Kevin's Social Blog: photography

Showing posts with label photography. Show all posts

Friday, October 06, 2017

Mike Browne Photography

Mike Browne's Photography Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs4S07E5NC0R7pVuzBJ0e8Q

Really like his videos on focal length. For example, this one shot near Avebury:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3A3SnPFPk0

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Photographer In Training

What is good enough?

Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS camera

8.0 Megapixel
Focal length: 6.2-18.6mm f/2.8-4.9 (35mm film equivalent: 38-114mm)
Maximum aperture: f/2.8 (Wideangle) - f/4.9 (Telephoto)
Shutter speed: 15-1/1500 sec.; Long Shutter operates with noise reduction when manually set at 1.3-15 sec.
Sensitivity: Auto, High ISO Auto, ISO 80/100/200/400/800/1600 equivalent (Standard output sensitivity. Recommended exposure index)
Light metering method: Evaluative*, Center-weighted average, Spot**
Pixels: Still Image: 3,264 x 2,448 (Large),
JPEG compression: Still Image: Exif 2.2 (JPEG)

Depth of field increases with f-number, as illustrated in the image here. This means that photographs taken with a low f-number will tend to have subjects at one distance in focus, with the rest of the image (nearer and farther elements) out of focus. This is frequently used for nature photography and portraiture because background blur (bokeh) can be aesthetically pleasing and puts the viewer's focus on the main subject in the foreground.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3845728#forum-post-55833477
http://photography.tutsplus.com/tutorials/getting-started-with-your-new-monolight-kit--photo-14128
Monolights:

http://www.blinkphotographic.com/collections/monolights/products/godox-ds200-200w-s-monolight
http://www.amazon.com/Flashpoint-DG600-Watt-Second-Monolight/dp/B007JD3CZQ
http://www.adorama.com/FP600DKT.html

Some helpful terminology:

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/which-camera-should-i-get/

Specifically:

Focal length describes the angle of view of a lens: how much of the scene it can take in. It is expressed in millimeters. The higher the number, the narrower the field of view. A 20mm lens is considered a wide focal length as it captures approximately an 84-degree angle of view. A 200mm lens, by comparison, offers a narrower, 10-degree angle of view, though with much greater magnification.

Photo Aesthetic

Aesthetically speaking, this resonates: clean and neutral colors, an honest but measured smile, thoughtful but minimal accessories, well-lit, focused on the face. It says, I am a comfortable person to be around

https://hired.com/how-it-works

Portrait Equipment

Lighting Kit Setups

Beginners complete kit

Lighting types

1 main light: Flashpoint Cool Light 4
a1 fill light: Flashpoint Cool Light 1 (can be used reflecting into a white card)
1 hair light (a small light with a snoot or grid)
1 background light (any small fixture light will do)

Lighting (other):

1 silver reflector umbrella: Creative Light 33" Silver Umbrella, (compare prices)
4 light stands: Westcott 750 Photo Basics 7.5-Foot Light Stand, (compare prices)
Seamless paper background

Miscellaneous:

Extension cords (hardware store)
Gaffers tape
Extra bulbs (depends on fixture)
Cloth work gloves if you are using hot tungsten lights (hardware store)
An assortment of colored gels and diffusion material
Clothespins for holding the gels

Photo Video Backdrop Stand Kit

Ravelli ABSL Photo Video Backdrop Stand Kit 13' Tall x 15' Wide with Dual Air Cushion Stands and Bag (link)
StudioPRO 3200 Watt Double 24"x36" Softbox Continuous Portrait & Video Lighting Kit - Film, Photography & Studio Essentials Includes Light Stand & 45W Daylight Bulbs (link)

Main/Key light and fill light

Notes

Backdrops

Thin muslin white/black/green backgrounds...alternative (?)
How to clean/press/steam (?)

I use a small hand held fabric steamer (via)

Lighting

Types:

Main light (key)

primary and strongest light
Provides shape and form
Can use umbrella or softbox

Fill light

"fill in" shadow areas created by other lights
provide an even, non-directional light
adds little character or shadows of its own
nearly always weaker than the main light
can use a shoot-through umbrella
Alternatively: foamcore, at 45-degree angle, to the subject

Kicker light (rim, edge)

accent the edges of the subject
placed just out of view and, behind and slightly to the right or left of the subject

Hair light

enhance hair texture
provide separation from the background
Should have a snoot or grid (note: maybe a filter frame?)

