Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie
Hi Bruce: I'm not sure if I commented on this photo before, but if so, I have looked at it again. The lighting and pose are very nice. In general, I don't have a problem with cropping some of the subject's head out, but I think in this frame the bottom is a little heavy with the arm pose-- therefore, making the frame seem a bit cramped at the top and out of compositional balance. Just a thought. YMMV. Cheers, Christine On Aug 19, 2013, at 7:59 PM, Bruce Walker bruce.wal...@gmail.com wrote: A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh I was also testing my latest money-saving invention: $10 IKEA background support system. Ingredients: One Hugad black curtain rod, 210-385 cm; 2x Betydlig curtain rod brackets, top-slot filed out to fit 1/4 stud on top of light stand; use with two cheap 8' light stands. K20D, DA* 50-135/2.8 @ 90mm/f:5, 1/160th, ISO 100; Lr + Ps + Nik + Portraiture Paramount short lighting with reflector fill. AF540FGZ in Westcott Medium Apollo above-left, key; AF540FGZ in 30 umbrella softbox, boomed above behind-right, hair; 42 silver reflector, right. Comments welcome! -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie
I appreciate you taking time to have a second look, Christine, and thank you very much for your thoughts! On Fri, Aug 30, 2013 at 9:35 AM, Christine Aguila christ...@caguila.com wrote: Hi Bruce: I'm not sure if I commented on this photo before, but if so, I have looked at it again. The lighting and pose are very nice. In general, I don't have a problem with cropping some of the subject's head out, but I think in this frame the bottom is a little heavy with the arm pose-- therefore, making the frame seem a bit cramped at the top and out of compositional balance. Just a thought. YMMV. Cheers, Christine On Aug 19, 2013, at 7:59 PM, Bruce Walker bruce.wal...@gmail.com wrote: A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh I was also testing my latest money-saving invention: $10 IKEA background support system. Ingredients: One Hugad black curtain rod, 210-385 cm; 2x Betydlig curtain rod brackets, top-slot filed out to fit 1/4 stud on top of light stand; use with two cheap 8' light stands. K20D, DA* 50-135/2.8 @ 90mm/f:5, 1/160th, ISO 100; Lr + Ps + Nik + Portraiture Paramount short lighting with reflector fill. AF540FGZ in Westcott Medium Apollo above-left, key; AF540FGZ in 30 umbrella softbox, boomed above behind-right, hair; 42 silver reflector, right. Comments welcome! -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie [now with dewrinkled backdrop]
Just saw this. I like the current style of cropping the top of the head. Peter Hurley-esque. It makes the portrait intimate, I think. Not too sure about the crop on the fingers though Gorgeous lighting, nonetheless On 21/08/2013 2:46 AM, Bruce Walker wrote: Background wrinkles rankle, as do blue nails. Both gone! Have another look ... http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). I was also testing my latest money-saving invention: $10 IKEA background support system. Ingredients: One Hugad black curtain rod, 210-385 cm; 2x Betydlig curtain rod brackets, top-slot filed out to fit 1/4 stud on top of light stand; use with two cheap 8' light stands. K20D, DA* 50-135/2.8 @ 90mm/f:5, 1/160th, ISO 100; Lr + Ps + Nik + Portraiture Paramount short lighting with reflector fill. AF540FGZ in Westcott Medium Apollo above-left, key; AF540FGZ in 30 umbrella softbox, boomed above behind-right, hair; 42 silver reflector, right. Comments welcome! -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie [now with dewrinkled backdrop]
Hey, thanks Derby! Intimate is what I'm going for. I wasn't setup for the full high-key Hurley look though; next time. I do love Hurley's work. I agree with complaints about the fingers. The pose was dictating the framing but I was set on tight, so I compromised. When I retry that I will re-pose or re-frame rather than crop fingers. I have some other, looser, shots I will work on but none with that expression I so liked. On Tue, Aug 27, 2013 at 7:27 AM, Derby Chang der...@iinet.net.au wrote: Just saw this. I like the current style of cropping the top of the head. Peter Hurley-esque. It makes the portrait intimate, I think. Not too sure about the crop on the fingers though Gorgeous lighting, nonetheless On 21/08/2013 2:46 AM, Bruce Walker wrote: Background wrinkles rankle, as do blue nails. Both gone! Have another look ... http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). I was also testing my latest money-saving invention: $10 IKEA background support system. Ingredients: One Hugad black curtain rod, 210-385 cm; 2x Betydlig curtain rod brackets, top-slot filed out to fit 1/4 stud on top of light stand; use with two cheap 8' light stands. K20D, DA* 50-135/2.8 @ 90mm/f:5, 1/160th, ISO 100; Lr + Ps + Nik + Portraiture Paramount short lighting with reflector fill. AF540FGZ in Westcott Medium Apollo above-left, key; AF540FGZ in 30 umbrella softbox, boomed above behind-right, hair; 42 silver reflector, right. Comments welcome! -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie [now with dewrinkled backdrop]
Nice example of butterfly lighting. Love the big catch-lights in her eyes. Nits to pick? Although there isn't really a low shoulder, this strikes me as a masculine head tilt. (At least I would say it is not a feminine one). Hands are difficult. Normally if you break the wrist the hands/fingers will assume a more feminine look. To achieve that, for naturalness sake, that would probably mean that her top hand would be on her bicep, not her forearm. Couple of links for hands: http://www.joeedelman.com/blog/modeling/how-to-handle-hands/ http://www.joeedelman.com/blog/modeling/how-to-handle-hands-part-2/1668/ On Tue, Aug 27, 2013 at 1:45 PM, Bruce Walker bruce.wal...@gmail.com wrote: Hey, thanks Derby! Intimate is what I'm going for. I wasn't setup for the full high-key Hurley look though; next time. I do love Hurley's work. I agree with complaints about the fingers. The pose was dictating the framing but I was set on tight, so I compromised. When I retry that I will re-pose or re-frame rather than crop fingers. I have some other, looser, shots I will work on but none with that expression I so liked. On Tue, Aug 27, 2013 at 7:27 AM, Derby Chang der...