Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Paramount illumination (Butterfly lighting) notice the butterfly nose shadow...
Key is a 22" BD (beauty dish) with diffusion sock 24" above and 24" in front of talent.
30x40" White foam core reflector just out of frame chest height.
Two strip softbox kickers either side 45 degrees behind.

Camera: Nikon D3x; 1/250; f/14; ISO 100; FL: 300mm
Lens: AF-S 200-400mm f/4G IF ED VR

Please stay safe... Thanks!

Tween Model and Actress

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Craigdca Loc: California

Nice photo, Thomas. I’m curious why you used such a long focal length as I thought portraits are usually in the 50mm-range.

drbarrymary Loc: No. Carolina, Florida

Beautiful photography!

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Nice work there. The pink cast is interesting; I wasn’t too sure about it at first, but it quickly grew on me.

GeorgeK Loc: NNJ

The technical aspects of the lighting are beyond me but the result is captivating.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Thanks for your very kind words Craig

As for "...I thought portraits are usually in the 50mm-range..." Crag maybe you might consider rethinking that... Noticed you don't have much in the way of Headshots on you IG portal... There is revenue in Headshots Crag... Especially corporate Headshots.

Least you think I'm bias toward long glass or prejudice to 2x zooms please review Ken Rockwell's thoughts on what he believes are appropriate and germane for portraiture...
https://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/portrait-lenses.htm

If you just want the "Cliff Notes" version here is Ken's thoughts on professional Headshots.
"If you want just head and shoulders, you'll want a 200mm to 300mm lens, at least, since you want to stay at least fifteen feet away.

Ever see a pro model shoot in the field? The photographer is usually using a big fat telephoto on a monopod like a 300mm f/2.8 or 400mm f/2.8 for head shots..."

Craig I've been doing Headshots for over four decades... Experience is a brutal teacher... I concur with Ken here.
btw, this image is at 300mm which I found ideal in this scenario...

Keep in mind that there was a full team on set... Meaning a hair stylist was just out of frame to the left and the makeup artist was just out of frame to the right and a lighting assistant was crouched in front adjusting the 30x40 inch reflector. No compelling reason to be in close... Besides that Nikkor is likely one of the best optics Nikon has ever made... it serves double duty as a soccer lens also. Getting a return on my investment (it's a pricey piece of glass)

Hope this helps...
Again many thanks Crag... All the best on your photographic journey...

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Thank you very much for your kind words Barry...
Rest assured they are greatly appreciated!

And thank you for your career service as a medical practitioner...
I'm humbled by all who have dedicated their lives to caring for others in need.
The world is a much better place because the highly specialized skill set health care providers bring to the table.

All the best on your photographic journey Barry

Craigdca Loc: California

Thomas, thank you so much for the focused realistic spot on personal coaching. So nice of you to look through my work and you’re right I haven’t posted any portraits as I’ve done only three - a couple for my family and one for a friend. I’ll PM you my best one to keep your post beautiful LOL.

I used a Canon T2i crop sensor camera with 18-55mm kit lens and outdoor natural lighting and built in flash as I don’t have an external flash. I enjoy portraits even as an amateur and I definitely want to do it well when needed. Next time I will use my 80-400mm Tokina lens or my 55-250mm kit lens at the 300mm equivalent at 200mm.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Thank you very much for your kind words John... and your continued support!
As for wardrobe styling? This was a team decision... And the talent's mom loved the idea.
Albeit while not my first choice the pink feathers did provided a welcomed "tint" to skin tones..

John one thing to always keep in mind when working on commercial gigs...
"Beauty is in the eyes of the check book holder" Dean Collins got this right!

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Beautiful headshot posted above and some great advice on what lens to use for different length portraits.
You always provide great and helpful information based on experience.
Smile,
JimmyT Sends
Bravo Zulu

Toby

Your portraits are fantastic. Thanks for posting and thanks for the lesson.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Thank you for your kind words George...
Lighting is more art than science...

In fact I've leaned more from studying the works of the master painters of antiquity than from photographic tutorials which are more about mechanical aspects than creating a visual statement.

Important Note: Most on-line videos have a hidden agenda... they will try to sell you a "solution" thus tend to be of limited merit, worth and value.

Yes you have to know how to deploy the various components but that's just the beginning...
It's more about shadows, highlights and the rate of transitions between these two absolutes...

Likely the most effective way to learn is by experimentation.
For portraiture all one needs is a cosmetologist human hair manikin.
Start with a single light and master that first... Add another light etc.
Continuous lights are easiest to see changes in... Once mastered then use strobes...

Hope this helps George

MCHUGH Loc: Jacksonville, Texas

Always enjoy your work and comments about photographs. Your comment on Dean Collins was right on. I was fortunate enough to me him in person back in the 80's at program he was doing for East Texas Professional Photographers. Great photographer and teacher.

Alafoto Loc: Montgomery, AL

Many models prefer that the photographer maintain a bit of distance from them. The longer focal lengths allow tight cropping without having to be right on top of your model.

Craigdca Loc: California

Good point! Now that I think of it, I felt a little crowded during all those school photos when I was a kid.