Topic: Chris's Scrapbook / 2 Girls

Don’t be fooled! Polaroids are high in contrast and my scanner is a dud so very little detail! 1 metre square softbox for Key light + reflector (handiest piece of equipment you can own!). Dark dyed bedsheet (not tie died – just scrunched up and forced into a bucket) for the background – along with paint splatters etc. Gel on the backlight. An umbrella for the fill light which I moved around as I saw fit – can be used just to lift the ambience (general light level), as a hair light , or as a full fill light.

I have (had) 3 sheets dyed – dark gray, bluey green, and mauvy purple. All are complimentry to skin tones – all were under-exposed when used. If I’m using a backlight I always used the dark gray.

As these are only to check lighting and posing, adjustments were made consequential to the test shot.

Topic: Chris's Scrapbook / 2 Girls

I notice most of these have a black background which i really like as it directs all the attention to the sitter without any annoying distractions…....what did you use in the last image it’s lovely?

Topic: Chris's Scrapbook / Graduation 1

So the ones in her home have two lights one from above and slightly behind and another not so bright in front to stop her face being thrown into a silhouette yes? By jove i think i’m learning LOL thanks

Topic: Chris's Scrapbook / Various Weddings

A slight tilt of the head and taking pictures of just the top half is so effective isn’t it, i really like it :0)

Topic: Chris's Scrapbook / More than 1

Yes i can see how you position the taller girl slightly behind the other and have them directly looking into the camera at the height of their eyes…...hmmm i see…...i see!

Thanks again :0)

Topic: Chris's Scrapbook / Age and gender don't matter

I can see how the positioning of the lighting is just so effective, how the subject is lifted from the background and the attention is upon them. I can see the angle and height of the camera in relation to the eyes and how you’ve caught the highlights in them. I can also see how the hand is effective in enhancing the pose and mood of the sitter.

Glad you uploaded these examples you are really a lovely person taking all time to write and share all your knowledge for all us amateurs :0)

Topic: Chris's Scrapbook / Age and gender don't matter

The rules of portraiture are the same no matter what age or gender.

Topic: Chris's Scrapbook / More than 1

Couples are twice as much work but if you know what you’re doing it’s easy.

Topic: Chris's Scrapbook / Various Weddings

When posing and lighting are down pat, you can get it right 1st time every time !:)

Topic: Chris's Scrapbook / Informal Portraiture

Studio and outdoors

Topic: Chris's Scrapbook / Graduation 2

Another graduation – portrait and formal photo

Topic: Chris's Scrapbook / Graduation 1

Here I did her portrait and then the formal photos – done in their home

Topic: Chris's Scrapbook / 2 Girls

This was a donated sitting as a prize and was done in a hairdressers (from memory). My studio was set up to be portable.
N.B.
Informal clothing = informal posing
formal clothing = formal posing