Practice, Practice, Practice!

[bcap]

Well, I have been trying my hand at different types of photography lately. I have been expanding my creative thinking and have been going at my subjects from a totally different perspective.

I used to shoot mostly sports and action photography. After acquiring an apprentice-type position as a 2nd shooter for weddings with a local pro, I have been venturing into the wedding-style shooting.

Yesterday I seized the opportunity to go out with my girlfriend and a couple who is friends of ours to do a mock-engagement shoot. We just sort of goofed around a lot and I wanted to see what I was capable of. To boot, it was my first time venturing into off-camera flash (I just got my Pocket Wizards on Tuesday).

So, without further adeui, here are a few of my favorites from the shoot yesterday. I am posting them with hopes that I can get some tips/comments/critiques on both the style, the feel, the emotion, the lighting and the posing, as almost all of it was relatively new to me. I am very happy with the results and I know that I will only get better.

1.
http://www.mimphoto.com/photos/notl2/images/notl-01.jpg

2.
http://www.mimphoto.com/photos/notl2/images/notl-07.jpg

3.
http://www.mimphoto.com/photos/notl2/images/notl-12.jpg

4.
http://www.mimphoto.com/photos/notl2/images/notl-24.jpg

5.
http://www.mimphoto.com/photos/notl2/images/notl-28.jpg

6.
http://www.mimphoto.com/photos/notl2/images/notl-29.jpg

If you wish to see all of the photos from the day, they can be found here (http://www.mimphoto.com/photos/notl2).

Thanks for taking a peek and taking the time to give me your thoughts.

[Ursie]

I like number 5, fun pose, and she looks very innocent and nervous. The others are nice, but the lighting is too harsh, too many shadows. I'm working on that myself and I can the see the problem, but I can't yet tell you how to fix it. I'm thinking the light maybe needs to be diffused more? Someone else will come along who knows better I'm sure. I like your posing alot!

[bcap]

Thanks for the comments Ursie. Like I said, first time with off camera flash so it was all new. I agree with the harsh lighting. We were in direct sunlight ALL DAY with not a cloud in sight, so it was difficult conditions.

Also, note that my flash was bare. I have read that diffusers outside are pointless. If anyone disagrees or has any comments about this, please feel free to comment.

Thanks again Ursie,

Bryan

[71kgb]

I really lik number 2 - it's a great relaxed pose.

With regard to the shadows (which I agree are harsh and a problem that I am trying to overcome in differnet ways) - a tip I picked up from Bjorn Thomassen was to use a diffuser screen (like the ones that come with 5 in 1 reflectors) to soften and diffuse the light falling on the subjects. As these often absorb 1-1.5 stops of light in doing so and, as long as you meter on the subject, also has the effect of overexposing the background by 1-1.5 stops. This, along with the out of focus background, really emphasises the subjects.

I'm still playing with this myself and don't feel confident enough to post my examples, but have a look at Bjorn Thomassen's book (101 portrait tips) on his use of the Californian Sun-swatter.

[bcap]

Thanks 71kgb!

Are you talking about using the diffusion screen to diffuse the sun falling on the subjects or to place it between my flash and the subject? I am assuming you are talking about the first ...

If so, I think that's a great idea, and I couldn't tell you how many times I said yesterday "Damnit, i wish I had a reflector or diffusion panel to put on top of you guys!" LOL

Thanks again

Bryan

[2gDSM]

Would you mind sharing where you placed the flash if you can remember?

[picturecrazy]

Nice collection there! They look like they're having fun. Kudos for that!

Your first PW off camera lighting is good! I never shoot with a diffuser outside when competing with the sun. You lose too much other otherwise. Sometimes I use two 580's and two 430's bare to get enough light to the couple, but that's pretty rare. 99% of my off-camera shots are one flash, no diffuser.

When shooting bare flash, there are little things you need to look out for. If you look at photo 5, it looks like you set your light to your left at a big angle, around chest level. (Just a guess) This puts a big shadow from her collar onto her neck. With a softbox, it wouldn't be as much of a deal, but with bare flash you gotta keep all these details in check. The flash exposure on 1 and 4 is excellent. It doesn't look very harsh, even with bare, direct flash, does it? Look at number 1, the shadows on her neck look very soft and pleasing.... all without a softbox. Bare flash is awesome if used correctly. Bare flash with NO angle sucks though...

