Attaching a California Sunbounce Tube Frame to a Lightstand

Tags

california sunbounce, California Sunbounce Micro Mini, CT Headshot Photographer, CT Headshots, Nikon, Reflector, Reflector Systems, Silver White Reflectors, Sony

Hi and welcome back.

Since the price drop of the California Sunbounce Micro Mini, I’ve had several emails about the system, especially about attaching it to a lightstand.

Here is a blog re-post from a while back explaining how I do it and how you can do it cheaply.

If you have any questions about the system, email me: bob@robertharringtonstudios.com

Attaching a California Sunbounce Reflector to a Lightstand

I get this question often.  The California Sunbounce reflector system is, I think, the best on the market.  However, you do pay for that quality!

California Sunbounce

The CS Micro Mini was the first piece of professional gear I purchased after my camera and lenses, and it has been with me for 8 years!

I currently own 2 Micro Minis, 1 4×6, and one of the 36″ Sunswatters.

The great thing about the CS system, is that it is based on an aluminum tube frame so that it is sturdy, the fabric stays taut, and you can attach it to a light stand so you can work alone.

 

However, attaching it to a light stand can be tricky since CS discontinued their Grip Head Pro a few years back in favor of the new Enterprise bracket, which is cumbersome at best.  But there is a workaround!

The original Grip Head Pro was a traditional 2.5 inch grip head with a hole just the right size for the CS tube, which is a metric size:

This wonderful and small bracket, and if you are reading Amy, my CS contact, you need to bring that back into production, was replaced by a bracket called the Enterprise.

The Enterprise allows you to attach either of the CS tube sizes: the small for reflectors and the large for the Sun Swatter or other products.  This unit is big, bulky, and does not fit into your bag well:

But here’s the workaround: Purchase a Matthews 2.5″ Grip head, use Matthews as the head is made of brushed aluminum and then simply bring it to a machine shop with a tube section from your CS reflector.  For the about $40.00, a 12 pack of beer, or a Box of Joe and some donuts, you can have the original grip head for less money.  And it works!!

It is important to bring a tube sample from the reflector so the machinist can match the tube size.

This is a great solution to fix the problem and get that reflector on a light stand so you can work alone.

Matthews 2.5″ Grip Head

Thanks and till next time, keep reflecting!

 

Weekend Update

Tags

Actor headshots, CT Actor Headshot Photographer, CT Headshot Photographer, CT Headshots, Model headshot photographer, Model Headshots

Hi Everyone,

The Strobe Light workshop for today has been cancelled due to inclement weather coming through by noon today.

I will reschedule for next Saturday and post all the information on Monday.

Tomorrow’s Headshot Day is still on and we’ll be working inside, so if you need new headshots, join in and get great shots for a discounted rate:

Headshot Day

I’m running a headshot day on June 12, 2016.

I’ve been working with Karen Wagner Talent and IMTA and am offering any model or actor who needs new headshots a chance to get them before the IMTA event.

But this is also open to anyone needing a headshot.

Here are the details:

Location: Courtyard Marriott, 136 Marsh Hill Rd, Orange, CT, directly off of exit 41, I-95, Go to Conference Room A

Date: June 12, 2016

Sitting Details: 

• 30 minute sittings, starting at 10:00 am
• Cost: $200.00
• Deposit of $100.00 to book, balance at your sitting, please add 3.8% for atm/cc card fees
• You receive all the images from the sitting delivered electronically
• Two lighting and wardrobe looks
• One professionally retouched image in hi res and web ready.

I am also offering hair and makeup for $80 on that day.  

Book Now: 203-540-8821 or bob@robertharringtonstudios.com

The January 10th Beauty Headshot Workshop

Tags

Beauty Headshot, CT Beauty Headshot Photographer, CT Headshot Photographer, CT Headshots, CT OCF Workshops, CT Workshops, Expoimaging, Nikon, OCF, OCF Workshops, Phottix, Rogue, Rogue Flashbenders, Rogue Grids, Rogue XL Pro, Sony, Workshops

Hi and welcome back.

On Sunday, January 10, I’ll be running a beauty headshot workshop.  The beauty headshot is one of my absolute favorite things to shoot.

We’ll be shooting two different beauty looks: one clean and one with a bit harder, more direct light and creative makeup.

I’ll show you how to get amazing results with just a few speed lights and modifiers.

