I've been trying to cut back on my photography until I could feel inspired and get passed this feeling of mediocrity. I go through this phase annually where everything I shoot looks repetitious and formulaic. I even dropped out of a couple photography groups because they didn't provide any sparks of creativity, just a bunch of other photographers asking if they could "tag" along on a shoot with me.
My Dad always told me that in order to excel in sports, you need to challenge yourself by playing against people who were better than you. The same applies with photography, I need to work with photographers who's work I admire. Unfortunately most of the photographers I idolize are dead, Herb Ritts, Helmut Newton and Richard Avedon.
After scheduling my shoot with Jenna, I told all other models I was done shooting until further notice. Then I received a message from Taylor. She is a "noob" and started modeling the first week of December 2011. My friend, Tim, shot with her and after reviewing his images, I really liked her facial structure and her mesmerizing eyes. I agreed to shoot with Taylor and to make her my last shoot of 2011.
Taylor and I tossed some ideas around and decided on a few looks, but in the back of my mind I really wanted to emulate Herb Ritts. I invited my friend Brian along and asked for his input regarding Ritts' lighting style. My initial thought was to bounce a strobe against my 86" Silver PLM and use a reflector for fill. Brian stated that to get the hard shadows, the light had to be "hard" and far away.
No Softboxes? No Diffusion? No!!! Just a single strobe at the farthest corner of my garage, with a 8.5" Reflector to concentrate the light, and my California Sunbounce about a foot away from the model to provide the fill.
However, I'm getting ahead of myself. Taylor arrived at 9:30 AM and we headed downtown to do some Natural and Mixed Lighting. Taylor mentioned that if the modeling didn't take off, then it was off to the Military.
Our first destination was the Padre Hotel and all Natural Light except with the occasional use of a diffuser. We shot in the lobby, on the stairs and on the second floor patio. During this portion, Taylor loosened up and we started clicking.
After an hour we headed to one of the numerous alleys downtown, but after a much needed break at the local Coffee Shop for a quick bite and to download the images to my iPad.
Taylor changed to her blue outfit and I brought out my AB1600 with a Beauty Dish. It was already Noon and one of the harshest times to shoot. My college photography instructor always told me to avoid the noon day sun, but being the rebel decided I would shoot anyway. I placed Taylor with her back to the sun and used the Alien Bee as a key light. I checked my light meter and the Flash/Ambient ratio was 40% because I wanted a stronger rim light. We then moved to the alley and after an hour, packed up and headed back to my garage.
This was my favorite part of the shoot because I used one light and a reflector; really simple and clean. We'd shoot a few images, let Taylor "chimp" and then shoot some more. Once we got the shots I wanted, we changed to a clamshell set-up and moved Taylor away from the background so it would go grey. Again, no diffusion, just "hard" light. We wrapped after another hour and sent Taylor on her way back home.
Note: a model must have a great facial structure to pull of hard light, if there are any shortcomings with their skin or face they will definitely show up.
What Did I Learn:
So now I can finally put the camera away until I feel inspired and know that 2011 was a good year for my photography. Thanks Taylor for helping end the year on a high note, and Brian for being a good friend.
Below are some more images from our shoot that I like, so enjoy!!!
After scheduling my shoot with Jenna, I told all other models I was done shooting until further notice. Then I received a message from Taylor. She is a "noob" and started modeling the first week of December 2011. My friend, Tim, shot with her and after reviewing his images, I really liked her facial structure and her mesmerizing eyes. I agreed to shoot with Taylor and to make her my last shoot of 2011.
Taylor and I tossed some ideas around and decided on a few looks, but in the back of my mind I really wanted to emulate Herb Ritts. I invited my friend Brian along and asked for his input regarding Ritts' lighting style. My initial thought was to bounce a strobe against my 86" Silver PLM and use a reflector for fill. Brian stated that to get the hard shadows, the light had to be "hard" and far away.
No Softboxes? No Diffusion? No!!! Just a single strobe at the farthest corner of my garage, with a 8.5" Reflector to concentrate the light, and my California Sunbounce about a foot away from the model to provide the fill.
Our first destination was the Padre Hotel and all Natural Light except with the occasional use of a diffuser. We shot in the lobby, on the stairs and on the second floor patio. During this portion, Taylor loosened up and we started clicking.
After an hour we headed to one of the numerous alleys downtown, but after a much needed break at the local Coffee Shop for a quick bite and to download the images to my iPad.
Taylor changed to her blue outfit and I brought out my AB1600 with a Beauty Dish. It was already Noon and one of the harshest times to shoot. My college photography instructor always told me to avoid the noon day sun, but being the rebel decided I would shoot anyway. I placed Taylor with her back to the sun and used the Alien Bee as a key light. I checked my light meter and the Flash/Ambient ratio was 40% because I wanted a stronger rim light. We then moved to the alley and after an hour, packed up and headed back to my garage.
This was my favorite part of the shoot because I used one light and a reflector; really simple and clean. We'd shoot a few images, let Taylor "chimp" and then shoot some more. Once we got the shots I wanted, we changed to a clamshell set-up and moved Taylor away from the background so it would go grey. Again, no diffusion, just "hard" light. We wrapped after another hour and sent Taylor on her way back home.
Note: a model must have a great facial structure to pull of hard light, if there are any shortcomings with their skin or face they will definitely show up.
What Did I Learn:
- Finding a Good Fashion Model is Challenging - From the multitude of models I've photographed, only one comes to mind that could make it as Fashion Model; Taylor. She has the height and look of a fashion model. This is not to discount my beloved Darnah, she is drop-dead gorgeous, but she doesn't meet the height requirement.
- Hard Lighting has it's Place - Again, it takes the right model to be able to pull it off, high cheekbones, proportionate eyes-to-nose ratios, etc... The lighting is pretty easy to emulate, just make it specular and keep it as far away from the model as possible.
So now I can finally put the camera away until I feel inspired and know that 2011 was a good year for my photography. Thanks Taylor for helping end the year on a high note, and Brian for being a good friend.
Below are some more images from our shoot that I like, so enjoy!!!
She's such a great poser. The lighting is superb.
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