Portrait Practice

[smoke665]

I've been trying to regain some experience in ambient portraits, especially with HSS. These were taken today.

First is a color version, Shot at 1/400, f/2.8, 180mm
April 202520250427_0097.jpg by William Raber, on Flickr

Next up B&W conversion same settings.
April 202520250427_0106.jpg by William Raber, on Flickr

Last B&W conversion same settings.
April 202520250427_0098.jpg by William Raber, on Flickr

I'm actually preferring the B&W over the color. I didn't use color correcting gels on the flash and it's showing. All editing done in LR, I'm really liking the latest updates.

 

[cgw]

Nice series. Ever have a look at the HSS tutorials here? Studied the technique but never did anything with it. Maybe this summer...

Strobist: Control Your World With Ultra-High Sync

strobist.blogspot.com

 

[DanOstergren]

Could I ask what size modifier you were using? If you use a larger modifier, you can get lighting that will illuminate the hat above the brim, as well as lighting the eyes under the brim, and it would also create catchlights that are a little bigger, bringing focus to her eyes.

 

[smoke665]

Nice series. Ever have a look at the HSS tutorials here? Studied the technique but never did anything with it. Maybe this summer...

Strobist: Control Your World With Ultra-High Sync

strobist.blogspot.com

No , I'll check it out. I've used HSS before (another camera flash) with good success. I've had issues with the current Pentax flash since I bought it, especially when shooting HSS. Rather than fork out another $$$$ for occasional use, I'll probably switch over to an ND filter/flash.

 

[cgw]

No , I'll check it out. I've used HSS before (another camera flash) with good success. I've had issues with the current Pentax flash since I bought it, especially when shooting HSS. Rather than fork out another $$$$ for occasional use, I'll probably switch over to an ND filter/flash.

David Hobby's "Strobist" site brought off-camera speedlight techniques to the masses. Long-running, seminar-like lessons and projects. Well worth a look sometime.

 

[smoke665]

@cgw Another good reference that's helped me -Nick Fancher, Studio Anywhere Amazon.com he has a 2nd book out which is okay, but it wasn't as good as the first.

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[smoke665]

Could I ask what size modifier you were using? If you use a larger modifier, you can get lighting that will illuminate the hat above the brim, as well as lighting the eyes under the brim, and it would also create catchlights that are a little bigger, bringing focus to her eyes.

I agree wholeheartedly on the advantages of a larger modifier but for HSS I was limited to the Pentax AF 360FGZ II flash, with a small 4x5 softbox clipon (off camera) which at best is barely sufficient on power. I'm a diehard Pentax user, but their proprietary P-TTL system and the 360FGZ are a real PITA to work with. The hat brim was a challenge for sure.

In studio I've used Paul Buff lighting with their Cyber Commander for many years, but HSS isn't an option. They have a new model light that offers HSS but the controller isn't compatible with P-TTL.

I don't use HSS that often, because of the problems with equipment, there are a limited number of 3rd party lights/controllers that will supposedly work with P-TTL, but I'm not sure I want to spend $$$$ for more equipment. Instead I'll likely go to an ND filter with flash at synch speed that's fast enough for portraits, and will let me use existing lighting and modifiers.