So ok, i’m not a blogger, and I’ve won no awards for creative writing. I was asked a few times, what lighting did i use to do this shoot for these images.
From my point of view, when putting together a portrait shoot, some of the things you need is a makeup artist, a hair stylist, and a wardrobe stylist, then the decision of what theme, and location, or studio setting. It can be challenging getting the team of people together on the same date, and to have the client ready early enough to give you plenty of shooting time, or i wanted to use natural light, my shooting time would start at 2pm depending on daylight. Then i start thinking of the type of equipment I may use on the day, this occasion i used natural lighting, but the other things i had standing by were two studio lights, three flashes, a reflector, backdrop, led light, and my triggers, then i think about things i can improvise with, and props. Oh yeh, and shooting with the canon 5d.
HOW THIS SHOOT WAS PUT TOGETHER..
In Birmingham town centre visiting a friend with a swanky apartment opposite the mail box (not that its got to do with anything), anyhow on my out, i noticed a very attractive slender young black female, nothing outrageous, just the fact that she seemed modest, and very naturally put together, without hesitation i went over and asked if she would take a look at my website www.evettechiverton.com and if she was interested i would like her to do some modelling for me. Now i know this is not a line that would work for many male photographers. But hey ho, i will use any benefits of being a female photographer to my advantage lol.
I wanted to work with natural light. I used a location in Birmingham Salon Utopia great place to get all your beauty treatments. This young lady goes by the name of Sherry. I emailed her a brief before the shoot, and what to bring. The idea of the day was simplicity, The team for the day was just Sherry and myself. Having a background in makeup, i decided to keep it simple, with a bit more attention to the eye make up, i was also stylist for the day. i wouldn’t recommended to do it all by yourself, as i find that my creativity gets sucked up with everything else going on around me, that by the time i’m ready to shoot, i feel like I’m shooting on half power. So by keeping it simple this time, i was able to concentrate on lighting and posing, i loved Sherry’s natural hair, it added to the concept of simplicity. A simple top, and minimal accessories.
Sherry had never modelled before, but moved so naturally to guidance, there were so many great images to choose from it was hard to narrow the selection to the few i have here. I wanted to bring a bit more attention to Sherry’s hair, so a soft flash was placed behind above her hair.
As i mentioned earlier about improvising. This shoot was shot in a plane white room, by using a longer lens, and bringing the light down, i used the wall, and it would appear grey. For the black background i used a friends bed sheet. Yes i said it darn it!!!, “a friends bed sheet”. Another thing i used and was able to play with, was a gold reflector, which i love on darker skin tones.
If i were to give any advice on shooting a portrait shoot alone, it would be. Make a list of everything you need on the day, decide on makeup, and outfits, but most of all get comfortable with your model, or client, the more relaxed the person is, the better your images will be.
