Valentines 2021

smoke665 · Feb 7, 2021

Been a bit since I've been able to get in studio, went with a little bit of a Retro look on these. We had to search for the dress, but I think it fit well with the theme. The compact she's holding in the last three, belonged to my mother her Great Grandmother when she was in her early 20's which would make it around 80 years old. Sadly the shots with the umbrella didn't work out well, she didn't like it, and she was being a bit of prima donna, so that part of the series got cut short. I don't take creative criticism from a 5yr old. LOL

These weren't heavily edited but I am using a new method of dodging and burning using curves and frequency masks to enhance the micro contrast.

This is a four light set. On the background in all of them is a 7" reflector with magenta gel, on a boom high centered and pointed down. on the first three there was a 42" Octa with grid, camera left as the key, and 2x4 softbox camera left for fill. The kicker was a boomed 7" reflector with 10deg grid, camera right, behind. On the last three the Octa was replaced with a 60" brolly with diffusion, that thing is really making me lazy. Enjoy

#1 - 140mm, f/9.0, 1/200, ISO100

valentines 2021 (14 of 68).jpg by William Raber, on Flickr

#2 - 90mm, f/9.0, 1/200, ISO100

valentines 2021 (27 of 68).jpg by William Raber, on Flickr

#3 - 95mm, f/9.0, 1/200, ISO100

valentines 2021 (30 of 68).jpg by William Raber, on Flickr.

#4 - 108mm, f7.1, 1/200, ISO100

valentines 2021 (49 of 68).jpg by William Raber, on Flickr

#5 - 108mm, f/7.1, 1/200, ISO100

valentines 2021 (62 of 68).jpg by William Raber, on Flickr

#6 - 140mm, f/7.1, 1/200, ISO100

valentines 2021 (66 of 68).jpg by William Raber, on Flickr

jcdeboever · Feb 7, 2021

So freaking adorable. Well done sir.

Original katomi · Feb 7, 2021

Really nice images, well shot

Jeff15 · Feb 7, 2021

Lovely set.....

smoke665 · Feb 7, 2021

Thanks for all the kind comments.

Space Face · Feb 8, 2021

Fantastic stuff. Great lighting and compositions. Some of her expressions are just sublime. She'll be a real heartbreaker I think.

Granddad · Feb 8, 2021

VERY nice set. Definitely retro. I LOVE your model's expressions; she has a career there if she wants it.

Dean_Gretsch · Feb 8, 2021

That last sure made me chuckle. Did she have any idea what curlers were? She is quite the character, isn't she? Never a dull moment, I bet

smoke665 · Feb 8, 2021

@Granddad thank you so much, for the kind words. Im hoping she stays with it.

@Dean_Gretsch Whenever we do a shoot I have a printed shot list for DW and her, with pictures of similar poses. It keeps everyone organized on set, so she had some idea of what was coming, she called them grandma curlers. LOL During the shoot I give her general ques, turn/look up/look down/etc., the type of expression I want, smile/serious/mad/funny/etc. and she takes it from there. She's got a high IQ, quick wit, reasoning ability far advanced for her years, and the vocabulary of a mini adult. You have to stay on your toes around her.

adamhiram · Feb 8, 2021

Your amazing staging has progressed from the set to costumes, props and poses, I love it! Lil' bit isn't so lil' any more, but still just as adorable. I think #2 is my favorite, although #6 is definitely a winner in my book, especially as part of a photo story. Nice job!

smoke665 · Feb 8, 2021

Thanks @adamhiram wish we were closer, I have some ideas that could really use that handsome lad of yours.

I flubbed up cutting these a little tighter than I would have liked. This was the first time using the 70-200 rather than my usual go to focal length. The feel (weight) is a WHOLE lot different, requiring a different grip than I'm used to.

CherylL · Feb 9, 2021

Great job with the lighting. Super cute photos and I see she has added a few more expressions to her repertoire. Attention to details with the dress, rollers, red nails and bracelet pulls it all in.

smoke665 · Feb 9, 2021

CherylL said:
Great job with the lighting. Super cute photos and I see she has added a few more expressions to her repertoire. Attention to details with the dress, rollers, red nails and bracelet pulls it all in.

Thanks Cheryl, between all of us being sick at different times (normal winter sniffles) it almost didn't happen.