The Model Polaroid Sitting

Tags

CT Model Headshot Photographer, CT Model Portfolio, Model, Model Headshot, Model Photographer, Model Polaroids, Model Portfolio, modeling, Polaroids

Hi and welcome back.

I’ve had a request to add a post on the model polaroid sitting.  The term polaroid to describe this look is a holdover from the film days when a polaroid camera was used to get immediate photos for a models book or during a casting.  This allowed the agency to have access to photos of the model for future use.

The look today is also called digitals.

Currently, some agencies require only a few images, but when I shoot polaroids I give the model 9 shots so that he or she is covered for every agency.  Some agencies require all the shots and some only a headshot and full body or some combination of images.

Normally, the sitting is done with the model in a two piece bathing suit and includes these looks.

If you have long hair, pull it back into a ponytail so the agent can see your face.  You can always let it out upon request.

The shots include:

Headshot front

Headshot side

2/3 body front, one side, right and left on an angle to the camera

Full body front, side, back

I always include all of the shots in the sitting so the model is covered to send images to agencies with differing requirements.

I use a single strobe light and a large softbox, like a 3 x 4 to get plenty of soft light.

Once I have taken all the shots, I put them into an 8.5 x 11 format for the model’s book, like this: 

Polaroids can be done with a smartphone: they don’t need to be done professionally.  But if I shoot a model portfolio, I offer it as part of the package so the model leaves with a complete set of updated images.

Currently, I’ve seen polaroids done in clothing, almost like a simple commercial fashion look.  I’ve not shot them that way, but it would seem to be easy to accomplish to send images to an agency.

I hope this helps!

Till next time, keep shooting!

Change Your Lighting Look By Turning Lights On or Off

Tags

Actor headshot, Actor Headshot Photographer, beauty, Boston OCF Workshops, Boston Workshops, brunette, CT Beauty Headshot Photographer, CT Model Headshot Photographer, high key, Mid Key, Model Headshot, Nikon, OCF, OCF Workshops, Sony, Theia Studios, Theia Studios Workshops

Hi and welcome back.

One of the simplest ways to change the look of an image is to just turn lights on or off.

The High Key style actor headshot went out of fashion a few years ago in my marketplace; however, I still do shoot it if the client wants it.  I prefer darker backgrounds, so the best way to quickly and efficiently do two looks with your client is to just turn the backlights off.

In this BTS shot, we can see the High Key headshot look all setup and shoot ready.

Key: SB910, Photoflex Shoot Through Umbrella

Fill: California Sunbounce Micro Mini, silver side

Back: 2 SB800’s with Large Rogue Flashbenders acting as flags

So with my setup ready to go, I shot the High Key look:

Then, I went to a completely different look, more out of the actor high key to the model mid key look: just by turning my back lights off.

Looking for a quick and efficient way to add looks for your client?  Just turn some lights off; it’s as simple as that!

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

Photoshop Friday, a Workshop Saturday, and Headshot Day Sunday

Tags

Acting, Actor headshots, CT, CT Actor Headshot Photographer, CT Headshot Photographer, CT Model Headshot Photographer, CT Workshops, Interfit S1, Lighting Workshops, Model Headshots, modeling, New Haven, NYC Headshot Photographer

Hi and welcome back.

I’m going to tackle three topics here, starting with Photoshop Friday on an actual Friday!

For today, I’ll show you how to do a simple color correction with the setting in PS and a keystroke command.  Need a quick correction, this is it.

On my image, I have a lot of warm light.  This was due to the sun coming in over my client’s shoulders and reflecting off of my silver reflector.  I like the warmth but I think it needs a bit of adjustment to bring the color back to neutral, removing the warm tone:

After bringing your image into PS, create a new layer over the top of the original so once you make your adjustment you can toggle in between the two to see the effective change you made.  Hit CTRL>J to make a copy or drag and drop the image over the new layer icon, the page with the dog ear on the lower right corner of the palette:

On the top of Photoshop, click the Image icon, choose Mode, and then choose Auto Color or do the keystroke command, which once learned is fast and easy and if you don’t like it, just drag and drop the layer you created to the trash can and start over:

SHIFT>COMMAND>B

Once you click the command or choose the adjustment, voila!  You have a corrected image.  The tone is still there but her shirt is whiter as so are her eyes and teeth.

This is a simple way to get great results with just a few clicks!

Now, onto this weekend:

Saturday: 

Location Strobe Lighting Workshop

I’m a new Interfit Ambassador and have received a full complement the new Interfit S1 battery powered monolights.

Interfit S1

I’m still in the shake-out phase, but let’s get together and shoot location strobe lighting.

The new S1’s compete directly with the Profoto B1 and B2’s for half the price.  The difference: the S1’s come with batteries for location work and an inverter for mains power.  You can shoot plugged in to a wall outlet inside and then go outside with the same light.  It is quite ingenious.

 

Date: June 11, 2016

Location: The courtyard behind the Shubert Theater, New Haven, see map below

Time: 11-3, early enough to beat the traffic and get home in time to cook out

Cost: $160.00, use Paypal link above or text: 203-540-8821

 

During this 3 hour workshop I’ll cover:

Headshots

Fashion

Editorial

And simple light setups to really explore the power of location strobe lighting.

Model supplied and TBD

The location is behind the Shubert Theater in the courtyard in the center of the block.  You can enter from Crown, Temple, College, or Chapel streets.

This is an awesome spot to shoot in New Haven, so let’s take advantage of it and shoot location strobes!

Sunday: 

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

Headshot day may be moved from the Courtyard Marriott to a location due to costs involved.

If you want to attend the workshop or get new headshots, at this time it is best to call or text asap to get your spot:

203-540-8821

That’s it for now, till next time, get outside it’s gorgeous here in the North East!

