Tag Archives: lighting

Strobist shooting on location: Don’t miss the targets of opportunity

4433393981 16789f9791 o 199x300 Strobist shooting on location: Dont miss the targets of opportunity

Makeup by Marie-Térese MM#1317488

As a people/model photographer I spend time looking for locations with an interesting background, lighting or feel. Once I have the opportunity to shoot at the location I work through in my head where and how within the location I will setup or design the scene to get the image I want. A lot of it depends on the person’s looks, wants and vision of the session. I am always open to ideas and really enjoy the collaborative process when working with talented  people or a least someone who knows what they want to portray in the portrait. Always with the goal of getting the shoe box picture.

There are basically three types of pictures;  there are setup or designed shots, candid shots but many times a third type of ‘design’ comes into play for me and I see a ‘target of opportunity’ shot I hadn’t planned or noticed when I scouted the location. In the this image of model Lady Dori Belle, by the way if you get a chance to work with her – jump on it, she’s a class act. We were shooting in a large motorcycle warehouse as we were walking from one side of the warehouse to the other I noticed the light from the skylight.

I placed Susan into the shaft of sunlight screaming brightly through the roof onto the warehouse floor. I had a single Nikon SB-900 Speedlight on an 8′ Cheetah stand with 40″ Wescott white shoot-through umbrella. I used the sun to back light her by changing her position until I had the light where I wanted it and used the SB900 to fill the harsh shadow. An unplanned shot for sure, a target of opportunity you bet – but impossible to pass up when noticed.

4434920259 7d65b6d389 o 300x199 Strobist shooting on location: Dont miss the targets of opportunityAny Questions?

-- Weather When Posted --

  • Temperature: 59°F;
  • Humidity: 47%;
  • Heat Index: 59°F;
  • Wind Chill: 57°F;
  • Pressure: 30.11 in.;

Posted in My Photo; My Comment., People | Also tagged Background Lighting, beautiful, Bet, Bokeh, Camera Flashes, Candid Shots, Cheetah, Class Act, Desired Effect, eyes, face, Fear Of Failure, female, flash photography, girl, Image, Imagery, Light Position, Lot, Makeup, Model Photographer, Motorcycle, natural light, Nikon Sb, Nikon Shaft, Pay Attention, portrait, Portrait Photography, Portraiture, pretty, redhead, rkdauph, Shaft, Shoe Box, shoot, Skylight, speedlight, strobe, sun, Sunlight, Talented People, Target, Targets Of Opportunity, ttl, Umbrella, Warehouse Floor, woman 1 Comment

Using Nikon’s Creative Lighting System (CLS) in daylight

4045844104 a58a35651d Using Nikons Creative Lighting System (CLS) in daylight

SB900 using the sun as a hairlight.

I have heard and get asked a lot of questions about Nikon’s CLS’ ability or inability to function in bright daytime conditions. In my experience it really have not been an issue. I pay attention to the speedlight’s position and its sensor location relative to my camera and SU800.

Today’s metering technology is a great asset so I normally let it take the first ‘shot’ at what it sees in a scene. While I have studio lights and a Vagabond II, there is little I haven’t been able to do with my SBs. The above shot was taken with a single SB900.

4063884049 fcbf7c3117 Using Nikons Creative Lighting System (CLS) in daylight

SB900 powered by SD8A on 36 inch JTL stand with 24 inch Westscott umbrella. I use this rig when I travel because it fits in my suitcase.

It was very sunny in California the day I shot Candice – notice the shadow on the lower left of the umbrella even though the speedlight fired for this behind the scene picture.

In the photograph of Candice above I metered for the shaded portion of her face and let Nikon TTL do the rest.

In the event it does not produce the result I want I adjust the stop (by 1/3 steps) on the speedlight.

3486666059 99818abf71 m Using Nikons Creative Lighting System (CLS) in daylight

Controlled on camera with the SU-800. Both speedlights were set to TTL remote.

Distance is another concern CLS nay-sayers bring up.

