In the Studio (Session 2)

     After another session in the studio with Cameron, and a few new models, here are the results.  We attempted some different lighting scenarios and had a lot of fun experimenting.  Our models were willing to go with our ideas to create something a little different from the usual portrait set up.


     Special thanks to Mel, Mandi, and Jacky for helping us out with Cameron's run at a scholarship through the Skills USA program.

Jacky is naturally posed here in a conversational position.

Warm lighting with an amber gel over a speedlight illuminating the 

backdrop adds a comfortable feel to this portrait.

 Mandi takes on a contemplative pose in this portrait.

The green gel on the speedlight creates a sense

of "other than present" state of mind for her.

Changing the color of light creates mood in

portraiture.

 Mel was having so much fun during our session with her.

She is posed here in a strong, triangular position lending

power to this portrait while at the same time a sense of

femininity and softness.

 A blue hue to the backdrop allows a coolness to this

portrait of Jacky.  Her eyes are focused of camera as if

she's laughing at something we don't know about.  The camera 

angle is low here offering a sense of grandeur, as if Jacky is

greater than us all.

 Here, Mandi takes on a soft pose haloed by warm lighting.

The camera angle is high and Mandi's face is directly into

the camera's position elongating her neck.  This causes

her to look more slender and offers a more appealing look

than if the camera angle were to be at her head level.

 A casual pose helps the viewer to connect with the

portrait.  Here, Mel supports her body weight on her back arm

and tilts her head toward her shoulder.  Her forward arm lays

across her lap.  Again, a higher camera angle allows a slimming

effect on the model.

 In this portrait I wanted to emphasize the rule of thirds.  Mel's

body position is  also diagonal and linear leading the

viewer's eye directly to her face.  The line from her arm to her shoulder,

complimented by the line created by her hair, also adds to this

effect.  She is offset to the right of the image creating space

in the portrait.  I often like these images printed very large, almost

life size.  The warm splash of light on the backdrop creates an

interesting gradient from light at the bottom to darker at the top.

This is in direct juxtaposition to Mel's coloring which starts dark

with her jeans and gets lighter with her hair creating visual interest.

 Mel is about to go back to brunette and wanted a portrait that

highlighted her hair color.  Here the key light was placed at 45°/45°

with a smaller soft box (about half the size of the one on the key

light) below and in front of the camera position.  I metered from the

smaller light with the key light set two stops higher to create a touch

of rim lighting.  Mel dropped her head backward a bit giving the viewer

a 45° profile of her face from the top of her head.  Again, a warm splash

of color on the backdrop was accomplished with a speedlight and

amber gel placed on the floor directly behind the model's position.

This is a very feminine portrait.

     Overall, this session was fulfilling to me as a photographer and to the models as they were having so much fun posing for Cameron and I.  Having fun in the studio often lends to creativity and coming away with something a bit different than what you may expect.  I hope you enjoy studying these portraits and can use them to fuel your own creative juices!