Portrait lighting - test.

Today was helpful. I didn't have any of my planned subjects to photograph in the studio and neither did Michael or Dru, so we decided to pair up and test our own lighting setups in readiness for when our subjects can make it in.


I was trailing the lighting for Alex's editorial portrait - as seen in a previous post on this blog of a bodybuilder sitting on the end of a weight bench looking at the camera. I chose not to ask Dru to remove his shot so i could observe how the light was casting over his muscles because he said he was having a "fat-day" haha jokes mate. On a serious note though, this is definitely something i will have to observe when photographing Alex.




Anyway, here are some of my photographs from today:






D.

Not a bad shot of me little mate Dru Maasepp.

My attempt at setting the lights to
highlight what will be Alex's huge
bicep muscles.

Some funky light rays reflecting off a mirror in the studio.

Dru getting into his camera angles.

Dru photographing Michael having a nap on the floor.
Almost looks like he is holding a red light-saber :)

Michael noticing Dru photographing him and looks as if
he wants to stab him with his red light-saber :) 

Major Assignment - Portrait 3.

Portrait 3 - Creative Editorial Portrait.

Since moving to Canberra i have discovered an old friend and work mate of mine also now lives in Canberra. He used to model and i can remember him saying to me he would like to bulk up more. Well since then he has certainly been on a journey of just that. He is now a qualified personal trainer and competes in body building competitions.

Bodybuilders normally carry quite a chip on their shoulders right, but Alex has maintained the nice guy that i used to know and is actually a pretty fun guy to be around.

It has taken Alex a good 10 years to get where he is today, and he has done it all naturally. I would like my photograph to try represent his story of how being disciplined and determined will allow you to reach your goals.

The following photographs consist of conceptual ideas on how i would like to light and pose Alex. It also gives me inspiration on how to build a scene for this shoot, what props to use and how to frame it all etc.

I have questioned Alex on whether he is willing and able to participate in this photo-shoot and the answer is yes, which is fantastic, so i will continue to liaise with him on ways to make it work and a day and time to get it done.

Photographer unknown.
A sample of Alex's progression.

The following images are examples what i would like to try.

D.

Photographer unknown.
Lighting works nicely and there is interaction between
subject and prop - could this help my idea..

Porfyri Photography.
The lighting used here is pretty cool.

Photographer unknown.
I like the positioning and lighting on this subject. It
helps to define the figure well and separates the
subject from the background nicely.

Photographer unknown.
I added this image in to consider whether bringing my
subject down to some gym equipment would work.

Photographer unknown.
I like the colour cast in this photograph and the pose
of the subject. Perhaps i'll need a smoke machine :)

Photographer unknown.
I like how the background in this photograph helps
tell who the subject is and what they do. I also like
the leading lines the background creates. This is a
nice, smart image all up.

Photographer unknown.
Again just another example of how
positioning the light source up high
helps to create strong contrast light
over the male figure to help define
muscle tone etc.

Photographer unknown.
Added this as an example of how
to fill the frame in a simple way
with only simple props. The angle
of view works well here too.

Andy Anderson - some amazing work!
Almost exactly what i visualised in my head before
doing any online research.

Andy Anderson.
Not sure i will take this approach, but it is still too good
of an image not to include in this blog.

Andy Anderson.
I added this image more for ideas on the overall scene
and a few simple props and good positioning of all the
elements can result in a good photograph.

Photographer unknown.
Again, another example of appropriate lighting.

Photographer unknown.
Perhaps a side-cast light source
could be implemented some how.

Photographer unknown.
Ideas on simple props - repeating a few disc weights.
Not sure how i could tie it in, but worth blogging as it
might come to me later.

Photographer unknown.
I like the mood of this image and angle of view. I look
at this and wonder whether i could incorporate Alex in
the background using the bar-bell to direct the viewers
eye towards the subject. Would also look nice as a
two page spread i reckon :)

Major Assignment - Portrait 2.

Portrait 2 - Group Portrait.

Since moving to Canberra i have discovered a woman i went through high school with also lives here with her husband and young son. The following photographs consist of conceptual ideas on how to arrange a family of three to ensure the result is a genuine and loving interaction between all three subjects. I want to step away from the classic stand still and smile family portrait and free things up a bit.

