Lisa and Adam ~ Golden Pre Kiss
another from the last engagement
we were working on the pre kiss pose
i always try to put the subject infront of a dark tree line and get them rim lighted by the sun.. works every time
lighting was 580 ex in ettl in hyper sync triggered by radio poppers camera right
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II
Exposure0.001 sec (1/1000)
Aperturef/2.5
Focal Length85 mm
ISO Speed100
Exposure Bias0 EV
FlashOn, Fired
Lisa and Adam ~ Golden Field
Lisa and Adam will be wedded later this summer..
i had a chance to work with them tonight and we worked on posing, and basic fundamentals that we will use during their day..
lighting here was a 580EX II in Ettl Mode triggered by radio poppers. camera right
also i put a layer of grunge crosshatch on the image to give it a kick..
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II
Exposure0.001 sec (1/1000)
Aperturef/2.5
Focal Length85 mm
ISO Speed100
Exposure Bias0 EV
FlashOn, Fired
Uploaded by ~Phamster~ on 27 Jul 10, 9.08PM PDT.
Matt and Claire ~ Romancing the Blue Room
a shot from the recent wedding this weekend…
Matt and Claire having fun during the solo time. (romantic shots)
i had them in a dance pose…
lighting was all natural light from the windows camera right
simple compositions with the flowers in the corners will help any photo !
scratchy texture was applied.
@ 85MM
ISO 640
F/2
1/100
Uploaded by ~Phamster~ on 26 Jul 10, 8.05PM PDT.
Claire and Matt ~ Midnight Kiss
had a wonderful wedding last night..
i took the couple out of their party for this shot..
the wet ground and sodium vapor back lights helps with this composition..
but of course, the beautiful bride and handsome groom makes the photo !
Lighting was one 28 inch westcott, with single 580exII triggered by radio poppers
boomed camera right by an apprentice (cory) working with me on this wedding..
with the setting on the camera to drag out the background and hand held shutter speeds..
the ettl by radio poppers just does the job for me.. so i don’t know what the power was..
but if i were to guess, it was like 1/64 power..
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II
Exposure0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperturef/2.0
Focal Length85 mm
ISO Speed1600
Exposure Bias0 EV
FlashOn, Fired
Uploaded by ~Phamster~ on 25 Jul 10, 11.12AM PDT.
Molly ~ Rocking the Twilight
Molly and i did this shoot so long ago and i haven’t had time to post this yet..
lighting here was an alien bee and a speed light..
one camera right side kicker bare 580 ex @ 1/2 power about 8 feet away
camera left with 22 inch beauty dish with ab1600 at 1/4 power about 7 feet away
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II
Exposure0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperturef/5.0
Focal Length70 mm
ISO Speed160
Jody ~ Shining Portrait
Jody had asked me to do a shoot for her and Atlee, her son who is going to Boot Camp..
this golden light over her shoulder was really cool that day and i had to take this shot..
you really need alot of power to balance against the sun.
also for those who struggles with focusing against the sun.. it is easy..
use your left hand to shield off the sun, focus and lock then take your hand away.. so simple eh?
Lighting was AB1600 with A beauty dish gridded..
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II
Exposure0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperturef/9.0
Focal Length85 mm
ISO Speed100
Exposure Bias0 EV
FlashOff, Did not fire
Gabby ~ Senior Crazy Sky
Senior work is just around the corner..
tonight was a wonderful midwest night ! Look at that sky !
Gabby is a daughter of a co worker of mine..
Paul and I have worked together for at least 8 years now, so naturally he had asked me to do some senior photos for her.
Paul worked the lights for me and this is my fav from tonight.
alien bees, with PLM 64, and Vagabond what a combo.. great light , triggered by Cactus V4′s
power was 3/4 power camera right
Exif data
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II
Exposure0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperturef/10.0
Focal Length85 mm
ISO Speed100
Exposure Bias0 EV
FlashOff, Did not fire
Uploaded by ~Phamster~ on 20 Jul 10, 9.12PM PDT.
Ashley ~ Raining Beauty
another shot from the wet parking lot shoot…
i added the rain in post.. hopefully it looks real.. haha.
i used 3 lights for this one..
3 lights were used on this shot..