In this photograph Jason is holding a 42 inch Wescott umbrella with a SB-800 tucked up in the open ribs point towarded the camera to get the light reflected back to his face.

Behind him is a SB-900 shooting into another 42 inch Wescott umbrella. That c-stand is a good 50 feet away and up the hill about 10-12 feet above Jason’s head.

Line of sight is important – so just pay attention. But I have used the SB8 & 900s behind glass, reflected the signal off of windows, mirrors, cars just about any reflective surface. I have also ‘staged’ the lights to ‘see’ another but not the SU800.

Think of the IR signal like a billiard ball.

I also use the Nikon CLS to fill on cloudy daylight sessions.

While in Phoenix last week I did the entire shoot with these tools:

4300344523 030252e866 Using Nikons Creative Lighting System (CLS) in daylight

Stand, Speedlight, umbrella and a model: the only tools you need.

The result:

4301095762 d54deb8801 Using Nikons Creative Lighting System (CLS) in daylight

Single SB900 camera left - TTL triggered with SU800.

The only time I have trouble with the system is when I position myself on the wrong side of the speedlight’s optical sensor or move in front of the flash. I use a ballhead so I can quickly rotate the speedlight into the correct position.

-- Weather When Posted --

  • Temperature: 42°F;
  • Humidity: 72%;
  • Heat Index: 42°F;
  • Wind Chill: 35°F;
  • Pressure: 30.2 in.;

Posted in Just a quick thought, Lighting tests, Things | Also tagged Amp, background, Ballhead, beautiful, beauty, beginner, Blog, business, camera, Candice, Cat, Class Announcement, CLS, Controlled, correspondent, creative, Creative Lighting, Creative Lighting System, Creativity, digital, dslr, equipment, face, fashion, Feet, flash, Flickr, focus, Fun, hair, hairlight, hand, Head, hobby, Hoot, human, Image, Ink, journalist, JTL, Lc, lens, Light, Lighting System, Line Of Sight, Lot, Metering Technology, model, nikon, occupation, one, Pace, paparazzi, Pay Attention, People, Phoenix, Photo, Photograph, Photographer, photographing, Photography, portrait, Portraits, pro, professional, Reflective Surface, Ribs, Rig, Rkd, RKD Photography, Sayers, Sb, sb-800, SB-900, Sb8, SB900, Sbs, scene, Sensor Location, Sessions, Shadow, shoot, shot, speedlight, Stan, stand, strobist, studio, studio lights, Suitcase, sun, Sunny Day, Sunny In California, Target, technology, Test, Tool, traditional, ttl, Umbrella, Vagabond, viewfinder, Wescott 1 Comment

Phoenix in the rain

4291709389 5f237953fb m Phoenix in the rain

I finally get a chance to do a shoot in Phoenix. Phoenix = sunshine and moderate winter daytime temperatures right? Not for me – three straight days of rain and 20-45 mph wind.

I had two TF models lined up – one canceled – good call – it was nasty out.

The second day Lindsey and I manged to get some shooting done between rain showers on South mountain. What a sport she was. we worked inside a covered gazebo then walked up the backside of the mountain to get to the ‘hole in the rock’.

Lindsey is a beautiful young truck driving Army reservist who goes on active duty next month with hopes of becoming a helicopter pilot flying Blackhawks.

See more of Lindsey (LC Pace)

-- Weather When Posted --

  • Temperature: 59°F;
  • Humidity: 59%;
  • Heat Index: 59°F;
  • Wind Chill: 59°F;
  • Pressure: 29.61 in.;

Posted in People, Places | Also tagged Army Reservist, Backside, beautiful, black, camera, Days Of Rain, eyes, face, Flickr, Gaze, Gazebo, girl, Hawk, Helicopter Pilot, Hole In The Rock, Hoot, Lc, Light, Lot, man, model, Models, Moderate Winter, Nasty, one, Pace, Phoenix, Phoenix Phoenix, Photo, Photo Shoot, Photography, Photos, Places, portrait, Rain Showers, Rig, Rkd, RKD Photography, rkdauph, shoot, Straight Days, strobist, sun, Sunshine, Target, Umbrella, Walk, Winter Daytime Temperatures Leave a comment

Strobist ballhead and umbrella test

3493512371 076561ff9d m Strobist ballhead and umbrella test

In Joe McNally‘s CLS video it showed him using a ballhead to align the flashhead along the umbrella stem axis. Made sense that it would distribute the light more evenly; so I bought the rig. Here’s the test results – you decide.

