Senior Portrait Lighting Question

[michaelmowery]

<p>Tom it doesn't but I gather you know that already. LOL We should rename this post " The Ralph Oshiro how to"</p>

[bob_bill]

<p>I agree that great portraits can be taken outdoors with out any gear. Overhangs, tree canopy/trunk, hall ways, doorways, walls all can be used to modify and shape light. But I think Ralph's job requires getting certain parts of the background as part of the story so he must place the subject in spots with bad light then modify it from there. Unfortunately, when I see a background I really like, I want to use it even if light in the subject position is terrible. Then the gear is employed. It allows me to give shots other photographers walked by or gave hard lit, squinting subject shots. Have been experimenting with an app, Sun Surveyor, that gives you sun position at a specific place, date and time. It will show angle of sunrise/set, sun's path each hour, gives golden/blue hours, Really cool. It will store location coordinates if you scout and works with google street view. </p>