Clamshell Lighting for the Corporate Portrait

Tags

Beauty Lighting, Business Headshots, Chimera Beauty dish, Corporate Headshots, CT Headshot Photographer, CT Headshots, Hensel Lighting, Over and Under Lighting, Strobe Light

Hi and welcome back.

Right after I got home from CA, I had a corporate headshot sitting.

For this type of shot, I usually use a three light setup:

• Key light with a reflector
• Hair light
• Background light

But when my client walked through the door of my studio, I wanted to take a different approach.  Once I saw her facial features, I decide to try over and under beauty or clamshell lighting.

This is a technique to light for beauty headshots like for L’Oreal or Maybelline advertisements, where the sole purpose is to highlight the face.

I set my lighting for over and under beauty and had Abi stand in position.  I often have my corporate clients stand instead of sit.  I find that standing allows jackets to fall naturally and people are generally easier to pose when standing.

Here’s my setup:

• Hensel Porty 1200L with head on a Matthews C-stand and Hollywood Grip Arm
• Chimera 30″ beauty dish with diffusion screen installed
• Hensel Integra 500 on the bottom
• Hensel 16×25 kit softbox

Hensel/Chimera

I usually run my fill light at least 1 stop lower in power than my key.   We worked fairly quickly so I was able to give her several background options.  With blue being a strong color influence on her website, she loved the blue background.

And here’s the final.

Nikon D3, 105 mm f/2 DC

I did some simple retouching and that’s it.  You can se the double catchlight in her eyes.

You can do this technique with a reflector as well, but I opted for the two light solution this time.

My normal lens for this kind of work is the 70-200 vr, but with being on the road so much these days, I’ve decided to lighten my kit a bit.

I’ve owned the 105 f/2 DC for a while but rarely used it.  After shooting this job, I love, love it!!

The Defocus Control lens is a specialty lens that you really need to practice and master as the DC function allows you to change the Bokeh or out-of-focus backgrounds.  Here my aperture in camera was set to f/11, but I set my Defocus Control (DC) to f/2.  By doing this, I got amazing sharpness in the foreground and let the background falloff while she only stood about 3 feet in front of the blue paper.

Nikon 105 f/2 DC

That’s it.  I’ve got a full round of headshot sittings next week, so I’ll be posting more on them soon.

Till then, happy shooting!

 

Back from Pasadena Part Two

Tags

CT Headshot Photographer, CT Headshots, CT Photographer, Expoimaging, OCF, Off Camera flash workshops, Rogue Flashbenders, Workshops

Hi and welcome back.

I have a few more images to share from the Pasadena PPA this past weekend.

All of these shots were taken with Expoimaging’s Rogue Flashbenders.

For the first shot, I used a Rogue XL Pro in the Strip Box format as key.  I turned Elizabeth so that touch of backlight in the upper left corner of the image is actually the ceiling light of the Pasadena Convention Center.

For the second shot, I used a three speedlight setup:

Key is an SB910 into a Rogue XL Pro as softbox

Right hair light is an SB800 into a Rogue XL Pro as strip softbox

Left hair light is another SB800 into a Rogue Grid

The next shot is the complete same setup, except all I did was move around to Elizabeth’s right side and added the lights of the convention center in the background for a little bit of extra excitement.  My goal was to make it look as though she were somewhere else.

This next shot is over and under beauty or clamshell lighting.

Key is high and above with an SB800 into a Rogue XL Pro as full size softbox

Kicker or fill light below is an SB800 into a Rogue XL Pro as strip softbox

For the next shot, I went back to the over and under commercial look.

Key light is an SB910 into a Rogue XL Pro full softbox @ 1/2 power

Kicker or fill light below is S800 into Rogue XL Pro full softbox at 1/16 power

After three full days and 12 different presentations, I wanted something totally different and unique.

I used three gelled lights.

Key is an SB910 with an XL Pro bent forward Blue Rogue Gel.

Back right is an SB800 with Rogue Grid and green gel.

