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2 New Headshots

McGregNi
Posted 26/06/2018 - 02:29 Link
Aiming to solve the problems of portraits in a confined living space, here are a couple of recent ones where I have managed to avoid the light spill onto the black curtains behind. I did this by really squeezing the subject onto a small defined spot, with the lights very close in, and zooming in to remove most space around the edges. I think with a bit of careful positioning and getting angles right, we domestic portrait shooters can avoid the expense and extra space demanded by studio backdrops and the stands and things this would all entail.

The main light is from a white umbrella, and the backlight is a 60x60cm softbox.

K7 - D FA28-105mm - Cactus V6II / RF60x Flashes (x2) - ISO 100 - F9.5 - 1/180th




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My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver
pschlute
Posted 26/06/2018 - 04:28 Link
Excellent Nigel. These are professional quality. Helpful explanation of the technique as always.
razashaikh
Posted 26/06/2018 - 05:24 Link
Perfectly done!
McGregNi
Posted 26/06/2018 - 05:27 Link
Thankyou Peter and Raza
My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver
stub
Posted 26/06/2018 - 08:02 Link
Good work Nigel.. Loving the experimentation. Keep it up. In my view the hair light is a tad too strong, and the keylight needs to be brought more around to the left.. Not to keen on the dark drama shadow for young kids.. But others and yourself may prefer it that way..


need a reflector to help with the shadows under the chin...
K-1Gripped K-1 ungripped K-5ii K7 Various lenses

Stuart..
Edited by stub: 26/06/2018 - 08:04
McGregNi
Posted 26/06/2018 - 09:02 Link
Thanks, some good things to try there ... I'm determined to get my photos looking as far away from the "School Portrait" look as possible (at our school this seems to try to reproduce the look of the artic during a white out, with two giant umbrellas blasting at the kids from both sides evenly.) Anything that's not like that is a plus for me!

Here's a quick phone shot showing the working space for these images . I hope to encourage people to try this even if they don't have much space or studio equipment. The angle of shooting had to exclude the sofa while ensuring that the curtain covers the whole area visible behind the subject .....a bit tight!


Comment Image
My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver
Edited by McGregNi: 26/06/2018 - 09:04
johnriley
Posted 26/06/2018 - 09:37 Link
It just goes to show how little space can be required for fine studio shots.

I remember seeing pictures of how old crowd scenes were filmed in Holywood (in the black and white days of film) and they didn't waste an inch of space beyond what they were actually shooting.
Best regards, John
DSP121
Posted 26/06/2018 - 10:46 Link
So cute kids!
Gajan
Posted 26/06/2018 - 11:15 Link
WOW! Very sharp and detailed shots, Nigel!
Best Regards,

Gajan

Flickr : link

Pentax K-1, D-FA 28-105mm, FA 77mm, D FA 100mm Macro
Pentax K-5, 18-135 mm, 55-300mm
Pentax K100D Super, 18-55mm
stub
Posted 26/06/2018 - 13:14 Link
Having a lighting ratio is correct.. We don't want flat light so to speak. It stands out to me here there was no fill light. Or as I say bounce the keylight off a reflector.. Or use that terrific window light … But having said that I don't want to sound downbeat they are great images...… And I agree lets have more giving it a go.... Especially as godox are now soon to adding Pentax to there firmware updates..
K-1Gripped K-1 ungripped K-5ii K7 Various lenses

Stuart..
Edited by stub: 26/06/2018 - 13:17
MrB
Posted 26/06/2018 - 13:18 Link
Wonderful images, Nigel.

Quote: "I did this by really squeezing the subject onto a small defined spot..." -
Perhaps you should add, "...but no children were harmed in the making of these images."

Cheers.
Philip
McGregNi
Posted 26/06/2018 - 16:44 Link
Thanks everyone ..... John, next time we have a kids party I'll wedge them all in there and try some crowd scenes! You're right, for me its about making use of what we've got, that includes equipment and space. If we keep waiting for everything to be ideal we'll miss the chances.

Stuart, I will try a reflector, although I was going for a higher contrast look. Thanks also DSP121, Gajan and Philip, thanks for your feedback! Philip, all survived the experience this time, although I admit that flash photography with small kids does come with it's frustrations at times!
My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver

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