Stan, let me have your email and I'll send you a price list

Thanks for all the comments guys.

DanielH and Pentaxophile I appreciate the comment about the vignetting. TBH I just found the option in LR4 and had a play. I would imagine that it's a 'marmite' thing but it's a simple effect to add and is an option that some clients might like. My daughter loved it, my wife didn't. Hey ho.

The lighting setup for the high key shots was 2 D-Lite 4s fitted with reflectors and directed at the white background from either side metered to give a f11 exposure. The subject was lit with a single D-Lite One through a 66cm softbox, to the left of the camera, metered at f8. this should have given a 1 stop difference and 'bown out' the background whilst leaving the subject nicely lit. Unfortunately I couldn't find my black flags to prevent light from the back lights creeping forward and I think that has made some difference. This meant that Had to do a fair bit of cloning and burning to hide the creases etc. Which isn't as good as it should have been. Additionally Ellen has such lovely, fly away, blond hair that doesn't contrast that well with the white making the PP very difficult. However, enough excuses. Your point on harsh lighting is noted and something I need to focus on.

smudge
Thanks for the idea but I wanted a portable solution which allows for those floor/infinity shots. This is the one I'm using linkand I think it will work I just need to practice a bit more. This was my first real attempt at High Key (I prefer the Low Key look personally). I may need to look at some kind of 'stretching device' to get the floor tighter.

Just added my 'flag'

Mark
Thanks for the feedback. I especially appreciate it from a professional such as yourself. I've just looked at your website and I can't decide whether to be depressed or inspired

There is a distinct downside to this kind of portable backdrop. The black and white 'trains' are very prone to creasing. Which then needs too much PP to be efficient.

Such as here:



My aim is to get it 'right in camera' and only spend PP time with minor tweaks or adding specific effect (vignetting, B&W, etc.)

I do have a proper 3m wide paper roll system which I hope to get installed in the garage soon. This should help. In the meantime I am going to experiment with a sheet of clear or white perspex for the floor shots.

To begin with, I am hoping to offer evening and weekend, home portrait sessions so I need to practice with this setup to get it right.

LennyBloke
Thanks for the vote of confidence. I have been trained in a fairly 'traditional' (some say boring) style of portrait photography with a standard lighting setup. Eventually, once I am more comfortable, I shall try and be more 'creative'.

I still have a few more 'boxes to tick' before I go 'live' but, hoepfully this year, I shall be officially a 'semi-pro'

Eventually I am hoping to offer (semi) professional photography services including portraits, headshots etc.

To me the true measure of success simply boils down to whether the client would pay for you product or not.

Last week I set up my studio, in the dining room, and took these pictures of my daughters family. I used a lastolite pop-up background, 2 x Elinchrom D-Lite 4 and 1 x D-Lite One strobes fitted with 66cm softboxes or reflectors as required. PP was done in LR4 with a bit of softening and removing the odd 'crease' in the white background that didn't 'blow out' quite enough. Camera was a K5iis using the DA* 50-135.

I would welcome your comments and critique and importantly, if this was your family, would you pay for these images? Please be totally honest.

1. Ellen



2. Lewis



3. Ellen 2



4. Lewis 2



5. Mum and Ellen



6. Mum and Lewis



Thanks

Yesterday we went for a nice walk to Burgh Castle. This is a derelict Norman Fort that was built to overlook the entrance to the broads and is one of the highest points in the area.

The flint walls and stunning views make this a great place to take a camera. Because Norfolk is low-lying, towards the coast, you can get some very 'big sky' photos. Unfortunately (said tongue in cheek) the sky was clear and blue. Lovely for a walk but not too inspiring for photography.

Therefore most of the images were trying to capture the textures, and colours, in the foreground.

All taken, handheld, with a K5iis and mostly with the DA* 60-250. PP in LR4 (cropped, clarity, NR, shadow boost and slight exposure tweeks).


1. View from the castle.
This one was taken with the DA* 16-50, 28mm, ISO 80, 1/125, F11



2. View from the battlements.
60mm, ISO 80, 1/20, f32.



3. Just Passing through.
250mm, ISO 200, 1/1000, f5.6



4. Reeds, Birds and a Windpump.
128mm, ISO 1600, 1/250, f32



5. Texture.
250mm, ISO 80, 1/750, f4.5



6. Tall Reeds.
60mm, ISO 200, 1/1000/ f9.5



7. The Long View
60mm, ISO 200, 1/500, f11.



All C&C welcome. Full set is here link

I have the DA* 50-135 and 60-250. Personally I would rather have a TC and retain the IQ. However if the 135-380 is DA* quality then I would be very interested.

I'm not suggesting that I have a solution but these are the things that I would try;
Is it possible to view any images you took previously on any card?
Can you format a card in camera and try that?
Can you try an reinstall the latest firmware?

Failing this it sounds like a repair shop job?

I didn't know him and now, sadly, I never will. It is always difficult to find any words that don't sound trite or like a cliche. I hope his family and friends can find a way through the coming weeks.

David, thanks for your insight and for such a thoughtful, relevant and well worded post.

A nice image and I'm sure that he will be very happy with it.

For me, personally I would have preferred him to be very slightly straighter just so that you could see 'white space' all around his pupils rather than have them right in the corner of his eyes and I would crop it so that his lower back was visible, rather than cut off slightly, with slightly less between his left hand and the right hand edge (if that makes sense).

The lighting, pose and, most importantly, expression are excellent. It's a quality of image that I would hope to aspire to. Well done.

Thanks. Iwould find it hard to imagine life without a Land Rover on the drive