Reading mode: Light Dark

What would you do?

Go to last post
G

Greg DiBernardo

Member
Messages
44
Reaction score
0
Location
US
Here's my shot:



What would you change if you could could change anything in this image? This was shot in one of those "foo foo" law firms that gave me 15 minutes to set up and 5 minutes to shoot. (NOTE: The color balance seems to be a bit whacky in the browser)

This guy is an alumnus of a private high school in the area. The environment portrait will be used in the school's admissions brochure to show the success of a few alums. I wanted to show primarily that he works in a "foo foo" law firm and that he is not an ambulance chaser.

What do you think?

Gear:
D60
28-135IS (room too tight for the 70-200/2.8)
1/15@f8
ISO 100
Main light is a large Photoflex 293 about 9 feet up @ camera 11 o'clock
Background light is a WL Ultra 1200 with barndoors
Front light (for highlight on foreground chair) is a WLUltra 1200 with snoot
 
I would get rid of both lamps. They are distracting at best and intrusive at worst.

I would also try to blur the background just a tad or do something that puts less emphasis on the background (less lighting could work also).

Other than that, I like the shot.
Greg DiBernardo said:
Here's my shot:



What would you change if you could could change anything in this
image? This was shot in one of those "foo foo" law firms that gave
me 15 minutes to set up and 5 minutes to shoot. (NOTE: The color
balance seems to be a bit whacky in the browser)

This guy is an alumnus of a private high school in the area. The
environment portrait will be used in the school's admissions
brochure to show the success of a few alums. I wanted to show
primarily that he works in a "foo foo" law firm and that he is not
an ambulance chaser.

What do you think?

Gear:
D60
28-135IS (room too tight for the 70-200/2.8)
1/15@f8
ISO 100
Main light is a large Photoflex 293 about 9 feet up @ camera 11
o'clock
Background light is a WL Ultra 1200 with barndoors
Front light (for highlight on foreground chair) is a WLUltra 1200
with snoot
Click to expand...
--
TonyK
 
Agree with the lights... They were the first thing I noticed.

Otherwise a good shot. The blur would be a good touch too I think....

R
TonyK_in_Texas said:
I would also try to blur the background just a tad or do something
that puts less emphasis on the background (less lighting could work
also).

Other than that, I like the shot.
Greg DiBernardo said:
Here's my shot:



What would you change if you could could change anything in this
image? This was shot in one of those "foo foo" law firms that gave
me 15 minutes to set up and 5 minutes to shoot. (NOTE: The color
balance seems to be a bit whacky in the browser)

This guy is an alumnus of a private high school in the area. The
environment portrait will be used in the school's admissions
brochure to show the success of a few alums. I wanted to show
primarily that he works in a "foo foo" law firm and that he is not
an ambulance chaser.

What do you think?

Gear:
D60
28-135IS (room too tight for the 70-200/2.8)
1/15@f8
ISO 100
Main light is a large Photoflex 293 about 9 feet up @ camera 11
o'clock
Background light is a WL Ultra 1200 with barndoors
Front light (for highlight on foreground chair) is a WLUltra 1200
with snoot
Click to expand...
--
TonyK
Click to expand...
--
Rodney Biddle
 
Not only the lights but I would get rid of the chair or crop in just a tad tighter.

Still it isn't bad at all.
Rodney Biddle said:
Otherwise a good shot. The blur would be a good touch too I think....

R
TonyK_in_Texas said:
I would also try to blur the background just a tad or do something
that puts less emphasis on the background (less lighting could work
also).

Other than that, I like the shot.
Greg DiBernardo said:
Here's my shot:



What would you change if you could could change anything in this
image? This was shot in one of those "foo foo" law firms that gave
me 15 minutes to set up and 5 minutes to shoot. (NOTE: The color
balance seems to be a bit whacky in the browser)

This guy is an alumnus of a private high school in the area. The
environment portrait will be used in the school's admissions
brochure to show the success of a few alums. I wanted to show
primarily that he works in a "foo foo" law firm and that he is not
an ambulance chaser.

What do you think?

Gear:
D60
28-135IS (room too tight for the 70-200/2.8)
1/15@f8
ISO 100
Main light is a large Photoflex 293 about 9 feet up @ camera 11
o'clock
Background light is a WL Ultra 1200 with barndoors
Front light (for highlight on foreground chair) is a WLUltra 1200
with snoot
Click to expand...
--
TonyK
Click to expand...
--
Rodney Biddle
Click to expand...
 
Hi,

I like the expression captured in his face.

Changes:

1) Remove the green lamps.

2) Angle his body, instead of flat to camera.

3) Change the hand in the pocket so it doesn't stretch the trousers so much.

4) Raise the camera angle.

5) Put him on the other side of the table, increasing the distance to the bookcase.
Mike Ant said:
Still it isn't bad at all.
Rodney Biddle said:
Otherwise a good shot. The blur would be a good touch too I think....

R
TonyK_in_Texas said:
I would also try to blur the background just a tad or do something
that puts less emphasis on the background (less lighting could work
also).

Other than that, I like the shot.
Greg DiBernardo said:
Here's my shot:



What would you change if you could could change anything in this
image? This was shot in one of those "foo foo" law firms that gave
me 15 minutes to set up and 5 minutes to shoot. (NOTE: The color
balance seems to be a bit whacky in the browser)

This guy is an alumnus of a private high school in the area. The
environment portrait will be used in the school's admissions
brochure to show the success of a few alums. I wanted to show
primarily that he works in a "foo foo" law firm and that he is not
an ambulance chaser.

What do you think?

Gear:
D60
28-135IS (room too tight for the 70-200/2.8)
1/15@f8
ISO 100
Main light is a large Photoflex 293 about 9 feet up @ camera 11
o'clock
Background light is a WL Ultra 1200 with barndoors
Front light (for highlight on foreground chair) is a WLUltra 1200
with snoot
Click to expand...
--
TonyK
Click to expand...
--
Rodney Biddle
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Daniel Payne
Canon 10D
http://danieljpayne.com/
 
Female point of view:

Let his wife pick another tie for him. My eyes see the tie and keep going back to it.
Greg DiBernardo said:
Here's my shot:



What would you change if you could could change anything in this
image? This was shot in one of those "foo foo" law firms that gave
me 15 minutes to set up and 5 minutes to shoot. (NOTE: The color
balance seems to be a bit whacky in the browser)

This guy is an alumnus of a private high school in the area. The
environment portrait will be used in the school's admissions
brochure to show the success of a few alums. I wanted to show
primarily that he works in a "foo foo" law firm and that he is not
an ambulance chaser.

What do you think?

Gear:
D60
28-135IS (room too tight for the 70-200/2.8)
1/15@f8
ISO 100
Main light is a large Photoflex 293 about 9 feet up @ camera 11
o'clock
Background light is a WL Ultra 1200 with barndoors
Front light (for highlight on foreground chair) is a WLUltra 1200
with snoot
Click to expand...
--
Please visit me at:
http://www.caughtintimephotography.com

 
Greg DiBernardo said:
Here's my shot:



What would you change if you could could change anything in this
image? This was shot in one of those "foo foo" law firms that gave
me 15 minutes to set up and 5 minutes to shoot. (NOTE: The color
balance seems to be a bit whacky in the browser)

This guy is an alumnus of a private high school in the area. The
environment portrait will be used in the school's admissions
brochure to show the success of a few alums. I wanted to show
primarily that he works in a "foo foo" law firm and that he is not
an ambulance chaser.>
Click to expand...
Joe Peoples writes:

...is follow your instincts. Don't freak because you have only 30 minutes to shoot. Think about Thanksgiving dinner...a lot of time preparing and eating takes mere minutes (in comparison), so spend most of your time setting up and making sure you're happy with the lighting and composition. Scout the location a day or two before your shoot, take a few photos of the room and make notes.

