Introduction:

Tom is an aspiring actor/model who recently approached me to do some professional quality headshots. I don’t normally do headshots but I thought I would help him out and have a go. Because Tom is new and had never done any headshots before I directed him to a useful website that gives models/actors tips on how to approach heahshot photography:

http://www.headshots101.com/

This website details what an model/actor should expect, what type of wardrobe to bring, and how to chooes the right photographer. It’s a pretty detailed website but it doesn’t really help photographers. In order to prepare for the shoot myself I just looked at inspirational headshots from other photographers. The more expensive the photographer the better his images.

Shoot Details:

Because it is the middle of winter up here in Kingston Ontario, Canada we decided to keep most of the photography indoors. Also because Tom is a little camera shy we also tried to stay away from heavily populated areas of campus. I guess it’s hard to be yourself when people are staring at you because you’re getting your photo taken right? For the first shot we went with a simple Strobist setup with a warmed (1/2 CTO gelled) hotshoe flash shooting through an umbrella camera right. I adjusted the angle of the flash/umbrella until both his eyes were reasonably lit. The worst is when you have only half a face lit when using an umbrella! The background was lit by another bare speedlight firing across the wall from camera right. Care was taken to have the Tom far enough away from the wall to not have the spill light from the umbrella affecting the exposure of the wall!

All the other images where done using natural light as we walked along campus. The second location was in a stairwell fire escape that had very interesting lines plus one small window that we used as a pseudo softbox. The third location was infront of a large window that we were able to overexpose to create a nice white background. Key light was hard to control and is actually a little flat as it just comes from sunlight that was bounced in from the hallways.

Things I Learned:

• Wardrobe is VERY important. Models please bring various DIFFERENT articles of clothing to be best prepared
• Expressions and conveying an open and friendly attitude is important. Models should practice in front of a mirror.
• Make Up Artists (MUA) will save you hours in post production. If only I knew some good ones in Kingston.
• Zoolander shirts are cool.

Photos:

Introduction:

I had decided I really wanted to do a photo shoot with a new lighting technique where the subject is lit by lights from their sides. I thought guys would be more suited for such an idea because a male topless body shows off this lighting technique more. Finally to enhance the lighting oil (in this case a spray can of Pam and some liquid canola oil) was used to create more shine. After asking two male model friends (Demetri and Tyler) and deciding upon a neato “construction worker” theme we got the props, location, and oil ready to go! Afterwards we also found some female models (Allison and Marie) to see if they were game to help out.

Shoot Details:

Unfortunately we only had two speedlights so the front of the subject is darker than I would have wanted. But how we lit the models was using two gobo’d (ie. used something to block the rays of the flash from hitting the camera lens directly) speedlights behind the models and pointed at them in a 45 degree position. In front of each model was a giant  white reflector that we found. Afterward we used a more subdued lighting effect for the group shot, that consisted of one umbrella and a make-shift “softbox”.

Things I Learned:

• Canola oil is great for “greasing up” models!
• Don’t put canola oil on your face.
• Don’t forget to set your camera to RAW before doing an important shoot.

Photos:

Introduction:

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet with Jenny and Brad a couple weekends ago. From that meeting I got to learn more about the couple and here about the fantastic wedding they were planning. After looking at my work they decided to book me for their wedding! One way I used to get to know the couple and see how they interact was to do a impromptu “test” engagement session in their beautfiul backyard. Jenny’s backyard looks like a mini forest and with the fresh two feet of snow we got that weekend it looked like a great place to get some shots of them together.

Shoot Details:

Lighting was getting low by this time (4:45pm in the winter months) so a high ISO and a fast prime (Canon 50mm F1.4) really helped. My assistant and wonderful girlfriend gladly helped with the shoot by shaking a nearby tree to simulate “falling snow”. It sort of worked but I do believe there was more snow on her head than on the couples! Sorry Vivian! What is really nice about shooting on gloomy snowy days is the light is very diffuse and soft coming through the clouds. No need to worry about crazy shadows. Also the white snow coverying the ground works as a giant reflector so you get more light than you would expect during the waning twillight hours.

Things I Found Out:

• A Canon 30D is seemingly imprevious to snow.
• A Nikon SB25 and Elinchrome Skyport remote trigger combo can withstand falling in two feet of snow and still work.
• Using a camera and thick winter gloves is not fun.
• Dogs should not play in the snow.

Photos: