Hoot

Something soft & sexy, something mean and something in-between

Ray Dauphinais ⋅ My Photo; My Comment., People ⋅ Ability To ‘Strike A Pose’, Amp, camera, Cat, Cell Phone, Clothes, Clothing, equipment, Flickr, Hoot, Interact, Interaction, Job, Jobs, Light, lighting, Lighting Equipment, Limited, Lot, Makeup, model, Modeling, Models, Nap, new, New Model, No Doubt, one, Photo, Photograph, Photographer, Photographers, Photographs, Photos, portrait, Portraits, Pose, pro, professional, Professional Portrait, Rig, Rkd, rkdauph, Sessions, Sexy, shoot, shot, Snapshot, Stan, stand, standing, Strike A Pose, studio, Target, Tease, What Should I Bring To Wear? ⋅ 0 Comment

Most every time I work with a new model I get asked the same question: What should I bring to wear?

There is no doubt that clothing, makeup and the ability to ‘strike a pose’ are important to a successful portrait/modeling session. However, the most essential asset a model can bring to the studio or location is the ability to interact with the camera.

My job at a shoot is to make them look as best I am able given my limited skills with lighting and equipment. I cannot, however, do it alone. You have seen that cell phone snapshot that drew you in; you have also seen a professional portrait that, although technically sound, just leaves you feeling that something misfired. A model must have an understanding they are not trying to tease/seduce/influence me as the photographer: They must make the connection with the viewer of the photograph.

They must make the connection with the viewer of the photograph.

My answer to the outfit question: Bring something soft & sexy, something mean and something in-between.

Should I use a light meter with a digital camera?

Ray Dauphinais ⋅ Just a quick thought ⋅ camera, digital, Digital Camera, Get One, home, Hoot, Light, Light And Shadow, Light Meter, lighting, Lot, one, Paint, Paint With Revealed Light And Shadow, Photo, Photograph, Photographer, Photographers, Photographs, Shadow, shoot, Tool, Use It., Variances, Yup ⋅ 2 Comments

I was recently asked the question in the title, there is only one answer.

Get one, use it.

Simple really, as a photographer you paint with revealed light and shadow, that’s all. Why would you hesitant to utilize a tool to designed to report the variances you cannot see in a way you can use?

Do I shoot without one, yup, sometimes. Do I rely on the camera‘s metering, yup, alot sometimes. But I never leave home without a light meter in my bag.

Using the Nikon Creative Lighting System

Ray Dauphinais ⋅ My Photo; My Comment. ⋅ Blog, camera, Cat, CLS, creative, Creative Lighting, Creative Lighting System, d300, door, Duri, Emily, equipment, face, Feet, flash, Flickr, Franco, hair, hand, hassled, Head, Hoot, Ir Receiver, Light, lighting, Lighting System, man, Modes, Nikkor, nikon, one, Park Ranger, Park Rangers, Photo, Photo Tip, Photograph, Photographer, Photographers, Photographs, Photos, Places, Rig, Rkd, rkdauph, Sb, sb-800, Sb8, SB800, Sessions, Shadow, shoot, Sole Source, Source Of Light, strobe, Strobes, studio, Studio Sessions, Target, Tool, Umbrella ⋅ 0 Comment

This photograph was taken using a Nikon D-300, the Nikkor 28-70 f2.8 and 2 SB800s. One SB800 was placed high picture right behind Emily the other was hand held slightly high picture left above her head. Although I have the equipment to mount the flashes to either an umbrella or softbox, this session was done with only the Nikon defusser on one of the strobes.

I am becoming a real fan of the Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS) and the ability to control the SB-800s using the Commander mode on the D300. I’ve now used them in studio sessions as fill or hair lights, outdoors from as far as 30 feet away or the sole source of light as in this photograph.

The two cautions when using the system is to remember to have the sensor facing toward the camera and don’t step to far in front of the flashes. I spent nearly 10 minutes on one outdoor shoot trying to figure out why the flash wouldn’t fire, gave up and realized, the next day, that I had the IR receiver facing away from the camera.

CLS is a great tool, take the time to learn it.

Read about us being hassled by the Park Rangers in Washington, DC during this shoot.

Also see Damien Franco’s expansion of my photo tip about Seeing the Shadows over at www.yourphototips.com.

The model’s husband

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This entry is not about the model shown.

