Darren Spurgeon Photographer Blog » family

Poolside Portrait Retreat + Fill Flash

Darren — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:38:40 +0000

This post is a little techie, but I’m excited about it. I just finished watching Nikon’s Hands-on Guide to Creative Lighting with Bob Krist and Joe McNally. These are two great, experienced photographers. Now, most of what was in the video was more refresher than anything else…and one long ad for the Nikon flash system. Still, it was great to watch Bob and Joe for inspiration.

So, as the family took our Sunday afternoon dip in the pool, I had a thought: I can play around with a little fill flash! (OK, you brides out there, if you’re still reading…well I love ya because you’ve hung around this far for a very “un-wedding” gear post.) Back to the story…

The concept of fill flash eluded me early on in my photography days, and it still gives me trouble from time to time, but not today. Today, it took me all of 3 minutes to set up and shoot what you see below. I called over Liam, soaking wet from the pool and perfect for the part of a poolside portrait. Thankfully, he was more than happy to oblige.

Shot 1: No flash. I exposed properly and then stopped down one stop because I wanted to saturate the color and enrich the background. I knew I was going to fill on the next frame. Settings for this and other frames: 1/6400 at f/2.0. Pay attention to the face here and on the next shot.

No Flash

Shot 2: Fill flash. SB-900 about 45-60 degrees from camera, with Honl 1/4″ grid set to manual and 1/4 power. I actually did two test shots prior before I found the “magic” power setting I wanted. I tested this before calling over my subject.

In the comparison, you should be able to tell an ever so slight difference, and that’s the point if you’re looking for credibility in your light. I didn’t want it to appear lit.

With Fill Flash

Comparison

Shot 2b: Correctly adjusted in Lightroom, at about +0.67 stops, black +1, brightness +40, contrast +45.

Adjusted in Lightroom

Finally: My artistic interpretation.

There you have it: a quick poolside portrait. Thanks again, Liam, for helping out! …very proud.

Christmas Morning 2008

Darren — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 22:28:54 +0000

I’m a week late posting this, but better late than never! The family had a blast this holiday…too many meals, just the right amount of gifts, and some good cheer. I thought I’d post today in black and white. It kind of bucks the trend of showing everything in full, over-saturated color, as seems to be the rage these days. Anyway, here are the boys and my lovely wife on Christmas morning.

For you photographers…24-70mm lens (shot wide in many cases for a documentary feel). Straight curves conversion to B&W. Added slight noise and darkened edge slightly.

Family self-portraits

Darren — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 01:37:03 +0000

OK, so my mom’s been on my case about family portraits. I love you, mom! Fortunately, I was able to corral the family together for some simple, individual headshots. I know, it’s not exciting, highly-creative stuff, but we’re long overdue for pictures and it was a bit easier to focus on the boys one-on-one. As they enter the teen years, they’ve developed a certain self-consciousness and are doubly shy in front of the camera. I was shy…am shy…so I understand.

Besides, we did a little creative shooting earlier in the morning with Liam…more on that in an upcoming post!

Anyway, here we are.

Liam

Luke

My wife, Karen

Yours truly.

Oh, by the way, with the exception of just a little white balance adjustment, these are straight out of the camera. How I do love my new D3! Note to photographers: these were all taken outside, in shade, under the corner of an office building. I’m not a big fan of upward light–and you can see a bit of it here from the reflection off the marble floor–however, it actually softens the skin quite nicely. I like it.

If you’re wondering why the background on my portrait is different, it’s not that I want to stand out. We actually took mine earlier in the morning. After I’d taken the others, I forgot to have my wife reshoot me. Darn it!