Halloween 2010...high key portraits

I finally got back into my studio (with some very active models) and put some of my new found knowledge to the test.  Prior to the shoot I had a lot of fun testing out the lights alone and with a fellow photography enthusiast.  By the way, I now have two background lights which makes full length portraits a little bit easier to take as I don't have that one light in the middle anymore.  My goal was to have my main and fill light ratios to be a 3:1 ratio with my background lights at 11.5 (it should have been at 13.5 which is 1.5 stops hotter than the main light of f 8.0 - this would have ensured a pure white high key background) which resulted in the following set up:
background lights:  11.5
main light:  8.0
fill light:  4.8
Because my background lights were not as hot as they should have been the background was a little underexposed causing the picture to look a little grey around the edges.  Normally, I would fix this in photoshop but I used thrifty white tile board on the floor to get to reflection from my subject's feet and I do not want to get rid of this.  Below, are the results of the above settings:

A client confirmed....sweet

Today I decided to be proactive and pursue a possible client which worked out very well.  I know a lady that recently opened a bakery selling all types of delicious sweets and I approached her with a proposal that could not be denied and would work out for both of us.  I would photograph her place of business, baked goods and the action in her shop free of charge in exchange for practice and being able to diversify my portfolio.  This client not only said yes to the photography session but also
1.  agreed to allow me to post the pictures in her shop with my contact information.
2.  agreed to allow me to photograph her son, a hockey player.
3.  gave me a possible lead to photograph various hockey games

I am very happy I decided to get a cupcake on my way home.........

An adult test model

I finally got a chance to test out some of the lighting techniques that I have been reading about at www.zarias.com.  I took a few test shots but my model was only helping me out and not sitting for a real photo shoot so I will not post my test shots.  I will post the final images once I get a good grasp on the technique and model is "dressed to impress."  So, stay tuned for some fabulous pictures with various backgrounds all done with white seamless paper as the basic backdrop.  I am so excited and can't wait for everyone to see the final product.

White background, Many options

I haven't been able to take any pictures in a while but I've been reading up on various ways to:
1.  Improve my high key photographs (white background)
2.  Get the most use out of my white seamless background paper by using various color gels (this will spare me from purchasing various color muslin backgrounds)

In order for me to accomplish the above I will have to gain a better understanding of f stops and exposures.  I found a great website to further my understanding.  For all studio photography enthusiast check out:  www.zarias.com

Now, I just need a patient adult willing to sit and be my test subject while I play with light.  Any volunteers?

The Karate Kid...Randy III

On 09/30/2010 I was also able to take some high key pictures of my son in his karate suit with his new GOLD belt.  This was one of the easiest shot of my son as he was able to do something he loved in front of the camera.  I didn't have to give him any direction for this photo shoot.........  I hope you enjoy this pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them.

**Next time, a darker background**

09/30/2010 Photoshoot - Randy Jr (high key portraits)

Yesterday, 09/30/2010 I was finally able to take some pictures of my husband and he was very enthusiastic about sitting for me.  He did a wardrobe change and added his own props.  Once again, I took some high key portraits because I want to make sure I've "perfected" this method before I move on to low key portraits with various backgrounds.  The below pictures were ran through photoshop a little so that the white background was nice and bright and not muddy.  This discoloration was caused by the f stop on the background light being to high (f11.7 which is >2stops higher than the main light)  causing it to be overexposed and the light fell off into the foreground.  Therefore, I need to use less power on the background (decrease the  fstop).  On my next shoot I am going to try f8 which is only 1stop higher than the main light (f5.6). 


The first group of pictures were "professional headshots" of Dr. Taylor done on a high key background.  These pictures would be posted under the "Headshots" category.



The second group of pictures have a more casual tone....These pcitures would be posted under "Lifestyle - Living Life" category.  Introducing the DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN...Mr. Taylor.

Once again, thank you for following my blog!

A photographer wish list

There are a few items that I still want to get for my studio to complete the set up.  They are as follows:

1.  another background light
2.  hair light with snoot
3.  black and brown muslin background
4.  a few props (I recently purchased a scale to put a baby on).
5.  white, balck pink and beighe shere and super sheer draping backgrounds.
6.  photographers stool for two with arm rest
7.  portrait lens (appx 50mm)
8.  NIK software

This is just a wish list.  As I update my studio I will send a new pictures so that you can see where it has been placed.

Chicago Taylor Family

The first part of my weekend is over and it was great.  My husbands brother and his family came to visit for the night and I was able to take some nice high key photos of "The Chicago Taylor Family."  They were great subjects and were willing to sit for me until I got the shot that I wanted as well as play around with different poses.
The followings steps were taken for the photo shoot.
1.  Ensured the lights were set to the proper output (key light @ f5.6, fill light @ f3.5, background light @f11)
2.  Took a picture of the calibration target (grey card) to ensure that the white balance reading was correct. 
3.  Checked the histogram of the grey card picture to ensure that the exposures were correct.
4.  SNAP, SNAP, SNAP!!!

The second part of my weekend fell through as the photographer I was going to shoot with had to change her schedule.  Hopefully, we will be able to meet up soon to shoot together.  I have a few other ideas for some shots of my son which I plan and post very soon. 

This weekend

I have family coming in tomorrow which means I have a few models and I can't wait.  On Sunday, I may be going to a colleagues studio to have fun with various lighting techniques.  This should be a fun filled learning weekend.  Hopefully the next post will be of some great photos taken this weekend.

A Princess' Photo Shoot (09/14/2010)

I finally finished editing the pictures from the princess who turned 3.  I didn't have to do a lot of editing put I had to go through a lot of pictures as I took over 200 photos.  Overall, I am pleased with the outcome and I am thankful for the opportunity to take pictures of such a beautiful little girl.  Below are the pictures and a card that was made.
The below pictures were shot using high key lighting.  This lighting scenario gives a clean and simple image and requires 4-5 lights (1 fill light, 1 key light, 1 hair light and 2 background lights).  I was able to shoot these high key portraits using only one background light.  The downfall of using one background light is that it is in the middle of the set up and can be seen in the picture if you don't have props to go in front.  This is where photoshop comes in as I was able to photoshop the background light out of the final pictures when necessary.
I took the following steps when taking these pictures.
1.  Set the lights up with a 3:1 ratio (f 5.6 :  f3.5)where the key light is 3x more powerful than the fill light.  The background light was set at f11 (at least two stops higher than the key light).  I used a Sekonic light meter to ensure the lights were set up properly.
2.  I used a photovision calibration target to ensure that I had a good white balance.
Finally, I had FUN, FUN, FUN taking pictures of the little Princess.