Portraits with no umbrellas, softboxes, etc.

[themirage]

Does anyone every take portraits with the standard 7in reflector that comes with there AlienBees or similar flash. I've been shooting for awhile now and I don't think I have every taken a picture without some kind of modifier.

So if you have would you explain why you did and possibly show us the result of that work?

[TMR Design]

Hi Michael,

I shot this image with an Elinchrom Style 400BX and a 40 degree grid and no softbox or diffusion. The light is specular and there's a great deal of contrast. Remember, you can create beautiful lighting without it always being soft and diffused.

http://robertmitchellphotography.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p1028239067-5.jpg

[2112]

A 40 degree grid IS a modifier. Hes looking for shots with no modifiers, only the reflector.

[TMR Design]

I know what a grid is. NO need to correct me. He indicated that he didn't want to see umbrellas or softboxes, etc. and I'm fairly sure he doesn't want to see diffused modifiers. A grid focuses the beam of light, that's all.

[tetrode]

A 40 degree grid IS a modifier. Hes looking for shots with no modifiers, only the reflector.

Well that's another real value-added post. If you have something useful to add to this thread such as a photo (preferably without a jungle background) taken with a bare reflector, please post it. Otherwise, why not let the original poster decide whether Robert's example is what he had in mind or not.

Personally, I interpreted the OP's request much as Robert did, that being for examples taken without softboxes or umbrellas and using direct flash only.

Dave F.

[2112]

Well that's another real value-added post. If you have something useful to add to this thread such as a photo (preferably without a jungle background) taken with a bare reflector, please post it. Otherwise, why not let the original poster decide whether Robert's example is what he had in mind or not.

Personally, I interpreted the OP's request much as Robert did, that being for examples taken without softboxes or umbrellas and using direct flash only.

Dave F.

Read the first sentence of the OP's post again, and stay on topic please. Dont post here just to insult me, how is THAT of any value to anyone?

Michael, here is a shot with NO modifiers at all. Just a Genesis 200 with the reflector it comes with, as you had requested to see pics of. NSFW

http://img393.imageshack.us/img393/9804/monica1em2.jpg

[Rudi]

If we're gonna be pedantic, any reflector, standard or otherwise, is a modifier! Bare bulb flash is flash without any modifiers. It's used for some kinds of photography, and you can find examples of it if you search on Flickr or PBase, I'm sure.

[Rudi]

Hi Michael,

I shot this image with an Elinchrom Style 400BX and a 40 degree grid and no softbox or diffusion. The light is specular and there's a great deal of contrast. Remember, you can create beautiful lighting without it always being soft and diffused.

http://robertmitchellphotography.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p1028239067-5.jpg

Robert, outstanding! (Both the girl and the image).

[vwjoe76]

Hey Michael,
I hope these examples help. The light on the left photo is direct, hard light. The one one on the right was shot through an umbrella. I do not remember the name of the lights we used. They were my buddy's father-in-law's and were about 40 years old. The reason I used the straight, hard light was because I was forced to. It was part of a project, but as it turns out I kind of like it for some situations like the interpretive type of photos I took here. Again, hope I'm not way off mark and this helps in some way. :)
--Joe

[TMR Design]

Robert, outstanding! (Both the girl and the image).

Thanks Rudi,

I really appreciate that.

[silvex]

Hi Michael,

I shot this image with an Elinchrom Style 400BX and a 40 degree grid and no softbox or diffusion. The light is specular and there's a great deal of contrast. Remember, you can create beautiful lighting without it always being soft and diffused.



Now...that is what I call exposure...:) Amazing color.

[TMR Design]

Now...that is what I call exposure...:) Amazing color.

Thank you Ed. I truly appreciate that.

[da_teacher]

Shot this just a couple of hours ago...bare flash, off camera Sunpak 383 triggered wirelessly with ebay triggers....

http://i36.tinypic.com/xf480p.jpg

[TMR Design]

VERY nice da_teacher. Love it!

[da_teacher]

VERY nice da_teacher. Love it!

Coming from you Robert, that's a huge compliment. Love your stuff sir!

