I'm with Bryce on this one. Very creative shot, but just a touch more light on the eyes and it's there. I don't think it would ruin the "mystery" you're going for. It would just add the slightest bit of intensity.
As is, it's a great Gatorade ad, but as a senior pic, I think we do need to be able to identify with Jeff a little more.
Don't get wrapped up in that it's a senior portrait. We shoot for our clients and what they want - not solely based on what type of session it is. When our client says "I love this shot" (see below) and we say "we'll make it much more harsh and darker in the face" and they want that shot - we're going to shoot it.
The Gatorade ad part is correct - both the image of Jeff and the one below were shot for that feel. Nothing states seniors can be delivered Gatorade/Nike ad types of portraits. In fact, our HS seniors frequently ask for that and we're one of the few in our market that delivers them.
This is not the only image from his session. As noted above, the main was a socked beauty dish and was turned off for this image. We have others withe main metered "properly" and some with the main very low power for subtle fill. By using the PocketWizard system (FlexTT5 and AC3) we are able to make all these decisions from the camera, without ever touching the strobe.
We get the images we know that will make mom happy and the ones we know that will make our subject happy.
Random question ... Would you mind posting the / a original? I'm just curious how much work you did to the background. When I shoot with a black background ... For the love of me ... It's never really black. I don't mind darkening it, easy enough ... Just curious how a pro's photo looks like
Random question ... Would you mind posting the / a original? I'm just curious how much work you did to the background. When I shoot with a black background ... For the love of me ... It's never really black. I don't mind darkening it, easy enough ... Just curious how a pro's photo looks like
Absolutely. I'll actually do one better and post the setup shot too. You'll see there was no work needed to the backdrop (the darker backdrop is a result of the contrasty b/w conversion - all done in LR3) as we kept the lights far enough away and the back lights feathered forward. You'll see the main is feathered down as well. Joel Grimes has mastered this...it's his setup for about 80% or more of his work - then the composite.
I accidentally lied about the backdrop - it's grey seamless - not black. Even better.
The editing was extremely light - may seem like a lot but it wasn't. Used our normal contrasty b/w conversion in LR plus a re-crop. Amped the exposure some along with the blacks. In PS I quickly fixed a couple skin areas, a very light skin smoothing layer, sharpening and very light dodge/burn. I didn't need much d/b as we painted him well with light SOOC.
Absolutely. I'll actually do one better and post the setup shot too. You'll see there was no work needed to the backdrop (the darker backdrop is a result of the contrasty b/w conversion - all done in LR3) as we kept the lights far enough away and the back lights feathered forward. You'll see the main is feathered down as well. Joel Grimes has mastered this...it's his setup for about 80% or more of his work - then the composite.
I accidentally lied about the backdrop - it's grey seamless - not black. Even better.
The editing was extremely light - may seem like a lot but it wasn't. Used our normal contrasty b/w conversion in LR plus a re-crop. Amped the exposure some along with the blacks. In PS I quickly fixed a couple skin areas, a very light skin smoothing layer, sharpening and very light dodge/burn. I didn't need much d/b as we painted him well with light SOOC.
That's it.
Awesome! Thanks for posting this!!! I guess I should make my people step a couple steps away from the backdrop ... well ... I guess I should get a wider set-up to start off with, mine is rather tight.
Thanks again for posting these photos! Very helpful!
Awesome! Thanks for posting this!!! I guess I should make my people step a couple steps away from the backdrop ... well ... I guess I should get a wider set-up to start off with, mine is rather tight.
Thanks again for posting these photos! Very helpful!
It's always a good idea to keep your subjects a good distance off your backdrop much of the time. This allows you to keep light off your backdrop (or light it separately for more control) and for it to go out-of-focus.
Tip: You can make your backdrop seem wider than it is by using a compression lens (aka, longer lens). A longer focal length will compress the scene.
Comments
ModelMayhem · Flickr· ∞500px
It is a senior portrait - jut not one you would typically see.
ModelMayhem · Flickr· ∞500px
As is, it's a great Gatorade ad, but as a senior pic, I think we do need to be able to identify with Jeff a little more.
please visit: www.babyelephants.net
The Gatorade ad part is correct - both the image of Jeff and the one below were shot for that feel. Nothing states seniors can be delivered Gatorade/Nike ad types of portraits. In fact, our HS seniors frequently ask for that and we're one of the few in our market that delivers them.
This is not the only image from his session. As noted above, the main was a socked beauty dish and was turned off for this image. We have others withe main metered "properly" and some with the main very low power for subtle fill. By using the PocketWizard system (FlexTT5 and AC3) we are able to make all these decisions from the camera, without ever touching the strobe.
We get the images we know that will make mom happy and the ones we know that will make our subject happy.
ModelMayhem · Flickr· ∞500px
Seriously, they're both great shots. I'm glad your clients were happy with them.
please visit: www.babyelephants.net
Items uses in this set
ModelMayhem · Flickr· ∞500px
please visit: www.babyelephants.net
ModelMayhem · Flickr· ∞500px
Absolutely. I'll actually do one better and post the setup shot too. You'll see there was no work needed to the backdrop (the darker backdrop is a result of the contrasty b/w conversion - all done in LR3) as we kept the lights far enough away and the back lights feathered forward. You'll see the main is feathered down as well. Joel Grimes has mastered this...it's his setup for about 80% or more of his work - then the composite.
I accidentally lied about the backdrop - it's grey seamless - not black. Even better.
The editing was extremely light - may seem like a lot but it wasn't. Used our normal contrasty b/w conversion in LR plus a re-crop. Amped the exposure some along with the blacks. In PS I quickly fixed a couple skin areas, a very light skin smoothing layer, sharpening and very light dodge/burn. I didn't need much d/b as we painted him well with light SOOC.
That's it.
SOOC
Setup
ModelMayhem · Flickr· ∞500px
Awesome! Thanks for posting this!!! I guess I should make my people step a couple steps away from the backdrop ... well ... I guess I should get a wider set-up to start off with, mine is rather tight.
Thanks again for posting these photos! Very helpful!
It's always a good idea to keep your subjects a good distance off your backdrop much of the time. This allows you to keep light off your backdrop (or light it separately for more control) and for it to go out-of-focus.
Tip: You can make your backdrop seem wider than it is by using a compression lens (aka, longer lens). A longer focal length will compress the scene.
ModelMayhem · Flickr· ∞500px
Hmmmm ... good point! THANKS!
I don't like the first shot, I like the second shot a lot.....fwiw.
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