On-location portraits – When simplicity counts
This is one of those images – a portrait which is simplicity itself – and yet there is something about it, with Anelisa‘s riveting gaze and her pose, the muted complimentary colors – and the photograph just falls together somehow in a way that makes it one of my favorite photos that I’ve shot in a while. Even the lighting is simplicity itself – an off-camera flash in a softbox. But this didn’t need anything more complex than that.
Perhaps it is the juxtaposition of the rough texture of the wall, and the soft look of her skin that gives this image some of its impact. I’m not one for (over) analyzing photographs to figure out why they work – I much more prefer that the photograph’s impact comes from an “I just like this” level. I took several compositions, but preferred this off-center horizontal version.
It was taken during a recent flash photography workshop, the first one held at my photography studio in NJ. The technique is the same as described in this article – add off-camera flash for that extra bit of drama – (w/ Olena) – where the off-camera flash gives some of the punch to the image with soft directional light.
camera settings: 1/250 @ f/5.6 @ 200 ISO … TTL flash
Photo gear (or equivalents) used during this photo session
- Nikon D4
- Nikon 24-70mm f2.8G AF-S / Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L II
- Nikon SD-9 battery pack / Canon CP-E4 battery pack
- Westcott Rapidbox – 26″ Octa Softbox
- Manfrotto 1052BAC – medium sized
Direction & Quality of Light
I wanted to distill the essence of what we, as photographers, work with – light! Before we can truly grasp on-camera flash and off-camera flash, and really, any kind of photography, we have to be aware of the direction and quality of light. We need to observe the light that we have, and then decide how best to use it, or enhance it.
With this book, I try my best to share those “aha!” moments with you, and I do believe this book can make a difference to your photography.
The book is available on Amazon USA and Amazon UK, or can be ordered through Barnes & Nobles and other bookstores. The book is also available on the Apple iBook Store, as well as Amazon Kindle.
Post-processing
I changed up my usual post-processing for this image. After the initial skin-retouching I normally do, I ran the usual Photoshop plug-ins as a self-made action. This runs Shine-Off and Portraiture on different levels at reduced opacity, as described in the retouching for portraits, I combined these levels, and the layers were merged to become the new Background level.
Related articles
- Effective on-location portraits (model: Anelisa)
- review: Westcott Rapid Box – 26″ Octa Softbox
- Add off-camera flash for dramatic light (model: Olena)
- Flash photography tutorial
Great work ! Interesting image.
I had few sessions with softbox and all I can say – it is actually a lot easier than photographing in available light only.
I was always curious, how to separate the subject from the background, if the lighting on them is the same, for example, on a cloudy weather when everything is dull and you have no light modifiers ?
By the way, I start with off-camera flash and softbox thanks to you ! Thank you !
Gorgeous photos! I love the simplicity and mood of the shots. The contrast of textures is striking. Have to say I am partial to the second version – just my personal preference. Keep sharing. I always learn a great deal from your posts (and books).
Thank you.
Just love them Neil!
Her skin tones next to the textured weathered wall makes a perfect contrast. Love the pictures. I have enjoyed your video tutorials.
Love the second shot. Beautiful.
Lovely images! I’d like to upgrade my radio transmitters from my Pocket wizards (Plus 2-manual only capable) to something that can handle both TTL and high speed sync. Thinking of radio poppers. I use Nikon D800 and SB 800 outdoors. Do you have a recommendation? Or are you setting up flash through the Nikon CLS?
Thanks for your articles and books!
Amy
We use the RadioPoppers in the workshops because it allows me to change the transmitters between Canon and Nikon, depending on how many people attend.
Personally, I use the PocketWizard TT5 units.
Nikon has a real gap at the moment, compared to the built-in radio capability of the Canon 600EX speedlites.
Thanks!