DPC Mentorship - Portrait - DPChallenge Forums

08/15/2005 01:40:26 AM · #276

Originally posted by debitipton:

Let say you wanted to do something like this for a client

Ohhhh, why didn't you say so. hehe If I were going to do this for a client I'd ask how large they want the images and then crop all images to fit that size. Then I'd cheat . . . they take the individual prints to a framer and have 'em all put under glass together and its the framer's problem to get the mat cut so that the images fit right. The image you see with the black border around it is just something for my wife or me to take to work and put up on the wall. Unless someone specifially asked for this type of print (and I'd warn them about the shortcomings of it), I wouldn't do this or sell this to a client. A real set of images like this should (in my opinion) be printed as individual prints and taken to a professional framer to get the best look out of your images. Well, you can also use someone like American Frame if you want to do the work yourself.

Matting and framing a set of images like the ones I composited together can easily cost as much as I'd charge for the whole session and the prints (depending on the materials selected for the mats, frame and glass). Unless you mat your own work or know someone who owns a framing store (not a bad friend to make) then framing anything like a set of these that are "non standard" (a framer will probably tell you that there is no standard size) can cost a pretty penny.

The comparison between printing something like these images with the black borders already built around them and the same individual images put into a matted frame is worth the money at least once just to see your own work in that kind of presentation. It really does make a noticeable difference to me.

Kev

Back to the wedding editing trenchs for me for the next coupla days. I'll check back in when I come up for air.

Thanks for the comments.

08/17/2005 02:20:07 PM · #277

heres another portrait of my daughter cassandra.inspiration photo sorta I have been real busy with helping an aspiring model/friend make his portfolio. I have posted a few here in the "model" folder of my portfolio. the ones with "copy" in the name are unedited versions and i have uploaded a few that i have edited. what do ya think? am i getting better? please feel free to let me know...thanks a bunch.~~Cher~~

08/18/2005 06:00:12 PM · #278

Originally posted by smilebig4me1x:

Left you a comment. Pretty girl!

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Pentax

08/21/2005 10:24:32 PM · #279

Anything new happening?

Artyste

Sony Ericsson W810i

08/21/2005 10:25:48 PM · #280

Sorry guys.. real life has pretty much killed us here. :(

08/22/2005 08:03:22 AM · #281

amen! real life has taken over here too....but i think im free( so far ) this week

08/22/2005 09:22:40 AM · #282

Well, if the mentors are busy this week, maybe we can come up with our own idea?

Since school is starting up for most kids, how about trying for a typical senior portrait style of shot?

08/22/2005 10:00:59 AM · #283

Originally posted by jpochard:

Well, if the mentors are busy this week, maybe we can come up with our own idea?

Since school is starting up for most kids, how about trying for a typical senior portrait style of shot?

Count me in! great idea!
are we talking about a studio or nature setting?....wonder who i can bribe for this one? little one getting tired of me chasing her around with the camera and my oldest just runs like her butts on fire when ever she sees my camera( unless im telling her she can take some photos)

08/22/2005 10:09:39 AM · #284

Originally posted by smilebig4me1x:

Originally posted by jpochard:
Well, if the mentors are busy this week, maybe we can come up with our own idea?

Since school is starting up for most kids, how about trying for a typical senior portrait style of shot?

Count me in! great idea!
are we talking about a studio or nature setting?....wonder who i can bribe for this one? little one getting tired of me chasing her around with the camera and my oldest just runs like her butts on fire when ever she sees my camera( unless im telling her she can take some photos)

I would say either one. I think most of us don't really have access to a studio and are better served with natural lighting, so I surely wouldn't count that out. Studio would also be good. There are all kinds of senior portraits now...way different from when I had mine taken! Now they put in interests like soccer balls or whatever sport, uniforms for band etc., all kinds of props. Then there are also the typical classic shots.

I would like to see what ideas people can share and then critique the finished products. Also a good time to maybe share ideas of how to put a model at ease? Just some ideas 'cause I might have a chance to do some shooting this week. I don't want to step on any toes though!