Saturday’s Workshop and Photoshop Friday

Tags

beauty, CT Model Headshot Photographer, Dark Beauty, Low Key Headshot, Model, Model Photography, Nikon, NYC Model Headshot Photographer, NYC OCF workshops, NYC Photography Workshops, NYC workshops, Photoshop Tips, Sony, Space4Shoots, Space4Shoots workshop

Hi and welcome back.

Saturday’s NYC workshop is a go.  We have light attendance, so there is room for more!  On the fence, get out of the crazy April weather and join us inside Space4Shoots and learn small flash photography and get portfolio images.

You can register with my Paypal link above or call with atm/cc card info.

On to Photoshop Friday.

Today’s tip is a simple one: Adjusting Exposure.

Sometimes factors don’t allow you to get the correct exposure in camera.  Sometimes you just miss the shot and guess what, your client loves the shot that may be over or underexposed.

This headshot looked perfect on my camera screen and yet is is a bit underexposed.  So here is a quick fix using layers.

After bringing the shot into PS, copy the background layer using Ctrl-J:

This layer allows you to work above the original and not harm the original.

Then, go down to the Half Black, Half White circle on the bottom of the palette and click to choose Levels:

Now you have a new layer just for exposure adjustment and a panel above with a histogram.

The histogram favors the blacks as the image is low key.  However, the right or white side shows a bit of underexposure as detail does not go all the way to the right.  Just grab the slider and drag it to the left to where the histogram mountain begins:

Once you’ve dragged your slider, you have a layer mask on the right to add or subtract you edit from parts of the image.  More on that later.

Now you have adjusted your image, you need to add a layer above the adjustment so that you can keep working.

Simply use the keystroke: Shift-Alt-Command-E to get a new working layer above it all:

Here is a before and after of my adjusted image:

Now I’m ready to start retouching.  I’ll cover basic retouching in a later post.

That’s it for today.  If you are interested in the workshop tomorrow in NYC, sign on as there is room.

Questions?  Call or text: 203-540-8821

Till next time, happy exposure!

The CT Headshot Workshop, Saturday, February 6

Tags

Bowens, CT Actor Headshot Photographer, CT Corporate Headshot Photographer, CT Headshot Photographer, CT headshot workshops, CT Model Headshot Photographer, CT OCF Workshops, Godox, Headshot Photographer, Nikon, Photoflex, Phottix, Sony

Hi  Everyone,

As per request at the last BH Event Space presentation, I’ll be running a Headshot Workshop in CT this weekend.

I’m opening this workshop up to 15 attendees so book early!

Come and join me as I teach how to accomplish multiple looks with just small flashes and simple gear.

We’ll work for 3 hours at Roger Salls Studio, 80 Ferry Blvd, Stratford, CT

I’ll cover: corporate, actor, model, beauty, creative lighting, inside and outside weather dependent.

Details:

Date:Saturday, February 6, 2016

Location: Roger Salls Studio

Time: 11-2

Attendees: 15

Price: $100.00, please use Paypal link above to register and pay

Gear:

Up to 3 small flashes

Bowens Softbox

Phottix Luna Beauty Dish

Umbrella

Rogue Flashbenders

Godox S-Mount Bracket

Learn how to set up, pose, and shoot these headshot looks with simple gear.

Model TBD.

Shoot Through Umbrella Outside

Tags

CT Headshot Photographer, CT Model Headshot Photographer, CT Model Photographer, CT Photographer, Elixxier, OCF, One Speedlight 16 looks, Set A Light Software, Speedlights

Hi and welcome back.

While going through some old files, I came across a portfolio shoot I did a few years back and thought way a great way to end the week than to have a post on using speed lights outside.

For the initial test shot, I used the natural light.  Here is my test shot, without any flash or modified light:

I liked but didn’t love the shot, so I added a speed light and shoot through umbrella for to add light on my subject but try and not overpower her in the natural light.

Here’s my lit shot:

Notice how much better the image is with just a small key on the subject.

I used a single speed light with a Photoflex 45″ shoot through umbrella for this shot.

Exposure:

1/200 @ f/5.6, ISO 400, WB Daylight

Both of the above shots are proofs out of the camera, no retouching.

Below is my BTS shot.  This was one of the rare occasions that I remembered to shoot the BTS!  Notice how simple my setup is to get the shot.

Not to be outdone and wanting to use my new Set-A-Light software, if I forgot the BTS shot, I can build one in only a few minutes using Set-A-Light.

The background is pretty cool, and even though it doesn’t match what was in real life, it is a good way to produce a setup or BTS shot simply and easily in software.

Shooting speedlghts, especially with umbrellas, is a fast and easy way to add light to your scene and also learn lighting when in the studio or on location as the setup doesn’t require much work at all.

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

The Fall Headshot Sale!

Tags

Actor Headshot Photographer, CT Actor Headshot Photographer, CT Headshot Photographer, CT Model Headshot Photographer, CT Model Photographer, CT Model Portfolio, Model Photographer, portrait photography, professional photographer

Hi and welcome back.

Usually in the Fall or early Spring I’ll run a sale on my headshot sittings.

This one is for Actors and Models alike.

Details: 

Cost: $180.00

Deposit: $100.00 to book your spot, balance on the day

Place: Studio, 233 Boston Post Rd, Orange, CT

30 minute sitting

1 studio look, 1 natural light look

2 wardrobe looks

Online gallery

1 finished image

Extras: 

DVD of the sitting $100.00

Hair and makeup $100.00, you pay stylist directly

Contact me directly to go over the sitting and pay the time retainer: 203-641-2880 or bob@robertharringtonstudios.com