Back left is an SB800 with Rogue Grid and Red gel.

Both grids have the grids removed.  All I wanted was direct light but controlled through the mini snoot of the grid.

My goal was to not use any white light on the subject at all, thereby making it look as if she was in a dance or performance studio instead of the convention center.

That’s it for now.

If you are in the NYC area, my next Rogue Presentation/Workshop is at Berger Camera on September 21, here’s the link:

Berger Brothers Camera, Huntington, LI

There is a morning and afternoon session.  If you can make it, bring your camera as it’s a shooting workshop.

Till next time, happy lighting!

 

 

 

 

 

Back from the Pasadena PPA

Tags

California PPA Convention, CT Headshot, CT Headshot Photographer, Editorial, Expoimaging, fashion, Headshot Photographer, Nikon, OCF, off camera flash, Rogue Flashbenders, Workshop

Hi and welcome back.

I arrived home on Monday morning at 10:00 a.m. from a redeye flight from LAX, unpacked, slept for half an hour, and then headed to the studio for a headshot sitting.

So it’s taken me a day or so to reorganize and process a few images from the Pasadena PPA event last weekend.

I was working for Expoimaging and shooting in their booth.  The other bonus was having the ability to stay with family in Venice Beach: way cool!

Ok, on to a few images from the event.

All of these shots were taken with Rogue Flashbenders in several different forms and configurations.

Many thanks to Elizabeth, our model, and Brandie, the hair and makeup artist on the job.

Over the course of the three day event, I shot about 10 different lighting looks.

This is a two light high key commercial style look.  I was able to borrow a Westcott X-Drop with a white screen for the weekend.

Nikon SB910 high and above as key light set to 1/2 power with a Rogue XL Pro

Nikon SB800 low as a kicker light, set to 1/16 power with a Rogue XL Pro for fill

In this shot, I pulled Elizabeth off of the back drop and did a three light high key shot.

I used the same key and fill as above but added a third light directly behind her to get a full high key shot without any drop shadow.

Backlight: Nikon SB800 @ 1/2 power and a Large Rogue Flashbender.

In this next series of shots, I went for something a bit more dramatic.

I was using the Rogue XL Pro here without any diffusion and bent forward to turn it into a beauty dish or soft light reflector.  It is amazing the quality of light that can come from such a small light modifier.

SB910 in manual mode at 1/2 power.

Here, I used the Rogue XL Pro in the Strip Softbox formation.

The strip box attachment really allows you to control your light and feather it with a great amount of accuracy.

I kept the Rogue XL Pro in the strip box format and just moved my light to the right and turned Elizabeth into it for complete sidelight.  The light is controlled well here as only a small amount of light illuminates the backdrop.

SB910 in manual mode at 1/2 power.

For this look, an attendee asked for some on camera flash.  I rarely present on camera flash but after this event, I’m going to add a segment to other events as the results are amazing.

Nikon D3 with SB800 attached.  Small Rogue Flashbender with Diffusion Panel attached.

Here, in this image, I tried to show how you can get great results easily.  I shot this image in Program Auto Exposure and set my SB800 to TTL mode.  The camera and flash combination handled everything for me.  All I needed to do was compose, focus, and shoot.

I did a quick raw to jpeg conversion and finished them for the post.

Raw Converter: Capture One Pro 7

Skin Retouch: Totally Rad Actions Portrait Retouch V2.  If you are interested in this Action Set for retouching, use my coupon code for 15% off any TR product: 1434rhstudios

All of these images were taken with Rogue Flashbender products in various configurations and forms.

Many thanks to Expoimaging for bringing me out to Pasadena to shoot for them.

Till next time, happy shooting!

Packing for the Road

Tags

California OCF, California PPA, Expoimaging, Nikon, OCF, OCF Travel Kit, Off camera flash on the road, Pasadena PPA Convention, Rogue Flashbenders, Rogue XL Pro, Tenba Roadies II

Hi and welcome back.

One of the questions I’m often asked when on the road teaching is “What’s in your bag?”