1. Key light was AB1600 @ 1/2 power with a beauty dish (gridded)
2. Camera Left behind Ashley AB1600 @ 3/4 power with PLM with a yellow Gel
3. Camera Right Behind Ashley Side Kicker 430 EX at full power bare, no modifer
the triggers were Cactus V4′s on all of them
Exif data
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II
Exposure0.013 sec (1/80)
Aperturef/7.1
Focal Length85 mm
ISO Speed160
Exposure Bias0 EV
FlashOff, Did not fire
Uploaded by ~Phamster~ on 18 Jul 10, 5.15PM PDT.
Ashley ~ Rocking the Wet Parking Garage
Rain, Wet Pavement, Wet hair and a Great Young model equals this..
Ashley and i have worked many times together and on my way back from a wedding reception the rainy day gave us this opportunity to create a cool photo..
I called her to see if she wanted to do a wet hair shot and this is what we came up with.. (we had another shoot planed but that will have to wait for now)
Her Friend also came to help with the lighting.. being it was windy and at any Moment the sky could have opened up Rained on us..
if you watch CSI Miami, you will notice every scene outside the police station even when it is bright and sunny, they wet down the pavement.. so the lesson here is to wet down your ground before you shoot for a cool effect..
3 lights were used on this shot..
1. Key light was AB1600 @ 1/2 power with a beauty dish (gridded)
2. Camera Left behind Ashley AB1600 @ 3/4 power with PLM with a yellow Gel
3. Camera Right Behind Ashley Side Kicker 430 EX at full power bare, no modifer
the triggers were Cactus V4′s on all of them
Exif data
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II
Exposure0.013 sec (1/80)
Aperturef/7.1
Focal Length85 mm
ISO Speed160
Exposure Bias0 EV
FlashOff, Did not fire
Uploaded by ~Phamster~ on 17 Jul 10, 10.56PM PDT.
Megan ~ Senior Crazy Sky
another senior shot..
seems senior work will be coming this fall..
i just love sky shots.. and indiana skies work most of the time.
here the lighting was that 64 PLM again and the AB1600 was @ 1/4 power camera Left
i was on my belly for this shot with the 85L.
Exif data
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II
Exposure0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperturef/6.3
Focal Length85 mm
ISO Speed200
Exposure Bias0 EV
FlashOn, Fired
File Size660 kB
File TypeJPEG
MIME Typeimage/jpeg
Image Width1024
Uploaded by ~Phamster~ on 17 Jul 10, 10.59AM PDT.
Becky and Ben ~ Ring Shot
another ring shot for a happy couple
i try to do a ring shot for each of my wedding couple and my output style is going towards this…
i am sure some like it and some don’t…
will try to do something different on the next wedding but for now.. i will stay with a style that has worked in the past for me..
i have 3 layers on this shot..
the cut out of the couple
the bokeh layer blend mode as soft light
the background layer is the ring on a bar surface
Uploaded by ~Phamster~ on 16 Jul 10, 7.56PM PDT.
Engagement
a shot for the lovely young couple
here i go to my roots of strobist work.. the crazy sky shot for them.
i work on a little hill facing the west to get theses.. so go out there and scout for your west ward facing hill..
i used my 64 PLM with the AB1600 to light them up..
this large of a modifer will allow you to work the subjects face to look inward towards the center of frame and still get a wonderful soft light..
the other way you have to have the subject look outwards to the edge of the frame and that will limit you in composition..
i had the AB1600 at about 1/8 power and the modifer about 8 – 10 feet camera right
i also always have a speed light on for autofocus assist in the twilight shoots
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II
Exposure0.013 sec (1/80)
Aperturef/4.5
Focal Length85 mm
ISO Speed200
Exposure Bias0 EV
FlashOn, Fired
Uploaded by ~Phamster~ on 15 Jul 10, 5.28PM PDT.
Whitney and Nate ~ Wedding Poster
Trying to do something different..
i will probably make my clients a wedding poster from now on.. i think it is cool.. but i don’t know.. being this is the first one i have done.. i will have to judge from the acceptance from this first one and gauge popularity of it…
the main background photo was 12 photo stitched together in a hotel hall way during the reception so it is a real scene from the wedding..
i had in my mind all that negative space for something and the poster idea is perfect for it..
lighting for the dancing couple was the westcott boomed by my friend Ryan O Hicks with a set of poppers as the triggers and the 580 EX with 1/4 CTO gel to match the inside lighting
Uploaded by ~Phamster~ on 14 Jul 10, 9.12AM PDT.
