Tried a portrait shoot with the 20D - finally!

[DonSchap]

One of the things that has always eluded me was a good studio portrait shoot. I often shoot fast, playing with the lighting... and never really "getting the shot" I want. The table top models are pretty much predictable and infinitely patient, but people certainly are another.

Well, the drought ended, today... much to my relief. I spent a couple of hours establishing light settings and having the model in a variety of poses... but, it finally came down to this...
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Canon EOS 20D w/ TAmROn SP AF17-50mm f/2.8 XR DiII LD @ 28mm - f/4 - 1/30 sec. - ISO-400 - White-balanced @ 3400K - Manual - Handheld - Tunsten lighting

I even had some woman, watching the shoot, walk over and ask me if I was a "pro". I told her, "No, I'm just a hobbyist with some really nice glass... and an excellent model." Now, admittedly, if the future shots come away looking this good... I may just think about doing it for the almighty buck. LOL :rolleyes:

The Canon EOS 20D and this particular TAmROn lens did exceptional, with accurate metering and producing a sharp, workable image... especially handheld at 1/30 of a second. Who needs "IS", eh?

GOT THE SHOT! :D

[michaelb]

Very nice shot Don; she should be very pleased.

[cwphoto]

Not bad Don, I haven't seen tungsten used since my days at tech.

One little thing - I think you could have used just a little more FL and moved back (if you could). At 28mm her fingers look kinda elongated at the corner of the frame.

[24Peter]

One of the things that has always eluded me was a good studio portrait shoot. I often shoot fast, playing with the lighting... and never really "getting the shot" I want. The table top models are pretty much predictable and infinitely patient, but people certainly are another.

Well, the drought ended, today... much to my relief. I spent a couple of hours establishing light settings and having the model in a variety of poses... but, it finally came down to this...
14761
Canon EOS 20D w/ TAmROn SP AF17-50mm f/2.8 XR DiII LD @ 28mm - f/4 - 1/30 sec. - ISO-400 - White-balanced @ 3400K - Manual - Handheld - Tunsten lighting

I even had some woman, watching the shoot, walk over and ask me if I was a "pro". I told her, "No, I'm just a hobbyist with some really nice glass... and an excellent model." Now, admittedly, if the future shots come away looking this good... I may just think about doing it for the almighty buck. LOL :rolleyes:

The Canon EOS 20D and this particular TAmROn lens did exceptional, with accurate metering and producing a sharp, workable image... especially handheld at 1/30 of a second. Who needs "IS", eh?

GOT THE SHOT! :D

Very nice Don esp. with Tungsten lighting. Do you have a gallery on-line with the rest of the shots? And where were you shooting that some strange woman was watching and making comments? :confused:

[DonSchap]

Very nice Don esp. with Tungsten lighting. Do you have a gallery on-line with the rest of the shots? And where were you shooting that some strange woman was watching and making comments? :confused:

Sunday's photo shoot took place at the local community college lighting studio, which is a classroom occasionally split in half by a large chalkboard. As such, two simultaneous photo shoots can be done using various combinations of lighting parafinalia that can be shared between the two set-ups (Costs are reduced).

Anyway, the woman who had made comment, that you are confused about, was part of the other shooting group... and obviously found my shoot far more entertaining than the one she was involved with.

Having two models to choose from made for some interesting combinations... and the ladies also did a couple outfit changes to improve the lighting scenario.

I have to admit, it was a bit awkward setting the lights up for this, as I have rarely have done anything like this, with live subjects. I suppose it will run a bit more smoothly with each subsequent shoot, but for now... it's rather rough-edged.

The shoot was originally only supposed be using Ectachrome 320 (actual film ISO 250), so the lighting exposure was a bit out of whack for the ISO-400 digital shots I took and had to be redone. Setting the White Balance to 3400K got the color to look warm and inviting, for the shots.

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Canon EOS-20D w/ TAmROn SP AF 17-50 f/2.8 XR DiII LD @ 39mm - f/5.6 - 1/30 sec - ISO 400 - Manual - White balanced @ 3400K - Tripod - Tungsten Lighting

I plan on a reshoot... now armed with the experienced knowledge of how I need to set up my lighting, to do a better job. I understand, first-hand, the need to move with haste and diligence getting these various lighting issues resolved without impacting the model's time and interest in the shoot. It certainly can be a task for just one person... better yet, with two or more.

My on-line gallery support disappeared last month, so I will be looking for another, soon, but thanks for asking, Peter. I hope this clears things up, a bit.

[24Peter]

Having two models to choose from made for some interesting combinations... and the ladies also did a couple outfit changes to improve the lighting scenario.

I have to admit, it was a bit awkward setting the lights up for this, as I have rarely have done anything like this, with live subjects. I suppose it will run a bit more smoothly with each subsequent shoot, but for now... it's rather rough-edged.

I plan on a reshoot... now armed with the experienced knowledge of how I need to set up my lighting, to do a better job. I understand, first-hand, the need to move with haste and diligence getting these various lighting issues resolved without impacting the model's time and interest in the shoot. It certainly can be a task for just one person... better yet, with two or more.

Well welcome to my world. I think you did a nice job with what you had Don and look forward to seeing more outstanding work from you. :)

[noyjimi]

Nice work DonSchap! Let's see some more of the beauties!!! (oh the 2nd pic looked slightly underexposed on my laptop)

[DonSchap]

The second shoot is being planned.

I'm going to go for a more "fantasy" approach with the 2nd shoot, though. I tend to like a more creative environment. Need some travel lights... and some serious assistance to keep it under control. To be honest, the standard stuff bores the heck out of me. It may pay for the bread, but still enjoy the creative possibilites.

