First off my batteries were dead in the strobe. This was realized before the shoot as part of my checklist. Wasn't able to use the strobe, so I had to rely on the tripod and natural light.
I think I was able to get "one" good shot with natural light and it is posted as #1 place at flickr.
Shutter was at 60, white balance was fluorescent and sunlight. I tried both as both were either dominant or present depending on how I was placed, with natural sunlight in front the subject or from the side.
Fstop was 4.5
I cannot escape my natural inclination for the 3/4 rembrandt style lighting... but I will work on this habit.... it just feels great for me...
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
M. Avaltroni
I met with Michael Avaltroni on Tuesday and Thursday, the week of February 14th.
My first set up was in his lab, although, to be honest it was not the best lab for taking shots. Nothing really displayed "scientist" or "chemist" to me, not even "mad" scientist... but I took some shots to gauge the lighting. His office is relatively small, not enough room to swing a cat in, so I knew maneuvering around while taking pics wasn't going to work. Overall most shots in his office were with the strobe. I found myself at 5.6 with a shutter speed of around 250, with strobe and no tripod. With a the tripod and with no strobe I tried a few between 60-80 shutter speed and f4.5.
Of course some these meant a little more work in Lightroom or Photoshop. We moved out into the lab and the lighting was even, but still felt stiff. I wasn't happy with the surroundings and I did move somethings around and had my subject both standing and sitting, but these just felt too contrived.... I immediately scheduled another shoot before I left knowing it just didn't feel right and that I wasn't done.
Thursday was a nice day at around 55 degrees. We shot outside Lenfell under the columns. I changed my white balance to reflect direct sunlight. (by the way, I did adjust for fluorescent lighting while in his office and lab) After two shots, I knew I had something worth submitting.
These shots consisted of f7.1 and between 250 and 400 shutter speed, no tripod or strobe required. The higher my fstop, the richer, deep blue I received in my background sky. I also, tried to crop the photo with the camera rather than afterwards in LR or PS.
My first set up was in his lab, although, to be honest it was not the best lab for taking shots. Nothing really displayed "scientist" or "chemist" to me, not even "mad" scientist... but I took some shots to gauge the lighting. His office is relatively small, not enough room to swing a cat in, so I knew maneuvering around while taking pics wasn't going to work. Overall most shots in his office were with the strobe. I found myself at 5.6 with a shutter speed of around 250, with strobe and no tripod. With a the tripod and with no strobe I tried a few between 60-80 shutter speed and f4.5.
Of course some these meant a little more work in Lightroom or Photoshop. We moved out into the lab and the lighting was even, but still felt stiff. I wasn't happy with the surroundings and I did move somethings around and had my subject both standing and sitting, but these just felt too contrived.... I immediately scheduled another shoot before I left knowing it just didn't feel right and that I wasn't done.
Thursday was a nice day at around 55 degrees. We shot outside Lenfell under the columns. I changed my white balance to reflect direct sunlight. (by the way, I did adjust for fluorescent lighting while in his office and lab) After two shots, I knew I had something worth submitting.
These shots consisted of f7.1 and between 250 and 400 shutter speed, no tripod or strobe required. The higher my fstop, the richer, deep blue I received in my background sky. I also, tried to crop the photo with the camera rather than afterwards in LR or PS.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Krista jenkins
My photo shoot with Krista was for 10am, I arrived about 20 minutes earlier to look for another possible venue for the shoot. I took some shots at the stairwell just outside the office. I was using a strobe and my setting seemed to be around 80 shutter speed and f5.3.
Krista arrived at her office and we began the first shots on the stairwell. I think it went well, the lighting was good, no cast shadow from behind.
We moved into her office and I noticed the window would be directly behind her creating a darkened silhouette, so I again made use the strobe. My settings were around 80-125 shutter with fstop's ranging between 4.5, 5.3, 5.6 - these varied to a certain degree and I can't remember each shot, but these were the general area.
There was a nice chair that I though would be perfect and it was. I was standing, looking down and shooting....
My last shots consisted of the tripod and no strobe. I enjoy a nice light and dark portrait as can be seen with the pictures near the window on the second floor of the mansion.
Krista arrived at her office and we began the first shots on the stairwell. I think it went well, the lighting was good, no cast shadow from behind.
We moved into her office and I noticed the window would be directly behind her creating a darkened silhouette, so I again made use the strobe. My settings were around 80-125 shutter with fstop's ranging between 4.5, 5.3, 5.6 - these varied to a certain degree and I can't remember each shot, but these were the general area.
There was a nice chair that I though would be perfect and it was. I was standing, looking down and shooting....
My last shots consisted of the tripod and no strobe. I enjoy a nice light and dark portrait as can be seen with the pictures near the window on the second floor of the mansion.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Dan Cassino
Arrived and took some time to familiarize myself with the strobe. To no avail. It shut off after a while. I had no natural light to work with and had to use the on board flash. I knew this would create the annoying hanging shadow effect cast behind the subject, but had to get something.
I was at 1/25 with an fstop of f8.
Dan Cassino was a difficult shoot. He was a very tightly wound subject and could not get him to smile. It seemed as if he would break apart if he were to show any emotion. The most natural expressions just would not come... What he thought was a smile was nothing different from his regular expression...
I did manage a few breaks and captured some versions of a smile. But again these were overshadowed by the cast of shadow.
If my grade is below a B for this batch, I will again shoot and hopefully with some natural light, as I feel this is my strong spot - exploiting the natural lighting through the windows... not necessarily my "window" shot, but at least having some natural sunlight.....
I was at 1/25 with an fstop of f8.
Dan Cassino was a difficult shoot. He was a very tightly wound subject and could not get him to smile. It seemed as if he would break apart if he were to show any emotion. The most natural expressions just would not come... What he thought was a smile was nothing different from his regular expression...
I did manage a few breaks and captured some versions of a smile. But again these were overshadowed by the cast of shadow.
If my grade is below a B for this batch, I will again shoot and hopefully with some natural light, as I feel this is my strong spot - exploiting the natural lighting through the windows... not necessarily my "window" shot, but at least having some natural sunlight.....
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