blakester
Shine On Harvest Moon
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- Iain
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As some may be familiar, I recently completed what was my second round of 100 strangers. Well today, I started round 3 but this time I intend to do things a little differently than before.
Rather than more of the same, I have decided to put myself on something of a learning curve and shoot this series of portraits using off camera flash (OCF) for every portrait.
Today was something of an exploratory mission to take some OCF gear out to try and streamline the process as these portraits are all street based.
Its obviously early days and I could foresee a few obstacles.
Today I had a boom arm, a small(ish) softbox (20" square) and a yongnuo 560 flash.
The main obstacle was that I required someone to hold the OCF assembly. I am used to making these portraits in natural light enhanced by a reflector. I could manage to hold the reflector in one hand shooting with the other.
The boom arm is an entirely different prospect, which I could see that if I wished to shoot a stranger who was unaccompanied I would struggle. I feel perhaps a light weight light stand may be the way forward.
I was lucky today in that respect, Melissa was accompanied by Natalie who so kindly held the boom arm but that may not always be the case.
Onto Melissa's portrait, technical aspect was said softbox and boom arm held more or less on axis, above my head. Flash at 1/2 power manual mode on camera, ISO 100, 1/160 and f6.3.
My artistic intention was to kill the ambient and light Melissa.
Comments and critique are most welcome. Please be as candid as possible, I am here to learn.
#201 Melissa by Iain Blake, on Flickr
I noticed Melissa and in particular her fantastic hair and obvious style walking along Bishopsgate London with her friend Natalie.
As mentioned below, this round of 100 strangers I will be using off camera flash so I was keen to explain to Melissa and Natalie what would be involved. Also, I required Natalie's help in holding the boom arm with the flash. Natalie was ever so helpful, thank you!
Portrait complete, I asked Melissa what made her happy?
"Living life in general makes me happy, spending time with good friends too. Natalie and I are on our way to have lunch, well a late lunch as its 3 o'clock in the afternoon!"
Whats the best thing thats happened to you today? I asked Melissa.
"Going swimming with my little cousin this morning, its the simple things which makes me happy!"
Thank you Melissa and Natalie!
Rather than more of the same, I have decided to put myself on something of a learning curve and shoot this series of portraits using off camera flash (OCF) for every portrait.
Today was something of an exploratory mission to take some OCF gear out to try and streamline the process as these portraits are all street based.
Its obviously early days and I could foresee a few obstacles.
Today I had a boom arm, a small(ish) softbox (20" square) and a yongnuo 560 flash.
The main obstacle was that I required someone to hold the OCF assembly. I am used to making these portraits in natural light enhanced by a reflector. I could manage to hold the reflector in one hand shooting with the other.
The boom arm is an entirely different prospect, which I could see that if I wished to shoot a stranger who was unaccompanied I would struggle. I feel perhaps a light weight light stand may be the way forward.
I was lucky today in that respect, Melissa was accompanied by Natalie who so kindly held the boom arm but that may not always be the case.
Onto Melissa's portrait, technical aspect was said softbox and boom arm held more or less on axis, above my head. Flash at 1/2 power manual mode on camera, ISO 100, 1/160 and f6.3.
My artistic intention was to kill the ambient and light Melissa.
Comments and critique are most welcome. Please be as candid as possible, I am here to learn.
#201 Melissa by Iain Blake, on Flickr
I noticed Melissa and in particular her fantastic hair and obvious style walking along Bishopsgate London with her friend Natalie.
As mentioned below, this round of 100 strangers I will be using off camera flash so I was keen to explain to Melissa and Natalie what would be involved. Also, I required Natalie's help in holding the boom arm with the flash. Natalie was ever so helpful, thank you!
Portrait complete, I asked Melissa what made her happy?
"Living life in general makes me happy, spending time with good friends too. Natalie and I are on our way to have lunch, well a late lunch as its 3 o'clock in the afternoon!"
Whats the best thing thats happened to you today? I asked Melissa.
"Going swimming with my little cousin this morning, its the simple things which makes me happy!"
Thank you Melissa and Natalie!