This is my 1000th posting... and it figures... not what I had hoped for, but it will do. :rolleyes:

Went to the Chicago Speedway, in Joliet, IL, today, to watch the wife's cousin do his thing (which he does so well) in one of the fastest cars I've ever seen.

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Canon EOS 20D w/ TAmROn SP AF28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD @ 29mm - f/5.6 - 1/125sec. - ISO-400 - Handheld

Got this shot, after several rather difficult attempts. Heck, it rained half the day, up till then. :p Never having shot racing cars before, I thought it came out looking pretty effective.
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Canon EOS 20D w/ EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 200mm - f/9 - 1/250sec. - ISO-400 - Handheld - 'IS'->ON

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Canon EOS 20D w/ EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 200mm - f/10 - 1/250sec. - ISO-400 - Handheld - 'IS'->ON

I know I should have asked how fast he was going, but he looked kind of busy at the time, so I figured I'd ask later.

[forno]

Hard to catch arent they :)

Ill dig up some old ones I got with the Sony

[forno]

Here you go

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/8963/dsc00495xc3.jpg

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/3666/dsc00502012ac.th.jpg (http://img96.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00502012ac.jpg)

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/6097/dsc00493017ql.th.jpg (http://img224.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00493017ql.jpg)

all a bit blown out but it was early in the days of the little sony

[noyjimi]

Nice shots DonSchap & forno. Don, I'd say your SS was a bit high if you intended to pan.

Not to threadjack, but just to share something from the American Le Mans.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i185/noyjimi/939361ec.jpg

Coulda used a pol that time, but...whatever.

[Vich]

Don, nice model shoots.

The 2nd seems to have better skin tones. The blond looks a little bored but the brunette's a live wire.

Nice lighting! Poses work. Great job!

[Vich]

Nice shots DonSchap & forno. Don, I'd say your SS was a bit high if you intended to pan.

Not to threadjack, but just to share something from the American Le Mans.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i185/noyjimi/939361ec.jpg

Coulda used a pol that time, but...whatever.
Great capture Noyjimi.

What settings? Also; I wondered about Don's f8. I'd think that background blur would be desirable and at that distance, f2.8. I'm absolutely inexperienced at motorsports so am curious about the desired settings run-down. A buddy does motorcycle racing (hard track) and I've been meaning to get out there.

[noyjimi]

Great capture Noyjimi.

What settings? Also; I wondered about Don's f8. I'd think that background blur would be desirable and at that distance, f2.8. I'm absolutely inexperienced at motorsports so am curious about the desired settings run-down. A buddy does motorcycle racing (hard track) and I've been meaning to get out there.

Thanks Vich. That was 1/100, f/16, ISO 100 (I coulda used a 2x ND or pol that time...). When you're panning, the blur comes from the pan technique so you won't need larger apertures as with a static subject.

[forno]

The idea is to get a shutter speed that isnt fast enough to freeze the wheels or the horizontal motion of your pan, but fast enough to freeze the body of the car, if that makes sense.

I may be going to Phillip Island on the weekend for the Porsche Club of Victorias club meet, see what I can get:p

[cwphoto]

I may be going to Phillip Island on the weekend for the Porsche Club of Victorias club meet, see what I can get:p

Cool, I'm 80% for MotoGP. If I get the front turf down this weekend I reckon that should be enough for a leave pass!:D

[cwphoto]

Nice shots DonSchap & forno. Don, I'd say your SS was a bit high if you intended to pan.

Not to threadjack, but just to share something from the American Le Mans.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i185/noyjimi/939361ec.jpg

Coulda used a pol that time, but...whatever.

Mmmmmm, F430...

[adam75south]

nice shots. i actually have a light kit that i bought a couple months back that i have no freakin clue how to work. i tried it a couple of times and my pictures turned out completely horrible. they're strobes i think??? i have to put this thing on top of my hot shoe that tells them when to fire. but i got a feeling i had my shutter speed way to high or low or something like that. and i gotta figure out my light meter...it's great for ambient but seems to not want to work without a cord attached for flash...it's in storage now.

[RichNY]

i gotta figure out my light meter

Don't worry about figuring our your light meter. You've got to figure out how to be like Don and convince women that changing their clothes for you will somehow improve the lighting ;) :D

"Having two models to choose from made for some interesting combinations... and the ladies also did a couple outfit changes to improve the lighting scenario."

Peter- You didn't teach this technique to Don, did you?:rolleyes:

[24Peter]

Don't worry about figuring our your light meter. You've got to figure out how to be like Don and convince women that changing their clothes for you will somehow improve the lighting ;) :D

"Having two models to choose from made for some interesting combinations... and the ladies also did a couple outfit changes to improve the lighting scenario."

Peter- You didn't teach this technique to Don, did you?:rolleyes:
Sorry - couldn't been me - not really sure what he was referring to there... :confused:

[DonSchap]

Some times you have to put your creative hat on to come up with something.... provocative.

Such as...

"SHOULD I...?"
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This was another recent studio session which offered some second guesses and Photoshop... some added dimension.

This is the original... unedited except for size.
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Camera: SONY A100 Lens: Minolta AF50mm f/1.7 @ f/2.8 1/125sec. ISO-200 Light Source: Tungsten

By darkening the exposure... it increased the drama and also reduced the impact of the multiple images of the sword and the model, while enhancing the multiple highlights for the star-effect.

[DonSchap]

that wasn't quite perfect... and you really would like to save it...

Yeah, creatively alter it in such a way as to preserve the intent, but cover the technical screw up... such as out of focus. :o

Time's up!
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