Simply put, I pack my bag every time differently.  I’m always trying to streamline my kit so I’m efficient and only carry two bags, especially when flying.

For my trip to CA, here’s my kit:

My camera bag sees different configurations, but for this trip I’m adding a speedlight and subtracting a lens.  With my new sponsor Phottix, I’m leaving my PW’s home and taking  the Phottix Odin with me and a Strato II.  I’ve also added the new Phottix Mitros Flash.

• Camera and spare battery
• 35-70 mid range zoom for it’s compact size
• 50mm
• 4 flashes with diffusion domes
• 3 battery packs as the Mitros doesn’t have a pack yet
• AA batteries
• Lacie 500 gb travel drive
• Gray and black gaffer tape
• Storage cards
• Extra body and rear lens cap
• Cleaning gear
• Spare battery
• Phottix Odin TTL and one Strato II
• Light Meter
• 3 umbrella brackets as I never like the event supplied ones
• All the related wires to connect my laptop to TV’s/Monitors and a Tether Tools cable
• Flashlight, card reader, misc. gels and lens filters
• In the outside compartment goes my Laptop

That’s the base of the camera bag:

But it gets better.  When on the road, you need to prepare for shooting a lot.  I’m booked in over the weekend, so that means as soon as I get back to where I’m staying, AA batteries need to be charged for the next day.

In my carry-on-sized luggage that goes into cargo, before the clothes and toiletries go in, I load this in:

• Lumopro LP 605 travel light stand
• Lumopro LP 633 umbrella bracket
• Phottix double-fold umbrella
• Rogue Flashbender XL Pro
• Marmot waist bag I got on sale at Dick’s Sporting Goods
• Two Ansmann AA chargers
• 1 Nikon Battery charger

After all this, then the valuable socks and underwear go in:

That’s my travel kit for Pasadena.  I always try to be prepared for anything.

Like the American Express Card, there are some things I never leave home without.

That’s it for now.  Till I hit the ground in CA, happy packing!

Off to California

Tags

Beauty Headshot, CT Headshot Photographer, Headshot Photography, headshots, OCF, off camera flash, Over and Under Beauty light

Hi and welcome back.

Tomorrow I head to Pasadena, CA for the California PPA Conference and convention, where I’ll be working for Expoimaging speaking and shooting OCF.

I’ll be posting as long as I can access web service, so stay tuned!

I took this natural light shot on Venice Beach in 2008.  This is one of those you just had to be there.  I got two shots.  This is the first of the two; in the second the surfer had turned his head away from the sun.

Nikon D3, 70-200 vr

Let’s do a quick post on OCF and the Rogue Flashbenders.

The new XL Pro flashbender is amazing.  It’s large enough to do almost a full body shot and compact enough to fit in a large camera bag or roller bag.

In the BTS shot, I setup an over and under beauty style or clamshell lighting for Ricky.

On top is an XL Pro full size; on bottom is an XL Pro using the strip box attachment:

You can see the two light sources working.  The key gives great flat light while the fill or kicker light underneath fills the hard shadows for great smooth light.

Gear:

• Manfrotto 1052 BAC Lightstands
• SB910 and SB800 with battery packs
• Rogue XL Pro
• Pocket Wizard Plus III
• Exposure: 1/125 @ f/5.6, ISO 200, WB Daylight

Here’s a final:

Over and under beauty light is great headshot lighting.

That’s it for now.  Till next time in CA, happy shooting.

 

 

 

One Light Rogue Flashbender Portrait

Tags

CT Headshot Photographer, Expoimaging, Nikon, OCF, OCF Portraits, OCF Workshop, off camera flash, One Light Portraits, Rogue Flashbenders, Speedlight. Headshot Photographer, Speedlighting, Workshop

Hi and welcome back.

I’m winding down the OCF posts tomorrow as I’m preparing to leave for the Pasadena, CA PPA convention this weekend.  Hopefully I’ll be able to post from CA without issue if there’s time.

