Teaching off camera flash and mixing with available light [NIKON Z 6, 24.0-105.0 mm f/4.0, ISO 100, ƒ/5.6, 1/100, Focal Length = 24]
I was teaching the School of Photography 1 students at the University of Nations campus in Kona, Hawaii, how to improve photos by adding a flash to the available light.
[NIKON Z 6, 24.0-105.0 mm f/4.0, ISO 280, ƒ/5.6, 1/250, Focal Length = 24]
I walked outside and immediately found this guy we had seen the day before.
Word by heart [X-E3, XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS, ISO 3200, ƒ/4, 1/100, Focal Length = 83]
We met him during our devotion time, where he did a monologue on a scripture.
They had the assignment to do an environmental photo of a person and improve it using a flash.
I found him playing basketball. I knew I already had something about him taking a class on learning the scripture by heart and performing it as a monologue. I could see he liked playing basketball, so I asked him to photograph him.
He had to go shortly, so in less than 5 minutes, I took the first two photos. One without flash followed it up with the off-camera flash of the Godox 860IIN, which was on a light stand and triggered by the Godox transmitter.
Go and try this yourself. Just find a place where the subject can use some help with light. Then add your flash off the camera. Start with it at 45º to the left or right of the camera. Then put it 45º above the person’s eyes as a starting point.
Jedidiah [NIKON Z 6, 24.0-105.0 mm f/4.0, ISO 200, ƒ/5.6, 1/500, Focal Length = 32]
While the students would have to find their model and location later, I had each shoot the same setup with their flash and camera.
After a while, I noticed they were not coming up with anything exciting for compositions. I shot this to challenge them to look for something different.
Although an article published in the Journal of Computers in Human Behavior didn’t prove the exact correlation between narcissism and social media, it certainly picked up on how social media enhances and possibly contributes to narcissism.
“Watch Me” is what we say to our parents when we are small children. While later, as teenagers or adults, we are not trying to get mom and dad’s attention, many of us are trying to get the rest of the world to pay attention.
If you post something on Facebook, you often feel better that people are paying attention to the number of likes and the type of likes you get.
Even better than likes is positive feedback by comments.
There is another way you can use social media, and one of the best examples I can give is Humans of NY.
Brandon Stanton is the founder of HONY. Initially, he was going to photograph 10,000 New Yorkers. It was mainly about his love of photography and wanting to share his photos of people.
Somewhere along the way, he started interviewing people. At first, he was sharing little interesting quotes with the photos.
Today Stanton is interviewing most of the subjects and “peeling the onion,” as we like to say when you interview someone and get their story.
In an article on Open Eye Creative, they reported:
“He partnered with Tumblr to raise more than $300K for Hurricane Sandy victims. He helped raise more than $1 million for a Brooklyn school after one of the students appeared on his blog. He reportedly raised more than $5 million for philanthropic projects in 2015.”
Today HONY has around 20 million followers through its website, Instagram and Twitter.
“It’s a dialogue, not a monologue, and some people don’t understand that. Social media is more like a telephone than a television.”
Amy Jo Martin, author of Renegades Write The Rules
Make Social Media About Others
I think professional photographers would grow their following by sharing stories of the people they photograph. Be sure your post focuses on them and not you. Do all you can to remove yourself from the center.
Brandon Stanton’s three suggestions for better stories also is a great place to start. Sooner or later, you will find your style for telling stories of the people you meet.
Stanton’s Questions
Get to the heart of it
Ask one question at a time
Seek out the unexpected
Here is a good article that goes deeper to learn more about those questions.
Why does he have such a following?
This video is an excellent example of how he connects with the audience.
First Others & Then You!!!!
Here is another exciting thing that research is showing us. People want to know more when you share great content with others. They want you to take them backstage. This is where you can share a little about your experience in meeting this person.
Here is the strange thing, if you were only to share your experience, the number of followers would be drastically smaller. However, if you always lead with others and then share something behind the story and photo, then your numbers will do the opposite. They will soar.
Now just sharing about others, well, that works, but the combination works best.
