Katarzyna Stars in 50mm

Bilsen

This is for all you 50 mm, f2.0 fans.

Kat is the most naturally beautiful model (I think she wakes up this way) I know and headshots are my favorite things. Put them together with my 50mm f1.4 and here are some results.



2.


3.


4.


5.

Hackbone

Especially like the skin tones and lighting.

Bilsen

Thanks Charles.

A couple were all natural light )don't honestly remember which) but since I bought radio triggers I've become very fond of my shoot-thru umbrella for outdoor fill. For $85.00 they have expanded my capabilities (not to mention chances to screw up) geometrically.

jonh68

1-4 she does a good job of posing, but your choice of backgrounds really hurt the image. It looks like you were in a parking lot and it clashes with the woods. For 5, You can't tell what the background is which makes the pic better.

Bryce Wilson

You are getting quite good at the off camera flash thing. Kudos to you on the fill technique! Colors, skin, shadows look great.

I wish the pocket wizzard TTL's weren't so darn expensive as the Nikon commander mode is a touch limiting.

Tell Kat I'm in love with her bellybutton!:ivar But, five is my favorite!

Do have to ask ya though John, I was in your neck of the woods this spring for the graduation at West Point. There are sooooooo many great and scenic locations to do shoots out there I am kinda my head as to why you choose some of the spots you do.

I found a little spot right on the side of 9W that just screams "TAKE A MODEL HERE AND SHOOT SOME PICS."

Bilsen

Thanks Bryce.

As far as the radio triggers that have given me so many more options, I agree that PWs are beyond crazy expensive. HOWEVER, I've bought (now two) sets of Phottix Strato triggers for $85.00 each. So far they have been amazing. In addition to allowing me to shoot in bright light which would wipe out the Canon IR system, they are forcing me to learn to use manual settings on my 580EX and 2 430EX flashes. That's a good thing.

Here's a link for you:
http://www.phottixstore.com/store/studio-accessories/phottix-strato-2-4ghz-wire-wireless-4-in-1-trigger.html

As for locations, If you're referring to the parking lot, I just blew it. These were a last second thought at the very end of the shoot when I just pulled the 50mm out of the bag in my trunk. Mea Culpa.

Otherwise, there are a number of locations I use that I think are gorgeous. I love using the River and the lakes in the area, especially for swimsuit. I KNOW people call my backgrounds "distracting" but I prefer to make the background part of the image and put the model in sync with it. Personally I think photographers have ADD if they miss Karen here for the trees.
Of course, after being married 30 years, this isn't the first time I've been accused of doing things backwards.

Go take a look at: www.pbase.com/bilsen/locations

Here's two examples from another model that you might like better (or not):