Portraits, any camera, any color, any subject

One of our broadcast students reading over a script before a newscast. (Also posted over on Fuji X Spot). Fuji X-T1, XF56mm, processed in LRCC.
. . . David
Haley.jpg
 
A friend needs new headshots. She's letting me take a swing at it. We've discussed approaches a little by email, but Saturday I got to sit down with her for all of 5 minutes as she was on her way out on the town. So there was barely time to do anything. I...

- Don't have stands for the flashes
- Only have one modifier, and it's maybe 8X10 inches
- Only used ONE flash for these, to light the wall behind her
- Used a 2-bulb floor lamp to light her from the front angle
- Shot jpg-only, monochrome, fearing wb issues mixing un-gelled flash and incandescent

I barely had time to do a thing, I can't believe how hard it was to pose her. And the lack of stands is a killer. Can't just park a light wherever you want - modifier or no. I need to do something about that. Meanwhile, these two were with the XF56, shot a little too open. Next time...

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KBRX9566
by gordopuggy, on Flickr

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KBRX9557
by gordopuggy, on Flickr
 
Sub-optimal as the conditions may have been, I really like the results, particularly that first one! The facial expression is strong enough to not notice the body being bokeh'd for a good amount of time.
 
yes, no.1 for me too. I have dabbled at this.....and you are so right. It is damned difficult. Not just the technical aspect, but also the interaction between model and shooter. Get the relationship wrong and; no matter how good your technique with the hardware, the resulting shot is going to be "ordure"

Under the circs, I think you have done well.
 
The only one that really came out. I'd put my XT1 in and out of its pouch the rest of the day not noticing I'd knocked the settings way out of whack for the rest. That's what I get for not paying attention and/or pixel peeping. Or grabbing my reading glasses. (5 points if you can identify the location)

One of the most useful things I bought for my Fujis was a Neewer brand hotshoe thumbgrip - prevented me from having "switchology problems" especially with the EV comp dial on my XE-1s. And the first thing I always do after a shoot is go into the Quick Menu and reset to Custom #1 which is basically Astia with a lot of vanilla settings at ISO 200. Populate C1 to C7 with your presets and always reset at the end of the day. You'll never be caught off-guard again.

And, oh yeah - Pike Place Market is my guess.
 
abbot.jpg

The abbot of Wat Buddha Mongkolnimit in Albuquerque NM. I took just my cell phone and tablet to the Songkran celebration, and this is from a Galaxy S3 phone. Nothing special as a camera, but adequate in bright sunlight, and I like this shot of a man I expect to be talking to more over the next little while.
 
"Second Sunday" in Charleston SC, where the main shopping street is closed to traffic, and stores set up shop out on the street. One of the attractions is the people who belong to the hat clubs.

Panasonic ZS-100, f5.6, 1/640 handheld, ISO 125.
Charleston_Hats01_s.jpg
 
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