I've just seen, that it has been a while since I've posted the last blog post ... the last couple of weeks (and as it seems the next couple of weeks as well) were really busy ones. My schedule was filled with a couple of payed shootings, which is very good for my purse, but not so good for the blog and my website ... ;-). Fortunately Pascal has allowed my to use two of the pics which I have made for him in this blog and so it is possible for me to let you know what I have done a little bit ... THANK YOU very much for that!!!
This shooting was the „first time" for Pascal in front of the camera and I have to say he has done a great job!! His nervousness was soon gone and after that you could see it was a fun-job for him. The communication ahead of the job was great too, as were his ideas. It sure wont be the last time I've worked with him ... and if anyone of you needs a male model, I'm sure he'd be happy to get booked by you (you'll get his data from me, if he approves).
I don't only want to show you the pics, but explain how I've took them as well. As I constantly get asked that anyway, I'll kill two birds with one stone ... ;-) If you'll click the thumbnails, you'll see the whole pic and you can move to the setup-pic as well.
Picture 1:
2Those who know me and my pics know that I really like „hard" light and so I chose to shoot this pic with hard light as well. As you can see in the setup pic (please excuse my non-existent drawing skills) I used a strip-light (25x150cm) which I've positioned right above the model horizontally. I've used the striplight without the front-diffusor, but with a grid in order to direct the light as precise as possible. This kind of setting needs a good guidance of the model, as a movement of 2-3cm or a small inclination can have a huge impact on the lighting.I've metered the light directly at the neck of the model. The flash was used at a relatively low amout-setting in order to use the light-loss that comes with the distance from the lightsource with max. effect.
Die EXIF's for this pic are: ISO 100, f8, 1/160s, 85mm
Picture 2:
2Pascal's idea for this pic was a little bit different and so I've used a light-setup that was a little bit softer. The idea was low-key as well, but a little bit „better" illuminated and not with as much contrast as in the first one. The setup-pic is drawn from the top this time (bird's eye). I used a 120cm softbox as main light from which I removed the inner diffusor (have I mentioned, that I don't like it, when the light is too soft?). I positioned it about 45° from the optical axis of the camera and 30-45° above it, aiming at the shoulder of the model. As a little effect-light I've used another flash with a normal reflector which was aimed at the background in order to get a little vignette (yes I know, that could be done in photoshop a well – but I like to shoot the pics as I want them in the first place as good as possible). The effect-light was positioned just enough to the side so it can't be seen on the pic and was pointed relatively steeply downwards. I think you can imagine that setting pretty good, when you look at the pic.I've metered the light directly on the shoulder of the model and again used a low-amount setting to use the light-loss-effect.
Die EXIF's for this pic are: ISO 100, f8, 1/160s, 85mm
And now comes a question for you: do you want to read such posts more often? Are you interested in the way I shoot? Or do you just want to see my pics? Please let me know, so I can adjust what I post ... I think that would be good for all of us!!!
If you have some additional questions for my, feel free to ask me. You can just comment here, write me an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or send me a message on facebook. I'll do my best to answer all your questions.
If you want me to write about a specific topic in the future please let me know. I'll be happy to write a little post about it.
And as allways: if you like this post (or not), please let me know ... spread the word, press „like", etc. I really appreciate your feedback!!!
Cheers,
Manuel