Tangents

photo session: a lazy afternoon

April 8, 2011

just a lazy afternoon photo session, using an LED video light

all images: 1/400 @ f1.2 @ 1250 ISO
Canon 5D mk II (B&H); Canon 85mm f1.2 II (B&H)
Litepanels MicroPro (B&H)

model: Jess B, sans attitude

portrait retouching sequence
more articles about the use of video light for photography …

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17 Comments »

I love how a video light let’s you explore DOF without the limitations of flash or relying on tricks like FP.

Comment by Davis — April 8, 2011 @ 11:40 pm
talk about a tease lol :)

Comment by Anthony — April 9, 2011 @ 12:11 am
Sensual, without attitude (if I’m not wrong)… And who was the assistant?

Comment by Aniversari — April 9, 2011 @ 4:18 am
my assistant this time around

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — April 9, 2011 @ 5:12 am
Is this the first blog post with no written introduction?

Jess changed her hair color!

Nice photos, Neil, as always.

Comment by Stephen — April 9, 2011 @ 8:09 am
There was this one Tuesday Night, past midnight …

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — April 9, 2011 @ 9:10 am
Got to get myself one of those LED light things…
@Stephen… Who needs introductions :) ?

Comment by Bogdan — April 9, 2011 @ 9:56 am
Jess is a very beautiful woman, always pleased to see more photos of her on your blog Neil, never seen a bad one yet even when she’s just holding a softbox in a setup shot :) I’d consider hiring you just in the hope she would be helping you out… first in this sequence is my fav.

Do you find the video lights easier to work with from the point of view that you don’t need to visualize the final image so much as you would with a strobe when setting up the shot? Does it take less time to get the light just how you want it as you can see the results up front?

Comment by Jonny — April 9, 2011 @ 11:08 am
The WYSIWYG nature of video light does help in fine-tuning the light while shooting. This does make it easier to do micro-adjustments while shooting, especially if an assistant is holding the light.

If you want to forego this kind of dramatic light, and interesting interplay between available light and (video) light .. then the easiest and fastest way of using additional light is probably a flash with softbox or umbrella … you get beautiful soft light every time. And it is very easy and quick to set up flash like this. But it does look very different though.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — April 9, 2011 @ 2:14 pm
Neil, do you ever get tired of taking photos?
As always lovely!!!

Comment by Bart — April 9, 2011 @ 6:46 pm
Bart .. I hope I never do!

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — April 9, 2011 @ 10:15 pm
Is there a disount on Portraiture 2 if we order through your site? I know there is for Topaz, but unsure about Portraiture and I really want it.

Thanks!

Comment by Laura N. — April 10, 2011 @ 10:23 am
Laura … there are software discount codes for Topaz and Shine-Off, but unfortunately not for Portraiture. I would say that Portraiture is one of the most useful Photoshop plug-ins I have and use.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — April 10, 2011 @ 2:09 pm
Another excellent shoot.
Looks like the video is coming from top left (facing Jess).
How far away was the video light from Jess ?
Did you make any changes to shutter speed after metering the ambient ?

Thanks

Comment by William Ng — April 11, 2011 @ 2:38 pm
The video light was about 6 – 8 feet away from Jess, to camera-left. All images were shot at the settings indicated.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — April 12, 2011 @ 12:11 am
Great shots..
..LED video light.. hmm.. interesting! :)

Comment by Kris — April 13, 2011 @ 8:14 am
Neil I just brought my first LED video light after seeing and reading on your blog – you can get some every different shots using it along with the natural light, gives a totally different feel to flash and to bounced flash – your an inspiration once again mr. niekerk!! thank you

Comment by Dave Sheppard — May 25, 2011 @ 9:53 am