My Daddy

Our Son and Gandson Ethan. Just playing around with new backgrounds and they were unwilling subjects until I started making faces at them! Works every time!

Jayme, by now if you haven't already jot down the lighting set up detail, then you better do so. Always need to refer back to the note after doing something else for a while. I like the left kicklight and the casual, natural gesture of both dad and son. ^_^

Good idea Wilson! I just bought a little note book to write important stuff down! Stuff I learned and didn't want to forget by tomorrow! I liken my brain to a jar, it only has so much space, so.... when I put something new in it, something old has to go! It's way too full! Hopefully, the old stuff is trivial, unnecessary junk! Like spelling! :)

Beautiful capture of son & father. We are used to seeing the Mother & Child.

Hi Jayme, would love to share in your learning - have no lights yet, so working off natural, but if i do, i would appreciate if i can fall back on your portfolio if you have some detail on light types, placement etc... pretty please ;)great photies

Michael- sharing is my middle name! I looked at multiple flash heads. While I did not necessarily buy the best, I bought AlienBees 1600 ws. The customer service is out of this world. I asked lots of questions and they were able to help me with 99% of my questions. I read a lot and debated over the 1600's. I decided for the small increase in cost, they were worth it. I may never need the power, but then I may. One good thing, AlienBee will trade up for a small fee. So... if you decide on less wattage, and later need more they will trade up.

 

The lighting set up I used on this was 2- lights on either side of the backdrop, both had barn doors with the front door at about 45 degree in toward the backdrop (other 3 wide open). I used a large soft box for the main or key light on the left and the fill light is a white bounce umbrella on the right. The main light was fairly close, about 3 1/2 feet, angled about 45 degrees to kind of wrap them in light. The fill was about 4 1/2 feet angled about 45 degrees toward the subjects. My subjects were about 3 1/2 to 4 feet from the backdrop.

 

Since I am not really very good with the light meter yet, I set the power on the lights by trial and error. Thank God for digital. I took about 6 or seven images as I adjusted the lights to get the effect I wanted. Since I have windows on the left and had some natural diffused light (very overcast day at about 430pm), I adjusted the soft box accordingly down a bit. You can see this light on my son's forehead. I purposefully did this. I really liked the contrasts, it looked more like natural light than flash. The look I wanted to achieve. I had more trouble getting them to cooperate than I did to set the lights.

 

I hope this helps. I also bought a PocketWizard flash transmitter/ receiver, so I did not have to be tethered to a flash head. I am not graceful and I feared I might trip and fall. For me it was worth the money. This was the one question AlienBees could not help me with, then actually, neither could my favorite camera store. The problem was the connection of the receiver to the flash head. Both needed RCA male ends. My camera store had to order the cable, I on the other hand, decided to stop by RadioShack on my way home. I purchased the in stock cable for 3.50 and it works perfectly. Oddly, AlienBees acted like I was the first person to ask this question. I doubt this. The person I work with at my camera store and I both learned at the same time.

 

 

I cant read all that...excellent light, comp and framing...even got good haircuts Jayme...7/7

LOL Paul! I'll let them know bout the haircuts! :)

So tender and lovely. It is a challenge to capture two persons at the same time. Original and in great light. What a dear memory for your family. Kind regards.

.. for the detailed info on your rig and your usage there of. much appreciated

May I suggest that you change the framing to a smaller less competitive frame. Now that you work has progressed to this stage focus on the conetnt (image). Just MHO.

Jayme! This one looks great! I have been debating about getting some alien bees for 4 months...your detailed explanations and comments in this portfolio have swayed me to get the bees and start playing. With five of my own kids to model, i should be able to get in some good practice. You have been an inspiration to me.

Kristin- Thank you for the wonderful compliment, you have made my day! You will not regret the purchase. Don't hesitate to call them if you have any questions. They are so easy to adjust, their packing is like nothing I've ever seen, it's amazing, the quality is super. They deliver a wonderful top quaility product. In this day and age to have a company actually provide what they say they will is a breath of fresh air. Good Luck!

J - I like your shot a lot. It reminds me of my shot (above)

 

In the case of your's... great composition. Kids are never still. Having the dad close to the left edge realy gives a sense of movement that makes this portrait special.

 

But, what is it with our families and haircuts?

 

Rosi

Rosi- I love the new hair! Our son is such a stickler about his hair. As a child, our daughter use to tease him & say he had a "hair helmet". His hair grows straight out of his scalp and doesn't lay down until it's about an inch long. He truly needs no gel! :) He gets this from both sides of the family. Of course, I have this wild, unruly, hair with a mind of it's own. It has a personality of it's own, luckily it kind of matches mine! :) I tried cutting it all off, that was the worst! So..... up on the top of my head it goes, in a rubber band with a ribbon bow. Gotta have the ribbon, I accessorize with it, color coordinate with my clothing! :)

Comments and critiques welcome. Lighting class.