Julie Gavillet wanted a job change after 10+ years in a job. It bothered her so much that she prayed that God would help her out of it. Just a few days after that prayer, Julie was laid off. Because of the number of years she had been at that job, she got a great package that allowed her to chase her dream of being a photographer. She was able to buy her gear and go off to Hawaii to study photography. She took two courses every three months and did some other work. Today she is staffing those schools and helping others pursue their dreams of being a photographer. Soon she will return to Canada and start her own business of doing what she loves rather than just a job to pay the bills. If you want to study photography like Julie, here is the school she went to for her dream to be fulfilled. https://www.uofnkona.edu/uofn_courses/school-of-photography/ [NIKON Z 6, 85.0 mm f/1.8, ISO 50, ƒ/4.5, 1/125, Focal Length = 85]
This would be a great Instagram post. Today it would also be great to follow up with another photo and the scenes peek into the picture.
When I post these to my Instagram account, the second photo might get more comments. I hope you notice that I am always trying to help others get better with their photography. I am not saying look at how great I am, just like my photos.
I encourage you to make Social Media a way to create community and inspire others. When you do this, you will be even more fulfilled than if you made it all about you.
“When I hear people debate the ROI of social media? It makes me remember why so many businesses fail. Most businesses are not playing the marathon. They’re playing the sprint. They’re not worried about lifetime value and retention. They’re worried about short-term goals.”
Little boy roping during the Dummy Roping Contest at the 27th Annual Pana’Ewa Stampede Rodeo put on by the Hawaii Horse Owners in Hilo, Hawaii, on February 18, 2019. [NIKON D5, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 720, ƒ/5.6, 1/4000, Focal Length = 150]
When traveling and doing mainly general photography, I don’t pack a Nikon 200-500mm or a 600mm ƒ/4. I have found that the Nikon 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6 is the perfect lens for about 99% of the situations I encounter.
Cowgirl Barrel Racing at the 27th Annual Pana’Ewa Stampede Rodeo in Hilo, Hawaii. [NIKON D5, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 1600, ƒ/5.6, 1/4000, Focal Length = 300]
When I went to The Big Island of Hawaii, I saw online that there was a rodeo going on when I was there in Hilo. I just decided to travel with my Nikon D5 because of its unsurpassed ability to follow focus and freeze action.
The lens did a great job. Could I have done better with a 200-500mm–YES. However, I would then have to pack that large piece of glass.
I cropped a little in on these photos knowing that the principal place I will use them is on my website. A 20-megapixel image can easily be cropped for this end-use.
Cowboys compete in steer wrestling at the 27th Annual Pana’Ewa Stampede Rodeo put on by the Hawaii Horse Owners in Hilo, Hawaii, on February 18, 2019. [NIKON D5, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 1800, ƒ/5.6, 1/4000, Focal Length = 210]
Pana’Ewa Stampede Rodeo
Hawaii Horse Owners 27th Annual
Hilo, Hawaii [NIKON D5, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 2000, ƒ/5.6, 1/4000, Focal Length = 300]
While I had the brand new Nikon Z6, it doesn’t perform as well as the Nikon D5. The Nikon D5 computer does a much better job with focus and buffer. You can shoot 200 RAW images before the buffer fills up. That is a lot. At 12 fps, you can pretty much nail the shot.
I would recommend that most people invest in a mirrorless camera system. I would not recommend starting with the Nikon FM2 that I first started my professional career shooting.
Nikon Z6 with Sigma 24-105mm ƒ/4
The market is very different when you ask me in my career what I would recommend. With that said, there are core things that do not change.
Cut Expenses
Start with essential gear. You don’t need the top-end model camera. Today’s most basic camera will do just about all you need. The only thing I would think a little about is if you are doing photography and video, you would want to go with a camera with headphones and microphone jacks.
Food, Shelter & Transportation are needs, but if you are not careful, you can live beyond your means. Remember you are starting out, so keep all these to the bare minimum. Drive a cheap car, get a roommate and eat as much as possible at home.
Know what everything costs. You need to know precisely what you need to meet your bills. I like to budget by the month. I know exactly what I need to pay for my monthly expenses. This is your budget, but you must also know your business budget. To get these numbers, NPPA has an excellent Cost of Doing Business Calculator. Here is that link: https://nppa.org/calculator. There are little “i” in a circle on each item. Click on that to learn more about each item.
Gear
Camera
2 lenses
5 in 1 reflector
Hot Shoe flash, Light Stand and umbrella
Memory Cards, batteries
Computer and Lightroom
You don’t need a lot. I would probably recommend having a second camera. This is more for backup than anything else. The rule is always to have two cameras for any job that cannot be rescheduled.