Great work! Looking forward to seeing more!

[bcap]

Would you mind sharing where you placed the flash if you can remember?


Absolutely. Now, I'm going off the best of my memory (which seems to be a bit hazy somtimes) so forgive me if I am not 100% on.

1 - Up above me about 3 feet and to my right
2 - Same level as me and to my left
3 - Up and to my right about 2 feet
4 - Had my girlfriend hold the lightstand as a mono-pod and I had her hold it JUST off camera to my left, facing the middle of them, zoom set to 14mm.
5 - To my far left, about 4 feet away from subjects
6 - Down and to my far left

Hope that helps.

[bcap]

Lloyd - thanks for the positive comments. I agree that if I had more flashes then it would have been much easier. Unfortunately I'm dealing with my 2 new PWs and 1 flash (will upgrade in time).

Thanks for the comments - I didn't think the lighting was TOO harsh, and thanks for the tips on the details. Seems I missed that one. Should have raised it about 2 feet higher on #5.

[picturecrazy]

1 - Up above me about 3 feet and to my right


I think 1 is to your left. ;)


Lloyd - thanks for the positive comments. I agree that if I had more flashes then it would have been much easier. Unfortunately I'm dealing with my 2 new PWs and 1 flash (will upgrade in time).


Like I said, 99% of my shots are one flash. You can do a heck of a lot with just one. The benefit you get from 2 flashes is minimal. Remember, during the day you always have TWO lights... the sun and your flash. You just gotta balance the sun with your flash and choose to either overpower it and use the sun as fill or use your flash as full with the sun as main. One flash setups are rocking and pretty much all you should need!!!

[bcap]

Lloyd, you're right, 1 is to my left. I knew that I don't know why I typed right. I am on the ground and to the right of their feet and my flash was up above me to my left ... thanks for the correction.

I agree that 1 light is probaby enough too. I found things got a lot easier once I accepted the fact that my off camera flash shots were all really 2 shots combined. One where the light was from the sun, the other where the light was from the flash. Set aperture/shutter (and ISO) to make the sun's light acceptable and get the right DOF, and then set my Flash (in Manual) to bring out the subjects.

[gateruner]

I think you did a pretty darn good job. The light is tough but we all have to learn to shoot in it. The shadows, considering the harsh light arent that bad, you got the sky in nice and blue without blowing stuff out for the most part. The shots are sharp and in going with the concept, I think you captured good emotion in them.

[LisaMcCoy]

I think they are all great shots. And the ones from the rest of the shoot. I love them! It looks like it would have been a really fun shoot. Taking pictures of kids your own age (or around this age group, highschool/collage) is always fun and very interesting/intertaining. How old are they/you anyways? But yes, I think they are great shots. And unless you've already played with it, I'm sure you have Photoshop on that Mac Book Pro right? Play with Shadow/Highlights on the few with harsher light. Good work!
-Lisa

[Borderfox]

Love number 5.

[song4themoon]

Nice shots, great light and colors

[bcap]

Thanks guys for the positive feedback :)

Lisa - Yes, I have the entire CS3 suite on my MBP, but, these were all processed with Lightroom. I am totally impressed with that application, I love it!

Today is my first wedding as a 2nd shooter. Leaving in t-minus 2 hours. Wish me luck!

[bcap]

Lisa - to answer your other question. We're all 3rd year University ... 20 years old.

[2gDSM]

Gl with the second shooting! Let us know how it goes (mine's 20 days from now so I'd appreciate any advice).

[LisaMcCoy]

I hope your going to post some of the pictures from the wedding. Let us know where. I would also appreciate any tips you could give. I'll be helping a local wedding photographer in NC alot over the summer. Can always learn more.
-Lisa

[bcap]

Hi everyone. For anyone following this (don't know why they would? LOL), I have posted a thread with some of the wedding pics here:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=316199

[71kgb]

Are you talking about using the diffusion screen to diffuse the sun falling on the subjects or to place it between my flash and the subject? I am assuming you are talking about the first ...

Apologies for the delay in responding - I was talking about the first.

Do away with the flash and use a diffusion screen between the natural light source and the subject.