@iinet.net.au wrote: Just saw this. I like the current style of cropping the top of the head. Peter Hurley-esque. It makes the portrait intimate, I think. Not too sure about the crop on the fingers though Gorgeous lighting, nonetheless On 21/08/2013 2:46 AM, Bruce Walker wrote: Background wrinkles rankle, as do blue nails. Both gone! Have another look ... http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). I was also testing my latest money-saving invention: $10 IKEA background support system. Ingredients: One Hugad black curtain rod, 210-385 cm; 2x Betydlig curtain rod brackets, top-slot filed out to fit 1/4 stud on top of light stand; use with two cheap 8' light stands. K20D, DA* 50-135/2.8 @ 90mm/f:5, 1/160th, ISO 100; Lr + Ps + Nik + Portraiture Paramount short lighting with reflector fill. AF540FGZ in Westcott Medium Apollo above-left, key; AF540FGZ in 30 umbrella softbox, boomed above behind-right, hair; 42 silver reflector, right. Comments welcome! -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- Nothing is sure but death and Pentaxes. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie [now with dewrinkled backdrop]
In this particular pose I was setting up a classic triangle, head at the apex. I tried posing her head tilted toward both sides and this one created the best lines -- to my eye anyway. Interestingly, Clay Blackmore suggests avoiding the feminine pose with young girls (Sophie is just 16). I figure he's steering us away from over glamourizing them like those ultra creepy beauty contest images. I did try adjusting her hands alternatively; haven't got to those shots yet. I did break her wrists in this shot: both hands curve gently down at the wrist. Thank you, Darren! On Tue, Aug 27, 2013 at 3:04 PM, Darren Addy pixelsmi...@gmail.com wrote: Nice example of butterfly lighting. Love the big catch-lights in her eyes. Nits to pick? Although there isn't really a low shoulder, this strikes me as a masculine head tilt. (At least I would say it is not a feminine one). Hands are difficult. Normally if you break the wrist the hands/fingers will assume a more feminine look. To achieve that, for naturalness sake, that would probably mean that her top hand would be on her bicep, not her forearm. Couple of links for hands: http://www.joeedelman.com/blog/modeling/how-to-handle-hands/ http://www.joeedelman.com/blog/modeling/how-to-handle-hands-part-2/1668/ On Tue, Aug 27, 2013 at 1:45 PM, Bruce Walker bruce.wal...@gmail.com wrote: Hey, thanks Derby! Intimate is what I'm going for. I wasn't setup for the full high-key Hurley look though; next time. I do love Hurley's work. I agree with complaints about the fingers. The pose was dictating the framing but I was set on tight, so I compromised. When I retry that I will re-pose or re-frame rather than crop fingers. I have some other, looser, shots I will work on but none with that expression I so liked. On Tue, Aug 27, 2013 at 7:27 AM, Derby Chang der...@iinet.net.au wrote: Just saw this. I like the current style of cropping the top of the head. Peter Hurley-esque. It makes the portrait intimate, I think. Not too sure about the crop on the fingers though Gorgeous lighting, nonetheless On 21/08/2013 2:46 AM, Bruce Walker wrote: Background wrinkles rankle, as do blue nails. Both gone! Have another look ... http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). I was also testing my latest money-saving invention: $10 IKEA background support system. Ingredients: One Hugad black curtain rod, 210-385 cm; 2x Betydlig curtain rod brackets, top-slot filed out to fit 1/4 stud on top of light stand; use with two cheap 8' light stands. K20D, DA* 50-135/2.8 @ 90mm/f:5, 1/160th, ISO 100; Lr + Ps + Nik + Portraiture Paramount short lighting with reflector fill. AF540FGZ in Westcott Medium Apollo above-left, key; AF540FGZ in 30 umbrella softbox, boomed above behind-right, hair; 42 silver reflector, right. Comments welcome! -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- Nothing is sure but death and Pentaxes. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie [now with dewrinkled backdrop]
On 21/08/2013, Rick Womer rwomer1...@yahoo.com wrote: Much better without the wrinkles. The nails are still blue, though. Rick http://photo.net/photos/RickW Phew! I thought I was in serious eye-failure mode. - Original Message - From: Bruce Walker bruce.wal...@gmail.com To: Pentax Discuss Mailing List PDML@pdml.net Cc: Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 12:46 PM Subject: PESO Portrait of Sophie [now with dewrinkled backdrop] Background wrinkles rankle, as do blue nails. Both gone! Have another look ... http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). I was also testing my latest money-saving invention: $10 IKEA background support system. Ingredients: One Hugad black curtain rod, 210-385 cm; 2x Betydlig curtain rod brackets, top-slot filed out to fit 1/4 stud on top of light stand; use with two cheap 8' light stands. K20D, DA* 50-135/2.8 @ 90mm/f:5, 1/160th, ISO 100; Lr + Ps + Nik + Portraiture Paramount short lighting with reflector fill. AF540FGZ in Westcott Medium Apollo above-left, key; AF540FGZ in 30 umbrella softbox, boomed above behind-right, hair; 42 silver reflector, right. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie [now with dewrinkled backdrop]
Thanks, Rick. The nails are green though. Download the 1600px version of that shot, use the Photoshop eyedropper in the center of the largest nail (5x5 sampling) and I get this ... RGB: 5, 77, 47 https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/2254722/PDML/FingerNailColour.jpg Very green. :-) On Tue, Aug 20, 2013 at 9:22 PM, Rick Womer rwomer1...@yahoo.com wrote: Much better without the wrinkles. The nails are still blue, though. Rick http://photo.net/photos/RickW - Original Message - From: Bruce Walker bruce.wal...@gmail.com To: Pentax Discuss Mailing List PDML@pdml.net Cc: Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 12:46 PM Subject: PESO Portrait of Sophie [now with dewrinkled backdrop] Background wrinkles rankle, as do blue nails. Both gone! Have another look ... http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). I was also testing my latest money-saving invention: $10 IKEA background support system. Ingredients: One Hugad black curtain rod, 210-385 cm; 2x Betydlig curtain rod brackets, top-slot filed out to fit 1/4 stud on top of light stand; use with two cheap 8' light stands. K20D, DA* 50-135/2.8 @ 90mm/f:5, 1/160th, ISO 100; Lr + Ps + Nik + Portraiture Paramount short lighting with reflector fill. AF540FGZ in Westcott Medium Apollo above-left, key; AF540FGZ in 30 umbrella softbox, boomed above behind-right, hair; 42 silver reflector, right. Comments welcome! -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie [now with dewrinkled backdrop]
Don't count your chickens, Mike. :-) Thanks for looking! On Wed, Aug 21, 2013 at 2:57 AM, mike wilson m.9.wil...@ntlworld.com wrote: On 21/08/2013, Rick Womer rwomer1...@yahoo.com wrote: Much better without the wrinkles. The nails are still blue, though. Rick http://photo.net/photos/RickW Phew! I thought I was in serious eye-failure mode. - Original Message - From: Bruce Walker bruce.wal...@gmail.com To: Pentax Discuss Mailing List PDML@pdml.net Cc: Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 12:46 PM Subject: PESO Portrait of Sophie [now with dewrinkled backdrop] Background wrinkles rankle, as do blue nails. Both gone! Have another look ... http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). I was also testing my latest money-saving invention: $10 IKEA background support system. Ingredients: One Hugad black curtain rod, 210-385 cm; 2x Betydlig curtain rod brackets, top-slot filed out to fit 1/4 stud on top of light stand; use with two cheap 8' light stands. K20D, DA* 50-135/2.8 @ 90mm/f:5, 1/160th, ISO 100; Lr + Ps + Nik + Portraiture Paramount short lighting with reflector fill. AF540FGZ in Westcott Medium Apollo above-left, key; AF540FGZ in 30 umbrella softbox, boomed above behind-right, hair; 42 silver reflector, right. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie [now with dewrinkled backdrop]
Thank you, Frank. On Tue, Aug 20, 2013 at 11:01 PM, knarf knarftheria...@gmail.com wrote: Lovely portrait. Cheers, frank Rick Womer rwomer1...@yahoo.com wrote: Much better without the wrinkles. The nails are still blue, though. Rick http://photo.net/photos/RickW - Original Message - From: Bruce Walker bruce.wal...@gmail.com To: Pentax Discuss Mailing List PDML@pdml.net Cc: Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 12:46 PM Subject: PESO Portrait of Sophie [now with dewrinkled backdrop] Background wrinkles rankle, as do blue nails. Both gone! Have another look ... http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). I was also testing my latest money-saving invention: $10 IKEA background support system. Ingredients: One Hugad black curtain rod, 210-385 cm; 2x Betydlig curtain rod brackets, top-slot filed out to fit 1/4 stud on top of light stand; use with two cheap 8' light stands. K20D, DA* 50-135/2.8 @ 90mm/f:5, 1/160th, ISO 100; Lr + Ps + Nik + Portraiture Paramount short lighting with reflector fill. AF540FGZ in Westcott Medium Apollo above-left, key; AF540FGZ in 30 umbrella softbox, boomed above behind-right, hair; 42 silver reflector, right. Comments welcome! “Analysis kills spontaneity.” -- Henri-Frederic Amiel -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie [now with dewrinkled backdrop]
FWIW, on my newly calibrated monitor they appear to be more green than blue. On 8/21/2013 2:57 AM, mike wilson wrote: On 21/08/2013, Rick Womer rwomer1...@yahoo.com wrote: Much better without the wrinkles. The nails are still blue, though. Rick http://photo.net/photos/RickW Phew! I thought I was in serious eye-failure mode. - Original Message - From: Bruce Walker bruce.wal...@gmail.com To: Pentax Discuss Mailing List PDML@pdml.net Cc: Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 12:46 PM Subject: PESO Portrait of Sophie [now with dewrinkled backdrop] Background wrinkles rankle, as do blue nails. Both gone! Have another look ... http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). I was also testing my latest money-saving invention: $10 IKEA background support system. Ingredients: One Hugad black curtain rod, 210-385 cm; 2x Betydlig curtain rod brackets, top-slot filed out to fit 1/4 stud on top of light stand; use with two cheap 8' light stands. K20D, DA* 50-135/2.8 @ 90mm/f:5, 1/160th, ISO 100; Lr + Ps + Nik + Portraiture Paramount short lighting with reflector fill. AF540FGZ in Westcott Medium Apollo above-left, key; AF540FGZ in 30 umbrella softbox, boomed above behind-right, hair; 42 silver reflector, right. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie [now with dewrinkled backdrop]
They match her eyes, No wait... On 8/20/2013 9:22 PM, Rick Womer wrote: Much better without the wrinkles. The nails are still blue, though. Rick http://photo.net/photos/RickW - Original Message - From: Bruce Walker bruce.wal...@gmail.com To: Pentax Discuss Mailing List PDML@pdml.net Cc: Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 12:46 PM Subject: PESO Portrait of Sophie [now with dewrinkled backdrop] Background wrinkles rankle, as do blue nails. Both gone! Have another look ... http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). I was also testing my latest money-saving invention: $10 IKEA background support system. Ingredients: One Hugad black curtain rod, 210-385 cm; 2x Betydlig curtain rod brackets, top-slot filed out to fit 1/4 stud on top of light stand; use with two cheap 8' light stands. K20D, DA* 50-135/2.8 @ 90mm/f:5, 1/160th, ISO 100; Lr + Ps + Nik + Portraiture Paramount short lighting with reflector fill. AF540FGZ in Westcott Medium Apollo above-left, key; AF540FGZ in 30 umbrella softbox, boomed above behind-right, hair; 42 silver reflector, right. Comments welcome! -- A newspaper is a device for making the ignorant more ignorant, and the crazy, crazier. - H.L.Mencken -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie
Thanks Larry. The muted, low contrast colour scheme was a conscious decision to draw attention to the face. It's a style thing. I was disappointed to see that the cheap new muslin backdrop didn't wrinkle up overnight. :-) I crammed it into its bag, squished all the air out, but no luck. So it's back in there now and I'm hoping that after a few days or weeks it will wrinkle, dammit. Yeah, background was way lighter than I wanted. But it was a small (though cozy) living/dining room area with light coloured walls and ceilings. I was out of stands at that point so gobos had to be handheld or foregone. I'll PP the wrinkles out in future. On Mon, Aug 19, 2013 at 9:33 PM, Larry Colen l...@red4est.com wrote: On Mon, Aug 19, 2013 at 08:59:34PM -0400, Bruce Walker wrote: A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh I was also testing my latest money-saving invention: $10 IKEA background support system. Ingredients: One Hugad black curtain rod, 210-385 cm; 2x Betydlig curtain rod brackets, top-slot filed out to fit 1/4 stud on top of light stand; use with two cheap 8' light stands. That sounds a lot like something I've done. K20D, DA* 50-135/2.8 @ 90mm/f:5, 1/160th, ISO 100; Lr + Ps + Nik + Portraiture Paramount short lighting with reflector fill. AF540FGZ in Westcott Medium Apollo above-left, key; AF540FGZ in 30 umbrella softbox, boomed above behind-right, hair; 42 silver reflector, right. Comments welcome! The lighting is damn near perfect. There are a few things that I think you might have done differently, advice that is worth approximately what it's costing you. 1) The dark green shirt is too close in color to the grey background. I think that a red, or maroon sweater would have worked a lot better. Alternatively, maybe some rim lighting would have set it off. 2) I find the creases on the backdrop distracting. The ideal situation would involve a room two or three times the size of the one you had, where you could move the backdrop far enough away that it would have been either totally out of focus, unlit, or both. Alternatively, if there is any way you could have used gobos to keep most of the light off the backdrop and just hit it with a spot behind Sophie, to add contrast, then you'd only need a small unwrinkled area of background. That could have also set off the sweater. To prevent the distracting creases like those, I do one of two things. I will either store a backdrop rolled up on a 10' section of ABS so that it is smooth, and has no creases. Or I will store it wadded up in a bin, so that it is covered by random wrinkles, with no distracting patterns. Although, what I usually really do is just make sure that my lights are much closer to my model than the background, and ideally not even hitting the backgound, because if you can't see the backdrop, then you can't see the creases. -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- Larry Colen l...@red4est.com http://red4est.com/lrc -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie
Thank you Stan. Glad you like the colour scheme. Yeah, that blue nail polish. :-) The focus was headshots, but of course hands inevitably come into it and I hadn't noticed. Yet another take-away lesson. In many other shots she's wearing colourful clothing and the polish fits in (youthful, bright). I have also rendered this as a bw and the nail polish is moot there. I'll post one of those when I get to one I really like. On Mon, Aug 19, 2013 at 10:02 PM, Stan Halpin s...@stans-photography.info wrote: I like the (apparent?) color of the backdrop because of the way it matches the color of the sweater. Which means the whole context, backdrop plus sweater, pulls my eye to the face (which is lovely!) Or it would if it weren't for the distraction of the wrinkles Larry pointed out. I have a white sheet I've used as a backdrop for product shots for eBay sales. I hate wrinkles. But I hate ironing even more. The bright nail polish also distracts a bit from her face. With such a lovely well-lit subject, why let other elements draw attention away? Disclaimer: I don't know how to shoot studio portraits, but I have had several passport and driver's license photos taken of me over the years. stan On Aug 19, 2013, at 9:33 PM, Larry Colen wrote: On Mon, Aug 19, 2013 at 08:59:34PM -0400, Bruce Walker wrote: A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh I was also testing my latest money-saving invention: $10 IKEA background support system. Ingredients: One Hugad black curtain rod, 210-385 cm; 2x Betydlig curtain rod brackets, top-slot filed out to fit 1/4 stud on top of light stand; use with two cheap 8' light stands. That sounds a lot like something I've done. K20D, DA* 50-135/2.8 @ 90mm/f:5, 1/160th, ISO 100; Lr + Ps + Nik + Portraiture Paramount short lighting with reflector fill. AF540FGZ in Westcott Medium Apollo above-left, key; AF540FGZ in 30 umbrella softbox, boomed above behind-right, hair; 42 silver reflector, right. Comments welcome! The lighting is damn near perfect. There are a few things that I think you might have done differently, advice that is worth approximately what it's costing you. 1) The dark green shirt is too close in color to the grey background. I think that a red, or maroon sweater would have worked a lot better. Alternatively, maybe some rim lighting would have set it off. 2) I find the creases on the backdrop distracting. The ideal situation would involve a room two or three times the size of the one you had, where you could move the backdrop far enough away that it would have been either totally out of focus, unlit, or both. Alternatively, if there is any way you could have used gobos to keep most of the light off the backdrop and just hit it with a spot behind Sophie, to add contrast, then you'd only need a small unwrinkled area of background. That could have also set off the sweater. To prevent the distracting creases like those, I do one of two things. I will either store a backdrop rolled up on a 10' section of ABS so that it is smooth, and has no creases. Or I will store it wadded up in a bin, so that it is covered by random wrinkles, with no distracting patterns. Although, what I usually really do is just make sure that my lights are much closer to my model than the background, and ideally not even hitting the backgound, because if you can't see the backdrop, then you can't see the creases. -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- Larry Colen l...@red4est.com http://red4est.com/lrc -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie
Thanks, Igor. Cutting off heads is a bit of a fashion, somewhat popularized by film and TV and largely necessitated by the landscape orientation. An overriding principle is to keep the eyes in the upper one third of the frame, and the closer you frame the more head is going to get cut off. And too, when the background is crappy I automatically frame closer to exclude it. I have many other variations of this one, some with no head cropping, but I particularly liked her expression in this one. I generally prefer smiles so you'll get your wish shortly. :-) On Mon, Aug 19, 2013 at 11:27 PM, Igor Roshchin s...@komkon.org wrote: Bruce, This portrait is even better than the previous, especially light-wise. I like the light, and I didn't even notice the creases until read Larry's comments. The blue nail polish didn't distract me. But, from the very first look, I have been distracted by the top of the head cut off. Also, the two fingers on the left hand would've been better inside the frame.. (I remember, there was a nice website showing what is OK and not OK with respect to cutting off people in photographs, - primarily limbs). Sorry, the chopped-off head still bothers me. - The head should be complete, or a more drastic cut has to happen... Best, Igor On Mon, Aug 19, 2013 at 08:59:34PM -0400, Bruce Walker wrote: A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie
I really like the lighting Bruce. It looks like you could also do a vertical format crop on her face and get a nice tight head shot from of this same image. gs George Sinos www.GeorgesPhotos.net www.GeorgeSinos.com On Mon, Aug 19, 2013 at 7:59 PM, Bruce Walker bruce.wal...@gmail.com wrote: A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh I was also testing my latest money-saving invention: $10 IKEA background support system. Ingredients: One Hugad black curtain rod, 210-385 cm; 2x Betydlig curtain rod brackets, top-slot filed out to fit 1/4 stud on top of light stand; use with two cheap 8' light stands. K20D, DA* 50-135/2.8 @ 90mm/f:5, 1/160th, ISO 100; Lr + Ps + Nik + Portraiture Paramount short lighting with reflector fill. AF540FGZ in Westcott Medium Apollo above-left, key; AF540FGZ in 30 umbrella softbox, boomed above behind-right, hair; 42 silver reflector, right. Comments welcome! -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie
Thank you very much, George. Yes, I agree, I'll try a couple of tight crops too. I want to invest in one of those brackets that lets you quickly flip between landscape and portrait without shifting horizontally as happens with my tripod ball head. I'd have done more portrait orientations but for that. I was mainly concentrating on other aspects like posing, direction, subtle light refinements. On Tue, Aug 20, 2013 at 9:03 AM, George Sinos gsi...@gmail.com wrote: I really like the lighting Bruce. It looks like you could also do a vertical format crop on her face and get a nice tight head shot from of this same image. gs George Sinos www.GeorgesPhotos.net www.GeorgeSinos.com On Mon, Aug 19, 2013 at 7:59 PM, Bruce Walker bruce.wal...@gmail.com wrote: A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh I was also testing my latest money-saving invention: $10 IKEA background support system. Ingredients: One Hugad black curtain rod, 210-385 cm; 2x Betydlig curtain rod brackets, top-slot filed out to fit 1/4 stud on top of light stand; use with two cheap 8' light stands. K20D, DA* 50-135/2.8 @ 90mm/f:5, 1/160th, ISO 100; Lr + Ps + Nik + Portraiture Paramount short lighting with reflector fill. AF540FGZ in Westcott Medium Apollo above-left, key; AF540FGZ in 30 umbrella softbox, boomed above behind-right, hair; 42 silver reflector, right. Comments welcome! -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie
I find the background distracting. My eye keeps being drawn to that vertical fold. It would help if the background were either (A) ironed; (B) wadded up several times so that the wrinkles become completely randomized or (C) out of focus. C seems to work best, but B will do in a pinch. On 8/19/2013 8:59 PM, Bruce Walker wrote: A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh I was also testing my latest money-saving invention: $10 IKEA background support system. Ingredients: One Hugad black curtain rod, 210-385 cm; 2x Betydlig curtain rod brackets, top-slot filed out to fit 1/4 stud on top of light stand; use with two cheap 8' light stands. K20D, DA* 50-135/2.8 @ 90mm/f:5, 1/160th, ISO 100; Lr + Ps + Nik + Portraiture Paramount short lighting with reflector fill. AF540FGZ in Westcott Medium Apollo above-left, key; AF540FGZ in 30 umbrella softbox, boomed above behind-right, hair; 42 silver reflector, right. Comments welcome! -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie
Thank you, Don. On Tue, Aug 20, 2013 at 11:38 AM, Don Guthrie shark50...@gmail.com wrote: FWIW I agree with Larry about the wrinkled backdrop. The Shirt color doesn't bother me and I know nothing about studio lighting but I think her face stands out nicely, pose and expression great overall effective shot. pdml-requ...@pdml.net wrote: Message: 11 Date: Mon, 19 Aug 2013 18:33:27 -0700 From: Larry Colen l...@red4est.com To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List pdml@pdml.net Subject: Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie Message-ID: 20130820013327.ga29...@platypus.gruk.net Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii On Mon, Aug 19, 2013 at 08:59:34PM -0400, Bruce Walker wrote: A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh I was also testing my latest money-saving invention: $10 IKEA background support system. Ingredients: One Hugad black curtain rod, 210-385 cm; 2x Betydlig curtain rod brackets, top-slot filed out to fit 1/4 stud on top of light stand; use with two cheap 8' light stands. That sounds a lot like something I've done. K20D, DA* 50-135/2.8 @ 90mm/f:5, 1/160th, ISO 100; Lr + Ps + Nik + Portraiture Paramount short lighting with reflector fill. AF540FGZ in Westcott Medium Apollo above-left, key; AF540FGZ in 30 umbrella softbox, boomed above behind-right, hair; 42 silver reflector, right. Comments welcome! The lighting is damn near perfect. There are a few things that I think you might have done differently, advice that is worth approximately what it's costing you. 1) The dark green shirt is too close in color to the grey background. I think that a red, or maroon sweater would have worked a lot better. Alternatively, maybe some rim lighting would have set it off. 2) I find the creases on the backdrop distracting. The ideal situation would involve a room two or three times the size of the one you had, where you could move the backdrop far enough away that it would have been either totally out of focus, unlit, or both. Alternatively, if there is any way you could have used gobos to keep most of the light off the backdrop and just hit it with a spot behind Sophie, to add contrast, then you'd only need a small unwrinkled area of background. That could have also set off the sweater. To prevent the distracting creases like those, I do one of two things. I will either store a backdrop rolled up on a 10' section of ABS so that it is smooth, and has no creases. Or I will store it wadded up in a bin, so that it is covered by random wrinkles, with no distracting patterns. Although, what I usually really do is just make sure that my lights are much closer to my model than the background, and ideally not even hitting the backgound, because if you can't see the backdrop, then you can't see the creases. -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie
Yeah, yeah, I'm getting the message, loud and clear: lose the wrinkles! :-) I'm a guy, so A is _not_ happening. I let the backdrop hang all the prior day and the wrinkles held. 'Course it was folded in its package for who knows how long before I opened it. I might try my travel steamer to see if it helps. I doubt it will though; never helped my clothing. :-( I tried B: I scrunched it back into its bag, wadded as tight as it would go, and left it overnight. You'd think it would get seriously wrinkly, but no dammit. C I tried to do, but lack of enough linear distance de-feet-ed me. Backdrop tech is more involved than I hoped for. I really don't want to carry around a roll of seamless, but it may come to that. Thanks for your comments, John. On Tue, Aug 20, 2013 at 11:15 AM, John johnsess...@yahoo.com wrote: I find the background distracting. My eye keeps being drawn to that vertical fold. It would help if the background were either (A) ironed; (B) wadded up several times so that the wrinkles become completely randomized or (C) out of focus. C seems to work best, but B will do in a pinch. On 8/19/2013 8:59 PM, Bruce Walker wrote: A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh I was also testing my latest money-saving invention: $10 IKEA background support system. Ingredients: One Hugad black curtain rod, 210-385 cm; 2x Betydlig curtain rod brackets, top-slot filed out to fit 1/4 stud on top of light stand; use with two cheap 8' light stands. K20D, DA* 50-135/2.8 @ 90mm/f:5, 1/160th, ISO 100; Lr + Ps + Nik + Portraiture Paramount short lighting with reflector fill. AF540FGZ in Westcott Medium Apollo above-left, key; AF540FGZ in 30 umbrella softbox, boomed above behind-right, hair; 42 silver reflector, right. Comments welcome! -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
PESO Portrait of Sophie [now with dewrinkled backdrop]
Background wrinkles rankle, as do blue nails. Both gone! Have another look ... http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). I was also testing my latest money-saving invention: $10 IKEA background support system. Ingredients: One Hugad black curtain rod, 210-385 cm; 2x Betydlig curtain rod brackets, top-slot filed out to fit 1/4 stud on top of light stand; use with two cheap 8' light stands. K20D, DA* 50-135/2.8 @ 90mm/f:5, 1/160th, ISO 100; Lr + Ps + Nik + Portraiture Paramount short lighting with reflector fill. AF540FGZ in Westcott Medium Apollo above-left, key; AF540FGZ in 30 umbrella softbox, boomed above behind-right, hair; 42 silver reflector, right. Comments welcome! -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie [now with dewrinkled backdrop]
Bruce, You pulled out her blue nails just for this photo? Man, you are a sadist! ;-) But I guess, with the top of the head chopped off, that probably doesn't hurt any more. ;-) On a serious note, - let me clarify my comment (after reading your response in the previous thread). - Yes, I know about that trend of cutting of a portion of the head. I even do that myself occasionally (see my photo in the 2012 PDML annual : http://www.blurb.com/books/3382929-pdml-photo-annual-2012/pages/52#basic ). My point was that it works if you make a more close-up shot, e.g. when it is head-only, or maybe in some cases head-and-shoulders. But when you include as much as hands, - the chopped off head does not work (for me). BTW, the 2/3 rule that you mentioned is not followed in this portrait. Again, sorry if it appears as too much of criticism. I didn't mean to attack you. I just like the photo otherwise. Also, - just a thought for your wrinkle problem: If you let it hang for a while, you may want to sprinkle some water from a windex-type spray bottle. Or, better yet, try a wrinkle-releaser: http://www.amazon.com/Downy-Wrinkle-Releaser-16-9/dp/B00377G10Q/ (you can buy it at a walmart you grocery supermarket or pharmacy store). Depending on the fabric, it might work better than just plain water. Cheers, Igor Tue Aug 20 12:46:16 EDT 2013 Bruce Walker wrote: Background wrinkles rankle, as do blue nails. Both gone! Have another look ... http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie [now with dewrinkled backdrop]
On Tue, Aug 20, 2013 at 3:29 PM, Igor Roshchin s...@komkon.org wrote: BTW, the 2/3 rule that you mentioned is not followed in this portrait. Hmmm. According to Lightroom's crop overlay, her eyes lie well into the upper third of this image. Would you like to see a screen grab? :-) Perhaps you thought I meant one should follow the Rule of Thirds and get the eyes on the line? That's not what I meant. And good heavens no, I don't misunderstand your comments. You're expressing your aesthetic preference, which is quite a fair one. How can feel attacked by that? BTW, head-cropping is also intentionally done to flatter bald or follicly challenged men's portraits. Quite a handy subterfuge. The Care and Handling sheet that came with the muslin suggests using a travel steamer on the wrinkles but taking care _not_ to saturate the fabric. So I'm note sure about the water idea, but I like your Downy wrinkle-releaser suggestion. That sounds like it's worth a try. Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions, Igor! On Tue, Aug 20, 2013 at 3:29 PM, Igor Roshchin s...@komkon.org wrote: Bruce, You pulled out her blue nails just for this photo? Man, you are a sadist! ;-) But I guess, with the top of the head chopped off, that probably doesn't hurt any more. ;-) On a serious note, - let me clarify my comment (after reading your response in the previous thread). - Yes, I know about that trend of cutting of a portion of the head. I even do that myself occasionally (see my photo in the 2012 PDML annual : http://www.blurb.com/books/3382929-pdml-photo-annual-2012/pages/52#basic ). My point was that it works if you make a more close-up shot, e.g. when it is head-only, or maybe in some cases head-and-shoulders. But when you include as much as hands, - the chopped off head does not work (for me). BTW, the 2/3 rule that you mentioned is not followed in this portrait. Again, sorry if it appears as too much of criticism. I didn't mean to attack you. I just like the photo otherwise. Also, - just a thought for your wrinkle problem: If you let it hang for a while, you may want to sprinkle some water from a windex-type spray bottle. Or, better yet, try a wrinkle-releaser: http://www.amazon.com/Downy-Wrinkle-Releaser-16-9/dp/B00377G10Q/ (you can buy it at a walmart you grocery supermarket or pharmacy store). Depending on the fabric, it might work better than just plain water. Cheers, Igor Tue Aug 20 12:46:16 EDT 2013 Bruce Walker wrote: Background wrinkles rankle, as do blue nails. Both gone! Have another look ... http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie [now with dewrinkled backdrop]