[Jannie]

Michael Grecco in his book Lighting and the Dramatic Portrait shows quite a few portraits where he did use a reflector and a grid. And yes you would say a grid is a modifier but at the same time completely different than the rest which generally tend to diffuse the light to some degree.

This book was the most interesting and fun book to read I've picked up on photography of any type to date. I couldn't put it down until I'd read all the way through.

Much of the appeal for me was that the actual production part of his explanations is so similar to shooting commercials on film for television which is my background. The process is much the same but the execution is much different and I bought a reflector and grids for my new strobes entirely because of what I learned and got excited about reading in this book.

[M Powered]

Bare flash is rare for me. Heres an old one; On camera flash, no modifier.

http://home.socal.rr.com/mpowered/rali3.jpg

[themirage]

Wow everyone. I like what I've seen. Since getting into photography I've always used some kind of softbox, umbrella, etc. when shooting a subject. I always felt the light would be too harsh but it looks like you can make great work with out them.

As for the little argument that was taking place earlier, I could have clarified more. I think a grid would be acceptable since the reflect I mentioned is in itself a modifier. I'm sorry everyone.

Again, thank you. I did a shoot today and my post make me give it a shot and I think it worked. What do you all think? I put two ab800 with the stock reflector directly to the right and left.

311245

[silvex]

Hey Michael,
I hope these examples help. The light on the left photo is direct, hard light. The one one on the right was shot through an umbrella. I do not remember the name of the lights we used. They were my buddy's father-in-law's and were about 40 years old. The reason I used the straight, hard light was because I was forced to. It was part of a project, but as it turns out I kind of like it for some situations like the interpretive type of photos I took here. Again, hope I'm not way off mark and this helps in some way. :)
--Joe

Need to fix the WB...:)

[silvex]

580EXII on hot shoe...bare...

http://silvex.smugmug.com/photos/381419985_HnZzf-XL-1.jpg

[Emergenic]

Ok, I'll play too! (-:

Bare 580EXII on camera...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3012/2925216456_4d51654629_o.jpg

[TMR Design]

Wow everyone. I like what I've seen. Since getting into photography I've always used some kind of softbox, umbrella, etc. when shooting a subject. I always felt the light would be too harsh but it looks like you can make great work with out them.

As for the little argument that was taking place earlier, I could have clarified more. I think a grid would be acceptable since the reflect I mentioned is in itself a modifier. I'm sorry everyone.

Again, thank you. I did a shoot today and my post make me give it a shot and I think it worked. What do you all think? I put two ab800 with the stock reflector directly to the right and left.

311245

Hi Michael,

I like this image and although it is dramatic, and I'm assuming that is the look you were going for, the equal light coming from both left and right has created a somewhat demonic and unusual look in the way the shadows strike the nose and eye sockets. Without trying to complicate things or confuse you I would suggest working with one main light first. Then, when you get good at modeling the face, creating highlights and controlling the shadows you can introduce a fill source.

Just my 2 cents.

[TMR Design]

580EXII on hot shoe...bare...

http://silvex.smugmug.com/photos/381419985_HnZzf-XL-1.jpg

HI Ed,

Great shot of Don King. :D

[vwjoe76]

Need to fix the WB...:)

Yea, you're right Ed. I took those pictures about an hour before posting. Time to enter Adobe Bridge! Thanks for the C&C. :) --Joe

[silvex]

HI Ed,

Great shot of Don King. :D

Only in America...:) thanks!

[silvex]

Bare flash is rare for me. Heres an old one; On camera flash, no modifier.



Need to fix the horizon...just kidding...:) Great model!!! was the shot in manual or AV with 580EX as fill.

[silvex]

Ok, I'll play too! (-:

Bare 580EXII on camera...


Nice shot...love the f1.8 aperture.

[silvex]

And the legendary 85L @f1.2 ...with 580EXII as fill and the sun as main light...;)

http://silvex.smugmug.com/photos/272171053_FSaSZ-X2-4.jpg

[vwjoe76]

Here's a 580EX shot of my own. Main light from behind and above (the sun) and my speed lite on camera.