Niagara Falls ~ My East Coast Trip
on the way back from boston my wife and i decided to swing by Niagara Falls
we stopped by in the twilight hours and it gave me this amazing look..
much better than the full out sunny shot of it..
i photomerged 12 shots together with my 35L @ 3200 ISO..
the finished file looks great.. some noise but since the photomerging, the noise is much less..
Uploaded by ~Phamster~ on 12 Jul 10, 8.49AM PDT.
here in indiana i get some amazing skies
Taylor a senior and were working together on one of those nights.. lucky her !
i used 2 lights for this.. on the right side kicker was a bare speed light held by her best friend and the main light was the 64 PLM again i use the PLM all the time because it puts of a soft light and with the AB1600 it is a great combo for sunsets..
the AB1600 at low power puts off some warmish light to begin with so i don’t need to gel the colors at all.. sorta nice eh?
main light was about 1/4 power camera left
side kicker on the camera right
1/100
@ F 5.6
ISO 200
Uploaded by ~Phamster~ on 6 Jul 10, 11.03AM PDT.
Wedding Group Shot ~ Crazy Sky
wedding season is here !
this is one of the largest bridal party i have ever worked with..
a great group and super fun.
64 inch PLM was used for this shot.. one AB1600 at 1/4 power was all i needed to get this..
that PLM is amazing..
there was light drop off on the group edge and i had to dodge some of the faces.. but still it worked like a charm.
i was just under the plm with my 35MM and the light was just above me, actually i was pushing up on plm slightly.. haha..
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II
Exposure0.013 sec (1/80)
Aperturef/7.1
Focal Length35 mm
ISO Speed320
Exposure Bias0 EV
FlashOff, Did not fire
Uploaded by ~Phamster~ on 4 Jul 10, 5.45PM PDT.
Groomsman ~ having fun
So groomsman or best guys stuff has to be done in a way that makes you look at the photos and smile.
my method is pretty much like this:
i have them in a flying V formation..
have the guys in the back interact with each other towards the center
and create motion..
then you the photographer just focus on the groom and snap maybe like 15 shots in each walking sequence
results are gems like this…
all natural light..
pretty simple eh?
oh.. the template is my own design.. that was the longest and hardest part of this photo.. haha..
but you can find nice templates here
phototips.alexismiller.com/2009/03/template-packs.html
i am not affiliated with her at all but she makes simple and clean templates.. her calender one i might just go ahead and buy one. looks great..
Uploaded by ~Phamster~ on 5 Jul 10, 5.34AM PDT.
Baily ~ Model in the Alley
i haven’t had a chance to do much lately
back to back weddings, 2 family shoots inbetween that and a model shoot..
here are some of the model shoot i liked.
Baily needed some photos for a Pro Scout Event coming up.. we needed to get head shots and full body shots..
here we designed a curvy body shot to show off her nice figure..
we used a poseing book and my experience to get some good results that She and mother liked
mom held the 28 x 28 westcott box with the 580 EXII in it triggered by radio poppers
camera right just out of frame was where mom was..
it was getting really dark and i had to up the ISO to bring in the lighting to balance out what i wanted in the dark alley
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II
Exposure0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperturef/2.0
Focal Length85 mm
ISO Speed400
Exposure Bias0 EV
Uploaded by ~Phamster~ on 4 Jul 10, 7.16AM PDT.
Lindsey and Kyle ~ Summer Loveing part 2
another one from the recent engagement
lighting was used here, you can see the shadow on her dress between the arms in the dip kiss
i work with the couples on posing and here we are practicing the dip kiss.. and working on the spacing of the faces..
the moment before the kiss is what we were going for.. looks good and faces aren’t smashed together, better for photography..
radio poppers and a 580 exII was used camera left.. bare and no mod
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II
Exposure0.002 sec (1/500)
Aperturef/2.0
Focal Length85 mm
ISO Speed50
Exposure Bias0 EV
Uploaded by ~Phamster~ on 1 Jul 10, 9.25PM PDT.
Whitney ~ Bridal part 3
one of my signature shots.
i always want to do a sitting down pose for the bride.. with the center isle as the perspective.
her we have whitney just doing that..
it is some thing that is easy, and unique, shots at the altar are so over done and i like this approach..
