Softboxes and shadows

[Ed Shapiro]

I'm having a hard time finding people to shoot here in Spain. I've started asking people for random street portraits but you're right, I need more time in front of the camera. I like the idea of finding a mentor but at the moment I'll try and keep practicing any way I can, which for now is taking self portraits.

I take self portraits all the time to practice and learn. Once you comfortably take good self portraits with 1 or 2 different lighting setups, you can use them on a person.

Then practice self portraits doing something different.

You can not learn lighting for portraiture by only doing self-portraits. There are many folks who want a good picture of themselves. You have to network with PEOPLE and trade off some modelling time for images. You can offer to shoot men, women, kids, couples, folks of various ages, and facial structures.

Besides good lighting techniques, relating to directing and evoking expression in people are important aspects of portraiture and people photograhy.

Los buenos retratos se obtienen a través de las buenas habilidades con las personas.

Ed Shapiro- Commercial and Portrait Photographer. Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Maybe you misread what I wrote ?

I practice new lighting techniques, new lighting positions, new equipment, on myself doing self portraits. Once I am comfortable I can take a good photo with that new technique, position, item, I take photos of people using what I learned doing my self portrait.

I frequently do trade shoots with a team of models, makeup artist, hairstylist, clothing designers. The trade is I give them good photos. They are not there for me to practice and teach myself. Sure, I might try something new on a trade shoot, but that is at the end after I have already gotten many good shots using lighting and techniques I am already familiar with. Familiar because I practiced it with self portraits.

Sounds like a plan! Good luck!

 

[Richard Hopkins]

You can quickly learn a lot about lighting and shadows/highlights by using a flash with a modelling LED. You'll need some help with this but with your subject in position and you behind the camera in live view, get someone to move the light around for you and you'll see how dramatically things can change.

Your AD200 doesn't have a modelling LED unfortunately, but plug it into an AD-B2 adapter and you'll gain a 10w LED in a Bowens-fit mount. It's not the brightest, but usable. Get another AD200 and you'll have 400Ws plus another 10w LED modelling LED. Now you're cooking :-D

Thanks for the advice. At the moment, I don´t have room in my budget for another AD200. I did buy a Godox dp400iii for the modelling light but I find that it doesn´t really give me a similar result when I use the flash compared to the modelling light. Do you think it would be worth picking up a Godox h200r to use the modelling light?

The point I was making about modelling lights is really two-fold. Firstly, they are continuous light of course, and secondly a good way to harness that for learning is with the help of two other people (subject and assistant) so you can see things change in live view as the light is moved.

Most modelling lights produce a very similar effect to the flash but it does depend somewhat on the modifier used. With any kind of softbox though the results will be identical.

Working on your own, you might try using a maniken head and positioning the light yourself, while taking shots and making notes.

 

[Ronnie99]

Thanks so much. I will try that out. Do you think it would be worth picking up picking up a Godox h200r? I like the accessories that go with the round head, but I don't know if I should spend the extra money for the round head.

Thanks for your help

 

[Don89]

I'm having a hard time finding people to shoot here in Spain. I've started asking people for random street portraits but you're right, I need more time in front of the camera. I like the idea of finding a mentor but at the moment I'll try and keep practicing any way I can, which for now is taking self portraits.

The shy salesman has skinny kids…

when you meet people ask what they do and let them now you’re looking for models for test shoots. If a woman ask them to bring a friend

I usually don’t shoot women alone. For safety and also, the friend usually sees all the fun and wants her own photo session too.. and ask them to bring a friend. While shooting, offer another shoot the following week at another location so they can plan their clothing /fashion for it. And bring more friends.

get creative and positive. And deliver their photos as promised on time or faster. Ask them if they have friends who would like a test session…

its not how good your shoot, it’s also how much fun they have. Keep positive Bring some music during a session A radio station Anything Bring water for them to drink. Seems their lips dry out so fast.

--
Nikons, Rolleiflexes, Elinchroms, Broncolor Paras

 

[Ronnie99]

Perfect. Great ideas. Thanks so much

 

[Richard Hopkins]

Thanks so much. I will try that out. Do you think it would be worth picking up picking up a Godox h200r? I like the accessories that go with the round head, but I don't know if I should spend the extra money for the round head.

Thanks for your help

The best head for use with a softbox is the bare-bulb.

 

[BAK]

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BAK