Here are the details: 

Location: Studio 52 North, Middletown, CT

Date: January 10, 2016

Time: 12-3

Looks: First look is clean beauty, second look is creative beauty with creative makeup

Cost: $160.00, use the link or the Paypal link on top of the page.  

Our first look is clean beauty using: 

Phottix Luna Beauty Dish

Our second look is totally creative using: 

Rogue Grids

Rogue XL Pro with the strip grid

Our model for the day is Laina:

This workshop will run slightly differently.  Laina will be in hair and makeup from 11-12 so we can shoot from 12-1.  After the first look and hour of shooting, she’ll head back into styling for creative makeup and hair while we set up the second set of lights.  The second look is a very specific lighting, so we’ll all engage in setting it up to shoot and learn how to do it.

Don’t forget, all my workshops are shooting workshops so don’t forget your camera, lenses, batteries, and cards to shoot, shoot, shoot, this amazing look.

Any questions, email or call:

bob@robertharringtonstudios.com

203-540-8221

I hope to see you there!

 

The Glamour Headshot

Tags

Actor headshots, Capture one Pro 7, CT Actor Headshot Photographer, CT Glamour Headshot Photographer, CT Headshot Photographer, CT Headshots, CT Photographer, Profoto, Profoto Lighting

Hi and welcome back.

Last week Ely came in for a headshot sitting.  When I took one look at her, I decided to go for over and under lighting to highlight her amazing look.

For this shot, I did something a bit different.  I took my 1×4 strip soft box, turned it sideways, and lit her hair and shoulders very lightly with some edge light.  This worked just as well as a dedicated grid or gridded soft box.

If you have a long soft box, use the edge of it to light the hair and shoulders by turning it sideways.  You can get 2′ of soft box into the setup without getting the box or light stand into the frame.

Nikon D3, 105 f/2 lens

Profoto Acute 600e.

Key: 2×3 soft box with California Sunbounce Micro Mini as fill

Hair and shoulder: 1×4 strip box on edge

Background: 20 degree grid with 2, 1 stop neutral density gels to bring down the output

Pack and head systems of lighting typically have the key and fill lights separated by 1 stop, but if you need to decrease output, then neutral density gels are the way to go as you can add or subtract as needed.

I get mine here: Barn Door Lighting

Here’s a BTS of the setup:

And here’s a final from the day:

This was an amazing shoot.  Not only because of Ely, but because I found a new way to use an existing piece of gear in a different way.

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

The Fall Headshot Sale Extended!

Tags

Actor headshots, CT Actor Headshot Photographer, CT Actor Headshots, CT Headshot Photographer, CT headshot sale, CT Headshots

Hi and welcome back.

Realizing that September 6 and 7 are early in the school year and many of us are getting our kids situated, I’m extending the Fall Headshot Sale and am booking in for September 27 and 28.

The deal: 

$180.00

$100.00 deposit required to book, balance due on that day.

30 minute sitting

Online gallery

1 retouched image

Extras: 

Hair and makeup are $100.00 and you pay stylist directly

DVD of entire session: $100.00

You must call to book: 203-641-2880

Here’s a flyer:

Hope to see you then!

Shooting in Natural Light

Tags

Actor headshots, California Sunbounce Micro Mini, CT Actor Headshot Photographer, CT Headshot Photographer, CT Headshots, natural light, Natural Light Headshots, Nikon

Hi and welcome back.

My last post was on mounting the California Sunbounce reflector to a light stand.  Now let me show you how to use it for natural light photography.

Being able to mount a reflector allows you to work alone and have a stable platform for your reflector.  You don’t need to have your subject hold it, have it precariously balanced on a knee or against a wall or rock or chair, or have an assistant.

This is how I shoot most of my natural light shots.  I set the reflector, white or silver side depending on amount of fill and contrast needed, low and then position it to the best angle to get the fill I want.

These two shots were taken in the same location with the same system:

 

 

 

 

 

This last shot was taken in my driveway.  We headed to the beach for our session but the light was so strong and reflecting off of the sand, we decided to head over to the shade of my home.  In the driveway I set a bench and a small bucket so she could put her foot up.  I set my reflector the same was as above and got the shot:

I’ve been shooting  more and more natural light lately and love the simplicity of a camera, lens, and a simple modifier.

