Post Your Best Portrait Shots!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sean Setters

Great shots Fred. Is that a three light setup (large softbox right, striplight behind left, and light on background)?
<div style="CLEAR: both"]</div>

---

Hey Sean, thanks.

I was using only what was available to me at the time. It was a 3strobe setup. I was using a stripbox to the right and a little forward set at f5.6, another stripbox behind leftset at f8, and the third strobe with a 20 degree gridfor the background set at f8. I would have used a large softbox with a grid (to control the spill on the background) on the rightif I had it available but it was being used at the time. I also had planned on using a 4th light as a hair light butfelt it was unnecessary for the shots.

Fred~

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.37.30/valen.jpg[/img]

Did a fun engagement shoot last night. Not my most technically sound picture lighting-wise, but I liked the energy.



http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/...3ef3b470e1.jpg

My daughter


5D, 24-105 @ f5.6, ISO 160. Sunpak 120J through 42" umbrella main, 120J in softbox left, vivitar 285 in softbox hairlight





[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.24.67/IMG_5F00_0008_5F00_ppa.jpg[/img]

Fred,


The first picture is stunning! The color saturation, the detail. Just fantastic. It is incredibly smooth, solid, vibrant color. If that's what a 1Ds Mark III can do, I may have to sell my car.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HiFiGuy1

Fred,


The first picture is stunning! The color saturation, the detail. Just fantastic. It is incredibly smooth, solid, vibrant color. If that's what a 1Ds Mark III can do, I may have to sell my car.
<div style="CLEAR: both"]</div>

---

Thanks for your kind words. It is a wonderful camera but it helps to have great lenses and lighting setup too. Hope you have a couple of vehicles to sell [;)]

This is one of my first shots. With an XTI


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2642/...3f41a22e_o.jpg
<table id="Inbox" cellspacing="0" width="100%"]
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="font-size: 120%;" width="30%"]Camera:</td>
<td style="font-size: 120%;"][b][url="http://www.flickr.com/cameras/canon/eos_digital_rebel_xti/]Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi[/url][/b]</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="font-size: 120%;" width="30%"]Exposure:</td>
<td style="font-size: 120%;"]0.008 sec (1/125)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="font-size: 120%;" width="30%"]Aperture:</td>
<td style="font-size: 120%;"]f/5.6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="font-size: 120%;" width="30%"]Focal Length:</td>
<td style="font-size: 120%;"]135 mm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ISO Speed:</td>
<td>100</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Exposure Bias:</td>
<td>+1/3 EV</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Flash:</td>
<td>


On, Red-eye reduction
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

This is a small photoshoot i did at my house, with a curtain as my backdrop, a softbox on my left side and a umbrella on the right. I was testing the flashes since im a novice into photography. I had a major problem since the T1i doesn't have a PC sync i had to shoot the flash on the camera and rely on the trigger by light of the flash.





http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2619/...2470e009_o.jpg




































<table id="Inbox" cellspacing="0" width="100%"]
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="font-size: 120%;" width="30%"]Camera:</td>
<td style="font-size: 120%;"][b][url="http://www.flickr.com/cameras/canon/eos_rebel_t1i/]Canon EOS REBEL T1i[/url][/b]</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="font-size: 120%;" width="30%"]Exposure:</td>
<td style="font-size: 120%;"]0.005 sec (1/200)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="font-size: 120%;" width="30%"]Aperture:</td>
<td style="font-size: 120%;"]f/9.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="font-size: 120%;" width="30%"]Focal Length:</td>
<td style="font-size: 120%;"]55 mm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ISO Speed:</td>
<td>100</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Exposure Bias:</td>
<td>0 EV</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Flash:</td>
<td>On, Fired</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/...f1e17a04_o.jpg





EXIF


EF 70-200 2,8 L @ F/4


108 mm, 1/125, ISO 200


Av mode, +0,3

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sean Setters

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by devsalvi

... is that a GT

---

You got it. It's a 2004 Competition Orange Mustang GT. Affectionately known as the "Pony Express." ;-)

---

I got all excited and thought of buying one of those mounts, then realized that the family's minivan just wouldn't have the same effect.. superb shot Sean!!!


-Rodger

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.36.89/IMG_5F00_5268.jpg[/img]


Canon 450D + 50mm





[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.36.89/IMG_5F00_8156.jpg[/img]


Canon 40D + 55 - 250mm

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.27.64/Jordan-Kolarik_2D00_9163.jpg[/img]


Canon 20D :: 70-200 f/4L @ 131mm :: 1/200 @ f/4


Srobist info (little bit sketchy on this): 1 430EXII through 43" umbrella camera right. (no clue on power). 1 Vivitar 285 bare, camera left (lower power than 430EXII)


This is from a recent senior shoot. Critique is welcome. What do you think about the editing style? Like it? Hate it? Thanks!


