Low Key "How I Did It" Shoot

[grsphoto]

Now I am really confused.. you say you used the first image as your "target" image, but it was an image you didn't like?

Why post it? IMHO the tutorial would be stronger if the original image wasn't referenced at all. Personally I felt a little disappointment at the end... I thought we would see an image where you stepped outside your normal comfort zone.

Glenn

[Benji]

Well Glenn ten others liked it compared to one who didn't. 10 to 1 odds are not too shabby I'd say.

Benji

[grsphoto]

Benji
I can't seem to recall saying I didn't like it, just that I was hoping to see something different from you.

Your tutorials about the standard portrait lighting and posing is helpful for those who want to understand and reproduce this look.

Glenn

[felix.reichardt]

Benji, wonderful images but I think you might have missed your goal with this tutorial. I fail to see the target image in your images and that is what I was hoping to see. Hope you are not offended coz its still a great tutorial in itself.

[Benji]

Originally Posted by felix.reichardt

Benji, wonderful images but I think you might have missed your goal with this tutorial. I fail to see the target image in your images and that is what I was hoping to see. Hope you are not offended coz its still a great tutorial in itself.

Glenn and Felix,

First let me quote from the my first post in this series; "The Glamour image is a fashion image, and I am shooting a portrait image. Two different animals." I meant this to indicate that I was only using the fashion image as the raw material for my portrait image, not that I was going to duplicate the image exactly as presented by the Glamour photographer. I didn't want to duplicate it and it was never my intention to duplicate it. Sorry if you understood it otherwise.

Benji

[oayodeji]

Benji you are the best tutor ever! Simple 2 questions, how far was your subject away from the background and where did you get that backdrop from?

[Benji]

Originally Posted by oayodeji

Benji you are the best tutor ever! Simple 2 questions, how far was your subject away from the background and where did you get that backdrop from?

She was about six feet in front of the background, and I can't remember where I got it from! Sorry.

Benji

[felix.reichardt]

Originally Posted by Benji

Glenn and Felix,

First let me quote from the my first post in this series; "The Glamour image is a fashion image, and I am shooting a portrait image. Two different animals." I meant this to indicate that I was only using the fashion image as the raw material for my portrait image, not that I was going to duplicate the image exactly as presented by the Glamour photographer. I didn't want to duplicate it and it was never my intention to duplicate it. Sorry if you understood it otherwise.

Benji

Benji, fair enough. No need to be sorry, it's a great tuturial anyway.

[grsphoto]

Originally Posted by Benji

Glenn and Felix,

First let me quote from the my first post in this series; "The Glamour image is a fashion image, and I am shooting a portrait image. Two different animals." I meant this to indicate that I was only using the fashion image as the raw material for my portrait image, not that I was going to duplicate the image exactly as presented by the Glamour photographer. I didn't want to duplicate it and it was never my intention to duplicate it. Sorry if you understood it otherwise.

Benji

Maybe this question should start as another thread, because I don't want to take away from your good work in the tutorial... by why do you say the first image is not a portrait?

[Benji]

Originally Posted by grsphoto

why do you say the first image is not a portrait?

Glenn,

By "first image" I assume you mean the tear sheet, not my image. Just because there is a person in an image it doesn't automatically make the image a portrait. A portrait is defined by Webster as "a pictorial likeness or photograph, especially of the face." I would add to that the reason the image was created would determine what type of image it is. If the subject wanted a photograph of herself to give to family and friends then it would be a portrait. If she wanted a photograph of her dressed in a coat for the express purpose of selling the coat then it is a product image or even a fashion image, especially if the image is used in a fashion magazine. A perfume manufacturer may use an image of a celebrity to sell a product. This is product photography because you obviously are not buying the celebrity, you are buying the product she is hawking.

Benji

[Mark McCall]

Benji,
Oustanding posing...some of the best I've seen. Beautiful subject. Great backdrop selection.
I agree about clothing to an extent. A pre-session clothing consultation usually clears that up.

