Long Hair Bayley - curled
This model showing the multiple colors of long hair with gentle curls.
This model showing the multiple colors of long hair with gentle curls.
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Jul, 2016Views
429
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Awards
Peer Award
Superb Composition
All Star
Magnificent Capture
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Superior Skill
Emotions
Happy
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this image of my daughter, who lives in Los Angeles, at our home here in Las Vegas. She needed a new headshot and I had a new backdrop.Time
This photo was created about 10 am way back in May of 2011 but it's one of my favorites. Almost all of my photography is taken late in the afternoon or even during the middle of the night. Our family is a little different. We have 3 generations and all of us are swing-shift night owls, except my husband. Many years of working behind the scenes of Las Vegas entertainment shows had me up late in the mornings and not sleeping until 3-4 am. The daughter in this image was also in a Las Vegas production show for several years 6 nights a week so again, family time was after 1 am.Lighting
I took this image utilizing two soft lights cross fading on Bayley's face. As a retired/disabled follow-spot light operator, cross shooting is always my first choice with two lights. While taking a lighting class at the College of Southern Nevada, I learned a lot about photography lighting but I tend to feel more comfortable using my old ways of two lights.Equipment
I used my Canon EOS 50D camera with a Canon lens EF-S 55-250 . I definitely use a tripod for almost all head-shots due to both of my shoulders are completely worn out and I need a replacement.Inspiration
Quite honestly my daughter is the reason I learned some photography skills. Bayley took up photography in high school as an elective. She had a great eye and took many amazing photos. I purchased all the equipment she would need to pursue a degree in Photography. After completing many classes in photography, lighting and photoshop, Bayley confessed she her true passion was being in front of the camera, not behind it. She and her sister were child models, dancers & actresses. This daughter a champion cheerleader and an acrobat/dancer in a famous production show her senior year in high school. All I had from all of their events were terrible photos. So as I sat and looked at all my blurry photos of her and her sister's action-filled activities and adventures, I realized I was the one who should be learning how to take better photos and utilizing all that equipment sitting there getting dusty. So I was inspired to put to work the equipment I bought her, get out of my comfort zone, be the older lady in school and learn how to really take better photos. I do not feel I'm ever going to reach the skill level as many of the photographers on this fantastic site but all of the images inspire me. All I think about is how to get better while loving every moment of it.Editing
I utilize Lightroom and Photoshop but believe that if I get a great image right out of the camera, why do more than crop, or do some healing or skin softening. My worst post-processing event was I was asked to "just take a family group photo" who were meeting in Las Vegas, no big deal, just wanted everyone in the picture. We all want to do our best work with what we are tasked to do, so with 3 generations, no theme, no color coordinations and some bare feet, twelve (12) folks met in a cramped Las Vegas Hotel room. From the get-go this was beginning to look like a difficult shoot. Then, the one question no one wants to be asked "can we save a spot for the one family member who couldn't be there and photoshop her in?" They would send me a photo to insert into the image and "by the way, can you remove the background too?" Thank goodness for other more advanced photoshop friends and co-workers who all assisted me in this endeavor. The image was eventually completed and totally acceptable. I will never take that challenge on again.In my camera bag
I love my camera sling-type bag that is lined with bright yellow so I can see exactly what I have inside. I carry extra blank SD cards, my business cards, a camera lens cloth and hand-pump blower, my Canon EOS 60D with a Tamron SP 17-50mm F/2.8 lens with a (pro)master 72mm UV lens filter and my Canon EOS 50D with my Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 55-250mm, along with my Canon EF 50mm 1.8 lens, extra batteries for my ancient flash, a car battery charger for my cameras & last but not least a camera rain-sleeve.Feedback
My advise is to get to know your subject for a head shot before the shoot. In this image, my daughter, really doesn't like me photographing her. She always wants her head shots by someone else, it's a mother/daughter thing. So with anyone else you are going to shoot, it's all about them feeling at ease, their comfort and knowing what they need that image for or what they think they want. Always being somewhat able to give directions and having another person there to help, helps. Like adjusting clothing that's bunched up, or spraying down flyaway hairs. Last but not least, have fun! If you're enjoying your time with this person, hopefully they too will loosen up and be more comfortable and natural.