-Rodger

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rodger

This is from a recent senior shoot. Critique is welcome. What do you think about the editing style? Like it? Hate it? Thanks!


-Rodger
<div style="CLEAR: both"]</div>

---

I think it's terrific Rodger. My only critique is that I find the harsh shadow cast by the bare Vivitar camera left a little distracting. I'd like to see what it would look like if you either:

1. Moved the subject off the wall a little bit and stopped down to retain the definition in the wood. (edit: you may need to light your background separately though if you took this approach)
2. Used another umbrella for your fill

That is completely just personal taste though and takes nothing away from your picture. I think it's time to start charging more than $50 for these!!! Great job.

I agree that the harsh shadow is distracting. It didn't show up on my LCD when I was checking the shots :( I thought the 430EXII would drown the Vivitar's shadow out a bit more than it did.


I probablycould have/should have gone with a softbox on the vivitar as it was too windy for another umbrella (I had a friend hold the 430EXII steady).


Thanks for your input Mark!!

I wouldn't mind the hard shadow so much if it was lower than the subject, as from a higher light source.


I'm not a fan of the post. I think it needs some texture, some grit, to pull that style off. Other than those little things I like it.

here's one I took of my friend today while playing in an abandoned house.


Exif and such:


F8.0 ISO 100 1/125 XTi w/ 24-70 F2.8 Cactus KF36 bounced out of an umbrella full power to the right, behind the wall and a 430ex at 1/16 (i think) camera left behind the wall bare. Comments/critiques are much appreciated.





[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.23.86/20100107_2D00_IMG_5F00_3617.jpg[/img]








~Jordan

Nice shot Jordan!


I love the black foreground! I might have moved her to the [camera] left side and into the larger opening. That would give her a body rather than just a neck and head. Love the lighting you used though!


That looks like a veryy fun place to shoot!


-Rodger

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Keith B

I wouldn't mind the hard shadow so much if it was lower than the subject, as from a higher light source.

---

Frick. You're absolutely right. Ahh what's that saying? hindsight is 20/20? I'll have to remember that for next time. (Not sure why I broke the standard "light from above" rule here).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Keith B

I think it needs some texture, some grit, to pull that style off.

---

Do you think some light brushing in CS4 with a "grunge" set would do the trick? Or possibly some more on the "clarity" slider in LR2 (just on the background). I do agree with you now on second thought. It seems a bit "smooth" overall for the lower saturation and hefty vignette.


Thanks for your advice Keith!


Rodger

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rodger

I might have moved her to the [camera] left side and into the larger opening. That would give her a body rather than just a neck and head. Love the lighting you used though!
<div style="clear: both;"]</div>

---

I have some similar to that but it was so cold (25-30 degrees) we didn't really have much choice in wearing something that would really look that good. we've made plans to go back when its warmer haha.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rodger

That looks like a veryy fun place to shoot!
<div style="clear: both;"]</div>

---

it's a great place to shoot, most of the plaster is falling apart, theres wholes everywhere in the walls, it's an all around amazing find [:P], it's just really dark since its all boarded up.





~Jordan

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rodger

Do you think some light brushing in CS4 with a "grunge" set would do the trick? Or possibly some more on the "clarity" slider in LR2 (just on the background). I do agree with you now on second thought. It seems a bit "smooth" overall for the lower saturation and hefty vignette.


Thanks for your advice Keith!


Rodger

---

Hmm. I think I probably desaturate the blues a little more and then mess with the Orange channel, darken, desaturate and increase the contrast a little, to give the skin a metallic quality. I increase the black point a little and maybe add some contrast.


In PS I'd duplicate the layer then add some noise (monochrome) then play with the layer blending modes to get something that works. That will give it some grit. Try your ideas too. They might work better. Don't know until you try.

I messed with it real quick. I just played with the (un)saturation, darkened the red, blue and cyan channels.I duped the layer thenadded some contrast to the whole thing, then masked the whole layer and then reversed painted cheeks, eyes etc. to give more contrast with out making it too dark.


You can probably do a lot better with the RAW. Especially with the color tones. On this low rez images adding noise didn't work.


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.25.81/Jordan_2B00_Kolarik_2D00_9163_5F00_kb.jpg[/img]

Just posting this because it is really the only shot I've taken with my new 35 1.4.