In the last three or four months I have allowed several models to bring their husband to the shoot. I set clear guidelines with the model, I spoke with the husband when they arrived at the studio about not getting in the way; please don’t distract me or the wife. If it became a problem I would ask them to step out of the studio and/or stop the session. Of course they agreed.

Most went very well. In two cases the husband, during a set change or a break, started talking about nudes, implied and full. Neither model appeared to really want to do full nudity and both agreed to do some implied. Although the session wasn’t booked that way, we would start doing mild implied shots.

Both times the husband continued to suggest/ask his wife to take more clothing off; undercover more. I never witnessed a real argument but could sense the tension between them. The model would exchange a look with me that I read as seeking a little intervention.

The first time I simply reminded the fellow of our agreement not to interfere. He said ‘Oh, okay, sorry’ and we finished the shoot.

The other guy just floored me. Pretty much the same scenario as above. Except during my second reminder that I would stop the session if he continued to disrupt me, he politely asked me to step out of the room to talk to him. I gave his wife a puzzled look and followed him out the door. In the hall he basically asked me to help him get his wife naked so I could get the photographs for him. When I expressed my puzzlement about his request he said, and I quote; “But she won’t let me take these kind of pictures of her at home.”

I really don’t remember my exact reply except for something about I’d see what I could do. The session came to ‘routine’ conclusion about 10 minutes later.

Lesson learned: No more husbands or significant others allowed.

Nikon Speedlight umbrella test

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Nikon Speedlights

When I decided to start playing with Nikon’s Creative Lighting System (CLS) I took this series of photographs to try and understand the difference between a shoothrough umbrella and a reflective one.

I also used this test to learn how to use the Commander mode on my D300 to change the power settings of the Speedlights.

SB-800 on left into 32 inch Photogenic white umbrella: SB-600 on right through 48 inch Wescott umbrella. Controlled by D300 Commander mode.

Top half of photo: both at half power
Bottom half of photo: Both at full power.

Physical fitness shoot

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Physical fitness shoot DFW MidCities Strobist Meetup Group

We will do a shoot with weights and bodybuilding equipment. The goal is to accentuate the human form with light. We will, in a studio (way too hot to be outside) environment, use our speed lights, continuous lighting and modifiers to produce dramatic portraiture. Some effects may require the addition of studio strobes. We will discuss and demonstrate the best way to mix speedlights and studio strobes.

Physical fitness shoot

We will have at least one male and one female model for our subjects, both are P90X instructors and the camera loves them.

Our group models are encouraged to sign up for this shoot.

This is a great way to enhance both model and photographer portfolios.

Richland Hills, TX 76118 – USA

Sunday, August 14 at 3:00 PM

Attending: 1

Fee: Price: USD 49.00 per person

Details: http://www.meetup.com/DFW-Strobist-Meetup-Group/events/16220418/

Using Nikon’s Creative Lighting System (CLS) in daylight

Ray Dauphinais ⋅ Just a quick thought, Lighting tests, Things ⋅ Amp, background, Ballhead, beautiful, beauty, beginner, Blog, business, camera, Candice, Cat, Class Announcement, CLS, Controlled, correspondent, creative, Creative Lighting, Creative Lighting System, Creativity, digital, dslr, equipment, face, fashion, Feet, flash, Flickr, focus, Fun, hair, hairlight, hand, Head, hobby, Hoot, human, Image, Ink, journalist, JTL, Lc, lens, Light, lighting, Lighting System, Line Of Sight, Lot, Metering Technology, model, nikon, occupation, one, Pace, paparazzi, Pay Attention, People, Phoenix, Photo, Photograph, Photographer, photographing, Photography, portrait, Portraits, pro, professional, Reflective Surface, Ribs, Rig, Rkd, RKD Photography, Sayers, Sb, sb-800, SB-900, Sb8, SB900, Sbs, scene, Sensor Location, Sessions, Shadow, shoot, shot, speedlight, Stan, stand, strobist, studio, studio lights, Suitcase, sun, Sunny Day, Sunny In California, Target, technology, Test, Tool, traditional, ttl, Umbrella, Vagabond, viewfinder, Wescott ⋅ 0 Comment

SB900 using the sun as a hairlight.

I have heard and get asked a lot of questions about Nikon’s CLS’ ability or inability to function in bright daytime conditions. In my experience it really have not been an issue. I pay attention to the speedlight’s position and its sensor location relative to my camera and SU800.

