The following is a direct copy and has been Pasted in for future reference from the People & Place coursework PDF Doc. (pasted in Maroon)
Set up a portrait session in a formal, structured way, so that you have a consistent setting and framing. For this, it will be very useful to use a tripod, so that you can concentrate more on the situation, and so that the only variable between the series of pictures that you take will be the expressions and gestures of the subject. Plan to take a considerable number of images in order to explore all the possibilities and fine nuances of expression – at least 20. The essential element in this project is that you s expression (and gesture or pose if they vary), assessing it from frame to frame in order to select what you consider to be the best of the sequence. This on-the-spot assessment will affect the photography in the way you talk to and direct your subject, and in the moments you choose to make each exposure; it will also affect the way you review and edit the sequence of images later, on the computer.
Immediately after the shooting, write down as well as you remember the frame by frame s expression, noting which you felt at the time were the best. At what point did you decide that it was time to stop shooting, and why?
Next, open the sequence of images in your browser and review the images a second time. Rate them as follows: a) not good, b) acceptable, c) good and d) the best single shot, according to your judgement. How, if at all, did this later review differ from the way you saw it at the time of shooting?
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Equipment
Camera – Nikon D4.
Lens – 24/70 – f2.8 lens.
Lighting – Three Nikon 910 Speedlights (with softboxes).
Ancillary Equipment – Tripod & remote trigger.
Method & Approach
Please see pictures and captions below.
Note – all pictures have been compressed hence there might be a quality reduction when enlarging.
Sequence – Shown above are several of the pictures taken from the sequence I shot during this exercise.
Comments – For this exercise I started with two then moved onto using three Nikon speedlights upon a fixed backdrop and for picture consistency I used a tripod with a remote camera triggering system. Initially I equally positioned two speedlights at forty five degrees either side of the subject at a distance of approximately two metres. From here I took a light meter reading and adjusted the intensity of each unit to personal taste and until there was minimal subject shadow on the background. I was reasonably happy with the results using two flash units but to try and better the results I added a further speedlight positioned overhead and behind the subject to totally eliminate any possible subject shadow and also separate the subject hair colour from the backdrop. I took more than forty pictures in this shoot and realised soon after that count that my best picture was number twenty four (utilising two speedlights) and it was at this point I decided to stop.
Picture 24 – My Picture of choice
Camera Details
Camera Nikon D4 (Camera positioned on a tripod)
Speed 1/60th sec
Aperture f3.3
ISO 400
White Balance Setting Custom (6850°K)
Lens 24/70 – f2.8 lens
Focal Length 58mm
Comments about this shoot
Prior to the above picture, I had directed my wife to pose in several alternate positions, still not happy I then asked of her to just look at me naturally in a relaxed way. “Bingo” …. I feel for this particular shoot this was my best picture and for me, the harmony in this picture is not of an over posed nature and neither is it a manufactured look or head position and to cap it off … the backdrop also looks real under this light condition.
Whilst shooting this exercise I was constantly monitoring the DSLR rear screen and was certain that my pictures where improving as the shoot was progressing. At twenty eight I decided to change the light upon the backdrop by adding a third flash unit and from here the images have become less natural looking with more exposure and too much emphasis on the backdrop.
Upon reviewing the pictures on the computer screen at a more realistic size, some of the earlier pictures in the shoot had turned out better than I thought and vice versa with the introduction of the third speed light. Viewing the images on the large computer screen certainly plays tricks with your memory, I say this because some of the pictures I had taken earlier … I thought were of a reasonable quality but upon reviewing them revealed some to be slightly out of focus and not sharp around the eyes.
What have I learnt from this exercise
I have learnt from this exercise that it is not always the instruction passed or given to the model but how the model reacts … and in their own way are comfortable in front of the camera.
I have also learnt not to rush into the practical part of the exercise with full on enthusiasm but to sleep on it for a day or two, then having pondered and thought things through a little more thoroughly, come to terms in how you can and are able to best perform the shoot (exercise) with the equipment you have available. Sometimes I draw pictures to help me visualise the shoot and look at the possibilities more diagrammatically.
I have also taken the reviewing checklist and printed it out in a larger font and put it on my study wall for future reference.
- Is the general composition satisfactory?
- Is there anything behind the subject that appears to emerge from the head?
- Is there anything that can be left out of the frame to make it simpler?
- Is the lighting balance about right?
- How is the angle of the head?
- How is the facial expression?
- Does the body language communicate ease, tension, alertness, or what?
Thoughts and Reflection
For any sort of successful or professional looking pictures … no photography session comes together without prior thought and a little forward planning. Although my kit bag is always ready to go, certain shoots require certain different kit and its here where I like to do my diagrams or kit list of what I need for the session in hand. With simple diagrams you can add as many notes as you like, you also get an accurate idea of what equipment you will and won’t use.
Summary
I enjoyed this exercise and I have also learnt a new skill in how to create a sequence of pictures using Bridge and Photoshop.
stingray493 