Practicing Portraiture at Holmes Lake in Lincoln, NE

xPhantom

I've always done a lot of automotive photography, but lately I've decided that I really want to do more portraiture. So today, I called up a few friends and asked if they'd like to "model" for me so I could practice a bit.

This is what I ended up with:

1.


2.


3.


4.


5.


6.


7.


the full set is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/__max/sets/72157622422462582/

Most of the setups involved 1 SB-600 through a 45" umbrella and 1 SB-600 bare.
#1 and #2 probably would have looked better if I would've set up both of my SB-600's with umbrellas, but the wind was too strong and I didn't have weights or an extra person to hold the other stand up from falling over.

comments and criticism are apprectiated!

sweet caroline

Very nice work here. Yes, you should do more portraiture! I feel you achieved a good balance between the background and your subjects in the sunset pics.

Caroline

Dooginfif20

Where did you have the lights set up at when shooting? Did you use i-ttl or manual?

adbsgicom

Great shots!! I really love 3 &6.

One question on 1&2, when shooting at sunset, should the light get gel'ed to match more of the orange light coming from camera right? I think the shots look great, but am wondering what conventional portrait wisdom says as well.

CyberSteak

Very nice. 3 is definately the best of the bunch with 6 coming in close behind.

NateWagner

These are quite nice images...

Lincoln, is my hometown (I moved away a couple years ago) so the location brings back fond memories.

Anyway, I enjoyed the shots, nice work.

VayCayMom

wow great portraits, nice lighting, love them.

xPhantom

thank you all for the kind words!

Dooginfif20 wrote:

Where did you have the lights set up at when shooting? Did you use i-ttl or manual?

for the sunset shots, I had one SB-600 with a shoot-through umbrella at camera left probably about 3 feet from the subject.
for the shots on the bench, I had the SB-600 with the shoot through at camera left again but I also had a bare SB-600 at camera right slightly behind the subject to create that rim light.

adbsgicom wrote:

Great shots!! I really love 3 &6.

One question on 1&2, when shooting at sunset, should the light get gel'ed to match more of the orange light coming from camera right? I think the shots look great, but am wondering what conventional portrait wisdom says as well.

One of my friends actually suggested that I use an orange gel with my lighting, which I would have tried, but I don't have any gels at the moment. When I get some, I'll probably try it out again and see how it looks.

Dooginfif20

what did you use to attach your 600 to an umbrella? I have been looking online and have no idea which one is a good one. also what kind of shoot through umbrella did you use?

xPhantom

i purchased this kit from B&H: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/475575-REG/Impact__Digital_Flash_Umbrella_Mount.html

i replaced the cold shoes with these: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/52772-REG/Stroboframe_300_SHO_Flash_Mount_Adapter_.html

i also bought two of these: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/423625-REG/Impact_UBBW45_45_Convertible_Umbrella.html

ivar

Very nice! i particularly like the light on the outdoor shots, I think you got a good mix between light on the subject and on the background/surroundings.

Did you process the skin much?

xPhantom

i actually didn't process the skin THAT much.
i smoothed it out a littttle bit, but it really helped that her skin was naturally very nice and smooth.

Dooginfif20

what kind of camera and lens did you use here? can you tell us image info like shutter speeds and iso and such? sorry if i am asking too many questions!