16. Black - September 29-October 5, 2013
Kevin-
I didn't know that I wanted to shoot when I designated this BLACK theme. But as I thought about it I decided I wanted to make it a portrait session in the photo studio space I now rent. Taking the idea further I attempted to book a young model for the shoot, and there was a specific (almost black) lighting style I had in mind. But alas the model was not available in time for our WPOTM deadline, and by the time that I realized that it was too late to book a replacement. But while lacking the model I had hope to get, I knew another willing portrait subject for the session. The model was a he, so not a female like I had thought about, and he was a a bit (okay, at least 35 years) older than the model that I originally planned to shoot, and finally - I had always planned to make it a simple head and shoulders shot, but was going to shoot the model with bare shoulders and decided not to do that with this male subject, instead asking him to wear a dark, as close to black shirt as he had. The good news is that this male model was a very willing subject who seemed to be entirely comfortable in front of the camera. As stated I wanted to shoot this barely illuminated subject on a black background. In addition there were two giant 8'x8' sheets of black foam core surrounding the subject to kill any reflections from the studio walls. The subject was seated during the shoot, illuminated by only one light with a giant (maybe 3'x5') softbox attached and a grid over the softbox to keep the light soft but highly directional. My Nikon D3s was tripod mounted and the lens was an 85mm f/1.4 Nikkor set to f/8. Shutter speed was the flash sync speed of 1/250th of a second and the ISO was 200. I have a CamRanger device that allows me to control the camera from an iPad, and it also allows each image to appear on the iPad as I shoot. That made it really friendly for the subject, as it let me to show him what I was doing as I shot. Anyway, here's the subject (who if you haven't figured it out yet is the WPOTM's Byron) and the image of him that I captured…
I didn't know that I wanted to shoot when I designated this BLACK theme. But as I thought about it I decided I wanted to make it a portrait session in the photo studio space I now rent. Taking the idea further I attempted to book a young model for the shoot, and there was a specific (almost black) lighting style I had in mind. But alas the model was not available in time for our WPOTM deadline, and by the time that I realized that it was too late to book a replacement. But while lacking the model I had hope to get, I knew another willing portrait subject for the session. The model was a he, so not a female like I had thought about, and he was a a bit (okay, at least 35 years) older than the model that I originally planned to shoot, and finally - I had always planned to make it a simple head and shoulders shot, but was going to shoot the model with bare shoulders and decided not to do that with this male subject, instead asking him to wear a dark, as close to black shirt as he had. The good news is that this male model was a very willing subject who seemed to be entirely comfortable in front of the camera. As stated I wanted to shoot this barely illuminated subject on a black background. In addition there were two giant 8'x8' sheets of black foam core surrounding the subject to kill any reflections from the studio walls. The subject was seated during the shoot, illuminated by only one light with a giant (maybe 3'x5') softbox attached and a grid over the softbox to keep the light soft but highly directional. My Nikon D3s was tripod mounted and the lens was an 85mm f/1.4 Nikkor set to f/8. Shutter speed was the flash sync speed of 1/250th of a second and the ISO was 200. I have a CamRanger device that allows me to control the camera from an iPad, and it also allows each image to appear on the iPad as I shoot. That made it really friendly for the subject, as it let me to show him what I was doing as I shot. Anyway, here's the subject (who if you haven't figured it out yet is the WPOTM's Byron) and the image of him that I captured…
Byron-
This is the back of my phone. I had fun working with reflections and creating shadows. I don't have the gritty specs. That info is at home and I'm on the road.
This is the back of my phone. I had fun working with reflections and creating shadows. I don't have the gritty specs. That info is at home and I'm on the road.
Paul-
I know this runs counter to what we agreed upon as far as submitting WPOTM photographs in advance of Sunday, but I plead extenuating circumstances and hope you will understand.
I felt I was running against the clock and wanted to get something in before I lost the opportunity this week and maybe next.
This thing we have going has really captured my imagination and interest. I just couldn't let this week go by without submitting something, despite (and maybe because) of what is going on.
I know this runs counter to what we agreed upon as far as submitting WPOTM photographs in advance of Sunday, but I plead extenuating circumstances and hope you will understand.
I felt I was running against the clock and wanted to get something in before I lost the opportunity this week and maybe next.
This thing we have going has really captured my imagination and interest. I just couldn't let this week go by without submitting something, despite (and maybe because) of what is going on.
Deron-
This is the dirty chain and rear cassette peaking out from the shadow of the chain stay on my bicycle.
This is the dirty chain and rear cassette peaking out from the shadow of the chain stay on my bicycle.