family portraits for people of color

[alain_martinez]

Hello,

 

I'm doing a family portrait soon for a family of color, and I have a few

concerns. I typically take portable lights for outdoor shoots because I like

pictures with contrast in the phases. I typically have my subjects side-lit

with a reflector on the other side to get a nice wrap-around light on the

phases. However this family I'm shooting (I hope I don't offend anybody) is

really really dark-colored, and I'm affraid this approach will not work. Have

you had any experience with this? Can you please share your expriences. Any

gells I should use?

 

thanks in advance for your help.

[brucecahn]

For very dark skin overexpose one stop and do Polaroids (if you shoot film) to check exposure and color. Normal portrait lighting will make the skin look very shiny. The light should be softened by bouncing it off a large surface such as umbrella, flat reflector(s), white wall, etc. I would use a white reflector. Get the light in as close as you can. That softens it too.

[alain_martinez]

Some details, I'll be shooting with a hansel porty 1200w/seconds with a 4x5 softbox and a 4x6 reflector on the other side. I'll be shooting with a 5D.

 

Thanks

[steve_levine]

With Portra NC400, I simply meter for a black garment or a dark shadow, and flesh comes out fine, regardless of it's tone.

[Spearhead]

Given your setup, if you can bring a laptop and run a few quick tests, you should be able to get exactly what you want. If not, use the histogram.

[twmeyer]

yeah, quit worrying. Shoot RAW, custom WB... t

[Spearhead]

Hey Tom, I'd say shoot RAW <i>or</i> custom WB. No need to set WB if you're shooting RAW, especially if you take one frame of something neutral to use when you convert.

[thomas_hardy1]

I guess it's good to do homework when unsure about something. Look here...

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=009pSm

[twmeyer]

That thread seems to be about monochrome work.<p>I use custom WB and NEF files because I have found Capture NX to be a very useful creative tool, that can positively impact other attributes of a photograph in addition to its WB... t<div></div>