my second-oldest, he's 17. canon 85L, a little fill flash (- 1.3ec) thru lightsphere II. gold reflector used, shining back diffused sunlight coming through the trees.
Great portrait and a very handsome young man Andy. I would love a tutorial on your setup here.
Where was the reflector in relation to you and your son? Do you leave the little dome on the top of the sphere?
Love the angle you chose as well...
i was about 3 feet elevated from his location. strong sunlight was filtering through the tops of maple trees directly from subject's right. i had my assistant (daughter) hold the gold reflector approximately directly to subject's left, and also low (i wanted the reflected light to bathe him if possible. it was tough, because there were some high puffy cumulus clouds.
now to the camera: i used aperture priority, f/4, knowing this would give me a flash speed of 1/160th or 1/250th. i set the flash exposure compensation to -1.3, not wanting to hit the subject with too much light, just wanted to kill the shadows and get some life in the eyes. i used the lightsphere by gary fong to further diffuse the flash.
that's it for shooting
in post, nothing really. some minor curves adjustment, to give it some pop. oh i had to remove the bloodshot eyes, as he'd been in the pool for the prior 2 hours
i was about 3 feet elevated from his location. strong sunlight was filtering through the tops of maple trees directly from subject's right. i had my assistant (daughter) hold the gold reflector approximately directly to subject's left, and also low (i wanted the reflected light to bathe him if possible. it was tough, because there were some high puffy cumulus clouds.
now to the camera: i used aperture priority, f/4, knowing this would give me a flash speed of 1/160th or 1/250th. i set the flash exposure compensation to -1.3, not wanting to hit the subject with too much light, just wanted to kill the shadows and get some life in the eyes. i used the lightsphere by gary fong to further diffuse the flash.
that's it for shooting
in post, nothing really. some minor curves adjustment, to give it some pop. oh i had to remove the bloodshot eyes, as he'd been in the pool for the prior 2 hours
His hair does look like he'd just been in the pool.
Another keeper, of course. How many kids do you have, btw?
A little boy, a 17yr old and your midshipman, and your daughter, you say. That makes 4. Anymore? Family portrait?
Owen
hiya owen thanks so much for the very kind words. yeah, i have four kids - aged 6 to 18 i'm in for it, i tell ya. family portrait? that would imply that everyone is in the same place at the same time :uhoh something that's a rare occurrence 'round here. i'm working on it
my second-oldest, he's 17. canon 85L, a little fill flash (- 1.3ec) thru lightsphere II. gold reflector used, shining back diffused sunlight coming through the trees.
enjoy (portrait) photography,
Beautiful shot! Bet the girls are banging down the door!
I wanted to ask you before but forgot in my previous reply, The LSII comes in two pieces, do you keep the dome on when shooting outdoors, and secondly what angle do you have your flash head pointed? Thnxs in advance....
I wanted to ask you before but forgot in my previous reply, The LSII comes in two pieces, do you keep the dome on when shooting outdoors, and secondly what angle do you have your flash head pointed? Thnxs in advance....
i use the dome "on" most of the time. off only when i want to diffuse partially the direct flash. the angle? depends - if in a room with a suitable light ceiling for bouncing, i'll angle it to bounce - for outdoor shots, it's direct at the subject(s).
my second-oldest, he's 17. canon 85L, a little fill flash (- 1.3ec) thru lightsphere II. gold reflector used, shining back diffused sunlight coming through the trees.
enjoy (portrait) photography,
Yep.. you're a photographer all right.. It's a great shot and I could never figure out all that lighting fill thingy Andy.. so .. it's hopeless for me :cry
I see the future.... but my Oliver's head is already about the same size as your Oliver's is. Good lookin' kiddo. You must be making college plans, huh?
Jim
Live with intention.
Walk to the edge.
Listen hard.
Pratice wellness.
Play with abandon.
Laugh.
Choose with no regrets.
Appreciate your friends.
Continue to learn.
Do what you love.
Live as if this is all there is.
Comments
Where was the reflector in relation to you and your son? Do you leave the little dome on the top of the sphere?
Love the angle you chose as well...
i was about 3 feet elevated from his location. strong sunlight was filtering through the tops of maple trees directly from subject's right. i had my assistant (daughter) hold the gold reflector approximately directly to subject's left, and also low (i wanted the reflected light to bathe him if possible. it was tough, because there were some high puffy cumulus clouds.
now to the camera: i used aperture priority, f/4, knowing this would give me a flash speed of 1/160th or 1/250th. i set the flash exposure compensation to -1.3, not wanting to hit the subject with too much light, just wanted to kill the shadows and get some life in the eyes. i used the lightsphere by gary fong to further diffuse the flash.
that's it for shooting
in post, nothing really. some minor curves adjustment, to give it some pop. oh i had to remove the bloodshot eyes, as he'd been in the pool for the prior 2 hours
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Thnxs Andy that really helps!
thank you, eric, for the very kind words. and it's my pleasure to help, ask me anything, anytime
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Another keeper, of course. How many kids do you have, btw?
A little boy, a 17yr old and your midshipman, and your daughter, you say. That makes 4. Anymore? Family portrait?
Owen
actually the filtered sunlight was not coming directly from his right, but at about a 30 degree angle. ditto the reflector from his left.
i'll also probably touch up the stray hairs top of his head, they melted into the green grass bg...
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Thanks for posting this nice portrait.
I was wondering if you have any shots taken without the gold reflector. Just curious what this actually added to the end result.
http://clearwaterphotography.smugmug.com/
hiya owen
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I love the pose, composition and lighting. It's very straightforward, which is something I really like on portraits.
By the way, how do you like the LS II? From your shot, it really looks like something I might be interested in.
Thanks so much for sharing!
Take care!
-- thiago
thiago, i love the LSII - you should put it on your list of items for when you come to the states next spring
thanks for the comments and kind words!
to all: thank you very much for posting, commenting, and stopping by.
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I wanted to ask you before but forgot in my previous reply, The LSII comes in two pieces, do you keep the dome on when shooting outdoors, and secondly what angle do you have your flash head pointed? Thnxs in advance....
i use the dome "on" most of the time. off only when i want to diffuse partially the direct flash. the angle? depends - if in a room with a suitable light ceiling for bouncing, i'll angle it to bounce - for outdoor shots, it's direct at the subject(s).
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Yep.. you're a photographer all right.. It's a great shot and I could never figure out all that lighting fill thingy Andy.. so .. it's hopeless for me :cry
I see the future.... but my Oliver's head is already about the same size as your Oliver's is. Good lookin' kiddo. You must be making college plans, huh?
Jim
Walk to the edge.
Listen hard.
Pratice wellness.
Play with abandon.
Laugh.
Choose with no regrets.
Appreciate your friends.
Continue to learn.
Do what you love.
Live as if this is all there is.
What sunlight through the trees? I can't see it.
Disraeli Photography
"Only when the last tree has died, the last river poisoned, and the last fish been caught will we realize we cannot eat money" Cree Indian Proverb
since it's off to my son's right, i don't guess that you would now, would you?
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