Studio Lighting

[ImageMaker]

Here’s an example of the photographer standing directly in front of the giant Para 222 (222cm is over 7 feet). You can see the photographer (me) in the reflection of her eyes in front of the Para. No problems with exposure or quality of light. Using CaptureOne as the tethering, editing and asset management software - was easily able to change background color with 3 clicks of a mouse. I do pass photos between CaptureOne and Photoshop.

 

[Levina de Ruijter]

Here’s an example of the photographer standing directly in front of the giant Para 222 (222cm is over 7 feet). You can see the photographer (me) in the reflection of her eyes in front of the Para. No problems with exposure or quality of light. Using CaptureOne as the tethering, editing and asset management software - was easily able to change background color with 3 clicks of a mouse. I do pass photos between CaptureOne and Photoshop.

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Beautiful work, as always, Don. Seeing how perfect her makeup is (well, it’s perfect on all your models!), is it done by a MUA?

 

[ImageMaker]

Beautiful work, as always, Don. Seeing how perfect her makeup is (well, it’s perfect on all your models!), is it done by a MUA?

Thank you…! For non-commercial work, the ladies very much prefer to do their own makeup. The photos above is their own makeup. The Broncolor Para light modifiers I use in nearly all my sessions absolutely makes skin and clothing look excellent. Far and away so much better than other light modifiers I’ve owned….

I do a bit of skin blemish removal & smoothing, dodge & burn and skin tone balancing. A few photos ago, I posted a Straight Out Of Camera shot example (SOOC) and the next photo was after editing. You can see not very much was done. Just a few minutes effort. Far less work than when I used other light modifiers.

The models I shoot are between 16 and 25 years old for the most part. So that helps a bit. They do tend to pay a lot closer attention to detail as it is a studio shoot not a quick coffee with friends. So Broncolor Paras make a huge improvement and gives such a beautiful dimension to the photos and I’d say blemish removal and skin tone balancing rounds out what you see with the models. The Paras, for me, reduce the editing effort for sure.

 

[ImageMaker]

A fun shot. The model was quite relaxed.

 

[ImageMaker]

Distorted yet still cute…

Wide angle 14-24 Sigma Art lens just a few inches from her face. Para 222 lighting things up. I am blocking the Para 222 from the model, yet it still reaches around and lights her up.

 

[Levina de Ruijter]

Distorted yet still cute…

Wide angle 14-24 Sigma Art lens just a few inches from her face. Para 222 lighting things up. I am blocking the Para 222 from the model, yet it still reaches around and lights her up.

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Yeah, that's really cute!

 

[Levina de Ruijter]

Something cute. Broncolor Para 222 and rim lights in back.

Edit. Squared the pic.

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Square is a really nice format for this photo!

 

[ImageMaker]

Had a lot of fun with this shoot. May as well share a few more shots. Standing between the light (Broncolor Para 222) and the model with no impact on exposure or quality of light. Gives you quite a lot of flexibility on set.

Nikon D850, Sigma 85 f1.4 Art, Broncolor Para 222 as main light.

 

[Levina de Ruijter]

Had a lot of fun with this shoot. May as well share a few more shots. Standing between the light (Broncolor Para 222) and the model with no impact on exposure or quality of light. Gives you quite a lot of flexibility on set.

Nikon D850, SIgma 85 f1.4 Art, Broncolor Para 222 as main light.

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A great set, Don.

 

[ImageMaker]

When starting a session with someone I’ve not met before, I’ll usually engage in some light banter with the model. I’ll have us sit down in front of the studio and ask about her. Who she is, what she’s about…. I do this for a few reasons. First, let her get used to the environment, Second, I watch the muscles in her face. After you’ve shot quite a few people, you’ll notice those very slight changes in the face. When we first meet, there’s typically some tightness in her facial muscles and as we talk - I’ll watch for her face to relax - that’s the person I want to photograph. Not the ‘tense’ person who just walked into the studio. Someone with whom I’ve earned some trust and confidence. I’ll also pick up some queues from her what and how she responds to - to bring out emotion in her eyes and face. Keep in mind the photographer and model are complete strangers. He’s in a position of implied trust but yet still needs to earn that trust.

Listen. Be interested, not interesting. I’ll always ask her to bring a girlfriend along. Someone who can help out and adjust hair, fix clothes. As a guy, I’m at a disadvantage. I never touch a model. Again, we’re total strangers. If we’ve shot several times and know each other well, sometimes, with permission - I may. But the never rule is one I take seriously. Uncompromising integrity and constant respect for the individual. Period.

Then we’ll start the session with her in studio but I’ll say something insane or crazy that she will laugh to. Forgetting she’s in front of me, a camera and lighting gear. You know - a regular nice person. And grab a shot like this one. A great way to start out.