Today’s metering technology is a great asset so I normally let it take the first ‘shot‘ at what it sees in a scene. While I have studio lights and a Vagabond II, there is little I haven’t been able to do with my SBs. The above shot was taken with a single SB900.

4063884049 fcbf7c3117 Using Nikons Creative Lighting System (CLS) in daylight

It was very sunny in California the day I shot Candice – notice the shadow on the lower left of the umbrella even though the speedlight fired for this behind the scene picture.

In the photograph of Candice above I metered for the shaded portion of her face and let Nikon TTL do the rest.

In the event it does not produce the result I want I adjust the stop (by 1/3 steps) on the speedlight.

3486666059 99818abf71 m Using Nikons Creative Lighting System (CLS) in daylight

Distance is another concern CLS nay-sayers bring up.

In this photograph Jason is holding a 42 inch Wescott umbrella with a SB-800 tucked up in the open ribs point towarded the camera to get the light reflected back to his face.

Behind him is a SB-900 shooting into another 42 inch Wescott umbrella. That c-stand is a good 50 feet away and up the hill about 10-12 feet above Jason’s head.

Line of sight is important – so just pay attention. But I have used the SB8 & 900s behind glass, reflected the signal off of windows, mirrors, cars just about any reflective surface. I have also ‘staged’ the lights to ‘see’ another but not the SU800.

Think of the IR signal like a billiard ball.

I also use the Nikon CLS to fill on cloudy daylight sessions.

While in Phoenix last week I did the entire shoot with these tools:

4300344523 030252e866 Using Nikons Creative Lighting System (CLS) in daylight

The result:

4301095762 d54deb8801 Using Nikons Creative Lighting System (CLS) in daylight

Single SB900 camera left - TTL triggered with SU800.

The only time I have trouble with the system is when I position myself on the wrong side of the speedlight’s optical sensor or move in front of the flash. I use a ballhead so I can quickly rotate the speedlight into the correct position.

Phoenix in the rain

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I finally get a chance to do a shoot in Phoenix. Phoenix = sunshine and moderate winter daytime temperatures right? Not for me – three straight days of rain and 20-45 mph wind.

I had two TF models lined up – one canceled – good call – it was nasty out.

The second day Lindsey and I manged to get some shooting done between rain showers on South mountain. What a sport she was. we worked inside a covered gazebo then walked up the backside of the mountain to get to the ‘hole in the rock’.

Lindsey is a beautiful young truck driving Army reservist who goes on active duty next month with hopes of becoming a helicopter pilot flying Blackhawks.

See more of Lindsey (LC Pace)

Things that go Bump during a shoot: A solution for strobists

Ray Dauphinais ⋅ Lighting tests, Things ⋅ Air Cushion, Amp, Annoyance, art, background, black, Blog, business, camera, Camera Gear, Cat, Cheetah, Cheetah Stand, CheetahStand, church, Church Pews, Clamps, color, colour, Common Sense, Contact, Couple, Denny, Denny's EZ Stand, door, Doorways, Duri, education, equipment, Extension Tubes, EZ Stand, face, Feet, film, Flickr, frame, hand, Head, Headache, Heir, Hoot, Hundred Times, illustration, Image, Ink, Iso, isolated, Job, Lake Grapevine, lamp, Light, lightstand, Lot, metal, Metal Construction, Metal Legs, model, Modifiers, new, New Position, object, office, one, Open Legs, Pace, paper, People, person, Photo, Photo Session, Photograph, Photographer, Photography, portrait, Pose, pro, professional, Reason, Repositioning, Rig, RKD Photography, Rocky Ledge, Shiny Floors, shoot, Shrubs, Smooth, space, speedlight, spotlight, Stan, stand, standing, strobe, strobist, studio, Studio Photographer, Target, technology, Tension, Things, Thumb, Tree, Trees, Umbrella, Umbrellas, Uneven Terrain, Walk, Wings ⋅ 2 Comments

I have tripped and bumped my way through a lot of shooting locations; the act of repositioning the speedlights on stands with modifiers, while not the biggest challenge of any photo session, was an annoyance I didn’t like. Between the umbrella, open or not, and the open legs of an 8ft light stand I have said ‘Excuse me’; Pardon me’ a hundred times.