I know I've mentioned it before, but your main light is still too high. I see it in the overall shot of the camera room and in the image itself.
It's creating shadows under the cheeks, making them appear more "puffy".

Other than that, this is a spectacular image.

[Benji]

Originally Posted by Mark McCall

Benji, I know I've mentioned it before, but your main light is still too high. I see it in the overall shot of the camera room and in the image itself.
It's creating shadows under the cheeks, making them appear more "puffy". Other than that, this is a spectacular image.

Mark,

Thanks. I usually look at the catchlights and when they are at the 11 o'clock or one o'clock positions in the eyes the main light is correctly placed and I shoot.

Yes, she does have rather round protruding cheeks. (Hope she is not reading this!)

Ben

[Mark McCall]

Originally Posted by Benji

I usually look at the catchlights and when they are at the 11 o'clock or one o'clock positions in the eyes the main light is correctly placed and I shoot.

Following the same formula of 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock doesn't necessarity mean that it's correct position....and it isn't going to work for everybody.
Those clock positions seem to be too high to me for any subject....just my opinion. Your not lighting up the "mask" of the face.

Modelling lights do a fantastic job of showing you where shadows will fall before you ever trip the shutter.

[alive1]

Looking at your final shot showing the light positioning, it makes me wonder if the catchlights seen in the models beautiful eyes aren't coming from the fill light. The main light seems to be positioned to far camera right to achieve catchlights positioned as they appear, or are you photoshopping these in later?

[Benji]

Alive,

I moved the fill light to camera right so I could get that last shot. Had I not moved it it would have blocked the view of just about everything. I cloned out the fill light catchlights, and the main light catchlights that are in this image are the real catchlights!

Ben

[narc60]

Thanks for sharing the wonderful shots. I'm learning a lot by just reading your tutorials.

[Eero Makela]

Originally Posted by Benji

The final image shows where the lights were positioned and the meter reading of each light.

I would like to know what the camera was set to for the pictures. I am still learning the way I see everyone setting up with a light meter ie This light is F4 and this one is F8 , I must be missing something. I have been studying for about 1 month now since I did my first studio shoot and recently my 2nd.

Until I found this forum I really did not find as much good info via google as there is hear. Thanks to everyone here for the great advice.

[Benji]

Originally Posted by ecto69

I would like to know what the camera was set to for the pictures. I am still learning the way I see everyone setting up with a light meter ie This light is F4 and this one is F8 , I must be missing something. I have been studying for about 1 month now since I did my first studio shoot and recently my 2nd.

Until I found this forum I really did not find as much good info via google as there is hear. Thanks to everyone here for the great advice.

ecto69,

The aperture was set at the same reading as the main light. Since the main light is (or should be anyway) the brightest light in the image and since digital does not handle overexposure well at all you ALWAYS want to set the aperture at the main light reading UNLESS you are shooting a silhouette or something similar.

Ben

[PetersenPhotography]

Benji - help me understand....

If the meter I use is saying the correct exposure would be f/8 @ 1/50, I should set the main at f/8 and all the other lights a stop or two lower, depending on th effect I want to achieve?

[Benji]

Originally Posted by PetersenPhotography

Benji - help me understand....

If the meter I use is saying the correct exposure would be f/8 @ 1/50, I should set the main at f/8 and all the other lights a stop or two lower, depending on th effect I want to achieve?

Nic,

I was taught to do it this way. Set up the fill light and meter it. Then set up the main light where you want it and meter it by leaving the fill light ON, aim the dome of the meter at the main light (don't stand in between the fill and the subject or between the main and the subject) and meter both lights. If the fill and main are at the subject's left, I stand to the subject's right to take my meter reading. Power the main light only up or down until you have it at one to two stops MORE than the fill light. All the other lights will then be set at the same reading as the fill. The shutter speed in inconsequential when using flash in the camera room (for the most part.) I usually shoot at 100 or 125. I usually have the main and fill on the SAME side of the subject, but the fill is only off axis in relation to the subject by a foot or so. Both lights are feathered so they don't blast the subject, rather they kiss the subject.

Benji