For today, let’s look at the simple one light portrait using a Large Rogue Flashbender.

Before Expoimaging released the XL Pro this year, the Large was the biggest size available.  I used to use these as my key lights before the XL Pro stole me away!

In the BTS shot, you can see my key light high and above my subject.  If you ever take a workshop with me, you’ll know that I place my key light here often.  This changes the look of your images and gets you away from the traditional 45×45 key light placement.

This is also a commercial style of look that you’ll see on many magazine covers.

Stacey is placed directly in front of a white wall and I’m using white masonite boards from a home center for any and all fill I can get from below.  There are no other light sources here.

Gear:

• Large Rogue Flashbender with diffusion panel
• Manfrotto 1052 BAC Lightstand
• Matthews Hollywood Grip Arm
• SB800 with Battery Pack
• Blowit Fan

Exposure: 1/125 @ f/5.6, ISO 200, WB Daylight

Nikon D3, 70-200 vr

Here’s the final right out of the camera:

This is a very simple look to execute and you can use any color background.  I love the look and use my key light high and overhead a great deal.

That’s it for now.  Till next time, get that light high!

 

Shooting into V-Flats

Tags

CT Headshot Photographer, Headshot Photographer, Lighting Techniques, Nikon, off camera flash, Off Camera Flash Techniques, Professional Photography, SB910, Studio Lighting Techniques, V-Flats

Hi and welcome back.

I missed yesterday’s post as I spent the day booking a ton of work and workshops for September.  I’ll have a list of what’s coming up very soon.

For today, we’ll be looking at shooting into v-flats.

V-Flats are a staple of the studio and are usually built out of 1/2 inch white foamcore or by assembling two reflectors into the shape of a V.  Then you bounce your flash into the corner of the V and let the light exit with a beautiful softness that only comes from more expensive softboxes.

V-Flats also serve in the studio as reflectors or flags when shooting normally.  You can get a bunch of different uses out of this simple system for only a few dollars.

Pick up 1/2 Foamcore or use 1″ or 1 1/2″ Polystyrene from a local home center to make your flats.  Simply put them on the floor and tape the long seam.  Don’t purchase 1/4″ or 3/16″ foamcore as it will bend easily and distort it’s shape.  1/2″ or thicker is the best choice.

Where I am located in CT, you can to go Hull’s Art Supply in New Haven to get your foamcore or the local Lowe’s or Home Depot for Polystyrene.

In NYC, go to Set Shop for all of this.

In the background shot, you can see my SB910 pointing directly into the corner of the V.  I simply placed my speedlight as close as I could get it into the intersection of the V-Flat and fired away at Manual Mode and 1/2 Power.

In this shot, I fired my SB910 to show how the light fills the V and exits to key light your subject.  Not only does light fill the corner, it bounces off the ceiling and floor to help with exposure.

With the light set, you stand with your back to the lightstand and shoot toward your subject, letting light wrap around you as it key lights your subject.

Gear:

• Manfrotto 1052 BAC Lightstand
• Nikon SB910 with SD9 Battery Pack
• Pocket Wizard Plus III
• Savage Studio Gray Seamless Paper
• Foamcore V-Flats

Exposure: 1/125 @ F/7.1, ISO 200, WB Daylight

In the final of Crysta, I posed her directly against the gray paper backdrop for a short drop shadow.  The light exited the V-Flat and lit her with a gorgeous soft and wrapping flat light.

This is simple and fun technique that really just mimics on or off camera bounce flash.  But the softness and beauty of the light is worth shooting with as you get large softbox looks for less money.

That’s it for now.  Till next time, keep bouncing that light.

The Pocket Wizard Flex: High Speed Sync and Hypersync

Hi and welcome back.

I recently ran a workshop with Milford Photo and Mac Group showcasing the versatility of the new Pocket Wizard Flex system.

One of the things I really wanted to show was the use of High Speed Sync for small flashes and Hypersync for strobe lighting.

The new Pocket Wizard System really lets you take your photography to the next level by allowing you to work in all kinds of lighting situations that were not possible before.

High Speed Sync is based on flash photography.  It allows you to use a shutter speed faster than your camera’s rated maximum synchronization speed, which is usually in the area of 1/200 or 1/250.  This is great for overpowering the sun or darkening a room to get rid of all the ambient light.

You have to remember though that High Speed Sync changes the flash output.  You no longer get…

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BH Hensel Shooting Presentation

Tags

Actor, BH Photo, BH Photo Event Space, CT Headshot Photographer, CT Headshots, Headshot Photographer, Hensel, Hensel Lighting, kit lights, Strobe lights, Workshops

Hi and welcome back.

Yesterday I ran a presentation on studio lighting at BH Photo Event Space.  Every time I go there to present or run a workshop, I’m honored to be considered in the company of great photographers who present there, including Joey Quintero, Moshe Zusman, Joe McNally, and Peter Hurley to name a few.

BH Event Space

I ran an event on Kit Strobes.  One of the best ways to enter the world of larger light sources is to purchase a kit.  The kit offers you starter gear and entry into a system of lighting.

I am sponsored by Hensel, so I use the Hensel 2 light kit.  All the proof images on this post were taken with just the kit gear.

Hensel USA

The two light Hensel Freemask kit includes:

• 2 Integra 500 WS Freemask lights
• 2 light stands
• 1 7″ reflector
• 1 30 degree grit
• 2 white umbrellas
• 1 Hensel Strobe Wizard
• Sync cord
• 2 umbrella reflectors
• 1 32″ 5-in-1 reflector
• 1 16×25 softbox with speedring

Hensel Kit from BH Photo

Roller bag

This is a comprehensive kit, so I was able to do a lot with just what I was given.

Here are a few proofs from yesterday using only the gear above:

If you are ready to enter the world of studio lighting, look at Hensel for great lights and plenty of modifiers for all of you needs.

That’s it for now.  Till next time, happy lighting!

 

Shooting Outside with OCF

Tags

CT Headshot Photographer, CT Model Photographer, Lastolite Ezybox, Model Photography, Nikon, OCF, off camera flash

Hi and welcome back.

We are nearing the end of my two week OCF posting session, but maybe next week we’ll continue?  I need to find more images with BTS shots.

Ok, for today we’ll take a look at shooting outside.

Working outside is fun and can yield some great images.  But the problem with OCF is that it is not powerful enough to over power the sun, so you need to move into the shade.  But shade can present it’s own issues.  On a bright sunny day, OCF becomes more of a fill light that a dedicated key light.

In this image of Thalita, I moved her into the shade of this long sidewalk that’s lined with greenery.  I created a nice and simple graphic and had her far enough from the background for it to go soft and mushy but got nice sharpness on her.

I used a Lastolite 24×24 or 60cm x 60cm softbox with a speedlight.  The light from the softbox was literally a fill light as I could have shot natural light here in the shade but the fill gave me just a touch of shadow detail in her face, which is what fill light should be doing for you.

The day was very sunny, but by posing Thalita in the shade, I was able to knock down some of the ambient light and use my speedlight as soft fill.  I got some shadow detail on her face which turns a two dimensional medium into three dimensions.  The light also helps to separate her from the background.

Gear:

• Manfrotto 1052 BAC Lightstand
• Nikon SB910 with SD9 Battery Pack
• Matthews 40″ Hollywood Grip Arm
• Lastolite 24×24 (60cm x 60cm) softbox
• Pocket Wizard Plus III

Exposure: 1/250 @ f/4.5, ISO 400, WB Daylight

Flash: Manual Mode @ 1/2 Power

As you can see from my exposure, I had to play a bit.  I knocked down shutter to 1/250 but increased ISO just a bit to balance out the foreground and background.  You need to play a bit here to get the desired result.

Here’s a final:

Simple and effective lighting on location!

That’s it for now.  Till next time, get outside and shoot: it’s Summer!