Till next time, happy shooting!

Long Island and NYC Glamour!

Tags

105 f/2 lens, Beauty headshots, CT Headshot Photograher, CT Headshots, Glamour Headshots, headshots, Hensel, Nikon, Studio Lighting, Studio Photography

Hi and welcome back.

On January 17 and 18 I’ll be running consecutive glamour workshops at Berger Camera’s Learning Center, Huntington, Long Island.

If you shoot glamour or want to learn or add to your portfolio, then join in the fun!

You can register here or call Victoria at Berger: (631)-264-4160

Berger Glamour

Right after, I’ll be in NYC running anther Glamour workshop on January 25.  I’ll be renting space and teaching everything you need to add glamour to your business or portfolio.  Professional NYC talent and Stylist will be on site.

For all the details, call or email: 203-641-2880 or rvh34@hotmail.com

Hope to see you there!

Now on to lighting.

For Mackenzie’s head shots, we did a few different lighting techniques and got different results.  She also changed from something less formal to a black dress; much more formal.

In the first shot, I did a simple 4 light setup using my Key in the traditional 45×45 setting with a reflector for fill.  I’ve been using more and more light lately to wrap my subject and add edge separation light.

Key and strip boxes are Hensel 500’s

Background is a 20 degree grid and Hensel 1200 Porty

Here’s the BTS:

 

 

 

Here’s a final:

 

After knocking out the basic shot in the classic style, I switched to the over and under beauty shot.  Key above is the Hensel 500 with a Phottix Luna Beauty dish and California Sunbounce Micro Mine reflector below.  Edge lights are the same as before.

BTS:

 

You can see not only the difference in the light as the large soft box light is a bit softer and warmer than the second shot where the beauty dish is a bit cooler and has more contrast, especially with the silver reflected fill from below.

 

I prefer the look and light of the second shot for a more glamour type beauty look.  She needed images for a dance competition: Good Luck Mackenzie!!

That’s it for now.  Till next time, stay glamorous!!

The Nikon 105 f/2 DC Lens

Tags

Corporate Headshots, CT Headshot Photographer, CT Headshots, headshots, Hensel, Model Headshots, Nikon, Nikon f/2 DC

Hi and welcome back.

The Nikon 105 f/2 DC or Defocus Control Lens is a lens that’s been sitting on my shelf for quite a while gathering dust.  My favorite lens, the 70-200 vr, dominates my work and gives me fabulous results.

But, with traveling so much now, I decided to dust off the 105, remove the 70-200, and lighten my bag a bit.  The 70-200 is a monster, but the tiny 105 is so much smaller and lighter that it really helped out when lifting my Tenba roller into an airplane’s overhead compartment.

The 105 is a specialty lens designed specifically for portrait work.  The Defocus control allows you to control the Bokeh or out-of-focus areas in the background and the foreground or creating a soft focus effect on the foreground it you want.  I usually keep the defocus ring set to Zero, for no effect, or f/2 on the Rear, so I can shoot at any aperture and get a background that looks like f/2.

If you don’t shoot a great deal of portraits or headshots, then the lens is not worth the expense.

It is brutally sharp, like macro sharp, and renders out-of-focus backgrounds perfectly.  From f/2 on, it is the perfect portrait lens.  It has an bigger brother, the 135 DC, but I find the 105 to be just right.

You have to remember, though, that as a prime lens, you need to zoom with your feet!

In this corporate shot, my aperture was f/11 in camera but the DC ring was set to f/2.  With my subject only about 3 feet from the blue paper backdrop, the foreground is perfectly sharp and the background falls out of focus immediately, eliminating the need for any softening in post process.

The lens really shines as a natural light lens.

I dug through my archive to pull these proof shots out.  Shot at f/4.5 at ISO 800 and with the DC control set to f/2, Stacey’s eyes are perfectly sharp and yet the falloff from the Defocus control is perfect.  She was sitting in an alcove at my studio only 2-3 feet from the walls and yet they fell right out of focus immediately.

I did a quick zoom with my feet, that is I stepped closer, and got this tight headshot.

Perfect!

BH Link: Nikon 105 f/2 DC

This is an awesome lens!  As I rarely do gear posts, you can Google it for copious reviews online.

I think the reason it stayed on the shelf is the fact that I got lazy.  Why move when you can just zoom a lens?

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

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!