My friend Ryan O Hicks. was booming the lights for me..
lighting was a single 580EX with radio poppers in ettl mode with a westcott softbox camera right.
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II
Exposure0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperturef/1.8
Focal Length85 mm
ISO Speed800
Exposure Bias0 EV
FlashOn, Fired
Uploaded by ~Phamster~ on 1 Jul 10, 7.52PM PDT.
Lindsey and Kyle ~ Summer Loving part 1
another shot from yesterdays engagement shoot..
when the golden sun is out.. you must play in it..
story goes like this:
we were driving to a destination and looked over to a field on my right and saw that grass and the sun peeking thru.. i stopped the car and Kyle pulled into the little drive way and i told the couple lets do the shoot right here..
it was just some field on the country road by a local university.. haha.. very impromptu..
lighting was 580 EX with radio poppers as trigger.. bare no mod.. and in ETTL
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II
Exposure0.002 sec (1/500)
Aperturef/2.0
Focal Length85 mm
ISO Speed50
Exposure Bias0 EV
FlashOn, Fired
Uploaded by ~Phamster~ on 30 Jun 10, 8.23PM PDT.
Lindsey and Kyle ~ Shining moment
Had another engagement session with a wonderful couple..
Indiana weather has been brutal this summer, hot and humid.. but last night the air was thin, light and just super pleasant just like this young couple..
we had a late golden sun to play in..
i placed them on the lawn and we worked out a cool pose for them.. i don’t like to repeat poses so i change it up just slightly every time.. haha.. soon i will run out of poses..
lighting was a bare bulb 580ex triggered by Radio Popper and my trusty 85L at about 2.0 will always produce some great stuff..
light stand was camera left and i had the lights in ettl mode.. so don’t know what was the power and it was also in Hyper Sycn because the shutter was 1/640
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II
Exposure0.002 sec (1/640)
Aperturef/2.0
Focal Length85 mm
ISO Speed50
Exposure Bias0 EV
FlashOn, Fired
Uploaded by ~Phamster~ on 29 Jun 10, 8.35PM PDT.
Whitney ~ Bridal part 2
second part.. Whitney is really stunning.. she just has to stand there and the photo is jaw dropping !
lighting was the same..
radio poppers in ettl mode in a westcott softbox camera left held by my friend Ryan O Hicks..
with a single 580 EX II
Exif data
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II
Exposure0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperturef/2.0
Focal Length35 mm
ISO Speed800
Uploaded by ~Phamster~ on 29 Jun 10, 4.40AM PDT.
Whitney ~ Wedding Pre Game
so i do weddings from time to time…
i break down the day into 4 mini events
1. Pre Game
2. Ceremony
3. Family Photos – Solo Time(romantic photos)
4. Reception
i always set up the day so that the bride will give me time so i can get dramatic shots in each..
and here i had my jaw dropper for the bride in the Pre Game..
most churches have a balcony area, with a wonderful view of the ceiling, USE that balcony and you will get a view like this !
Whitney is stunning in person and as photographed and we posed her to get that fantasy dreamy wedding image that she and her husband will remember for the rest of their lives..
lighting was held by my friend Ryan O Hicks.. boomed camera left with a set of radio poppers in ETTL mode in a westcott box.
weddings are so fast and you have hardly any time to set up lighting in manual, so i rely on radio poppers to do their thing
Dates
Taken onJune 26, 2010 at 3.02pm PDT (edit)
Posted to FlickrJune 27, 2010 at 8.38AM PDT (edit)
Exif data
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II
Exposure0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperturef/2.0
Focal Length35 mm
ISO Speed800
Exposure Bias0 EV
FlashOn, Fired
Ashley ~ Stormy Sky
Rocking the lens with Ashley..
what better way to show her awesomeness than to put her with the dramatic sky ! low to high perspective is the only way to go..
i was on my belly for this shot ! haha
shot with a 15 inch softbox and a 430 in full manual with cactus triggers @ 1/4 power camera right
this one of the few shots i broad light my subjects… i generally short light everything..
thanks raymond for holding the light on this windy night !
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II
Exposure0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperturef/8.0
Focal Length35 mm
ISO Speed640
Exposure Bias0 EV
FlashOff, Did not fire
Uploaded by ~Phamster~ on 26 Jun 10, 6.01AM PDT.
