Every now and then I do a shoot where everything comes together in a way I like. I’ve decided to share a more complete set of pictures with you here from this set. I apologise if you have seen some of the poses or locations before but somehow every shoot is different. Stina our model gave us full commitment and it shows in the pictures.
This yellow dress of Stina's is my daughters favourite. I think it sets the blue alight. A pyramid composition is a firm favourite amongst photographic judges. The simplicity of this picture comes from a single close proximity Speedlight that has been zoomed into 105mm and tipped down just so.
The above picture was shot at f/18 and this picture was shot at f/8. You can see here the control of look we have when using off camera flash.
No flash, just natural light makes this one of the easiest of the days shots to take. The eyes have it.
Reflections are like a magnetic attraction to me. The more abstract the better.
2 point lighting in the grass makes this a stylish shot. Never under estimate the power of props. In this case the sun glasses add to the look.
Here is my trademark key and kick lighting style. Uncharacteristically I have shot from above the eyeline and it has made Stina look vulnerable as a result.
The same location, the same space shot from a different angle. Get the lighting right and any angle will make a great picture.
Another trademark shot of mine is shooting through a tree's canopy with loads of exposure compensation dialed in. I expose the shot until I hear the CCD scream then I back it off a bit ;) If I had the black over exposure warning flashing mode switched on half of the shot would be flashing at me telling me I'd made a mistake. That is why I have it switched off. It would force me to underexpose my images and the skin in my clients faces would look lifeless as a result. Stina here looks radiant.
Straight after lunch it was time for a bit of flash and burn at 1/10th of a second. It's all in the wrist action apparently.
When eyes connect and magic happens the lighting can take second place. It's not bad here but it's not text book either.
I gave this shot so much exposure I nearly binned it there and then. Marko however brought it back to life and now I love it.
All the delegates removed their filters to get this shot without too much flare. Natural light in small but defined doses like this makes wonderful pictures if you know where to find it.
We next played with reflections off polished black marble. While the delegates were shooting that I stole this grab shot. Note the 2 point lighting style.
Flash on camera plus 2 stops gave us this look. We needed to shoot at f/16 and on long lenses to fine tune the picture.
Next it was down to the sidings to get some railway shots. 2 point flash lighting using just ST-E2 and SU-800 or pop up flash triggers was all we needed for this shot. We were over 10 metres from the flash units in full sunlight and the infra red system worked well.
Here you can see the lighting set up I rigged with the Speedlights on the Lovegrove flash brackets. Note I used a Canon and a Nikon Speedlight on each stand for the delegates. The shot I was shoooting is below.
We all had a chance to change the pose so we all got unique shots. That's the great thing about small group shooting workshops.
Next it was down to the abandoned housing development. I used 1 off camera Speedlight as a key and the sun as a backlight.
Tight crops make arresting pictures. On camera flash was the only light used for this frame.
One of the frames from the last session of the day. I love blue and red together.
Shots like this are 50% model and 50% photographer.
Stina had a go at changing the points. The sun provided the backlight and there was no supplementary lighting needed.
My last shot of the day.
If you want to join me on an urban portrait shoot you can come to New York at the end of July, come to Bristol on the first of October or join me in Tuscany in at the end of October. The choice is yours. The pictures here represent about 1/3rd of the usable shots taken on an urban portraits workshop. There are many complex lighting set ups demonstrated and taught in such a way as they are repeatable by the delegates. I take care to ensure everyone has the opportunity to get the knowlege and information they need and we do it in a fun, creative, inspiring way. Please feel free to comment on the pictures in the usual way.
Thanks Pete!
Thanks Damien! :)
Hi Karl, Thanks for your kind words.
Linus, Yes Pete is right. You can zoom the Nikon SB800 Speedlight by repeatedly pressing the ‘one tree button’. The SB900 and the Canon Speedlites you need to press the ‘zoom’ button.
Once the Speedlight is off the camera it doesn’t pick up the lens focal length.
If you find your flash won’t zoom it is probably because the wide angle diffuser is engaged on the front of the lens.
Damien.
Hi Pete,
The increase of exposure is to get the skin tone spot on. We don’t need to pull anything back in Lightroom. The shot on the back of the camera looks like the one here.
Lighting stands that we recommend are the 050KA by Arri. I have just negotiated with Arri to stock these hard to get stands and distribute them online.
For bigger lighting kits I recommend the Lowell grand stand. Again this is not readily available in the UK yet.
I’ve been using Manfrotto stands recently but they are not quite up to the job I need them for so I won’t be recommending them here.
Damien.
Thanks for your help John, and thanks for your comments Jean.
Darren, I hope your shoots in London and Milton Keynes went well. Smiley Miley lives down the road from me. Do you remember him?
Hi Linus,
I think it means manually zooming the flash in.
If you hit and hold the Zoom button (on 580exII) the zoom distance will flash and you can manually select how you want the flash to zoom regardless of the lens setting.
Pete
Hi Damien,
Nice pictures. Got your DVDs and I am looking at them right now.
Just a quick question, what do you mean by “Speedlight that has been zoomed into 105mm”. If I were to use the pop up flash as the commander and the SB800 as the off the camera flash, how can I set the flash to 105mm? Do I set the flash to manual and zoom to 105mm before I set the flash on to remote? Or the flash will learn the setting when II use my 80-200mm and zoom into 105mm on TTL?
I love your Wedding DVDs and am looking at ways to improve my wedding pictures with the off the camera flash technique.
Thanks!
awesome as usual Damien.
Hi Damien..
Love the extra shots in this post…
The shot through the trees where you say you dialled in loads of over exposure.. I guess you do this knowing that it can be pulled back in CS and your just after the composition initially?
And just on a side note… what light stands do you think are good value?
Cheers
Pete
Re Bristol Urbsn Portraits 12 to 15
Hi Damien
Just wanted to comment on your stunning images from the Bristol Urban Portraits you have posted., especially the set of images in 15 – so simple, yet so beautifully captured.
I am shooting my first off-camera session with another photographer and 3 models in London on 11th July, followed by another session in Milton Keynes on 12th July with 4 more models.
I am looking forward to this coming weekend and will forward some of my best / favourite images for some much valued critique if your precious time allows…?
Keep those images and techniques coming and thanks again for sharing with your followers.
Regards
Darren Miles – Miles of Smiles
the tree canopy shot is stunning .. well done .. all the best jean
A terrific day. It’s amazing what can be achieved with minimal lighting equipment combined with the knowkedge and experience which Damien passes on in his workshops.
Thanks again Damien,
John