[TMR Design]

And the legendary 85L @f1.2 ...with 580EXII as fill and the sun as main light...;)

http://silvex.smugmug.com/photos/272171053_FSaSZ-X2-4.jpg

What can I say Ed? Simply Beautiful.

[silvex]

What can I say Ed? Simply Beautiful.

:o thanks...

[sayn3ver]

my girlfriend last night, just a quick impromptu shoot in her room. please excuse the distracting backgrounds...haha but there was not an inch of space in her room that didn't have something distracting.

40d+ 580exII + 35L + cheap home depot clamp on light(8 bucks) with screw type CF bulb @6500k.

http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v345/215/71/8818900/n8818900_42292555_7848.jpg

http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v345/215/71/8818900/n8818900_42292556_8181.jpg

[pepperoni]

Since people are posting hard light shots, I might as well play along. I have a bunch, but here's just a few.

Gridded B800 on a boom above me and to the right, B800 camera left with red gel.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3255/2847138757_0ea6f6afaf_o.jpg


On camera 430EX with RayFlash attachment thingy.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3161/2764812532_74db97e081.jpg


Bare speed lights 90-degrees left and right.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3085/2751896869_bf430d0eb9.jpg?v=0


Bare speed lights left and right.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2091/2084920161_dc5db86851.jpg?v=0

[Wilt]

A 40 degree grid IS a modifier. Hes looking for shots with no modifiers, only the reflector.

My take on the question is 'without larger apparent source' modifiers, rather than a question regarding those which limit the spread (angle restrictors like grids and shoots or barndoors)

My response is 'when you want more contrasty and dramatic lighting, such as with a single light (no fill) high contrast ratio, hard sources'.

[form]

I used bare flash once for an unexpected private session with a bride and groom last week; it was pretty effective, though someone with more experience might have chosen a better style. It was positioned about 135 degrees right relative to the camera, so it was facing a little towards the camera.

I also like bare flash for accents during wedding dances.

IMO, the biggest concern with bare flash is making sure it hits everything you want it to. It's very effective for some shots, but because of the hard shadows it can easily miss some of the intended targets. Also IMO, it's much more interesting from the sides or from behind than from near the same axis as the camera lens.

[silvex]

Since people are posting hard light shots, I might as well play along. I have a bunch, but here's just a few.

Gridded B800 on a boom above me and to the right, B800 camera left with red gel.



On camera 430EX with RayFlash attachment thingy.



Bare speed lights 90-degrees left and right.



Bare speed lights left and right.

Nice!!!

[TMR Design]

On camera 430EX with RayFlash attachment thingy.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3161/2764812532_74db97e081.jpg


Hi Pepperoni,

I like this image and the results I've seen from the RayFlash look nice. How do you like the device on the whole? How is the build? Evenness and quality of light?

Any problems or issues?

Considering what other ring flashes can cost this is very attractive.

Can you give me/us some input and feedback?


EDIT: Oh my. I don't always weigh user reviews too heavily because some people are just nuts but I just saw a review on B&H that is very negative.
This user gave it 1 star and posted this:

"I generally refrain from saying negative things about products. But I bought this flash adapter because it was advertised on ExpoImaging's web site, and I consider their ExpoDisc to be a high quality product. I had this thing out of the box for 5 minutes before deciding to return it. [$]. I would have kept it if that's how much I paid for it.The product quality is very poor. The adapter is so front-heavy that it causes the SB-800 to tilt from it's 0-degree position making the adapter point downwards. So it's neither concentric nor co-axial with the lens. Were they really satisfied with this design when they tested it? The plastic "clamp" is so thin that it looks like it will easily break. The ring is positioned so that it interferes with the focus and/or zoom rings of many lenses.Don't waste your money."

[pepperoni]

Hey Rob,
It was borrowed and it wasn't the right one for my 430EX. It was for a buddies 580, so it didn't clamp on to the smaller 430 very well. I was holding it on the flash with my left hand trying to keep it from falling off and still exude professionalism, while at the same time trying to speak softly to Izabel to get this emotion from her. The only thing I do know is that it needs to be used in real close.

This was shot in bright daylight and I do like what we got with it. I'm not sure I'd buy one but FWIW, David Hobby seemed to like it.

My
$.02
:cool: