Posts Tagged ‘ocf’

Dancer Portrait Session

©TimeLine Media - photography portrait session

Recently, I have the opportunity to photograph a ballroom dancer, Tyrone, in a portrait session. He is not only an instructor in ballroom, but he also does hip-hop and contemporary dance which makes for some great photos. In this nice neighborhood, it was a challenge to find a background that was appropriate for the usual grungy backgrounds that accompany this type of dance. Tyrone was a great subject climbing into a tree to make it look like a setting much different than the suburban park that we were shooting. Being in a tree, and his clothing really made for a changing the setting with limited resources.

Outside Portraits

©TimeLine Media - photography portrait session
©TimeLine Media – photography portrait session

Then we found a nearby gazebo that he used to display his dance moves. I used the gazebo to try to get some nice even shade for photos, then added the flash to fill him in the frame of the structure. I also experimented with the flashes as hard side lights. Punching these up in post processing made for some interesting portraits that work better with male subjects. With the photos where he was hanging at one side of the gazebo, I used a super wide angle lens to emphasize his stretched frame making him look longer. I was trying to work the setting that we had to get a variety of photos.

©TimeLine Media - photography portrait session
©TimeLine Media – photography portrait session
©TimeLine Media - photography portrait session
©TimeLine Media – photography portrait session

The last section we went to was against a fence lining a walking trail. Fences always provide leading lines to point to your portrait subject, but I was looking for something different. Using the flash, I happened upon a happy accident. I was hoping that placing the flash on the other side of the fence would make for some sharp repeating shadows that would fall on Tyrone. This did happen a little, but the reflective paint on the slats of the fence created hard reflections against each other which focused the light. This made a nice vignette to light that I could use in the portraits. This is definitely a new trick that I will have to remember for future shoots!

©TimeLine Media - photography portrait session
©TimeLine Media – photography portrait session

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

Rapid Box Flash on Car

©TimeLine Media - Viper GTS details

After experimenting with my own car, I took my Rapid Box to photograph another, more exciting model, a Dodge Viper GTS. This would be another chance to try the Westcott Rapid Box as my new flash modifier. Photographing car details with this setup is very easy! The portability of the Rapid Box as well a small speedlight means that you can put the flash in a small space and still use some sort of light modifier to make the light softer. This allows for lighter area to fall into shadow nicely which helps to block out distracting elements in garage from being seen in the photo. Combine that with a macro or short lens, and you can really focus in on details.

Details

©TimeLine Media - Viper GTS details
©TimeLine Media – Viper GTS details

In this first photo, the flash allows you to control the light and give it a little shape. The light fades slightly from the top right to the bottom left, framing the letters. The addition of flash instead of using available light means I can hand hold the camera and adjust quickly than if stuck on a tripod. The ISO is also at the lowest setting on the camera meaning the color is still vivid and true compared to higher ISOs.

©TimeLine Media - Viper GTS details
©TimeLine Media – Viper GTS details

Again using a small softbox, you can get soft light in a tight spaces. The light still shapes the area under the flared out lid at the rear above the tail light. This is something that is very difficult to do without a light shaper in front of your flash. All of these photos of the car details can be put into a compilation poster to give an overall picture of the car. You may have seen it in a previous post. Try it with your car and let me know how it goes!

©TimeLine Media - Viper GTS details
©TimeLine Media – Viper GTS details

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

Flowers with Flash Modifier

©TimeLine Media - Clematis

The weather has been very kind the last couple of days. Flowers seem to be popping out of yards to enjoy the sun as well. To get out and enjoy the new blooms, I have used the macro lens more with some flash modifiers to make some nice even light on the flowers. I am finding so much more about how light and lenses can be used this way which is drastically different from portrait setups. I’ll post more about this as I learn more from this setup. In the meantime, here are some hydrangea and clematis flowers that were fresh out of the garden.

Garden Flowers

Clematis flowers ©TimeLine Media
Clematis ©TimeLine Media

When you get out the macro lens, a whole new world opens up in your garden. At this time, the blooms in your yard hold many details that can only be seen up close. The clematis flowers have a beautiful color and very detailed center. It is only with the macro lens that you can appreciate all of the tiny structures of the flower. In subsequent posts, I hope to show more of my work in the garden. The combination of the macro lens and flash helps to make my photos stand out!

Hydrangea flowers ©TimeLine Media
Hydrangea ©TimeLine Media

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

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