LPP_9215
Aperture f/4.0 ISO 250 Shutter 1/250 
Nov, 2014Views
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People's Choice in Emotive Portraiture Photo Challenge
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Peer Award
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo in my home studio while I was experimenting with new lighting techniques.Time
I normally do most of my personal shoots during the middle to late part of the day but for this particular shoot I ended up not starting it until around midnight. Fortunately I have a great muse in my wife and she is very patient with my shoots and experiments.Lighting
There really wasn't a very elaborate lighting setup for this shoot. I basically used a 40in octagon moon diffuser on my studio strobe and angled the light directly above her. And then I had a small studio strobe gelled blue off to her right to give a little bit of a dramatic light.Equipment
For this shoot I used my Canon 7D with a 24-105 lens. I had my Alien Bees as my strobes (ABR800 and a B800). This entire series was shot handheld so no tripod was used.Inspiration
I typically shoot weddings and boudoir sessions but I decided I wanted to do something a little different from my normal work. As an artist you're always looking for ways to improve your art form so for me I decided to step outside my comfort zone and do something a little dark yet still sensual. Playing with lighting angles and movements allows me to create different looks that I've never captured before. And then on top of that, it was a collaboration with the model to create something that makes a statement. The statement she wanted to make was that you don't have to be this cookie cutter model to be beautiful. Just be yourself. I guess you'd have to see the whole set to understand how it all played out.Editing
Yes I did. My post processing on this particular set was very minimal. I used Lightroom for small adjustments and then took it over into Photoshop to work the skin texture and tones. But it honestly was very minimal work. I feel that most great shots should be captured as close to what you're looking for in camera.In my camera bag
As a photographer I think your arsenal is ever growing. In have 3 cameras that I use. What I typically always have in my bag, ready to go, is my Canon 5D Mark iii with a 24-105mm lens with my second lens being the 70-200mm (2.8). I usually only have one speed light unless I'm shooting a more elaborate lighting setup. For my go to flash I use the Canon 600ext and then I use a couple of Pocket Wizards Plus iii.Feedback
Honestly my best advice is to just keep shooting and experimenting. Don't be afraid to make mistakes because those are the things that make us better. Play with lighting and direction. Use reflectors to bring light back up into the subject if you need fill. There honestly isn't a right or wrong. It's all about finding your style and figuring out what works best for you. So get out there and experiment and find yourself a patient subject :)
