Portraiture "Practice" - DPChallenge Forums

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

11/01/2004 10:55:45 PM · #1

Here are some portraits that I took of my wife, Jennifer, during a recent practice session.

A little background:

Since August, I have been making a concerted effort to try and improve on my portraiture skills, specifically posing and lighting. I've still got a long ways to go. Previously I was interested in various aspects of commercial/stock photography, but recently I became disillusioned with how that market is being flooded with companies that pay photographers $0.10 for their work and wonder what the future holds as more and more people get digicams and start uploading "stock". Having had the opportunity to photograph two "senior gals" in the past couple months, I realized that I like working with people and seeing their reaction to my work, and also that there was potential monetary benefits to this aspect of photography... hence, my change in focus (no pun intended!)

There is a good chance I would have submitted one of these shots to the October Free Study, but as luck would have it, we lost power, phone and cable (and therefore internet access) on Saturday afternoon due to extremely high winds and I wasn't able to do so. (Seeing that there ended up being 480+ entries, now I'm glad I didn't -- there was only 300 or so the last time I was logged in!)

Anyway... here are some thumbnails; the rest can be found in this collection in my portfolio. I welcome any comments, critiques, etc. These were all shot using two strobes, the main in a large softbox and a hairlight on a boom stand, along with a reflector for fill (except for the football shot, which was taken with only the modeling lights to get a longer exposure.)

(Compared to my "Color Studio Portrait" challenge entry from the end of June, I'd like to think that I've improved a little bit!)

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

11/01/2004 10:58:50 PM · #2

Great stuff Eddy! My faves are 08073, 08163, and 08095, in no particular order. Bummer that you were not able to submit for the FS, any of these would have done very well.

skylen

Nikon D200

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

11/01/2004 11:01:51 PM · #3

I love them. I hope you won't stop shooting 'stock' style completely though, because I'm inspired by your still life studio shots.

What kind of strobes did you use for these shots? Big AC-powered strobes? I'd like to get a lighting setup for portrait photography but can't justify spending a lot of money on it right now. So I have to mostly stick to natural light portraits.

digistoune

Canon EOS-20D

11/01/2004 11:21:15 PM · #4

Originally posted by skylen:

I hope you won't stop shooting 'stock' style completely though, because I'm inspired by your still life studio shots.

Ditto that! The market IS flooded these days but that doesn't mean that the cream won't rise to the top. You are the cream! Your unique talent for making artful stock should not be dismissed. Remember, there's quantity and then there's quality. Okay, maybe I haven't been clear - your work is QUALITY. Are you pickin' up what I'm layin' down here, son?!? LOL Ok...

The portraiture is coming along beautifully. You eye for good photography is beginning to shine in this (for you) newfound genre. My favorite is #08163.

p.s. Your wife is just lovely :-)

hlswilson

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

11/01/2004 11:22:06 PM · #5

They are all very lovely, but my favorite would have to be the last shot you posted, 08163. Your wife (stunning, I might add) seems the most at ease in that shot - calm, comfortable. The color tones throughout that shot also compliment her hair, skin tone and outfit nicely. I'm especially fond of your lighting in 08146, but her expression makes me wonder if the pose was uncomfortable or unnatural for her. Very, very nice!

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

11/02/2004 12:18:01 AM · #6

Very nice work you've got there Eddy. Stunning model/wife too... :-)

What I really like is the way you light her hair in a couple of the pictures (e.g. 08095, 08160). The lighting helps give these a "professional" feel. I think I like 08095 the best out of the pictures you posted here. It's unique, and the lighting is excellent.

You described the lights you are using (thanks!), I'm just wondering if you might volunteer the brand/model as well? I've just purchased some studio lights myself (hope to have them in a few days so I can begin playing/learning).

Thanks for sharing!

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

11/02/2004 09:23:27 AM · #7

Thanks for the comments so far! (I'll be sure to let my wife read them too.)

Originally posted by skylen:

What kind of strobes did you use for these shots?

Originally posted by dwterry:

You described the lights you are using (thanks!), I'm just wondering if you might volunteer the brand/model as well?

I use White Lightning monolights, the "big brother" to the oft-recommended Alien Bees (the accessories are all compatible between the two). I have an X1600 for my main light, and X800's elsewhere. Not that I have any direct experience with anything else, but Paul C. Buff's strobes seem to me a fantastic light for the money. (Just because they are less expensive than some of the other "big names" doesn't mean they aren't good -- AB & WL strobes are used by a lot of pros. I was reading Portrait Photographer's Handbook, 2nd Edition, and on pages 56 and 57 it shows pictures of Claude Jodoin in his studio and specifically mentions his Alien Bees strobes in the captions.)

Originally posted by hlswilson:

I'm especially fond of your lighting in 08146, but her expression makes me wonder if the pose was uncomfortable or unnatural for her.

She is just standing in front of a brick wall; I guess it might be somewhat unnatural to have her hands behind her head like that. We had gone through an awful lot of poses, so she may have just been getting tired! But... one thing I've learned is that poses are not meant to be comfortable, they are meant to look good when photographed! For example, this pose:

is definitely not comfortable, but it "looks good". (Unfortunately the lighting is extremely flat in this shot.)