Megan ~ Blue Eye Beauty
had a chance to work with my coworkers daughter.
Megan is a senior in one of the 4 surrounding high schools..
we found the perfect look for her..
this pose made her eyes open, and she gave us this perfect expression.
she is stunning in person and as photographed..
her dad boomed the westcott softbox for me slightly out of camera view. camera right..
lighting was a single soft box 580 EXII with 1/4 cto gel
wedding and senior season is about to happen again..
Dates
Taken onJune 24, 2010 at 8.04pm PDT (edit)
Posted to FlickrJune 24, 2010 at 9.12PM PDT (edit)
Exif data
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II
Exposure0.004 sec (1/250)
Aperturef/2.2
Focal Length85 mm
ISO Speed100
Exposure Bias0 EV
FlashOn, Fired
Uploaded by ~Phamster~ on 24 Jun 10, 9.12PM PDT.
Compose your blog entry
Marrisa ~ Project Purple
Marrisa rocking the lens
she is a Criminology and Forensic Science student here at the local university
haha.. can you imagine how much attention she would be getting at the police station? haha.. nobody will be focused on their work.. i hope that isn’t true but you know human nature…
here marrisa has a cool pose.. don’t know how she came up with this but it is really cool… and i keep it in my head because it is a great pose for the seniors..
so if it bends – bend it .. great rule for posing..
lighting was 2 lights.. a 580 EX for the hair and ab1600 for with beauty dish for the front lighting about 8 feet away..
@ 1/4 power
CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II
Exposure0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperturef/3.2
Focal Length85 mm
ISO Speed800
Exposure Bias0 EV
FlashOn, Fired
Marrisa and Allen ~ On Top of the World
working on my photo shop skills..
the only way to do it is to just practice! haha.
some might not like it some will, just something i am doing for my personal art..
i will run it by marrisa and allen and see what they say..
this is so clearly a composite.. but i am trying to make it look not a composite..
the sky line shot was taken from the net..
the shot of allen and marrisa is mine..
lighting on this was 2 cars from the back side and the front was just a snooted 430 EX @ 1/4 power
Uploaded by ~Phamster~ on 22 Jun 10, 6.37PM PDT.
Matt and Laurie ~ Their Moment part 2
the moment before the kiss is often my target shot.
why?
1 because it give you a sense of action
2 give great profiles of the subjects faces
3 give mystery to the viewer, you can imagine what ever kiss is going to take place.
lighting here was a single 580 EX bare, no modifier, because i was in hyper sync speeds.
in hyper sync speeds shooters new to the strobist ways, means you will get much less power out of your little speed light. so to compensate for less power i had to use no modifier.
i was in ettl mode, fired by my radio poppers.. about 8 feet away camera right.
you can not get this shot without a speed light or a reflector, it will turn out dark and you will be dodging the crap out of the photo and degrade the image quality….
Camera:Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Exposure:0.003 sec (1/320)
Aperture:f/2.8
Focal Length:85 mm
ISO Speed:100
Exposure Bias:0 EV
Flash:On, Fired
Uploaded by ~Phamster~ on 21 Jun 10, 7.41PM PDT.
Matt and Laurie ~ Their Moment part 1
working with couples is super rewarding because you get a shot like this !
Matt and Laurie will be wedded later this year.
i always work with my couples because i need to practice with them..
we did dip kisses, and worked on romantic posing tonight..
getting the couple into “their moment” is as easy as just letting them sit or as we have them here, laying down..
working on the hair and legs was the difficult part..
i am sure somebody has done this pose before, but it came to me with them in this location..
hopefully the post work works too..
natural lighting was use here.. and i was on my belly to get this shot.. haha.. well worth it..
post work was one layer of bokeh, and one rust layer for the scratchy look.. and one layer for the muted golds..
here are some bokeh textures i found on the internet.. they are not mine but i am sure if you read, they say you can use them..
www.littleboxofideas.com/blog/freebies/155-free-grungy-an…
Camera:Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Exposure:0.002 sec (1/640)
Aperture:f/1.8
Focal Length:85 mm
ISO Speed:320
Exposure Bias:0 EV
Flash:Off, Did not fire
Uploaded by ~Phamster~ on 20 Jun 10, 7.34PM PDT.
Phamster