As pointed out in the note above, I forgot the diffuser.

Single SB800 set to TTL into Wescott 42″ shoot through umbrella.

The ballhead is the Manfrotto Lite Tite Swivel+Umbrella Adapter 26
The coldshoe is the Stroboframe Shoe-type Flash Mount Cat. No 300-SHO

I consider this as a ‘nice to know’ experiment only. With the inherent spill associated with shoot through umbrellas and with the difusser on the speedlight the coverage appears to be good. One additional advantage I found with the ballhead set is the ability to quickly rotate the flash body to align the IR sensor to face the camera.

I’ll know better after I field test it.

3493654589 a843384855 m Strobist ballhead and umbrella test

3500660886 fd9585bbbc m Strobist ballhead and umbrella test

Sideview

-- Weather When Posted --

  • Temperature: 31°F;
  • Humidity: 75%;
  • Heat Index: 30°F;
  • Wind Chill: 25°F;
  • Pressure: 30.48 in.;

Posted in Lighting tests | Also tagged art, Axis, background, Ballhead, black, camera, Cat, CLS, color, colour, diffuser, education, equipment, face, Field Test, film, flash, flash test, Flickr, frame, Head, Hoot, illustration, Image, Ir Sensor, isolated, Joe Mcnally, lamp, Light, Light And Shadow, Lighting tests, man, Manfrotto, metal, model, new, nikon, Nikon Speedlights, object, office, one, paper, People, person, Photo, Photograph, Photographer, Photography, Photos, portrait, professional, Rig, Rkd, RKD Photography, rkdauph, Sb, sb-800, Sb8, SB800, Shoe Type, shoot, Shoot Though Umbrella, space, speedlight, Spill, spotlight, stand, standing, strobe, strobist, studio, Target, technology, Test, Test Results, ttl, Umbrella, Umbrellas, Wescott, White Umbrella Comments Off

Portraiture: The changing human face.

3127347223 4d0bb3f17a m Portraiture: The changing human face.


With every portrait session I use light, shadow and pose to portray a different mood, facet and aspect of the subject. I see it during the session, I count on it to produce the shoe-box photograph – the keeper.

During nearly every post production process I am pleasantly surprised how a single person can look so differently in a photograph. Soft, rough, hard, beautiful, thin, heavy – you name it. The human face holds a true fascination for me, the eyes – the eyes, expressing the wisdom of the ages or the delight of youth.

People are wonderful creatures.

-- Weather When Posted --

  • Temperature: 34°F;
  • Humidity: 78%;
  • Heat Index: 34°F;
  • Wind Chill: 25°F;
  • Pressure: 30.01 in.;

Posted in My Photo; My Comment., People | Also tagged beautiful, Creatures, Duri, Expression, eyes, F1, face, Facet, Fascination, Flickr, human, Human Face, Light, man, People, person, Personality, Photo, Photograph, Photographer, Photographers, Photographs, Photos, portrait, Portrait Session, Portraits, Portraiture, Pose, pro, Rig, Rkd, rkdauph, Sessions, Shadow, Wisdom Of The Ages Leave a comment

Lincoln Memorial

2665554223 1f57a90379 m Lincoln Memorial


On a recent trip to Washington, DC, see Hassled by the Washington, DC Park Rangers for taking photos, I did the tourist thing early Saturday morning before heading back to Texas. I went out at 7am to avoid the heat and the crowds.