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.25.81/_5F00_MG_5F00_1626smC.jpg[/img]

Something different then what I've seen here so far[:P]:


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.34.48/02_2D00_Schmink-004.jpg[/img]


The Joker 50D 100mm macro f2.8 @ f7.1 iso400 1/200 430EXII bounced of ceiling ettl


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.34.48/13_2D00_Corine-en-Juul-Schmink-128_2D00_Edit.jpg[/img]


Juliet 50D 17-55 f2.8 is usm @ 37mm f7.1 iso500 1/50 flash triggered by cactus v4 manual 1/32 or something [:P]at rimmlight with a blue colorgel on it and a normal softtone lamp on her face. (held it by it's standard)


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.34.48/13_2D00_Corine-en-Juul-Schmink-183.jpg[/img]


Corine 50D 17-55 f2.8 is usm @ 55mm f7.1 iso100 1/200 flash wireless triggered by cactus v4 manual again 1/32 or something from left behind above.





My little sister wants to become a grime-specialist so once in a while she makes some nice creations so I get the chance to shoot some shots. So I try with el cheapo indoor stuff like light and last month I bought a cactus wireless trigger and flash gels, so I tested them. Unfortunately I lost my trigger and reciever, still don't know how [:P]


Only the first picture has some adjustments like more blacks and contrast. Only minor. The other two are straigth out of camera.


All comments are welcome, I need to learn so please beat me up [:D]

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Keith B

Just posting this because it is really the only shot I've taken with my new 35 1.4.

---

Really? I totally dig this photo! I love the tonal range and her expression. I know she's not really looking at anything, and I'm sure she'sthinking "Can you please hurry this up so I can get back to ..." but the composition makes me want to know what she's looking at. I really feel a lot of emotion from thisphoto. What was the EXIF? Was the light source a window?


Lewis

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lcnewkirk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Keith B

Just posting this because it is really the only shot I've taken with my new 35 1.4.

---

Really? I totally dig this photo! I love the tonal range and her expression. I know she's not really looking at anything, and I'm sure she'sthinking "Can you please hurry this up so I can get back to ..." but the composition makes me want to know what she's looking at. I really feel a lot of emotion from thisphoto. What was the EXIF? Was the light source a window?


Lewis

---

Thanks Lewis.


Actually she was looking out the window observing the weather, nothing planned expression wise. It has been out of the ordinarily cold here in FL and it was rainy so she was just looking. I had just been clicking away for a few frames before. The window is the sole light source.


EXIF: 5DmkII1/40sec35 1.4L @ 1.4 ISO400


The full rez is quite breathtaking as far as color and detail. It is really unbelievable for a shot at 1.4. I am so tickled with the 35L. If they are going to upgrade this lens, good luck there isn't much room for improvement.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Keith B

The window is the sole light source.

---

I wish my windows did that! haha. I could've saved on this strobist stuff!


And by the way Keith, thank you for taking that photo from my previous post and messing with it. It got me on a track that I like better for the photo. I'll update it here after I export them from LR. Thanks for your help!


Rodger

My pleasure Rodger.


I'm looking forward to see the next version of that shot.


It's funny talking about the window light and strobes. When I first started shooting way back when, most of my favorite shots were natural light. Anton Cobjin was my hero loved the stuff he shot of U2 for the Joshua Tree. So everything I shot, I was trying to emulate that. Years later I get back into photography, working with with studio photographers (they were obsessed with f/8 and ISO100) and all the fancy strobes I became obsessed with them. Now, I no longer would depend on the sun I'll make my own. All my shots started looking synthetic and it was everything my photographic instinct wasn't. Along the way I became so obsessed with the strobes, I kind of forgot what natural light looked like and that essentially you want your strobes to match natural light as much as possible.


I have been hell bent on trying to make my strobes match natural light (as much as possible) and now I finding my strobe shots are flat.


So I'm trying to retrain myself, leaving the strobes in the case and working with natural light. Then I'll ad a strobe here and there and try and find that balance.

A picture I took of my wife when she visited this Christmas.






http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/...81531cae2f.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/...4eb88ebc17.jpg


Kodak P20 Flash shot thru camera right @ 1/4? power and 430EXII at 1/16? behnd subject left tiggered by yong nuo CTR-301p. SOOC!!!


Canon Rebel XS with Canon EF 100mm f/2.0 @ 2.0, 1/125, ISO 200

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Benjamin

Hi guys,


<span style="font-size: medium; color: #0000ff;"]Like taking portrait shots? Just post them and share with us!


This is, as I consider, one of my best portraits I've ever taken. On campus of University of Toronto (University College), Canada, early 2008. Open for comments &amp; suggestions [img]/emoticons/emotion-1.gif[/img]


Some notes: Toronto's winter is always quite cold. As I remember, there were a couple of unusual warm days before the day when this picture was taken; that's why snow was melted and the ground can be seen. However, at the moment when I was taking this picture it was about -10 degrees... The ground was frozen and I was lying on it toachieve such a perspective.