08/22/2005 03:28:10 PM · #285

Originally posted by jpochard:

I would like to see what ideas people can share and then critique the finished products. Also a good time to maybe share ideas of how to put a model at ease?

My only contribution at this point regards putting a model at ease. The thing that I've found most settles a model of any age or experience is when I go about my work calmly and speak to him/her confidently about what I want. When I'm concerned about what I'll produce (eg. - "what if these look like crap; will they think I don't know what I'm doing"), I find subjects pick up on that and things can go south quickly. When I settle into my experience and I confidently approach the situation I that subjects tend to trust me and follow my directions better. Some people have this self-assured approach to alot of things; I have it in some but have had to develop it in matters of self-expression like artistic photography.

Depending on how involved the person is (senior shoot probably wouldn't get this level of work on my part) I will communicate with the subject a few times before the event and make sure we're both on the same page. In modeling sessions or artistic portraiture I've found that this"greases the wheels" and lets us both have ample opportunity to give some direction to the session. I used this method for the following shots.

And I talked with the subject throughout the following shoot. I was tethered so that we could both see the results of each frame as we shot it and adjust accordingly.

I wouldn't expect that a high-school senior would be nearly so interested in the artistic drive of the session as he/she would be in just getting good photos.

Kev

08/24/2005 08:44:33 AM · #286

I've been looking around for senior portraits styles that we could all use to select some attributes we each like, build on those elements and expand into our individual interpretations. I've found numerous websites for senior portraits but so far the one I wish I shot more like is Ron Kramer's //www.houseofphotography.com/.

Anyone else have any examples of work they like?

08/24/2005 05:04:59 PM · #287

Originally posted by KevinRiggs:

Those are excellent! I got to the studio for the last time today. My membership dues runs out at the end of August and I'm not going to renew for now because I just don't get down there enough to make it worthwhile. I'll have some shots up shortly!

EddyG

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

08/24/2005 06:03:14 PM · #288

Originally posted by KevinRiggs:

Anyone else have any examples of work they like?

Junion Photography

His senior composites (both of individuals and teams) are freakin' incredible. (Click "seniors", then on "comps" and on "posters").

Here's my (weak compared to Junion!) attempt at a composite from a recent senior sesion...

Message edited by author 2005-08-24 18:22:08.

08/24/2005 07:09:57 PM · #289

Originally posted by EddyG:

Excellent! Left you a comment.

I'm still working on mine from today, but here's what I have so far.

Katrina

08/24/2005 10:34:20 PM · #290

My attempt at some studio shots. I tried for some more dramatic lighting, but nothing looked right :( I hope to be able to work with someone sometime who knows what they are doing with lighting. These aren't bad, I think...I really like many of them a lot. I'd like the freedom to do some more dramatic stuff, though. I have the whole gallery on PBase, but here are probably my top favorites.

08/25/2005 01:48:17 AM · #291

Originally posted by EddyG:

His senior composites (both of individuals and teams) are freakin' incredible. (Click "seniors", then on "comps" and on "posters").

Don't think your work hasn't come to mind more than once for me in this group. The photographer you referenced has some outstanding work. Gorgeous and creative.

Originally posted by EddyG:

Here's my (weak compared to Junion!) attempt at a composite from a recent senior sesion...

I like your rendition. You've done a great job blending these together. Have you tried having them printed yet? If so, what size did you have them printed in? Are they being framed and hung to your knowledge?

Humor me; are you using a softbox or not on your backdrop lighting? I'm thinking not based on some effects that look like what I've gotten before.

Hows about you toss in here with how you settle a subject before the camera, hmmmm? :^)

Thanks,

Kev

jenesis

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

08/27/2005 11:36:27 PM · #292

That's a great composite! What I want to know is how you got the shadows to fall across the whole scene. Top Notch stuff!

