The Men

[Buckster]

I love the 'attitudes' of the men. It surprises me how much they appear to enjoy being in front of the camera...and comfortable too! It had to have been a good time for everyone, including the Photographer.:thumbup:

Yeah, it was fun. I always try to keep up the jokes and the banter when I'm shooting people, unless I'm going for a more serious, dramatic look, which isn't very often for me (yet). Some of them won't break out of the "I'm SERIOUS" character, but that's cool if that's who they are. Most lighten up enough to have some fun with it, and that's contagious for the others waiting for their turn as they're watching others get their shots. Then it's just a timing issue.

With kids, I use all kinds of stuff to try to get their interest and attention and to try to pull out some natural smiles. I keep up the smiles and laughs while asking them if they drove there that day and how was the traffic, are they married, and stupid stuff like that. They'll usually laugh and exclaim, "I don't DRIVE yet!!!" and so on to my dumb questions, and it breaks the ice pretty well. One of my greatest "weapons" though is a little clicker I use. Hidden in my hand, I'll click it, which always gets their attention, then I do the "What was that? How are you making that sound?" Then of course they accuse me of making it, I deny it, click again, the whole time laughing and carrying on while they get amped up fun-wise over the whole thing. Works pretty well for me, and their attention and focus is directly on me, toward the camera. That's what's going on in #5.

 

[Buckster]

Nicely done Buckster. You brought out the character from these fellows.

I have a similar background (I think) collapsible with a train?

Yeah, I think I saw you post about yours once. It's the Amazon.com: Lastolite LL LB67WD 6 x 7 Feet Collapsible Reversible Background with Train (Washington/Dakota): Camera & Photo. I didn't actually like it at first, because I was hoping it would stand on it's own up against walls, and of course it won't do that - requires a couple of stands and a few clamps to really work well. I also use gaffer's tape on the train to keep it straight and flat

Anyway, it's really grown on me the more I use it, and I like it a lot now. How's it working out for you?

 

[Robin Usagani]

I asked because it didnt look like a birthday party. More like a company get together because I see the name tags. I was just wondering why they need the booth. Is it for a company website? Just odd if it is full body shot and sitting down. That's all. Now that I know it is a birthday party, it makes more sense. Too bad you didnt have enough room to work with because I would prefer these with people standing up.

What kind of event

It was a big, 70th birthday party bash.

and why do they need a photo booth?

It's not a question of need, but of want, just like the band they wanted and the helium balloons everywhere that they wanted, and the decorative stuff like flowers and interesting facts from 70 years ago they had on the tables that they wanted, and a lot of different kinds of food that they wanted, and name tags on the guest that they wanted, and a guest book at the door that they wanted, and, and, and... etc., etc., etc.

So, one of the things they wanted was for the occasion to be commemorated with portraits of the guests who attended.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

Buckster may ask which Octobox and which size that is you're using on location? Is it easy to setup, like can the rods and all be in place in the fabric in the bag and then easily come together onsite?

I'm about to purchase one and I'm so worried I'll regret it for size or ease of setting it up in a timely manner

 

[Buckster]

Buckster may ask which Octobox and which size that is you're using on location? Is it easy to setup, like can the rods and all be in place in the fabric in the bag and then easily come together onsite?

I'm about to purchase one and I'm so worried I'll regret it for size or ease of setting it up in a timely manner

That's a Westcott 43" Apollo Orb and I'm REALLY loving it. I got it a few months ago, and it puts out just a beautiful light. It's really easy to set up, pack away and transports like a regular umbrella, but slightly longer than my regular 43" umbrellas when closed. No rods to speak of - it opens and closes as a big self-contained umbrella-box, except for the diffuser panel that you fold up separately to pack away with it, which just doesn't get any easier to deal with.

The light stand comes up through a zippered cross hole in the bottom of the umbrella, and the umbrella's center rod is short so it stays inside the umbrella, which is nice because it means you can get the thing really close to your subjects without poking their eye out or having it in your shot. The diffuser panel on the front is Velcro on all 8 sides, and it makes it easy to open up just enough to make an adjustment to the light inside, then close it up again.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

Buckster may ask which Octobox and which size that is you're using on location? Is it easy to setup, like can the rods and all be in place in the fabric in the bag and then easily come together onsite?

I'm about to purchase one and I'm so worried I'll regret it for size or ease of setting it up in a timely manner

That's a Westcott 43" Apollo Orb and I'm REALLY loving it. I got it a few months ago, and it puts out just a beautiful light. It's really easy to set up, pack away and transports like a regular umbrella, but slightly longer than my regular 43" umbrellas when closed. No rods to speak of - it opens and closes as a big self-contained umbrella-box, except for the diffuser panel that you fold up separately to pack away with it, which just doesn't get any easier to deal with.

The light stand comes up through a zippered cross hole in the bottom of the umbrella, and the umbrella's center rod is short so it stays inside the umbrella, which is nice because it means you can get the thing really close to your subjects without poking their eye out or having it in your shot. The diffuser panel on the front is Velcro on all 8 sides, and it makes it easy to open up just enough to make an adjustment to the light inside, then close it up again.