Indoors; the knocking around furniture, people and doorways is a headache. Outdoors; moving through people, parked cars, shrubs, trees and rocks presents its own challenges. The act of closing the umbrellas and legs every time I want to reposition the lights is both time consuming and then reversing the process at the new position can a bit unprofessional looking. Sometimes while balancing my camera gear too. I’m not as graceful as I used to be.

I’ve been doing the strobist thing for a couple of years and am always looking for a better more efficient way to get the job done. I was shown a Kwik Stand about a year ago by a studio photographer and liked the idea, but soon found out the Kwik Stand Company had gone out of business. Over the past year two companies have come to market with their versions of the folding leg light stand: Denny EZ Stand and Cheetah Stand. I have tried both and chose the Cheetah Stand for several reasons:

There is no real comparison if you take the time to see the differences. The all metal construction of the Cheetah with its slim solid metal legs and rubber rib-footed feet beats out the thin walled tubular legs of the EZ Stand with its flat smooth plastic ones. The EZ Stand feet appear larger but only one edge actually contacts the floor and it slides easily on smooth shiny floors. Maybe it’s a feature and not a flaw; in any case I didn’t care for it.

The legs of both extend on contact with the ground but the EZ Stand does not compress back to its body as closely the Cheetah. Not a huge deal but depending on the space, think church pews, you’re navigating – it just might. The all metal locking clamps and thumb wings of the Cheetah appear to be better suited to hold up over time with field use.

My copy of the EZ Stand did not smoothly extend or compress, the bottom (largest) pole section was very stiff in fact. It’s supposed to be an air cushion stand, why I’m not sure for such a small stand, which may be the reason for the gummed up feel. Fully extended, the EZ Stand is about an inch taller. The tubes are not internally secured (more on this in a minute). The Cheetah on the other hand is quick and smooth without being a hazard to your equipment with common sense and normal equipment care.

In field use neither stand met all my needs. Because of the inherent design required for this type of stand, the center post must extend down to within an inch or so of the surface. This is only a problem, for me anyway, when shooting on very rough uneven terrain like a rocky ledge near Lake Grapevine.(Let me add that neither stand was designed nor intended, as far as I know, to be use exactly the way I describe here.) But this is how I found out that the EZ Stand’s main extension tubes are not internally secured.

During a two speedlight shoot, one Cheetah and one EZ stand, I was unable place the opened legs of either stand on the uneven rocky ground. So, in my get the job done mode, I placed (gently wedged/balanced) the stands in-between some rocks. Worked like a charm; got the pictures; time to move on. When I reached out to grab the EZ Stand by the middle tube, balanced upon another rock, to lift it out of the crevice I had half a light stand in my hand. I did not jerk or twist it; it just ‘plop’ came apart. Ten minutes later I moved on with two complete stands. Good news, the tube went back in as easily as it came out.

Now here is a completely mox nix point I noticed, the EZ Stand could be used as a wind chime with all the hollow metal racket it makes when you walk around with it.

So the Cheetah Stand works for me, I now have four of them and they go where I go. Quite, reliable and built to last.

WWII Re-Enactors strobist shoot fun

Ray Dauphinais ⋅ My Photo; My Comment. ⋅ Actors, Barbed Wire, Camouflage Nets, Canon, Dean, Flickr, Fun, Gear Man, German Army, Hoot, Land Mines, Long Time, Lot, Machine Guns, man, Manikins, Midcities, Nikon Speedlights, nikond700, Photo, Photograph, Photographer, Photos, Pistols, Rig, Rkd, RKD Photography, rkdauph, Road Signs, SB800, SB900, scene, shoot, shot, strobist, Tank, Target, Teenage Sons, Time Players, Uploaded Photos, Ups, Zane ⋅ 0 Comment

Last weekend our DFW Midcities Strobist Meetup Group had a fun and interesting strobist outing shooting a few local WWII re-enactors. Lynn and Dean are long time players while Zack and Zane were a member’s teenage sons were conscripted into the German Army for the event.

As a photographer I thought I had a lot of gear; man these guys had more toys than any man should be allowed to own. A full sized anti-tank canon, land mines, machine guns, pistols , camouflage nets, manikins, road signs, barbed wire and on and on and on.

10 strobists, 4 actors, 5 acres of land and toys! We had a blast.

See more of my photos, including behind the scenes shots, here. To see all the uploaded photos by members of the groups go here.

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