bluecheezz80

Colleen

Studio shot, one light and one reflector.

Studio shot, one light and one reflector.
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Canon EOS 1100D

settings

Aperture f/5.6 ISO 100 Shutter 1/125

upload_date

Apr, 2014

Views

189

Likes

Awards

Good job

Behind The Lens

Location

I took this photo at home on a portable black backdrop. This was only my second ever portrait shoot on my own outside of a workshop setting and using all my own equipment so I was delighted I could take all I had been taught about portraiture and put it into this. My partner did the hair and make up and the model was a friend so I had complete control over all aspects of the shoot which is generally the beauty of studio shoots anyway.

Time

As this was a studio shoot, time of day was not an issue as the lighting control was in my hands. I did it mid afternoon though to make sure everyone was fresh and alert to ensure maximum concentration from everyone involved in the shoot.

Lighting

I wanted the lighting to be simple and show the model off in all her natural beauty. This is also why I opted for a subtle nude look to ensure there were no distractions in the image. I used one studio light with a soft box attached and a simple home made reflector. I experimented with the light coming from different angles and found this one to provide the most satisfying results.

Equipment

I currently have a CANON EOS 1100d and used a 50mm f/1.2 lens which gives great results for portraiture. I hand held the camera. The lighting was simply one Elinchrom D-lite 2 with a soft box and a home made reflector.

Inspiration

I love black and white photography and after 10 years of doing landscapes I wanted to break into portraiture. I attended a few local workshops on studio lighting then got my own equipment and began to experiment. This only my second shoot on my own with no tuition. I asked my friend to model for me and then I started to research styles and types of images that I could try and recreate and do my own versions off. This image was inspired by Adele's cover shoot for Vogue Magazine.

Editing

I try not to do much post processing at all but some always helps enhance the image. In this case I shot in RAW and in colour and then in Photoshop I converted to black and white. I then increased the contrast and did a little skin softening and some dodging and burning but all very subtle just to enhance the image.

In my camera bag

If I am not doing a studio shoot I always carry my Canon EOS 1100d, 18-55mm lens, 50-250mm lens and my 50mm lens. Other than that just the usual accessories. In terms of studio equipment I have my D-lite 2 and soft box and if I want a secondary light I use my Speedlight off camera for that.

Feedback

Just keep it simple, this was only one model, one backdrop and one light and a home made reflector. If you are fairly new to portraiture of even if you have loads of experience and equipment, just try going back to basics. The results can be just as good. I have no intentions of getting any more lights just yet, I want to explore all possibilities with what I have first before I expand my equipment. Get a friend to model, and if they can do their hair and make-up to save you getting someone in to do it then that is all good to keep cost down while you experiment, most importantly make sure everyone has fun...

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bluecheezz80

bluecheezz80

Colleen

Studio shot, one light and one reflector.

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow bluecheezz80

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