Post Your Best Portrait Shots!

[Sean Setters]

Let me know what you all think.

I like the results--the dish seems to be working well. Also, the light was positioned perfectly to create an interesting and flattering highlight pattern on the subject. I know this was a test shot, but some type of separation light (eitherpointed atthe subject's back or onto the background) would have made the shot superb, I think.

[Dave Johnston]

Dave, great work Dave, you should post your directions for home made beauty dishes.

Its funny. I had originally planned on documenting the entire process of making this dish, but at the very start I got too excited about making it, and forgot to take any pictures. At any rate. I will post the directions on how to make it.


<span style="font-size: small;"]<span style="font-size: medium;"]I purchased:


1- Mixing bowl ~ 1.5 gallon (I wanted larger, but none of the bigger ones at the time of purchase felt right) = $1.98


1- 4pack 2 1/2" corner bracket galvanized. $2.98


1- 2 1/2" L bracket. $1.00


3- 5x1/4" carriage bolts $1.66


9- 1/4" Nuts (for the carriage bolts) $0.54


8- 10x3/8x1" round steel machine screws (came with accompanying nuts) $4.58


1- 5" door knob plate (the thing that keeps the knob from punching a whole in drywall, it is essentially a piece of fiberglass or you could use 1/4" plywood if you have the tools to cut a circle) $2.58


1- Can White spraypaint $.89


1- Can Black spraypaint $.89


Total cost ~ $17 + tax


<span style="font-size: medium;"]Tools you will need:


-Drill with 1/4" and 3/8" drill bits.


-3/8", 1/4" crescent wrenches


-Phillips head screwdriver.


-Vice Grip pliers.


-Utility Knife


-Fine Sandpaper (I used 150 grit)


-Area for painting.





Long post..... pictures in the next one.

[Dave Johnston]

[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/14/1207.Making-of0005.JPG[/img][img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/14/8484.Making-of0006.JPG[/img][img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/14/3666.Making-of0007.JPG[/img]


As you can see from the first picture. You assemble the Corner brackets and L bracket in the fashion displayed above. You can mount a 1/4" umbrella swivel stud into the bottom of your flash stand or in my case, my wireless trigger. Once assembled, place your flash in the center of the mixing bowl and mark off where your borders are. Then cut out the size of your flash head to enter into the mixing bowl. Once you have done so. Mark on the mixing bowl where the corner bracket screwholes will meet, and then pull out your drill to make holes for your newly made flash bracket.


After inserting the flash bracket bolts into the bowl, and you have ensured a good fit, it is time to size up your door stop for its center position over your flash. The way I did this, I placed it flush over the bottom of the mixing bowl and marked a triangle where I knew the corners did not override any other screw holes, or the back ends would interfere with the flash body.


Then, I put 3x 1/4" holes in the bowl and also in the door stop plate in corrosponding areas. Onceeverything was assembled and appeared to fit well and snug. I removed all parts for painting.


I first scuffed the surface of the plastic mixing bowl with 150 grit sandpaper to assist in good sticking of the paint. Then painted the inside white and outside black.


I then reassembled it all, and took the test shots below.


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/14/2677.Making-of0001.JPG[/img][img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/14/1602.Making-of0002.JPG[/img][img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/14/6574.Making-of0003.JPG[/img][img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/14/8055.Making-of0004.JPG[/img]


In the above portrait. I used only the dish with the subject holding a 30" white reflector just out of the frame.

[Steve U]

That is very cool Dave, I think Martha Stewart will be ringing you for a portrait shoot.


Dr. Dave

[bouwy]

One of my three grand daughters[] (who I was looking after for the day[:S] ) stood still for 3 seconds....[sn] The old 400D + EFS17-55mm IS + 580.....came out the holster.... I was faster... This is the result. [:O]


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x800/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/14/1464.Liese-dreaming.jpg[/img]


Wally

[hippoeater]

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/14/7433.IMG_5F00_0863.JPG[/img]

[Sean Setters]

A couple more of Maher:

[clemmb]

[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/800x800/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/14/6114.IMG_5F00_0032_2D00_8x10.jpg[/img]



Camera Model: Canon EOS 5D
Lens: 70.0-300.0 mm
Image Date: 2011-05-21 10:31:41 +0000
Focal Length: 282mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure Time: 0.010 s (1/100)
ISO equiv: 100
Exposure Bias: none
Metering Mode: Spot
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)
White Balance: Auto
Flash Fired: Yes (Auto, return light detected)
Orientation: Normal

[ddt0725]

Awesome photo, Mark! Beautifully portrays the love and happiness they share!


Denise

[clemmb]

Thanks Denise