So here's my little attempt. I know she's not a senior (not even close) and I wasn't planning on using this for this "assignment" but after looking at it, it kind of has that feel to it a little bit. Details are listed in the comments section. :-)

Message edited by author 2005-08-27 23:37:09.

08/28/2005 02:01:19 AM · #293

Jennifer,

Left you some comments on your shot. Cute girl! I would appreciate any critiquing from any of our portrait group of the ones I posted a few days ago. Here's the full gallery:

Judy Portraits

Message edited by author 2005-08-28 20:13:29.

08/28/2005 08:29:00 PM · #294

jpochard~~ i left ya this comment for #15:

This one is the best for our "senior portrait" assignment. great lighting on ur subject and i love that the catch lights are in her eyes. only nit pick is the black is a dark grey on my monitor. you might want to adjust the levels or curves(? not sure which one will fix this). lovely pose and a wonderful smile...keep up the awesome work! *smilebig4me1x* portrait mentorship group*DPC

just want to say that the grey might be my monitor(but i dont think so) unless thats the color it really is(i can be such a dork sometimes) anyway i hope i helped ya some but i am all new to this myself. I will be posting my assignment in the next few days. been raining here and havent had a chance to get any shots. have a great night all :o)~~Cher

08/29/2005 11:58:17 AM · #295

Thanks Jen and Cher for your comments. They are appreciated! :)

EddyG

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

08/29/2005 06:39:42 PM · #296

Originally posted by KevinRiggs:

Thanks Kevin (and others who commented!). Sorry for the delay in replying -- the forums are so busy on DPC these days it is hard to keep up!

I've only seen it printed out in her proofbook and it looked great; it will be interesting to see if she and her parent's order it at a decent size. I do know for a fact that this one is hanging as a framed 16x24:

Originally posted by KevinRiggs:

Humor me; are you using a softbox or not on your backdrop lighting? I'm thinking not based on some effects that look like what I've gotten before.

In the composite where I combined her three uniforms/sports into one shot, I was using umbrellas, positioned such that I got a little bit of spill to get the shadows in front.

And for those wondering how I did it -- nothing special really! I just brought the three images into PS and used layer masks to erase/reveal the important parts from each shot.

Originally posted by KevinRiggs:

Hows about you toss in here with how you settle a subject before the camera, hmmmm? :^)

Don't really have any "magic formula". I just talk to them, and pay attention to their answers, often referring back to something they told me earlier. Teens are pretty smart; they can tell when you are just asking questions for the sake of asking questions so I really do listen. And I frequently make comments like "oh yeah, I'm liking this!" or "now that's what I'm talking about!" as I look through the viewfinder or check the histogram. Also, even if I set up a shot and it didn't turn out quite how I had imagined, I still take the picture anyway and just won't proof it. Always try and stay positive!

FWIW, here is a Junion-inspired composite from a senior I shot on Saturday. Still doesn't look as good as his stuff, but I think it turned out OK.

Message edited by author 2005-08-29 18:40:50.

08/30/2005 09:34:08 AM · #297

EddyG...Wow! Great stuff! I have added you to my favorites. Really nice portraits...people and dogs too. You do a wonderful job on the senior portraits.

09/05/2005 08:30:34 PM · #298

hmmm...I guess most folks are busy wrapping up summer time stuff. Well, I have another idea because it's something that I particularly want to learn. Mentors.....please give us some ideas for creative lighting? This might be particularly helpful to us (and all readers) for this week's challenge.

I'm doing okay with learning how to get decent even, diffused lighting for a person, using a flash or natural light and maybe fill flash. I'd really, really like some help on how to set up dramatic lighting and what to look for (and of course, what to avoid.) Both natural and studio type lighting.

I tried with something like this

but I don't like the shadow. I either get funky shadows or too much darkness on one side. For this shot, I had a hotlight with barndoor type attachment to the right of the camera at a slight angle.

I would appreciate any practical suggestions about set ups for more dramatic lighting.

parrothead