[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.24.70.My+Gallery/LS080113_5F00_02.jpg[/img]


Canon Rebel XTi + 17-85/4-5.6 IS @ 17mm, F5.6, 1/50s, ISO200, w/o flash.


Benjamin
<div style="clear: both;"]</div>

---

This was shot on my old Rebel T1i (gave to my girlfriend, who is the subject of this photo) with my EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/2500sec @ f/2.8, ISO 400.

Its been a while since i've been here... lots of great photos everyone.


Here's a couple recent ones of the wife and daughter...


[View:http://community.the-digital-picture...awaii/utility/[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9612659@N08/4275372529/]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/...cf1c93dc_o.jpg[/url]]



<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" id="Inbox"]
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="30%"]Camera:</td>
<td>[b][url="http://www.flickr.com/cameras/canon/eos_30d/]Canon EOS 30D[/url][/b]</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="30%"]Exposure:</td>
<td>0.004 sec (1/250)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="30%"]Aperture:</td>
<td>f/2.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="30%"]Focal Length:</td>
<td>


50 mm
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>



Lens: Canon EF50mm f/1.4


Strobist Info:
600W Visico Strobe set to 1/32 primary camera left w/softbox
600W Visico Strobe set to 1/32 fill camera right w/softbox
Triggered wirelessly on one and sync cord on other... couldn't get photoeye to trigger (blocked)





[View:http://community.the-digital-picture...awaii/utility/[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9612659@N08/4257872391/]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/...02222f4e_o.jpg[/url]]



<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" id="Inbox"]
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="30%"]Camera:</td>
<td>[b][url="http://www.flickr.com/cameras/canon/eos_30d/]Canon EOS 30D[/url][/b]</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="30%"]Exposure:</td>
<td>0.005 sec (1/200)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="30%"]Aperture:</td>
<td>f/2.8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="30%"]Focal Length:</td>
<td>


135 mm
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>



Lens: Canon EF70-200mm f/2.8L


Strobist info:


Canon 430EX through shoot through umbrella @1/4 and a small reflector on the right side of her face

My first attempt at portrait shots of my daughter in law at her wedding last week.

















[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.34.07/wedding-son3a.jpg[/img]

At my friends party few months ago. pics revisited.




http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/...d14f33a57b.jpg

Quote:

---

[View:http://community.the-digital-picture...awaii/utility/[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9612659@N08/4257872391/]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/...02222f4e_o.jpg[/url]]



<table id="Inbox" cellspacing="0"]
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Camera:</td>
<td>[b][url="http://www.flickr.com/cameras/canon/eos_30d/]Canon EOS 30D[/url][/b]</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[b]Exposure:[/b]</td>
<td>[b]0.005 sec (1/200)[/b]</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[b]Aperture:[/b]</td>
<td>[b]f/2.8[/b]</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[b]Focal Length:[/b]</td>
<td>


[b]135 mm[/b]
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


Lens: Canon EF70-200mm f/2.8L


Strobist info:


Canon 430EX through shoot through umbrella @1/4 and a small reflector on the right side of her face
<div style="clear: both;"]</div>

---

I love the 2nd pict, nice lighting...!

I second that plus the catch lights are great

Just a sample of my work.


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.38.58/cam.jpg[/img]


Canon 30D, 50mm 1.8 at f2.8 1/30 sec, 100 ISO, available light.


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.38.58/gagan_5F00_001.jpg[/img]





Canon 50D, 24~105mm at 95mm f4.5 1/60 sec, ISO 100.

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.25.81/_5F00_MG_5F00_9904sm.jpg[/img]

<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]Keith,


<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]I really like the shots you share. I don't know if you were looking for any feedback so forgive me if you weren't but I felt compelled to comment on a couple things with this one.


<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]1) I think the ambient on-axis is a little strong overall and is shining too brightly in her ear.


<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]2) I like the comp, but her pose, though strong, proud and jaw/neck enhancing leaves me looking up into her nose. If she slightly cocked her her back toward you or if you were able to take the shot from a little higher up this could remedy the problem. Even #1 would help by taking the on-axis fill down a 1/2 to 1 full stop.


<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]These things are very picky but worth a mention.


<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]Love the background halo light. I wish I was home and could see the background color on My HP 2275. Looks like cinnamon.


<span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"]Nice work man..........[Y]

What was your setup here Keith?


Gridded speedlite into background?
Softbox camera left and slightly behind subject?
Rayflash for fill?


Great job by the way :-)