD
Apr 29, 2018 07:48:41 #
E.L.. Shapiro wrote:
Good Portraiture! br br Mother and Child- Excelle... (show quote)
Watch the backdrop on Holly to the camera left. Its a little exposed and draws your eye away from the subject. Great pose btw and smoke capture. I always struggle with dealing with light splash onto the background and you dont always notice it in-camera. Pain in the butt to fix in post...
Apr 29, 2018 08:41:00 #
With the OP's permission, I will post a quick edit that addresses a few minor issues.
Apr 29, 2018 08:59:59 #
Manglesphoto wrote:
Taken for the subjects portfolio and enjoyment
The image of Jessica was taken using one light, an Alien Bee B400 in a 30x60 softbox with both diffusion panels and a dark amber gel installed, bounced into a 4'x'8' "L" made from foam core set at a right angle to a "Window" 4'x7' built into a set of 2' deep shelves. with a 60" reflector behind. I'M sorry I don't have a drawing or a photo of the setup.
The image of Jessica was taken using one light, an Alien Bee B400 in a 30x60 softbox with both diffusion panels and a dark amber gel installed, bounced into a 4'x'8' "L" made from foam core set at a right angle to a "Window" 4'x7' built into a set of 2' deep shelves. with a 60" reflector behind. I'M sorry I don't have a drawing or a photo of the setup.
The drywall seam right in the middle of the last one is distracting.
Apr 29, 2018 09:12:35 #
papakatz45 wrote:
The drywall seam right in the middle of the last one is distracting.
That's okay, it's part of the scene to show the seedy side of acting.
Apr 29, 2018 10:06:07 #
Manglesphoto wrote:
Taken for the subjects portfolio and enjoyment
The image of Jessica was taken using one light, an Alien Bee B400 in a 30x60 softbox with both diffusion panels and a dark amber gel installed, bounced into a 4'x'8' "L" made from foam core set at a right angle to a "Window" 4'x7' built into a set of 2' deep shelves. with a 60" reflector behind. I'M sorry I don't have a drawing or a photo of the setup.
The image of Jessica was taken using one light, an Alien Bee B400 in a 30x60 softbox with both diffusion panels and a dark amber gel installed, bounced into a 4'x'8' "L" made from foam core set at a right angle to a "Window" 4'x7' built into a set of 2' deep shelves. with a 60" reflector behind. I'M sorry I don't have a drawing or a photo of the setup.
Very nice set. #1 you can see the love in the eyes of both, #2 and #3 reminds me of the roaring 20's and #4 a small time gangster....Rich
Apr 29, 2018 11:42:57 #
The only thing I would add—not really add, but emphasize—is the danger of shooting right into a bare shoulder. In both of those two otherwise really nice images is this large area of skin that takes up just as much real estate as her face. Maybe a bit more. That really pulls your eye away from the face. In. the second image, that shoulder is brighter than the face.
If the subject brings a bare-shoulder dress and you have to shoot it, then avoid that pose that puts the camera looking straight at the shoulder by turning her to more of a diagonal. You could also flag that area to cut the light falling upon it to de-emphasize all that skin. Or grid the softbox.
The whole bare shoulder/sleeveless thing is less an issue with half, 3/4, and full-length images since that area becomes much less a percentage of the person, but those tight shots really do put all that bright area in competition with the face.
If the subject brings a bare-shoulder dress and you have to shoot it, then avoid that pose that puts the camera looking straight at the shoulder by turning her to more of a diagonal. You could also flag that area to cut the light falling upon it to de-emphasize all that skin. Or grid the softbox.
The whole bare shoulder/sleeveless thing is less an issue with half, 3/4, and full-length images since that area becomes much less a percentage of the person, but those tight shots really do put all that bright area in competition with the face.
Apr 29, 2018 17:03:51 #
As Cliff pointed out, lighting control is essential in eliminating certain distractions that compete with the subject's facial skin tone in a portrait.
If you use lights with parabolic reflectors, barn doors are a simple and essential accessory for preventing light from striking the subject where you don't want it to. Feathering and barndooring are time honored methods. They are especially handy for preventing excessive "spill" on the background and flare form hair and kicker lights.
When, however, you are using larger, broader and modified lighting such as soft boxes, umbrellas or even using natural or widow lighting, black flags, gobos or black disk "reflectors" are more practical and easy to use.There are a few makers of barn doors for soft boxes but the are rather large and unwieldy.
In my studio, I have a Photogenic "head screen"- it's gotta be from the "stone age"-it was originally for shading guys with high foreheads (saying "bald guys" ain't politically correct") or can used as a black vignetter. It's a thin piece of flat black metal on a gooseneck. You can make one out of black Foam-Cor or Coroplast, a length of gooseneck and a light stand. It is probably the most used accessory in my camera room.
If you use lights with parabolic reflectors, barn doors are a simple and essential accessory for preventing light from striking the subject where you don't want it to. Feathering and barndooring are time honored methods. They are especially handy for preventing excessive "spill" on the background and flare form hair and kicker lights.
When, however, you are using larger, broader and modified lighting such as soft boxes, umbrellas or even using natural or widow lighting, black flags, gobos or black disk "reflectors" are more practical and easy to use.There are a few makers of barn doors for soft boxes but the are rather large and unwieldy.
In my studio, I have a Photogenic "head screen"- it's gotta be from the "stone age"-it was originally for shading guys with high foreheads (saying "bald guys" ain't politically correct") or can used as a black vignetter. It's a thin piece of flat black metal on a gooseneck. You can make one out of black Foam-Cor or Coroplast, a length of gooseneck and a light stand. It is probably the most used accessory in my camera room.
Apr 29, 2018 17:06:25 #
Apr 30, 2018 02:45:26 #
#2 is a killer image! Well done! I also like the last one... he dressed for the part! 
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