Background light

Illuminates the background
even or graduated, color neutral or colored with the addition of gels
separate the subject from the background

Notes

Closer light to subject: softer; farther away: harder
LumoPro LP180

Softbox

Emulate the soft, directional lighting produced by window light
Directional
Light modifiers
Somewhat more expensive
Slightly more complicated
Basic knowledge of balancing main light versus fill light, so it won't produce contrasting lighting
Octobox
combines the benefits of both reflective and shoot through umbrellas
Vendors

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/759870-REG/Lastolite_LL_LS2462JM_Joe_McNally_Ezybox_Hotshoe.html/BI/2388/KBID/3211

Umbrella

Cheap
Broad and soft source of lighting that could, for the sake of simplicity, be considered to emulate outdoor lighting
Indirect, bounced light
Easier for beginners
Lighting is much broader, softer with less modeling on the subject’s face and there’s more light spilling onto on background
Light is bounced, so the quantity is less, which requires lower f-stop and higher ISO
Reflective

Light is reasonably well controlled and doesn’t bounce around everywhere
Can’t produce very soft light, as the design forces the flash head to be between the subject and the umbrella, which means that it can’t be placed close to the subject

Shoot-through

only about 60% of the light actually passes through
the rest bounces back and, in a small studio, will bounce off of the ceiling, walls, etc.
creates pretty uncontrolled lighting and if the light also bounces towards your camera lens it can cause flare
Combination: removable reflective cover

Vendors

Smith Victor
Adorama
Lowel
Photoflex
Lastolite (hotbox)
Manfrotto (stands)

Chris Schmauch, Good Eye Photography

Camera

Nikon D800
Nikon D3
Nikon D70 (backup)

Lens

28-70/2.8
17-35/2.8
70-200/2.8
85/1.4
60/2.8
50/1.4

Lights

Studio strobes
Foursquare softbox (containing the four Nikon SB-800 speedlites)
Nikon SB-600 speedlite
Profoto B1 mono light
30″ softbox

Other

PocketWizard Flex TT5, to trigger/sync speedlites
Lightroom

Resources

http://www.adorama.com/alc/0013566/article/Softbox-vs-Umbrella-Which-One-Should-You-Use

http://photo.net/learn/lighting/guide-to-lighting-kits/beginner/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bokeh

http://www.portraitlighting.net/multilightb.htm

http://www.diyphotography.net/take-professional-linkedin-profile-photo-living-room/

http://www.portraitprofessional.com/

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-camera-lens-filters-flashes-and-accessories-for-taking-great-photos/

Preparing for business portrait

"If you’re like most people, the idea of a closeup photo of your face is about as compelling as smashing your thumb in your car door. Repeatedly." ; o )

CLOTHING

Style choice

Friendly and nurturing, like a coach or a therapist?
Strong and able to take care of any problems like a broker or a lawyer?
Artistic and elegant like a gallery owner or sculptor?
Classic corporate
Casual: choose polished statement

If not sure, bring several ~~outfits~~ tops

Something professional

definitely want a nice suit jacket for the professional look
I recommend sticking to solid colors
Something that will stand out against a darker suit jacket
consider the overall tone as somewhat neutral
Add splashes of color (power tie)

Something casual

Avoid:

Overly bright colors
Lots of white/black
Big or complicated patterns
Large, reflective jewelry
Caps
Tee shirt length sleeves

Personality, professionalism, and success
Gray background: select blues, reds, greens, purples
Suit:

Button top button
Texture works best (for example, pin-stripe)
Men look great in a light blue shirt and blue suit

HAIR, MAKEUP, ETC.

Look natural
Look like the person you truly are
Do not get a new haircut--at least one week, in advance
If going to a stylist, maintain existing look
Shave
Men: Don’t be afraid to have light make up applied by a professional
Oil-mattifier: controls shiny skin (really light lotion that soaks up oil without leaving any residue)

SETTINGS

Studio setting

Head and shoulder picture
Best for:

Press release
Newsletter or program
Web site
Business card

Studio setting works best
Typically small and serve primarily to provide a means of personal recognition rather than to convey a particular expertise.

Environmental setting

Conference room, library, or office setting
Best for:

Corporate brochure or newsletter
Larger format on your website

Communicates knowledge, proficiency,and warmth

Blurred background: don’t have any context that gives away the location
Alternative: three-quarter or full length view
Natural light photography

Very flexible in regards to weather, time of day, and location
“Worst” time to shoot is high-noon (or whenever the sun is at its peak height):

The sun is most “harsh” at this time
Most natural light photographers won’t even attempt it

For individual sessions, I like to get at least three different locations/environments, and with multiple outfit changes

Artificial light photography
Winter / early Spring shoots typically have the fastest turnaround
Location ideas:

Wilder Ranch

EXPRESSION

Purpose: encourage the viewer to bring his business to you
Jaw: Forehead out and down, to tighten skin over jawlines..."feels weird, looks good" (link)
Focus on the eyes (link)

LOGISTICS

Sleep: get lots of it
Set aside one-half of a day
Items to bring:

Comb/brush
Toothbrush

Just sit there and look "pretty"--let the photographer do all the work
Time:

10:00 a.m.:

Most convenient time for people
Enough time to settle into work
Still look “fresh” from the morning

One person: 15-45 minutes
Variables:

Location(s)
Outfit changes

SHYNESS

In good hands
Photographer directs
Very quick

POST-SHOOT

Touchups:

Tired eyes
Stained teeth
Blemishes
Wrinkles

Chris definitely retouches purchased photos and, upon request, pre-purchase photos

USES

Standard headshot
Generally cropped pretty close in – say, mid-chest height

RESOURCES

Chris:

Kevin's Social Blog