Another Arizona POTN get together (3)?

Hatch1921 wrote in post #9794407
Thanks Dean and congrats on the shot, very cool!

How are you liking the new 100mm Steve?

It's fun to play with, and man can you get close to what you're shooting. I have a bunch of images that are either Out of Focus or had motion blur (the wrong kind) due to the cameraman swaying a bit. Next weekend I'm planning on heading to the superstitions to try it some more. I'll definitely be bringing my tripod.

Can't wait for the next headshot session at work, I'm definitely going to use this lens if I have the space.

Hatch1921 wrote in post #9794453
WILDFLOWER INFO

http://www.desertusa.c​om/wildflo/az.html

Hatch

Thanks Hatch!

Think I'm going to head up to Cave Creek Regional Park in a few hours to look for wildflowers. Anyone want to join me?

Dean Rachwitz wrote in post #9795324
Think I'm going to head up to Cave Creek Regional Park in a few hours to look for wildflowers. Anyone want to join me?

That sounds like fun Dean but I'm going to drag the wife over to Desert Breeze and do some portrait practice.

A little open shade with speedlight fill, some basic reflector work (got a 5 in 1 a couple weeks ago and been wanting to try it out) and see if maybe I can do a decent "fight the sun" shot with one 600RX off a Vagabond.

Guess I ought to blow the dust off my Sekonic as well.

Pretty flowers Hatch....

and Congrats on the lens Steve...

(green with jealousy on both counts... haha)... I live vicariously through my photog friends..

Off to the pile of laundry that awaits... blah....

Dean Rachwitz wrote in post #9795324
Thanks Hatch!

Think I'm going to head up to Cave Creek Regional Park in a few hours to look for wildflowers. Anyone want to join me?

Would love to, but I'm down for the count with allergies!

JmprSteve wrote in post #9794888
It's fun to play with, and man can you get close to what you're shooting. I have a bunch of images that are either Out of Focus or had motion blur (the wrong kind) due to the cameraman swaying a bit. Next weekend I'm planning on heading to the superstitions to try it some more. I'll definitely be bringing my tripod.

Can't wait for the next headshot session at work, I'm definitely going to use this lens if I have the space.

Good deal. I've read about it and seen some shots on FM... nice lens all around. Use a monopod... easier to move around... keeps you steady. I've adopted using one any chance I get. I picked up this one... it comes with a small sleeve you can clip to you Think Tank belt. It weights less than 1lb and does a great job IMO. http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …eries.html#spec​ifications

Kristy wrote in post #9795436
Pretty flowers Hatch....

and Congrats on the lens Steve...

(green with jealousy on both counts... haha)... I live vicariously through my photog friends..

Off to the pile of laundry that awaits... blah....

Many thanks Just had to get out of the house...so nice out I couldn't stand being indoors.

Excuse me while I step way out on a limb...

My darling bride agreed to let me experiment on her in advance of shooting a family friend tomorrow afternoon and here's the pick of the litter. Please shred these at will...

1

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #9796767
Excuse me while I step way out on a limb...
8
Obligatory BTS shot for the headshots above...

Thanks for posting the setup. How do you guys manage to move around such bulky setups??

3,4,6 are my favorites. No 600rx and the VG2? They lack a little "pop" or contrast. It could be the shoot thru umbrella.... soft diffused light? Food for thought... unless you want to match the ambient light... drop your ambient exposure 1/3rd to 1/2 and then bring your strobe up until you have your subject exposed to your taste. This will give you really nice color saturation for your background she/he/they will "pop" off the screen. How cranked up was the speedlight?

Bhargav wrote in post #9796790
Thanks for posting the setup. How do you guys manage to move around such bulky setups??

I have a backpack from the local military surplus store. Holds a vagabond, 2 lights, cords, power strip, extension cord, and my camera bag. I lash the stands and anything long onto the back, and drape the AB carrying bags full of other things (reflector dishes, grids, etc) over the poles.

Of course, I exercise a buttload so it's not too bad...

Bhargav wrote in post #9796790
Thanks for posting the setup. How do you guys manage to move around such bulky setups??

Picked up one of these at Costco for $20 http://www.handtrucksr​us.com …detail.aspx?id=​362&cx=wes

Holds the Ranger and I can carry the stand/light/softbox in the other hand. All the shooting gear is around my waist with the Think Tank belt system http://www.thinktankph​oto.com/

Kristy will carry a reflector panel and we are set to shoot. Pretty mobile and with the heavy Ranger on the cart... not much weight to carry around.

Hatch1921 wrote in post #9796913
Picked up one of these at Costco for $20 http://www.handtrucksr​us.com …detail.aspx?id=​362&cx=wes

Holds the Ranger and I can carry the stand/light/softbox in the other hand. All the shooting gear is around my waist with the Think Tank belt system http://www.thinktankph​oto.com/

Kristy will carry a reflector panel and we are set to shoot. Pretty mobile and with the heavy Ranger on the cart... not much weight to carry around.

Good stuff!

I like to hike, though. I wish there were a rolling system for hiking...haha.

Hatch1921 wrote in post #9796831
3,4,6 are my favorites. No 600rx and the VG2? They lack a little "pop" or contrast. It could be the shoot thru umbrella.... soft diffused light? Food for thought... unless you want to match the ambient light... drop your ambient exposure 1/3rd to 1/2 and then bring your strobe up until you have your subject exposed to your taste. This will give you really nice color saturation for your background she/he/they will "pop" off the screen. How cranked up was the speedlight?

Started with the 580 @ 1/1 but I think it didn't like that and started getting flakey on me so I backed it off to 1/2 and moved the stand closer.

#7 was 600RX + VB to camera left but IMO, the raking sunlight from camera right was too harsh.

So when you say "contrast" do you mean:
- Not enough separation from the background?
- Not substantial enough of a key/fill ratio?
- Litterally add more Contrast in post?

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #9796998
Started with the 580 @ 1/1 but I think it didn't like that and started getting flakey on me so I backed it off to 1/2 and moved the stand closer.

#7 was 600RX + VB to camera left but IMO, the raking sunlight from camera right was too harsh.

So when you say "contrast" do you mean:
- Not enough separation from the background?
- Not substantial enough of a key/fill ratio?
- Litterally add more Contrast in post?

The speration from the background is fine. You can add more contrast in post (check mail) It's the time of day IMO coupled with the soft light of the umbrella. Do you own the deep octa?

So... dropping your ambient exposure will bring in more color from your backgrounds. You can of course shoot/strobe anytime of day but I can tell you from all the sessions we did over the holidays... early morning/late evening produced the best images. The images here are a little flat... so... you could have gone with the subtactive method as well... placing a black panel/flag near your wife to bring up the contrast. But.. this is all minor as I think the images are at a nice point where some post work will really make them shine.