Photoshop Friday: Adding a Border

Tags

Actor, Actor Headshot Photographer, Adobe Photoshop, Bowens, Bowens Softbox, CT Actor Headshot Photographer, CT Headshot Photographer, Headshot, Headshot Phtographer, Interfit Monolight, Nikon, Photoshop, Photoshop Friday, Photoshop Tips, Sony

Hi and welcome back.

This is a simple technique that I use all the time.  The Actor headshot requires you to add borders to images and names to the bottom of your headshot so the casting director knows right away who you are.

Adding borders is simple.  Here is how I do it:

Here is my image ready to be cropped.  As I need to make an 8×10 final image, I crop my image to a specific size first: 

Here I chose the Crop tool and set my parameters to Width 7.5 and Height 9 inches.  I chose this size at it allows me to add my border perfectly for an 8×10:

I set my crop and then hit ok: 

Here is my image cropped and ready for my white border: 

To add the border, go to Image>Canvas Size and click to get the size box up:

Here I choose my width to be 8 inches and height to be 9.5 inches.  The height gives me a continuous border that is the same size on all four sides.

Where it says Anchor, keep all the arrows pointing out from the center, which is my image.

On the bottom of the box where is says Canvas Extension Color, I chose white but you can choose black or gray as well:

Here is the image with the continuous border:

Now I go back to Image>Canvas Size, click again, and then change Height to 10 and Anchor to showing all the bottom and right and left sides.  This allows me to change my height on the bottom only: 

Here is my image in the 8×10 format with a 1″ border on the bottom and 1/2″ on three sides: 

Now I go to the Text box and set my font, set my text size, and then color to add the name on the lower right corner of the image:

Here is the final ready to be saved as and delivered to the client:

Here are the before and after’s:

You can add a border to any image and set the bottom a bit thicker so that you can add a name or title or anything else you need.

I supply my actors with both images so they can use them for castings and in their book if needed.

That’s it for today.  Till next time, happy bordering!

Location Lighting with the New Interfit S1 Monolight

Tags

Actor, Actor headshot, california sunbounce, CT Actor Headshot Photographer, Female Model, Interfit Ambassador, Interfit S1, Location lighting, Location Lighting workshops, Location Strobe Lighting, Model, Sony

Hi and welcome back.

I love shooting with a one light solution.  First, there is only a small amount of gear to travel with and you can get great results by learning how to see and use the light around you to light effectively.  You don’t need more that one or two lights to really get amazing results.  But you should master one light before heading to two, three, four, or more.

Last Sunday I shot Despina.  She came from Danbury, so we met on location in Derby, which is about half way in between Danbury and Milford.  So I need a location lighting kit that would be consistent, lightweight, and give me great light.

I chose to shoot with the new Interfit S1.  I did a review of this light a while back.  If you are interested, here is a link:

Interfit Blog Post

I shoot with a single battery powered strobe and a reflector.  Here I used my California Sunbounce Micro Mini with the grip head to attach the reflector to a lightstand.  The CS system is pricey, but worth it!  I’ve owned mine for about 9 years and love it.

I shoot most of my headshots with a 2×3 softbox too.

Here is my current location strobe light gear list:

Interfit S1

Bowens Lumiair 2×3 softbox

Matthews C-Stand

Pocket Wizards Radio Triggers

California Sunbounce Micro Mini with grip head

Manfrotto 1052 BAC lightstand for the reflector

Here is a BTS shot.  We worked at an abandoned factory in Derby, CT.  I chose to use the shade on this bright sunny day and the red and green background to contrast her blue denim jumper and that awesome mane of red-brown hair.

I also love and use a great deal the over/under or clamshell style of light for these shots.  It is simple to setup and execute for beautiful, well-lit images.  You can see the Interfit S1 battery powered strobe on the C-Stand.  I shot 212 frames at a low power level and the battery and light performed flawlessly.  I got excellent recycle time and didn’t miss a shot.

You can also see the reflector under the light.  I prefer the silver side of the unit, but adjust between silver or white depending on the amount of fill I want.  Here I used silver.

Here is a proof image straight-out-of-the-camera:

Lighting this was is simple, quick, effective, and allows you to get great shots ever time.

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

Photoshop Friday

Tags

Actor, Adobe, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Lesson, Adobe Photoshop Tips, B/W, black and white, Black and White conversion in Photoshop, CT Actor Headshot Photographer, CT Headshot Photograher, Model, Simple Black and White

Hi and welcome back.

Today let’s take a look at a simple black and white conversion.

Black and white images area powerful and beautiful.  Without the noise of color, there is an understated elegance to a black and white image.

In this image, I want to go to B/W and then push contrast a bit.

Open your image in PS and copy the background layer using CTRL>J

Use the Keystroke command CTRL>J to copy the background layer or drag and drop your background layer over the little icon on the bottom that looks like a sticky note pad with a dogeared page next to the trash bin:

For a simple and fast conversion without having to deal or with with the RGB channels, just add a Hue/Saturation layer by clicking on the half black/half white icon on the bottom of the layer palette and and drop all of the saturation out of the image:

On top of that layer, add a Brightness/Contrast layer and push the contrast up a bit.  A simple desaturation will leave you image lacking contrast between the highlights and shadows:

Voila!  Here is a beautiful b/w conversion.  Use the Contrast slider to taste as some images may need more or less contrast:

Here is the side-by-side example.  Now I have a beautiful b/w image that only took a few seconds to create.

I’ll be at Unique Photo tomorrow, so I hope to see you there!

Till then, happy shooting.

BH Photo Event Space and Set A Light Software

Tags

Actor, california sunbounce, Capture One Pro 8, Corporate Headshots, CT Actor Headshot Photographer, CT Headshot Photographer, Elixxier, headshots, Model, Nikon SB910, NYC Headshot Photographer, one light, Photoflex Umbrella, Set A Light, Set A Light Software

Hi and welcome back.

Last Thursday I was at the BH Photo Event Space teaching a quick one light workshop.

I’ve been struggling with getting Behind-the-Scenes or BTS shots when working in such confined quarters.  Until I just found Set A Light from Elixxier.

Set A Light

This software allows you to build sets and then export them to assistants, clients, or anyone who needs it.

And, it does it in 3D modeling.  Simply add your information, grab lighting, modifiers, and tools from the kit and build a set and then export it to a PDF for email or print.

Here’s a sample.  I’ll have a larger, more detailed post on the software soon.

Here’s my image:

SB910, Reflective Umbrella

Here’s the Set A Light diagram converted from PDF to Jpeg:

Here’s my second image:

SB910, Reflective Umbrella, California Sunbounce Reflector

Here’s my Set A Light Diagram for the above setup:

You can see how I added a reflector and a camera for position.

This is a great software that allows you to build a set and then have it ready before your shoot or have an easily translatable diagram for a BTS setup shot.

Many thanks to Julie Dawson for coming in to BH Event Space to model for me that day.  I’ll have more on that event and a detailed post on Set A Light soon.

Till then, happy shooting!

 

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!

 

Jess’s Actor Headshot

Tags

Actor, Actor headshot, Actor Headshots CT, Capture One Pro 6, Headshot, Nikon, Profoto, X Rite Color Checker Passport and Capture One

Hi and welcome back.

Last week Jess came in for updated actor headshots not only for her portfolio but for a part she’s auditioning in a theatrical production.

I set up my usual actor headshot lighting, but this time used a Lastolite Triflector under her face instead of my California Sunbounce Micro Mini.

The Triflector is an amazing reflector that has 3 adjustable sides, so you can get full wrapping reflective light or drop one side or both to adjust your reflective light for male or female or for whatever effect you like.

I simply love this new addition to my kit!!

Check out our results:

Perfect exposure, composition, model, and everything needed for the actor headshot.

Need a new one, don’t hesitate to contact me anytime.

Till next time, happy shooting!