Sean's Recent Shoot: Panos Galore

[Sean Setters]

I set up a test shoot with Kristin in order to test out using the 5D Mark II coupled with a Genus ND Fader filter while using a Mola Demi beauty dish as the main light. I can honestly say I couldn't have picked a better subject. Not only is she attractive, but she's one of only a couple of girls I've had in front of my camera that I can honestly say knew how to work it. Having been in pageants as a young girl, she knew how to strike and hold poses extremely well. Not only that, but she could easily come up with a very good pose all on her own without the least bit of input from me.

The shoot went very well to say the least. I really liked how flattering the Mola's light could be when it's positioned directly above camera and pointed at a subject with relatively unblemished skin. The Genus ND Fader filter allowed me to underexpose the ambient using a shallow depth of field while keeping the subject well lit with the monolights. However, depending on the opacity of the Genus at a given time, the 5D Mark II had a difficult time focusing (which is to be expected). More than a few shots were out of focus because of this. However, I did what I always do--shoot as many shots as you can. The more shots you shoot, the better your chances for getting a sufficient number of good ones. ;-)






And the setup shot (not on Flickr):

[Rocco]

Those are great Sean! I love the strobist-shallow depth of field look. You nailed these.

After getting the mkII, any part of you wish you had gone for the MKIII? I was always worried that I'd miss the AF of my 7D if I made that jump.

[Sean Setters]

After getting the mkII, any part of you wish you had gone for the MKIII? I was always worried that I'd miss the AF of my 7D if I made that jump.

I couldn't afford the Mark III, so it's hard to regret getting the Mark II. For portraiture (my bread and butter), I don't need the best autofocus. When I do, the 7D will fill in just fine. Otherwise, the Mark II is proving to be a good fit so far.

[Rocco]

Ah ha. You kept the 7d. That wouldn't have been an option for me.

[Sean Setters]

Ah ha. You kept the 7d. That wouldn't have been an option for me.

I will be selling the 50D pretty soon. I took a couple of product shots this weekend. I'm giving my boss first dibs on it if he wants it. If he doesn't, I'll either post it on here or Ebay.

[Steve U]

Great series Sean, but the title does suggest that you might be a hitman.

[Kayaker72]

Great series Sean, but the title does suggest that you might be a hitman.

+1....on both comments

Great shots Sean.....

[ddt0725]

Great series Sean, but the title does suggest that you might be a hitman.

By this and a few other posts, Steve has obviously taken his fiesty pills today! LOL! The title probably could give the Suburban Rapper a bad rep! Nice series though, she is very photogenic! The passing of clouds may have created a problem for lighting but I like what they added to the shots!

[Sean Setters]

The passing of clouds may have created a problem for lighting but I like what they added to the shots!

I agree completely. Originally, I had set up the two lights behind her on both sides with my usual strip boxes to provide rim lights (when I was setting up, the cloud cover was more dense). However, right before the subject arrived the clouds lessened and the sunlight came streaming down the alleyway. The sunlight provided the rimlight I needed. Therefore, I replaced the stripboxes with standard reflectors and turned the strobes so that they were pointed at the opposite walls. The only time I didn't have a strong rim light was when the sun would become temporarily obscured by a cloud (I did set up a yellow gelled 580EX to be used as a rim light, but I didn't set the power high enough for it to play a major role in the image...its effect is visible, but just barely). The sun became obscured during the full-length shot, however, the light from my side strobes illuminated the ground so that the illuminated pavement helped separate the subject's legs from the background.

Even though they caused minor issues with exposure adjustments, I wouldn't have traded the clouds for anything. They provided a wonderful element to the photos.

[Sean Setters]

Should I change the wording from "shoot" to "portrait session?" :-)