For It Was Written
Aug 30, 2012 19:13:08 #
Bruce Roscoe
Loc: Arizona
Written by
Bruce Roscoe
After doing a careful facial analysis on my sitter (Bob), we determined to short-light him, building some drama into this image. Bob is sitting on a posing stool with his front leg crossed over his rear leg. This helped keep his posture straighter and the book he is holding in a more stable position.
We used a black seamless for background and positioned the background light 44" from the background. Turning on the modeling light, we directed the beam more toward camera left onto the background. Once the main light beam spot was set, we triggered the flash to set the f-stop at f5.6. This step was done to add more light in the direction Bob's looking verses the backside of his head. We turned off the background light and began to set the key light. One point is, be sure to adjust the height of the key light to set a nice catch light in your sitter's eyes. (I always use a small light for my key light.) The Mini Apollo works great, giving you total control.
We also made sure we gave Bob a nice modified loop on the side of his nose.(A little trick I learned from the well known wedding and portrait photographer Monty Zucker, who has since passed away.)
We set the key light at f8. The next light we worked with was the hair light. We just wanted a touch of light on his head and didn't want to add too much light taking away from his facial features. The setting was f3.5. The light was a 12"x 36" strip light. Between the strip light and Bob's head, on a C-stand, we covered most of that light with a black foam-core. (This helped to give just a kiss of light on his hair.) The next light was a 12"x 36" strip light set on the floor to show some detail on the cover of the book he is holding, along with detail in his hands, making sure we had some light spillover to give a touch of detail on his hair (camera right.) To finish off the lighting for this image on camera right, was a Westcott 6 & 1 illuminator reflector kit. Using the sliver side, we bounced light back into Bob.
Bruce Roscoe
After doing a careful facial analysis on my sitter (Bob), we determined to short-light him, building some drama into this image. Bob is sitting on a posing stool with his front leg crossed over his rear leg. This helped keep his posture straighter and the book he is holding in a more stable position.
We used a black seamless for background and positioned the background light 44" from the background. Turning on the modeling light, we directed the beam more toward camera left onto the background. Once the main light beam spot was set, we triggered the flash to set the f-stop at f5.6. This step was done to add more light in the direction Bob's looking verses the backside of his head. We turned off the background light and began to set the key light. One point is, be sure to adjust the height of the key light to set a nice catch light in your sitter's eyes. (I always use a small light for my key light.) The Mini Apollo works great, giving you total control.
We also made sure we gave Bob a nice modified loop on the side of his nose.(A little trick I learned from the well known wedding and portrait photographer Monty Zucker, who has since passed away.)
We set the key light at f8. The next light we worked with was the hair light. We just wanted a touch of light on his head and didn't want to add too much light taking away from his facial features. The setting was f3.5. The light was a 12"x 36" strip light. Between the strip light and Bob's head, on a C-stand, we covered most of that light with a black foam-core. (This helped to give just a kiss of light on his hair.) The next light was a 12"x 36" strip light set on the floor to show some detail on the cover of the book he is holding, along with detail in his hands, making sure we had some light spillover to give a touch of detail on his hair (camera right.) To finish off the lighting for this image on camera right, was a Westcott 6 & 1 illuminator reflector kit. Using the sliver side, we bounced light back into Bob.
Aug 30, 2012 19:15:27 #
Nice photo but I have 1 question
Bob is sitting on a posing stool with his front leg crossed over his rear leg.
How do you do that ? Does Bob have more legs than most folks ?
Sarge69
Bob is sitting on a posing stool with his front leg crossed over his rear leg.
How do you do that ? Does Bob have more legs than most folks ?
Sarge69
Aug 30, 2012 19:16:18 #
Aug 30, 2012 19:49:00 #
Aug 30, 2012 21:35:23 #
GrandmaJoy
Loc: North Carolina
You explained a lot that I did not understand but I certainly liked the shot. Good job.
Aug 31, 2012 00:01:35 #
I agree, it could well be 'Wild Bill' Hickok himself. Very fine photo, subdued and sombre lighting.
_Rex wrote:
Reminiscent of an Old West photo....well done!!
Aug 31, 2012 01:29:18 #
That's how it is done. Absolutely perfect in every respect. Your subject does favor Buffalo Bill Cody just a tad.
Your first step of taking a real close look at your subject, to study his face is the important step that most photographers skip or overlook, much to their regret.
Very impressive work. I would hire you.
Your first step of taking a real close look at your subject, to study his face is the important step that most photographers skip or overlook, much to their regret.
Very impressive work. I would hire you.
Aug 31, 2012 09:03:11 #
I agree with the "moose"...this would be one for any exhibit and grounds for bragging rights!
Aug 31, 2012 13:31:14 #
Bruce, that is a beautiful photograph. Congratulations! You are a true portrait photographer of the old school, no matter what age you are. I agree with all the above comments that compliment your fine work.
Aug 31, 2012 16:25:16 #
Really nice photo. I must admit, however, that my first thought was ...
Col. Mustard, in the Library, with the Candlestick. Case solved!
Col. Mustard, in the Library, with the Candlestick. Case solved!
Aug 31, 2012 23:59:48 #
Bruce Roscoe
Loc: Arizona
I thank everyone that had commented on my image. I have studied the works of Yousuf Karsh and Monty Zucker for years. I tried to find what I liked the best of both these famous photographers, then developed my style. I'm constantly trying to perfect my work. I have been shooting pro for years specializing in elder folks. I just turned 64
Sep 1, 2012 09:19:43 #
Thank you, Bruce, for sharing this stunning portrait and the complex process behind capturing it. I bookmarked your post the moment I saw it, but didn't comment because its beauty left me speechless, and that doesn't happen to me often! I hope you will post more of your works, including some of older women. What a treasured gift to be able give older folks beautiful portraits for them to share with their loved ones! That is my goal, but I am just beginning the journey.
Sep 1, 2012 13:32:04 #
Bruce, you've 'studied under' two of the Great Masters, no wonder your photo is so wonderful ! Hats off to the model also, he fits the subject matter to a T. You could also check out the works of Philippe Halsman, if you haven't done so already.
Bruce Roscoe wrote:
I thank everyone that had commented on my image. I have studied the works of Yousuf Karsh and Monty Zucker for years. I tried to find what I liked the best of both these famous photographers, then developed my style. I'm constantly trying to perfect my work. I have been shooting pro for years specializing in elder folks. I just turned 64
Sep 17, 2012 14:22:42 #
Bruce Roscoe
Loc: Arizona
Yes I have looked at his work and it's wonderful. I feel the masters of the past have so much still to offer. Thank you for your comment.
Sep 21, 2012 19:43:12 #
Bruce Roscoe
Loc: Arizona
Thank you for your comment. Yes I do have images of elder woman. I haven't had much time to be involved lately but I will be sending images for you to review of elder woman. I just sent one over of a 100 year old man called "Now That Your 100"
Bruce
Bruce
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