Next - always give praise and comment. Nothing is worse than a photographer who takes shot after shot without any kind of information for the model to hear or make adjustments to. If she’s in a bad/poor pose, build it up a shot at a time to the pose that works in a positive way. Always be positive in front of the model. You’re the leader. Be one.

Here’s that first grab shot after saying something stupid (based on info gathered during our chat). It really sets the day off right!!

 

[tacphotog]

When starting a session with someone I’ve not met before, I’ll usually engage in some light banter with the model. I’ll have us sit down in front of the studio and ask about her. Who she is, what she’s about…. I do this for a few reasons. First, let her get used to the environment, Second, I watch the muscles in her face. After you’ve shot quite a few people, you’ll notice those very slight changes in the face. When we first meet, there’s typically some tightness in her facial muscles and as we talk - I’ll watch for her face to relax - that’s the person I want to photograph. Not the ‘tense’ person who just walked into the studio. Someone with whom I’ve earned some trust and confidence. I’ll also pick up some queues from her what and how she responds to - to bring out emotion in her eyes and face. Keep in mind the photographer and model are complete strangers. He’s in a position of implied trust but yet still needs to earn that trust.

Listen. Be interested, not interesting. I’ll always ask her to bring a girlfriend along. Someone who can help out and adjust hair, fix clothes. As a guy, I’m at a disadvantage. I never touch a model. Again, we’re total strangers. If we’ve shot several times and know each other well, sometimes, with permission - I may. But the never rule is one I take seriously. Uncompromising integrity and constant respect for the individual. Period.

Then we’ll start the session with her in studio but I’ll say something insane or crazy that she will laugh to. Forgetting she’s in front of me, a camera and lighting gear. You know - a regular nice person. And grab a shot like this one. A great way to start out.

Next - always give praise and comment. Nothing is worse than a photographer who takes shot after shot without any kind of information for the model to hear or make adjustments to. If she’s in a bad/poor pose, build it up a shot at a time to the pose that works in a positive way. Always be positive in front of the model. You’re the leader. Be one.

Here’s that first grab shot after saying something stupid (based on info gathered during our chat). It really sets the day off right!!

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Good information on your process. You seem to always have such good results. Does it ever go badly? I mean like a model just doesn't relax and get into the session?

 

[ImageMaker]

Good information on your process. You seem to always have such good results. Does it ever go badly? I mean like a model just doesn't relax and get into the session?

Yes…. the poor sessions were mostly in the early learning years (actually you never stop learning). With much less experience on my part that taught me to improve what I was doing. I found I could never blame the model. It was always me that needed improvement. With improvement comes confidence in front of a model. She can see your confidence and responds in kind. I needed to self criticize what I was doing during sessions. What I needed to improve. Directing models. I read through fashion magazines, posing guides. After sessions I try to think about what went well and what I could do to improve. My repeat clients - I can ask them for feedback too.

Communicate, communicate, communicate. I don't think anyone has ever complained a photographer of over-communicating. But do so effectively. Place yourself in the models shoes if you will. What does she expect to hear. What type of direction. How to explain what you need from her, Do it with patience and confidence. Small changes not major shifts in poses.

As for relaxing - There’s nothing wrong with stopping her mid session and say “Im seeing that tension in your face”. (You’ve already discussed tension and facial muscles and you’ll stop her - in your chat session so she already knows about this). Maybe ask her to think about a shower and just feel the warm water rinsing away the tension. That works well. You’ll instantly see her face come back to beauty from the tension.

A challenging session I had - I discovered was one young lady had lost her brother she loved so much to suicide the past year. Saying the wrong thing triggered her during that chat. I can’t tell you how important a pre-session chat is. I had to take extra care to get the best out of that session. She did great. Played the right music and did my best to talk a lot during the session and what we would be doing and focused her on the task at hand.

 

[tacphotog]

This is why I like it here. I'm getting really good information and learning a lot. Some things I already know, but with the very long break I had there is a lot I just don't think about anymore.

 

[ImageMaker]

Starting with full-length (the goofy grab shot posted just above) and half body shots - After a clothing change, I moved closer for headshots. Full length shots first was less personal from the beginning versus headshots up close. The expression in her face was so beautiful in this headshot.

Easy, relaxed, calm beauty. Pure love…. This is your goal as a photographer. She is not thinking about me or the camera or studio, She’s way past that…Reposted here as an example:

 

[Levina de Ruijter]

@ImageMaker

It’s like she “surrendered” to you in what you call the goofy shot, totally at ease. And in the headshot her face is so open and relaxed and indeed beautiful. A masterclass in how to work with models!