Tag Archives: portraits

Assignment, Photography

Children’s Portraits 1

Simple lighting–One main light, a 580EX inside a Lumiquest softbox on the right, about a foot away on the right gave me f5.6 @ ISO 200. Canon 5D Mark 2 with a 50 mm lens
I added a 2nd Canon Speedlight, a 430 EX with a red gel to jazz things up. It was set to give 1 to 1 1/2 stops less light than the main light, the 580EX in the Lumiquest softbox.s

Setting up a makeshift studio doesn’t require a lot of space but it does require some improvisation.

I was in the basement of the First Congregational Church recently to photograph some children who attended Puppet Palooza–a week long puppet making workshop by Creative Kids Have Fun.

Young children are not the easiest of subjects.

That’s why there are photographers who specialize in just children.

Just like any kind of portraiture work, you have to engage your subject, spend some time with them.

 

Continue reading Children’s Portraits 1 →

Photography

Friendly Carnival Faces

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Leo Carillo, 57, of Oroville is the quintessential showman. He darts back and forth "yo-yoing" with the ball as he entices carnival visitors to test their skills at his game booth.Dragging the shutter at 1/2 sec f8 ISO 100 with the 580EX Speedlight in Lumiquest softbox at 1/4 power

“One in wins, one in wins” yells Leo Carillo, 57 of Oroville.

His Cheech Marin -like voice could be heard over the din of the carnival activity and music from the nearby carousel.

“You ready?” he asks playfully  to everyone who passes by.

Occasionally they challenge him to show that indeed sinking a basketball in the carnival’s hoop is not difficult and he obliges.

Many step up, pay $2 to try their luck to win a huge stuffed animal.

Carillo says he has a good time at this job regardless of the crowds. Continue reading Friendly Carnival Faces →

Assignment, Photography

Lesly in Red

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Spontaneous laughter, craziness and not so perfect hair made this my favorite. Available light when its levels are marginal doesn't always allow capturing such fleeting moments because shutter speeds aren't sufficient to freeze them.

Lesly in Purple was my first foray into glamor.

When I was a the newspaper, the gals on staff had for some reason first dibs on fashion or glamor type assignments. Since I was never the sort to lobby for certain types of assignments, I just didn’t get to do them.

To continue to grow, and I don’t mean just as a photographer but in life in general, it’s always good to get out of your comfort zone. Continue reading Lesly in Red →

Photography

Favorite faces from Dickens Festival 2011

Thanks Gillian Vogel for being a good sport, smiling and ever patient with me. You look lovely in that outfit.

This year’s Dickens Festival at a new location, the Riverside Convention Center, had a different feel to it.

The change of venue, I overheard, was due to the municipal auditorium was being renovated.

Nevertheless my family and I enjoyed visiting this annual affair.

My gripe? Come on, you know photographers always gripe.

But that’s the subject of another post.

If I had one suggestion to offer anyone who wants to improve their portraiture and develop their self-confidence as a people photographer, it would be to seek out events and fairs such as this.

One of my favorite things about this annual event is how folks always turn out in costumes and partake in the pageantry.

And I don’t mean just the performers. Visitors and attendees also get into the spirit of things. Continue reading Favorite faces from Dickens Festival 2011 →