The first thing I would do is fill the bookcase. I would also play around with having the person sit on the front of the desk, and position the camera on an angle to the background. You might even turn the desk, if it looked good. Put papers and related materials on the desk to make it look like the guy's in the middle of working. The shot needs to be more intimate...how YOU do it is what makes you a pro with a unique style.
 
I would not have him looking down at the camera. Skin tones are pale, and very contrasty. Why is one side of his face in deep shadows?

The lights aren’t even centered. As others have said, loose them, or find a way to blend one of them into the background. They look like props. Not really part of what you are trying to show.

Empty bookcase in a lawyers office?

Not sure where he is looking. Sort of looks like one eye sort of in your direction, the other towards the ceiling.

The first thing I noticed when I saw this photo is the chalky, contrasty face. I keep coming back to it, and it ruins the pic for me. Would have been a deleter for me.

Camera should not be looking up at him. Get more of the shinny desk top in the photo.

By the way, what’s a Foo Foo law firm?
--
Gary
Will Fly for Food
 
remove the lamps .. the rinkle on right half of face
or simply crop above the lamps ...

With everything else you have to live obviously ..
the blownout shirt .. well you can replace it in PS
can all be done ...

Have fun
gmd
Greg DiBernardo said:
Here's my shot:



What would you change if you could could change anything in this
image? This was shot in one of those "foo foo" law firms that gave
me 15 minutes to set up and 5 minutes to shoot. (NOTE: The color
balance seems to be a bit whacky in the browser)

This guy is an alumnus of a private high school in the area. The
environment portrait will be used in the school's admissions
brochure to show the success of a few alums. I wanted to show
primarily that he works in a "foo foo" law firm and that he is not
an ambulance chaser.

What do you think?

Gear:
D60
28-135IS (room too tight for the 70-200/2.8)
1/15@f8
ISO 100
Main light is a large Photoflex 293 about 9 feet up @ camera 11
o'clock
Background light is a WL Ultra 1200 with barndoors
Front light (for highlight on foreground chair) is a WLUltra 1200
with snoot
Click to expand...
--
Satisfaction is the end of progress.
 
chase ambulances .... some are just more subtle than others.

you've suceeded in showing that this chap probably dosen't rent the space above Joes Pizza, so in that regard things are OK.

a more current, creative pose may have fit in with his youth more ...

but I've been on these 15 minute safaris into lawyerland, and they ain't fun.

most of the sucessful ones I have tried to schedule on the weekends ... more time and more relaxed.

Regards,
Mike

--
'shoot early, shoot often'
 
I've spent many a $$ with the lawyers. Some are better than others but have found all deserving of the jokes aimed at them.
BTW, this guy looks like the son of my last divorce lawyer.
motofoto said:
chase ambulances .... some are just more subtle than others.

you've suceeded in showing that this chap probably dosen't rent the
space above Joes Pizza, so in that regard things are OK.

a more current, creative pose may have fit in with his youth more ...

but I've been on these 15 minute safaris into lawyerland, and they
ain't fun.

most of the sucessful ones I have tried to schedule on the weekends
... more time and more relaxed.

Regards,
Mike

--
'shoot early, shoot often'
Click to expand...
--
Don Maldonado / DMP Imaging
http://www.maldos.net
 
To me what GMD is saying shouldn't be done unless this was a one time shoot and you had no other choice. If you think that you will change things in PS everytime somethings goes wrong you won't learn how to shoot images properly.
GMD said:
With everything else you have to live obviously ..
the blownout shirt .. well you can replace it in PS
can all be done ...

Have fun
gmd
Greg DiBernardo said:
Here's my shot:



What would you change if you could could change anything in this
image? This was shot in one of those "foo foo" law firms that gave
me 15 minutes to set up and 5 minutes to shoot. (NOTE: The color
balance seems to be a bit whacky in the browser)

This guy is an alumnus of a private high school in the area. The
environment portrait will be used in the school's admissions
brochure to show the success of a few alums. I wanted to show
primarily that he works in a "foo foo" law firm and that he is not
an ambulance chaser.