I have questioned Kim on whether she is willing and able and the answer is yes, which is fantastic, so i will continue to liaise with her on ways of keeping her son's attention :)

The following images are examples what i would like to try




D.

Marx Nixon Photography.
I really do like this concept and will surely try to
achieve a result like this on the day.

Mark Nixon Photography.
Simple, but with a twist of the parents not holding the
child up to them and instead using a table-top to
support the child. Not sure where the parents hands
are though, looks a bit odd to me unless they are
holding the child's feet..

Photographer unknown.
I know for a fact Kim's little boy ain't that little anymore
so am not sure this concept will be viable, but still felt it
was a nice enough image to add in this blog.

Photographer unknown.
Similar to what i mentioned in the
above image, i'm sure the child is not
this small, but perhaps this is a more
achievable angle and positioning of
everyone to consider trying.

Photographer unknown.
Pretty simple, but there is a nice, natural interaction
amongst the subjects in this photograph.

Photographer unknown.
Same concept as the first image, but in colour.

Photographer unknown.
Works well as a whole, just not sure there is an open
field with a cloudy sky in the studio. Can i add one in
during post production?

Photographer unknown.
I like the closeness of the faces
and interaction from the child.

Photographer unknown.
Makes me think it might be worth considering
laying my subjects down on the ground on top of
a doona / sheets and a few pillows and then shoot
down at them from above as they all snuggle in
together and tickle each other perhaps to bring out
some laughter to the setting.  

Major Assignment - Portrait 1.

Portrait 1 - Corporate Portrait


I'm thinking i could arrange to have one of the CIT staff members up in A-Block be my sitter for this task. I could arrange for them to come nicely dressed and well groomed on the day, that way i don't have to try arrange for an outsider to come in to campus, because they are already staff and will be here anyway.


In addition to this, if i'm going to make use of CIT staff, it might also be worth my while keeping my eyes open around campus for any interesting furniture that i can bring into the studio as props for this photoshoot.


Perhaps the gobs could also be included into the shot to replicate plain walls that may direct the eye towards the subject. It might also be possible to bounce light off them or use them to block light in a beneficial way.


hmmm..

Photographer unknown.
I like the body pose of the subject. The
facial expression is terrible, but overall
this could work well to give off a relaxed
yet empowering image.

Gavin Blue Photography.
This is simple, but very affective. The background is
 evident, but supple and helps boost the subject.

Photographer unknown.
I really like the background in this image and wonder if
i can try replicate it with a transparency image over my
light source to project it onto the background.

Photographer unknown.
I am drawn to the pose and framing of this image. It
works nicely and feel it could be something for me
to consider in my own corporate portrait. 

Mark Lobo Photography.
The subject is a little too rigid for my liking, but the
general idea works even if it is very simple.

Richard Whitfield Photography.
Really like the positioning of the subject in
relation to the long plain leather chair and simple
background for ol' Kev.
The female subject has a more complicated use of
lighting and positioning.

Richard Whitfield Photography.
Anice, simple portait.

Richard Whitfield Photography.
I like the natural poses of these two gentlemen.
The props are simple and the framing is interesting.

Richard Whitfield Photography.
This is quite a classic portrait image. I
think it could be worth trying.

Stefan Jannides Photography.
This is trying to step away from classic corporate
portrait by adding an interesting new angle of view.
Not too bad the more you look at it.

Photographer unknown.
Simple head and shoulders photography, with a play
on posing to mix it up a bit. Affective.

Group Lighting.

2/4/2012
(week 8)


Today was a bit of fun. After an initially "brief" powerpoint presentation in class, we got into groups and took some time having a go at setting up some (non flash) lighting in the studio in order to take a few group shots.


I didn't find this class very stimulating (sorry Lindi) but it was a bit of fun and i will look into this further to help me plan and organise my own group photograph in the coming weeks with which i will either shoot a family of three or a guy from work's band. If i can do both i will, because the lighting will be very different for each.


Anyway, here are a handful of my photographs.






D.