In terms of "shooting stock"... I'll still shoot stuff for challenges if I have a good idea (and if I have time, which I haven't lately). It is just that I'm disappointed with the way the stock photo market is going. 10 cents for a picture? If I charge a $35.00 "sitting fee" (that's just for taking the photos), I'd have to sell 350 stock images to make an equivalent amount of money! And once you add in the print orders from that session... well, it just became clear to me where I wanted to devote my time and energy. =]

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

11/02/2004 10:04:03 AM · #8

I think these are significantly improved. They look great - the lighting is good and almost (more?) importantly the background and 'scene' selection is very strong too.

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

11/02/2004 11:40:06 AM · #9

and

are my favourites, the poses look natural and not forced.. The lighting in all of them look awsome, the colours very vibrant, and the model..well what can I say but perfect for these shoots. In 08073 there is a little tilt to the left which you've probably noticed, otherwise perfect shots. And you are right about those stock sites, not worth your time really. A one hour photoshoot will bring a lot more $$$ and probably more satisfaction too.

kyebosh

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 80-200mm f/2.8L

11/02/2004 11:51:28 AM · #10

Wow I love the sharpness of these, what lens are you using? Also what appature? They look so great!

Nusbaum

Fujifilm X-T1

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

11/02/2004 01:02:02 PM · #11

I have been focused on portraits myself lately, so it was nice to see these get posted for comments. They are all good, but I think the first and last in the series you posted here are the best. I'll go add comments to each, but thanks for posting.

GoldBerry

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

11/02/2004 01:35:08 PM · #12

08095 - nice work :-)

For portraits of this nature I think you've done a great job.

Kavey

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for Canon

11/02/2004 01:42:02 PM · #13

I like 08104 a lot though I'd prefer that screen thing in the background to either go right the way across the included wall or not be there at all.

But I like the pose and lighting and the thing she's leaning on works too.

08066 is nice too though I do dislike the background a lot lot lot. On a plain background that one would be a real winner for me - and would look more professional too I think.

I like most of them actually but I am not keen on several of the backgrounds which strike me as too busy.

Message edited by author 2004-11-02 13:49:20.

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

11/02/2004 01:46:24 PM · #14

Eddy,

I think all of these, including the ones in your portfolio are excellent. The lighting and color balance works very well in each of these. I know very little about portrait photography and can't suggest any improvements because of that. I do, however, know when I like what I see...

Great work...

:)

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

11/02/2004 01:49:24 PM · #15

I think they're all beautiful, as is your wife. Fabulous work! :o)

aerogurl

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G DX VR

11/02/2004 02:16:07 PM · #16

These are really great! Your wife is very beautiful and extremely photogenic. I am curious as to the backgrounds/props. Is this something you have in your home? Just curious, looks like a wedding chapel or something very very professional. Nice Job!

11/02/2004 06:04:23 PM · #17

Thanks again for the continued comments!

Originally posted by kyebosh:

Wow I love the sharpness of these, what lens are you using? Also what appature? They look so great!

These were taken with a combination of the 24-70/2.8L and 70-200/2.8L IS. Most were at Æ�/4.5 (what the strobes metered at).

Originally posted by Kavey:

I like most of them actually but I am not keen on several of the backgrounds which strike me as too busy.

Interesting. One of the things that I've been trying to learn is how to build up a "scene" since I like "creative" settings that have some character to them much better than just a straight "person in front of a muslin" shot, which is what 08066 is. (Although I do like the "high key" shots on an all-white background... that is a pretty straight-forward setup though.)

Originally posted by aerogurl:

I am curious as to the backgrounds/props. Is this something you have in your home?

I've slowly been acquiring props for my "basement studio". I have three 8ft "pillars" that I made (like in 08073), various silk plants, some muslins, chairs, etc. The bench in 08095 is this plastic thing. The lockers in 08116 are just locker faces (I got 12 of them locally for $100.) The brick wall, is well, a real brick wall, and the black gate is an old iron gate. The ladder is similar to this. The background pieces (the wall with the arched window and the column) are not mine unfortunately -- they are "styrofoam" props and belong to another photographer. (After using them and seeing the results, I really want my own... but I need to get some real business before going down that path...)

Message edited by author 2004-11-02 18:05:25.

ButterflySis

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

11/02/2004 07:45:02 PM · #18

I left a bunch of comments on the images. Fantastic stuff. Please don't be offended by my one comment! I'm not a portrait photographer so consider the source. :-)

joanns

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro

11/02/2004 07:57:35 PM · #19

Eddy, Wow! absolutely beautiful, professional work. My favorite part is the way you lit her beautiful hair. Although she is lit beautifully all around, her hair was hightlighted and the work gave me goose bumps!
You have a wonderful array of props. I would like to recommend a book to you - this master photographer and you have similar styles.
Portrait Photography..the art of seeing light by Don Blair. I think you'll enjoy it.