When I was contacted by Judge Caposela's daughter about possibly doing a portrait of him, I knew I would have to create a portrait that has some visual weight. It would have to show the dignity and character associated with his standing. Even more pressure when she told me that a B&W version would be framed and all hang in the entrance of the rotunda in the Passaic County courthouse. The days preceding this photo session, I worked out in my mind what I would do for the lighting. I wanted somewhat dramatic lighting, but also very flattering. I wanted the lighting to show the gravitas, Read more inside...
Studio lighting example for pet portraits
Studio lighting example for pet portraits
Rosa who I have photographed before as model, also lives out her love for cats as a catsitter. (Check out her Instagram page). She brought her cat, Happy, in to the studio for a few portraits ... but Happy had definite opinions about that! My career as a photographer of cats seems to be off to a somewhat shaky start! He was just being a typical cat - adorable, but with a mind of his own. In setting up the lights, one of my main considerations, just like it would be when shooting on location, is to make sure I have a background that Read more inside...Off-camera lighting – continuous light or flash?
Off-camera lighting - continuous light or flash?
When we think of off-camera lighting, we usually immediately think of off-camera flash. But there is another option: off-camera continuous lighting. One main advantage that continuous light for portraits has over flash is the WYWIG aspect - what you see is what you get. It is easier and faster to position the light to better effect for your portraits. This of course is only viable when working in relatively low light. In brighter light, you'd obviously be better of using proper flash photography. With a photo session in New Read more inside...How to dramatically change your studio lighting with a gridded stripbox
How to dramatically change your studio lighting with a gridded stripbox
I have posted before about one of my most favorite light modifiers in the studio - a gridded Profoto 1’x6’ strip-box (B&H / Amazon). It is a surprisingly adaptable light source in how you can swivel it and tilt it and rotate it. This tall stripbox gives a soft light, but highly directional. Once you realize you don't have to use stripboxes in a strict vertical position, a lot of options open up. For example: Using a gridded stripbox as the main light (model: Claudia) Profoto: Read more inside...On-camera bounce flash for beautiful portrait light
On-camera bounce flash for beautiful portrait light
Here are several portraits of a model, Koko, taken during a workshop in my studio last week. She was phenomenal with her posing. Just on all the time. I will post her IG account lower down. The lighting -- notice how soft and even it is, but with a gradual contrast to the one side of her face. No hard flash shadow. Just big, soft, directional light in the studio. All achieved with on-camera bounce flash. Just the one light. No Fong Dong! No MagMod boob! No Rogue Flash bender! Seriously calm down with that unnecessary stuff. You Read more inside...Colorful, dramatic portraits in the studio with continuous / LED lights
Colorful, dramatic portraits in the studio with continuous / LED lights
It was a thrill to work with the band Uncured on their promotional photos. They are focused! I expect them to break out and be huge. During this photo session we mostly worked with the usual Profoto flashes I have in the studio. The brief was to create dramatic photos of the band. I used gridded stripboxes which were gelled. This gave the desired effect. (I will post some of the images in a follow-up post here.) But for one sequence of photos (of which three images are shown here), I changed it up with some Read more inside...Headshot Photography : adapting the lighting setup
Headshot Photography : adapting the lighting setup
With headshot photography in the studio, there are several setups such that consistently give great, repeatable results. One such lighting setup is Clamshell Lighting, for example. The results are always solid. Just looks great. In this link with articles on headshot photography, you can read up about some of these lighting setups. While I alway enjoy working with clients to give them outstanding headshots and business portraits, it is an extra bit of fun when I meet a client who wants something extra. Something a little different Read more inside...Short lighting with on-camera bounce flash
Short lighting with on-camera bounce flash
In the recent article — The simplicity of on-camera bounce flash — the flash was used as fill light to "clean up" the light and give a sparkle to the eyes. In that scenario, as fill-flash the flash didn't really add directional light or shape the light on our subject. Where on-camera bounce flash is our only / main light source, then we can get creative with the direction of light and shape an interesting, dynamic light pattern on our subject. We can even create short lighting for our portraits created with only on-camera bounce flash. To Read more inside...Most versatile flashes – the Profoto B10 series
Most versatile flashes - the Profoto B10 series
With a headshot / business portrait photo session in Manhattan with Yana, we spent most of the time outside, using the New York cityscape as an out of focus background. But then we also had access the library / lounge area of the apartment complex Yana lives in. The outdoor session was mostly the ambient light outside, with some fill-flash from an off-camera flash. The B10 was more than powerful enough to work with the existing light like that. Profoto B10X flash (B&H / Amazon) Profoto OCF Beauty Dish Read more inside...Window light portrait
Window light portrait ... with a twist.
This sequence of photos is from a photo session in my studio with a model, Eryn. I have this one canvas backdrop where I prefer the back of the backdrop, which looks distressed, rather than the proper painted front of the backdrop. I like it this way because it looks unusual compared to the front. I wanted to photograph Eryn against this canvas backdrop ... and I wanted to use window light. As I opened up the window blinds, the indirect light spilling in was also punctuated by the sunlight glaring off the hood of my car, creating these patterns Read more inside...- 1
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