What do you think?

Gear:
D60
28-135IS (room too tight for the 70-200/2.8)
1/15@f8
ISO 100
Main light is a large Photoflex 293 about 9 feet up @ camera 11
o'clock
Background light is a WL Ultra 1200 with barndoors
Front light (for highlight on foreground chair) is a WLUltra 1200
with snoot
Click to expand...
--
Satisfaction is the end of progress.
Click to expand...
 
Greg DiBernardo said:
Here's my shot:



What would you change if you could could change anything in this
image? This was shot in one of those "foo foo" law firms that gave
me 15 minutes to set up and 5 minutes to shoot. (NOTE: The color
balance seems to be a bit whacky in the browser)

This guy is an alumnus of a private high school in the area. The
environment portrait will be used in the school's admissions
brochure to show the success of a few alums. I wanted to show
primarily that he works in a "foo foo" law firm and that he is not
an ambulance chaser.

What do you think?

Gear:
D60
28-135IS (room too tight for the 70-200/2.8)
1/15@f8
ISO 100
Main light is a large Photoflex 293 about 9 feet up @ camera 11
o'clock
Background light is a WL Ultra 1200 with barndoors
Front light (for highlight on foreground chair) is a WLUltra 1200
with snoot
Click to expand...
 
Mike Ant said:
To me what GMD is saying shouldn't be done unless this was a one
time shoot and you had no other choice. If you think that you will
change things in PS everytime somethings goes wrong you won't learn
how to shoot images properly.
Click to expand...
NOT true for most people.

After just a few FIPS sessions, almost every photographer I've spoken with tries REALLY hard to get it right so that it doesn't need fixing.

It's a pain/feedback kind of thing: "I can fix it now in 30 seconds, or I can spend 4 hours in Photoshop fixing it. Hmm.. which one hurts less?"
 
sp no other option than PS and I told him what I would change
.. for the shoot sure .. remove the lamps .. underexpose a bit
or move the flash from the left a little more to the centre
etc etc ..

I always try to avoid photoshop as much as I can especially
when I shoot 100ds of protuct photos ..

but in this case he said .. thats the pic ..

Have fun
gmd
Mike Ant said:
GMD said:
With everything else you have to live obviously ..
the blownout shirt .. well you can replace it in PS
can all be done ...

Have fun
gmd
Greg DiBernardo said:
Here's my shot:



What would you change if you could could change anything in this
image? This was shot in one of those "foo foo" law firms that gave
me 15 minutes to set up and 5 minutes to shoot. (NOTE: The color
balance seems to be a bit whacky in the browser)

This guy is an alumnus of a private high school in the area. The
environment portrait will be used in the school's admissions
brochure to show the success of a few alums. I wanted to show
primarily that he works in a "foo foo" law firm and that he is not
an ambulance chaser.

What do you think?

Gear:
D60
28-135IS (room too tight for the 70-200/2.8)
1/15@f8
ISO 100
Main light is a large Photoflex 293 about 9 feet up @ camera 11
o'clock
Background light is a WL Ultra 1200 with barndoors
Front light (for highlight on foreground chair) is a WLUltra 1200
with snoot
Click to expand...
--
Satisfaction is the end of progress.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Satisfaction is the end of progress.
 
Absolutely agree, anyone who values their time, i.e. is not an armchair photoshopper, will quickly learn that most fixes in the physical realm are far quicker than those in Photoshop. For example, foundation takes a few minutes to apply, whereas retouching blemishes from a subject's face can take longer than that, for EACH image, to get it right.

If someone lacks the judgement required to learn this principle in practise, then they're not going to get very far at all.

Enjoy the weekend

Martyn
Kevin Connery said:
It's a pain/feedback kind of thing: "I can fix it now in 30
seconds, or I can spend 4 hours in Photoshop fixing it. Hmm.. which
one hurts less?"
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top