Thank you very much =)

 

[kundalini]

It's the Amazon.com: Lastolite LL LB67WD 6 x 7 Feet Collapsible Reversible Background with Train (Washington/Dakota): Camera & Photo.
Anyway, it's really grown on me the more I use it, and I like it a lot now. How's it working out for you?

Yep, mine is the same. I think I'll have to adopt your method for getting it upright. I'm using a 13' stand with a Justin Clamp on top and spreading it with a reflector arm. That's gonna be another trip to the bargain bin at my camera shop for two more stands. The bleeding out of money just never ends, does it?

 

[Buckster]

It's the Amazon.com: Lastolite LL LB67WD 6 x 7 Feet Collapsible Reversible Background with Train (Washington/Dakota): Camera & Photo.
Anyway, it's really grown on me the more I use it, and I like it a lot now. How's it working out for you?

Yep, mine is the same. I think I'll have to adopt your method for getting it upright. I'm using a 13' stand with a Justin Clamp on top and spreading it with a reflector arm. That's gonna be another trip to the bargain bin at my camera shop for two more stands. The bleeding out of money just never ends, does it?

Never. I spent a good part of yesterday adding up my purchases over the past two years to add to the insurance, and it was seriously, crazy sick.

 

[pgriz]

Well done, Buckster. I'm also going to steal your equipment ideas for the octobox and the backdrop. You should do a "Ken Rockwell" and have a site where we can order the stuff you recommend... then you at least get a kickback. Now don't go and do all the things that Mr. Rockwell does, but I think you're not that type anyways.

 

[Robin Usagani]

The lighting is perfect.. you really know what you are doing.

But the product look like a wallmart studio product. The sitting down pose and the muslin background ruined it for me.

 

[Buckster]

The lighting is perfect.. you really know what you are doing.

Thank you kindly.

But the product look like a wallmart studio product.

LOL! Thanks for the insult!

The sitting down pose and the muslin background ruined it for me.

Sorry it was ruined for you. Good news is that it doesn't seem to have ruined it for anyone else, especially not the subjects, who ate 'em up like candy.

Thanks again for your thoughts and opinions.

 

[o hey tyler]

But the product look like a wallmart studio product.

LOL! Thanks for the insult!

Your honest C&C is always welcome and appreciated.

I think all Schwetty was doing was giving you honest C&C which you always appreciate and welcome. I didn't get the impression that he was insulting you. As a matter of fact, he said the lighting was quite nice... So what did you take offensively about it, if I may ask?

In my opinion, the lighting is nice, and works for the shots. But IMO, I can't stand the look of gray muslin as a backdrop. It looks tacky, and very 80's/90's ish to me. I would have much preferred to see a white seamless or something more "current." I wouldn't say gray muslin looks like a Wal-Mart product... More like a Sears portrait studio is what it reminds me of.

 

[GeorgieGirl]

Sadly, I think an otherwise nice thread has succumbed to sniper fire.

 

[Buckster]

But the product look like a wallmart studio product.

LOL! Thanks for the insult!

Your honest C&C is always welcome and appreciated.

I think all Schwetty was doing was giving you honest C&C which you always appreciate and welcome. I didn't get the impression that he was insulting you. As a matter of fact, he said the lighting was quite nice... So what did you take offensively about it, if I may ask?

In my opinion, the lighting is nice, and works for the shots. But IMO, I can't stand the look of gray muslin as a backdrop. It looks tacky, and very 80's/90's ish to me. I would have much preferred to see a white seamless or something more "current." I wouldn't say gray muslin looks like a Wal-Mart product... More like a Sears portrait studio is what it reminds me of.

We're all quite aware around here that comparing someone's portraiture to Walmart or Sears is clearly an insult. But you go ahead and play innocent with that if you really think anybody will buy into it, Tyler, ol' buddy.

As I appreciated and "liked" Robin's post, I do appreciate and "like" yours as well. You know why? Because I'm not kidding when I say it's always welcome and appreciated. That doesn't mean I necessarily agree with it, just that I welcome and appreciate the time and effort you folks take to leave your honest thoughts - even when they're insults.

Have a great day! :thumbup:

 

[o hey tyler]

I'm really not trying to be insulting, in all honesty. I wasn't criticizing your photographic skill, just the choice in backdrop. I'm not saying your lighting or composition is similar to Sears Portrait studio, JUST the backdrop is (which has no relation to photographic skill, does it?)

Are you trying to create insults where their very clearly aren't? I don't really understand you, Buckster. I am giving my best effort to be nice, civil and explain myself, and you are taking it as though I am insulting you or your photography, which is totally not the case.

If you really welcome and appreciate C&C, I don't understand why you're rude to particular people that give it. Was it because I didn't pat your back enough prior to making the comment about the backdrop? Please, let me know what I can do to soften the blow if there's something that I feel the need to critique in your photographs so that you don't take it offensively.