I walked from the Washington Monument, past the World War II Memorial headed for the Lincoln Memorial along the Reflecting Pool. There were a few joggers, a few Ron Paul supporters (interesting group of characters) and city workers. As I approached the Lincoln Memorial a small group of tourists were already starting to mill around. I noticed this black city worker mopping the steps, back and forth, back and forth and I knew right away I wanted to include him in the photograph.

When I got to the bottom of the steps the group of visitors were all over the steps and inside the memorial. The worker patiently continued his work, waiting when the people blocked his path.

Standing there with my Nikon D300, waiting for the moment I wanted to capture I was approached by, wait for it — a Canon shooter. He was carrying two cameras (a Rebel XT and a 5D). We had a brief discussion about the light and our shared hobby. Nice fella; other than the Canon part.

Just as we were parting ways I got this photograph. It’s the best of the three I took of this man maintaining the monument’s appearance. The fact that it is a black man working for the Federal Government at the Lincoln Memorial somehow struck a cord with me. I mean no offense to the man doing an honest job, the fact Lincoln’s eyes appear to be watching him, makes, to me anyway, this photograph sort of special.

-- Weather When Posted --

  • Temperature: 93°F;
  • Humidity: 44%;
  • Heat Index: 97°F;
  • Wind Chill: 93°F;
  • Pressure: 30 in.;

Posted in My Photo; My Comment., Places | Also tagged 5d, Amp, Appearance, art, black, Black Man, Blog, camera, Canon, Crowds, d300, eyes, Fella, Flickr, hassled, Head, hobby, home, Honest Job, Hoot, Job, Jobs, Joggers, Light, Lincoln Memorial, man, Memorial, Memories, Monument, Monuments, new, nikon, nikon d300, Oment, one, Park Ranger, Park Rangers, Parting Ways, People, Photo, Photograph, Photographer, Photographers, Photographs, Photos, pro, Rebel Xt, Reflecting Pool, Reflection, Rig, Rkd, rkdauph, Ron Paul, Saturday Morning, shoot, Shooter, Small Group, Stan, stand, standing, Taking Photos, Target, Texas, Things, Walk, Washington Monument, World War Ii, World War Ii Memorial Leave a comment

Hassled by the Washington, DC Park Rangers for taking photos

I’ve spent the last three days here in Washington, DC on business. Meetings with the 2661837879 36a304139e m Hassled by the Washington, DC Park Rangers for taking photosFAA, HHS and the WAAS office. Long times between meetings and I’ve been done pretty early in the day. So, I placed a casting call on ModelMayhem to see if I could pass the time doing what I like to do, take pictures. 5 or 6 TFCD models responded and I set up sessions with two of them. As my luck would have it – both at the same time. That wasn’t a problem for me (read assistant) or them though so we met at my hotel and headed for the National Mall to shoot. The plan was to use the monuments as the background. Sounded way cool.

We chose the new WW II monument because it had a nice water fountain. We got there around 7pm, good light, not huge crowds. As one model was getting her ticket from the Park Police (wrong way on a One Way street) the other model (Emily) and I set off to set up and shoot along the granite outside wall of the monument. I Danielle 087 Hassled by the Washington, DC Park Rangers for taking photosused 2 SB800s, at first to fill then to light her. Nikon CLS is so cool. So far so good. I get about a dozen shots off when the other model, Danielle walked up. She dismissed the ticket as part of life in DC and we starting posing her along the same wall Emily had used. About 10 minutes later I hear:

Sir – Sir:

Click to continue reading “Hassled by the Washington, DC Park Rangers for taking photos”

-- Weather When Posted --

  • Temperature: 93°F;
  • Humidity: 44%;
  • Heat Index: 97°F;
  • Wind Chill: 93°F;
  • Pressure: 30 in.;

