PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

Fantastic work Cliff, very well done.

Don

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Thanks to all for the nice comments, but I can assure you this is not a selfless act just to honor the vets. As a working (part-time) pro, having a personal project is a way to practice, try new techniques, and stay creative by doing what I WANT to do. Over the two years I have been working on this project, I have kept a similar "look" but changed lighting, backgrounds, posing/positions, processing, etc. So while they have that similar look, I get there in different ways. Now I can apply what I have learned to the people that pay.

So projects like this are a real win-win: I get to play and experiment while the vets get free portraits.

Here is the setup. This is in a large room at a college one of the vets arranged. hidden by the 4x6 reflector is a 12x36 gridded soft box used as the kicker/accent light. The main light on the left is a Photek Softlighter. Strobes are Buff Einsteins. I shoot most studio work tethered to Capture One—far superior to Lightroom. Camera is a Nikon D850 with either a Nikkor 70-200 or the Nikkor 105 f/1.4E.

The background I use for the session is obviously not the background you see in the finished image. Those are digital backgrounds I make by combining different textures and manipulating the HSL and blend modes.

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

Thank you for all the info on the set up. It's great to learn from pros like you!

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

CaptainC as always stellar portraiture... so beautifully done... and likely what it takes to be competitive in a major market such as Denver... Yes "Pro-Bono" is an oft used marketing ploy being an excellent way to increase one's revenue stream.

btw, believe Nikon certainly thanks you for showcasing it's high end gear...
Do you believe your achievement in excellence here is a result of your kit or rather your mastery of technique?

Thank you for sharing CaptainC

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Wellll...I am pretty sure I could make the same images with my 11 year-old twelve megapixel D3 and 24-70 f/2.8. But the added pixels in the 810 and 850 sure are handy when clients order a 20x30 and you can see every little detail in the eyes. The ability to shoot "loose" and crop is also a benefit. These were all shot at f/8-f/13, but it is also nice to have the ability to shoot at f/1.4—f/2.0 and have tack sharp eyes and that beautiful transition to OOF. The more advance and accurate AF systems in the newer bodies is also a huge plus. Not so much for studio work, but certainly for those high school seniors outdoor sessions where the wide aperture shots are so appealing. The keeper rate is improved for sure.

As a matter of fact, for corporate headshots, I STILL use that D3 since using 47mp for web images is dumb. And the images look just like these with not so dramatic lighting and processing.

OriginalCyn Loc: Connecticut

Super job engaging them and capturing those eyes in every single one! Could you give a brief description of the lighting set up please?

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

I posted a photo of the lighting setup.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"...the added pixels in the 810 and 850 sure are handy when clients order a 20x30 and you can see every little detail in the eyes..." Totally agree Cliff, if the specs call for 20x30 then those higher pixel sensors are certainly up to the task... albeit their dynamic range isn't quite as good as current 24mb sensors and certain no match for the amazing Df with a dynamic range through the roof... I'm perfectly fine with 24mb for 11x14 which is germane for most full page magazine spreads... actually even "double-truck" layouts. And yes in portraiture it is all about the eyes... those are windows to the soul...

As for "...I usually post these in the Advanced Portraiture area, but that seems to be slow lately..." I've noticed a marked downturn in activity on UHH by those who shoot commercially, thinking they have migrated to IG since this is where the upper echelon of the craft gravitate to now... You might consider that platform to showcase your work...

What I'm deciding to do on UHH now is limit posting to APS-C bodies especially now that Sigma is supporting the Nikon APS-C platform with "Pro-Build" glass (unlike Nikon).... with a very cost effective AF 17-50mm EX DC OS HSM and/or AF 50-150mm f/2.8 EX DC APO OS HSM Nikon's D7200 is approaching parody with full frame (and actually far above any glass Nikon offers in DX). I'm no longer a fan boy for Nikon DX optics. btw, for wide aperture shallow DOF portraiture I'm usually at f/2.8 to 4.0... I want both the tip of the nose and ears in focus... with only eyes in critical focus it becomes a little too surreal in my humble estimation.

"...The more advance and accurate AF systems in the newer bodies is also a huge plus..." Cliff I hear you loud and clear here.... have migrated to the D810 for soccer... it has allowed the notoriously slow AF of the AF-S nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6e ED VR to become nearly as quick and comparable to $7k glass... Amazing what the Expeed 4 processor achieves... and the x1.2 crop tames those huge RAW files allowing a full 6 fps while still yielding 24mbs... loving it!

And like you I'm still shooting the superbly weather-sealed D3 in the rain and the D3x in the studio...
Those bodies are absolutely timeless...

Thank you again for taking the time to reply Cliff, greatly appreciated...
You are truly a master of your craft.

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

Cliff, you have been doing these veteran portraits for quite some time and I enjoy viewing them each time you post. Please keep posting and thank you for doing this for our veterans. You deserve all the compliments and praise for you mastery of portraiture. I particularly am impressed with how you constantly invoke that strong confident expression in each of them.

Diamond41 Loc: St. Louis, MO

nice work Captain.

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

You deserve a 4 star ranking for these portraits!!

itsnoelb Loc: Edgewater, FL. Originally: FLINT. MI.

Very very nice. Their character shines bright.

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

You have a style to your photography that is absolutely superb. I'm sure you are giving so many veterans joy and memories that will be handed down for many generations to come. I am so moved by your pictures as I too am a veteran. I think your work will be remembered and thought of as your legacy.
Jim Hill, Army

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Thanks for the kind words Jim. All you need to do is come to Colorado and I will make YOUR portrait!

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

I still have my old uniform but when in the service I was 110lb. Now 220 my buttons can't find the button holes.
Our car club is in our local Veterans Day parade each year and I hang my uniform hat on the front windshield as we drive through. It has caused it to wear, might have to go out and get a new one before it disintegrate. Tough getting old.
Thanks for the offer.