Head Chef Portraits

ThomasE · Oct 29, 2012

Hey guys/gals,

This is my first post on this forum

- but it looks like a great community from what I have seen from poking around!

I did my first paid (not much) portraiture work for a friend for his head chef. I have mainly only done events before this, and a few portraits for other friends.

I took these photos for a bit under 1 1/2 hours. I am going back in a couple of weeks when they have the interior of the restaurant done to take some of him cooking, of the interior and of the food.

I was limited to taking photos on the balcony above the site, which was a pity, as the restaurant is still under construction. They weren't able to get any suitable props as they were away in storage, and my friend couldn't find them :grumpy:

Anyway after sorting through, I have come up with 7 shots that I like. Just wanting your opinions on which ones you like, and if the editing is looking ok and any tips for future shots. I need to find a way to add more definition to the chin I think.

They were shot with a 50mm on my D-7000, I should have been using something like a 100mm + I think, but alas I dont have anything 55mm+(82.5mm 35mm equivalent) yet.
Lighting was natural with large reflector pointing up from below.

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The_Traveler · Oct 29, 2012

The backgrounds are really light, taking attention away from him.
He is always in the same position relative to the camera and often leaning back.
Try getting him in the kitchen with something around him.
His ears are really prominent and seeing both of them, with large ear rings really pulls the eye. Try getting more of a 3/4 shot so his ears aren't so prominent and the camera sees only one.

Lew

tirediron · Oct 29, 2012

Why couldn't you have gone to another kitchen, to at least get the impression of his "natural" environment.

ThomasE · Oct 30, 2012

[FONT=Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]> tirediron[/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]They had meetings straight after the shoot, so I think it was most convient for them. I asked him twice to get some props, but he couldn't find any in the storage as it was cluttered & full. There were not really any other kitchens nearby that were readily available, I will be getting some of him in the kitchen in 3/4 weeks. Thinking a soft box with my flash and a reflector to fill - or bouncing off walls would be easier as I dont have a soft box at the moment.

[/FONT]> Lew

Hmm i wonder if I could do anything in PP to fix the background. I was asking him to push his forehead forward to define his jawline. Should i be asking him to be relaxing his shoulders and to lean forward a little?

Still learning how to direct people, I guess it will be quite different for every person who I shoot.. :blushing:

ThomasE · Oct 30, 2012

Ok here is one more after another quick sort, I will have to photograph him on a different angle next time. What colour stretchers would you suggest I ask him to wear as the white grabs the attention straight away, I thought black or clear?

tirediron · Oct 30, 2012

Learning how to direct clients is indeed a critical skill, however one even more important is learning how not be directed by the client. In other words, don't let the client talk you into a set of circumstances which will lead to a sub-standard product. If they say that they're busy at a certain time, suggest an alternate, or ask when would be a more convenient time.

As far as these images, to be totally frank, none of them are what I would expect to see on the wall if I walked in to a restaurant or boardroom. These backgrounds are just too distracting with all of the bright areas, and in particular all of the lines and angles. I'm sure that there had to be a better background, and likely within a hundred feet; even a plain wall would have been more appropriate.

As far as lighting, even just bouncing a speedlight off of a nearby wall would likely work well. Good lighting doesn't have to rely on a lot of fancy gear (although that can make things easier), some amazing work has been done with very, very basic resources.