Posted in Places, Rant | Also tagged art, background, Backgrounds, Blog, business, Business Meetings, Casting Call, Cat, Chap, CLS, Crowds, d300, Dozen Shots, Emily, Faa, face, FDR, Flickr, Fun, girl, girls, Granite, hassled, Head, Heir, Hhs, hobby, Hoot, Hotel, Huge Crowds, Light, Long Time, Memorial, Memories, model, Modeling, Modelmayhem, Models, Monument, Monuments, National Mall, new, nikon, office, one, Outsider, Park Police, Park Ranger, Park Rangers, Passing The Time, People, Photo, Photo Shoot, Photograph, Photographer, Photographers, Photographs, Photos, Places, Pose, pretty, pro, professional, Professional Photographers, Reply, Rig, Rkd, Sb, Sb8, SB800, Sessions, shoot, shot, Stan, street, Taking Photos, Target, Teenagers, Things, Tree, ttl, Walk, Water Fountain, Wrong Way, WW II, Ww Ii Monument, Youtube 5 Comments

The eyes have it

2702594204 5e41fbac66 m The eyes have it

As the old English or is it Arab proverb goes “the eyes are the windows to the soul“.

I could not agree more.

For me; to photograph someone, in or out of the studio, is an attempt on my part to capture the essence of the photographed. An outsider’s try at seeing the uniqueness of another. I have learned, sometimes at the expense of others; sometimes at my own, that a person is not their clothes or position in life.

The eyes can rarely completely deceive. Lairs cannot calm their eyes. Children cannot hide their excitement., their eyes light up with a fire that makes me smile every time. My mother can still stop me dead in my tracks with just a look. My wife is working on that talent – daily.

2516268876 972a2ffae7 t The eyes have it

An otherwise unacceptable picture can both memorable and cherished because of ‘the look’ captured within it. You know the one I’m talking about, not the picture hanging on the wall you can look up and see from your computer. Go check your old shoe box full of pictures; it’s there.

I talk to the models I work with, giving ideas, comments and instruction. I try to bring out their essence. It’s not always the one they walked in to portray. Oh, we get that alright. But I’m always looking for shoe box shot too.

Posted in My Photo; My Comment. | Also tagged Arab Proverb, art, Attempt, Attempts, Clothes, Clothing, Essence, Excitement, eyes, Flickr, Hanging On The Wall, Heir, Lairs, Light, Lot, model, Modeling, Models, Old Shoe, one, Outsider, person, Personality, Photo, Photograph, Photographer, Photographers, Photographs, Photos, Picture Hanging, pro, Rig, Rkd, rkdauph, Shoe Box, Shoe Box Shot, shot, smile, studio, Track, Tracks, Uniqueness, Walk, Windows To The Soul 1 Comment

$9 optical mini strobe test

dav and miglena 182 300x199 $9 optical mini strobe test


I’m always looking for ways to light things. This was a fun shoot and I decided to use a small flash attached to the camera’s reflector with a piece of double sided tape.

The camera held by Miglena is a Kodak Duaflex IV Camera with a mini strobe placed into the flash holder. The light on Dav is actually coming from the Kodak. See Photo Playground set from a closer image of the camera.

-- Weather When Posted --

  • Temperature: 76°F;
  • Humidity: 71%;
  • Heat Index: 77°F;
  • Wind Chill: 76°F;
  • Pressure: 29.97 in.;

Posted in Lighting tests | Also tagged Blog, camera, Dav, Double Sided Tape, flash, Flickr, Fun, Fun Shoot, Hoot, Image, Images, Kodak Duaflex Iv, Light, Mini Strobe, Photo, Photos, Places, Playground, Reflector, Rig, Rkd, rkdauph, shoot, strobe, Strobes, Test, Things Leave a comment

Skye

Skye was a both sweetheart and a challenge. The right side her had been disfigured; she was not in the least embarrassed or intimidated by it and I loved that about her. We worked with light and shadow during the entire session to our advantage.

2256092981 6f268b961c t Skye

The temptation to mask the injuries in post processing was quickly overcome when I looked into her eyes.

Posted in My Photo; My Comment., People | Also tagged art, Duri, eyes, Flickr, Inti, Light, Light And Shadow, Love, Photo, Photos, Post Processing, pro, Rig, Rkd, rkdauph, Sessions, Shadow, Skye, Sweetheart, Temptation Leave a comment