Pretty lady. Always a good thing. Well done. Paul On Aug 20, 2013, at 12:46 PM, Bruce Walker bruce.wal...@gmail.com wrote: Background wrinkles rankle, as do blue nails. Both gone! Have another look ... http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). I was also testing my latest money-saving invention: $10 IKEA background support system. Ingredients: One Hugad black curtain rod, 210-385 cm; 2x Betydlig curtain rod brackets, top-slot filed out to fit 1/4 stud on top of light stand; use with two cheap 8' light stands. K20D, DA* 50-135/2.8 @ 90mm/f:5, 1/160th, ISO 100; Lr + Ps + Nik + Portraiture Paramount short lighting with reflector fill. AF540FGZ in Westcott Medium Apollo above-left, key; AF540FGZ in 30 umbrella softbox, boomed above behind-right, hair; 42 silver reflector, right. Comments welcome! -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie [now with dewrinkled backdrop]
On Tue, Aug 20, 2013 at 03:29:34PM -0400, Igor Roshchin wrote: Also, - just a thought for your wrinkle problem: If you let it hang for a while, you may want to sprinkle some water from a windex-type spray bottle. Or, better yet, try a wrinkle-releaser: http://www.amazon.com/Downy-Wrinkle-Releaser-16-9/dp/B00377G10Q/ (you can buy it at a walmart you grocery supermarket or pharmacy store). Depending on the fabric, it might work better than just plain water. Or maybe just toss it in a clothes dryer long enough to get it warm, then either hang it to get the wrinkles out, or wad it up to put more artistic wrinkles in. -- Larry Colen l...@red4est.com http://red4est.com/lrc -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie [now with dewrinkled backdrop]
Thanks, Paul. On Tue, Aug 20, 2013 at 4:50 PM, Paul Stenquist pnstenqu...@comcast.net wrote: Pretty lady. Always a good thing. Well done. Paul On Aug 20, 2013, at 12:46 PM, Bruce Walker bruce.wal...@gmail.com wrote: Background wrinkles rankle, as do blue nails. Both gone! Have another look ... http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). I was also testing my latest money-saving invention: $10 IKEA background support system. Ingredients: One Hugad black curtain rod, 210-385 cm; 2x Betydlig curtain rod brackets, top-slot filed out to fit 1/4 stud on top of light stand; use with two cheap 8' light stands. K20D, DA* 50-135/2.8 @ 90mm/f:5, 1/160th, ISO 100; Lr + Ps + Nik + Portraiture Paramount short lighting with reflector fill. AF540FGZ in Westcott Medium Apollo above-left, key; AF540FGZ in 30 umbrella softbox, boomed above behind-right, hair; 42 silver reflector, right. Comments welcome! -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie [now with dewrinkled backdrop]
Much better without the wrinkles. The nails are still blue, though. Rick http://photo.net/photos/RickW - Original Message - From: Bruce Walker bruce.wal...@gmail.com To: Pentax Discuss Mailing List PDML@pdml.net Cc: Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 12:46 PM Subject: PESO Portrait of Sophie [now with dewrinkled backdrop] Background wrinkles rankle, as do blue nails. Both gone! Have another look ... http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). I was also testing my latest money-saving invention: $10 IKEA background support system. Ingredients: One Hugad black curtain rod, 210-385 cm; 2x Betydlig curtain rod brackets, top-slot filed out to fit 1/4 stud on top of light stand; use with two cheap 8' light stands. K20D, DA* 50-135/2.8 @ 90mm/f:5, 1/160th, ISO 100; Lr + Ps + Nik + Portraiture Paramount short lighting with reflector fill. AF540FGZ in Westcott Medium Apollo above-left, key; AF540FGZ in 30 umbrella softbox, boomed above behind-right, hair; 42 silver reflector, right. Comments welcome! -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie [now with dewrinkled backdrop]
Lovely portrait. Cheers, frank Rick Womer rwomer1...@yahoo.com wrote: Much better without the wrinkles. The nails are still blue, though. Rick http://photo.net/photos/RickW - Original Message - From: Bruce Walker bruce.wal...@gmail.com To: Pentax Discuss Mailing List PDML@pdml.net Cc: Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 12:46 PM Subject: PESO Portrait of Sophie [now with dewrinkled backdrop] Background wrinkles rankle, as do blue nails. Both gone! Have another look ... http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). I was also testing my latest money-saving invention: $10 IKEA background support system. Ingredients: One Hugad black curtain rod, 210-385 cm; 2x Betydlig curtain rod brackets, top-slot filed out to fit 1/4 stud on top of light stand; use with two cheap 8' light stands. K20D, DA* 50-135/2.8 @ 90mm/f:5, 1/160th, ISO 100; Lr + Ps + Nik + Portraiture Paramount short lighting with reflector fill. AF540FGZ in Westcott Medium Apollo above-left, key; AF540FGZ in 30 umbrella softbox, boomed above behind-right, hair; 42 silver reflector, right. Comments welcome! “Analysis kills spontaneity.” -- Henri-Frederic Amiel -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
PESO Portrait of Sophie
A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh I was also testing my latest money-saving invention: $10 IKEA background support system. Ingredients: One Hugad black curtain rod, 210-385 cm; 2x Betydlig curtain rod brackets, top-slot filed out to fit 1/4 stud on top of light stand; use with two cheap 8' light stands. K20D, DA* 50-135/2.8 @ 90mm/f:5, 1/160th, ISO 100; Lr + Ps + Nik + Portraiture Paramount short lighting with reflector fill. AF540FGZ in Westcott Medium Apollo above-left, key; AF540FGZ in 30 umbrella softbox, boomed above behind-right, hair; 42 silver reflector, right. Comments welcome! -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie
On Mon, Aug 19, 2013 at 08:59:34PM -0400, Bruce Walker wrote: A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh I was also testing my latest money-saving invention: $10 IKEA background support system. Ingredients: One Hugad black curtain rod, 210-385 cm; 2x Betydlig curtain rod brackets, top-slot filed out to fit 1/4 stud on top of light stand; use with two cheap 8' light stands. That sounds a lot like something I've done. K20D, DA* 50-135/2.8 @ 90mm/f:5, 1/160th, ISO 100; Lr + Ps + Nik + Portraiture Paramount short lighting with reflector fill. AF540FGZ in Westcott Medium Apollo above-left, key; AF540FGZ in 30 umbrella softbox, boomed above behind-right, hair; 42 silver reflector, right. Comments welcome! The lighting is damn near perfect. There are a few things that I think you might have done differently, advice that is worth approximately what it's costing you. 1) The dark green shirt is too close in color to the grey background. I think that a red, or maroon sweater would have worked a lot better. Alternatively, maybe some rim lighting would have set it off. 2) I find the creases on the backdrop distracting. The ideal situation would involve a room two or three times the size of the one you had, where you could move the backdrop far enough away that it would have been either totally out of focus, unlit, or both. Alternatively, if there is any way you could have used gobos to keep most of the light off the backdrop and just hit it with a spot behind Sophie, to add contrast, then you'd only need a small unwrinkled area of background. That could have also set off the sweater. To prevent the distracting creases like those, I do one of two things. I will either store a backdrop rolled up on a 10' section of ABS so that it is smooth, and has no creases. Or I will store it wadded up in a bin, so that it is covered by random wrinkles, with no distracting patterns. Although, what I usually really do is just make sure that my lights are much closer to my model than the background, and ideally not even hitting the backgound, because if you can't see the backdrop, then you can't see the creases. -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- Larry Colen l...@red4est.com http://red4est.com/lrc -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie
I like the (apparent?) color of the backdrop because of the way it matches the color of the sweater. Which means the whole context, backdrop plus sweater, pulls my eye to the face (which is lovely!) Or it would if it weren't for the distraction of the wrinkles Larry pointed out. I have a white sheet I've used as a backdrop for product shots for eBay sales. I hate wrinkles. But I hate ironing even more. The bright nail polish also distracts a bit from her face. With such a lovely well-lit subject, why let other elements draw attention away? Disclaimer: I don't know how to shoot studio portraits, but I have had several passport and driver's license photos taken of me over the years. stan On Aug 19, 2013, at 9:33 PM, Larry Colen wrote: On Mon, Aug 19, 2013 at 08:59:34PM -0400, Bruce Walker wrote: A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh I was also testing my latest money-saving invention: $10 IKEA background support system. Ingredients: One Hugad black curtain rod, 210-385 cm; 2x Betydlig curtain rod brackets, top-slot filed out to fit 1/4 stud on top of light stand; use with two cheap 8' light stands. That sounds a lot like something I've done. K20D, DA* 50-135/2.8 @ 90mm/f:5, 1/160th, ISO 100; Lr + Ps + Nik + Portraiture Paramount short lighting with reflector fill. AF540FGZ in Westcott Medium Apollo above-left, key; AF540FGZ in 30 umbrella softbox, boomed above behind-right, hair; 42 silver reflector, right. Comments welcome! The lighting is damn near perfect. There are a few things that I think you might have done differently, advice that is worth approximately what it's costing you. 1) The dark green shirt is too close in color to the grey background. I think that a red, or maroon sweater would have worked a lot better. Alternatively, maybe some rim lighting would have set it off. 2) I find the creases on the backdrop distracting. The ideal situation would involve a room two or three times the size of the one you had, where you could move the backdrop far enough away that it would have been either totally out of focus, unlit, or both. Alternatively, if there is any way you could have used gobos to keep most of the light off the backdrop and just hit it with a spot behind Sophie, to add contrast, then you'd only need a small unwrinkled area of background. That could have also set off the sweater. To prevent the distracting creases like those, I do one of two things. I will either store a backdrop rolled up on a 10' section of ABS so that it is smooth, and has no creases. Or I will store it wadded up in a bin, so that it is covered by random wrinkles, with no distracting patterns. Although, what I usually really do is just make sure that my lights are much closer to my model than the background, and ideally not even hitting the backgound, because if you can't see the backdrop, then you can't see the creases. -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- Larry Colen l...@red4est.com http://red4est.com/lrc -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie
On Mon, Aug 19, 2013 at 10:02:48PM -0400, Stan Halpin wrote: Disclaimer: I don't know how to shoot studio portraits, but I have had several passport and driver's license photos taken of me over the years. Mark! -- Larry Colen l...@red4est.com http://red4est.com/lrc -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: PESO Portrait of Sophie
Bruce, This portrait is even better than the previous, especially light-wise. I like the light, and I didn't even notice the creases until read Larry's comments. The blue nail polish didn't distract me. But, from the very first look, I have been distracted by the top of the head cut off. Also, the two fingers on the left hand would've been better inside the frame.. (I remember, there was a nice website showing what is OK and not OK with respect to cutting off people in photographs, - primarily limbs). Sorry, the chopped-off head still bothers me. - The head should be complete, or a more drastic cut has to happen... Best, Igor On Mon, Aug 19, 2013 at 08:59:34PM -0400, Bruce Walker wrote: A straight-forward studio portrait of my niece, Sophie. Shot on location in my sister's living room (she's a champ to put up with me rearranging the whole thing). http://flic.kr/p/fy42fh -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