You need an essential website. I recommend WordPress. I have it hosted with Godaddy. Create a domain name. Use this with your email address as well.
Get a business card. I would have your name, phone number, email, and website domain name on the card.
Find your niche. I would start with headshots and family photos. You need very little gear, and your network already exists.
Too many go-after niches that require a lot of gear. Sport is a great example. To compete in this area, you need expensive telephoto lenses. The downside is the going rates for sports are one of the lowest in the industry.
Don’t try and market yourself for everything, but if someone calls, then take the job. Just don’t overreach. Start small and realize you must spend most of your time cold calling.
Alexia Shepherd [NIKON Z 6, 85.0 mm f/1.8, ISO 50, ƒ/4, 1/160, Focal Length = 85]
When you are changing lighting setups or camera settings, you cannot pay attention to expressions. Giving a lot of variety with lighting setups may not be the best approach.
KISS – Keep It Simple Stupid
Getting great facial expressions takes much more skill than changing a lighting setup. You have to build trust with the person. You have to connect with them so that together you can capture the subject’s true essence.
Alexia Shepherd [NIKON Z 6, 85.0 mm f/1.8, ISO 50, ƒ/4, 1/160, Focal Length = 85]
I do minor lighting changes so I can spend more time getting lots of expressions.
One thing I do with my setup is to change the background from a grey to a white background.
I can pause for a moment and turn on or off the two lights behind my white muslin background. Off I get a lovely neutral grey. The light from the beauty dish is what lights the background and my subject.
When I have my background lights on, they are giving me one stop more light than I have set on the subject. This gives me a spotless white background.
Chance Wills [NIKON Z 6, 85.0 mm f/1.8, ISO 50, ƒ/4, 1/160, Focal Length = 85]
I love to shoot 50 to 100 images before I change the background.
Chance Wills[NIKON Z 6, 85.0 mm f/1.8, ISO 50, ƒ/4, 1/160, Focal Length = 85]
I encourage people to bring a couple of outfits. It is incredible to me how much wardrobe change impacts the final photo.
Will Oliver [NIKON Z 6, 85.0 mm f/1.8, ISO 50, ƒ/4, 1/160, Focal Length = 85]
Changing from a low-key to a high-key photo can also help change the photo’s mood.
Will Oliver [NIKON Z 6, 85.0 mm f/1.8, ISO 50, ƒ/4, 1/160, Focal Length = 85]
My tip is to pick one outfit and shoot a lot. Go for 100 photos without changing lighting: background, or clothing. Then change the background and repeat. After you have done that, then change outfits and shoot again.
Make the emphasis of the portrait/headshot session about getting an expression. Go past the extremes of sadness and joy. Then try and shoot all the nuances of faces.
Chance Wills [NIKON Z 6, 85.0 mm f/1.8, ISO 50, ƒ/4, 1/160, Focal Length = 85]
Don’t forget to get verticals and horizontal photos.
Andrew Mozingo
[NIKON Z 6, 85.0 mm f/1.8, ISO 50, ƒ/4.5, 1/125, Focal Length = 85]
Remember, the thing that makes a great headshot is EXPRESSION!!!
Andrew Mozingo [NIKON Z 6, 85.0 mm f/1.8, ISO 50, ƒ/4.5, 1/125, Focal Length = 85]
It is much easier to get a pleasant and genuine expression if you have pushed the limits of expressions first.
Andrew Mozingo
[NIKON Z 6, 85.0 mm f/1.8, ISO 50, ƒ/4.5, 1/125, Focal Length = 85]Tagged : #headshots / #portraits / lighting
I believe there is such a thing as overdirecting a person during a headshot/portrait session.
I love working with actors because they want to use their skills and rarely get to do that with photographers during a headshot.
Maggie Cook [NIKON Z 6, 85.0 mm f/1.8, ISO 50, ƒ/4, 1/160, Focal Length = 85]
Before I get an intimate and what I would call a transparent moment with a subject, they have to be relaxed and comfortable with me.
Maggie Cook [NIKON Z 6, 85.0 mm f/1.8, ISO 50, ƒ/4, 1/160, Focal Length = 85]
One technique I use is asking “actors” to give me as many facial expressions as they can in 30 seconds. Those just starting in acting often will struggle, but for those who love to perform and do a variety of characters, this is like a psychogenic ‘trip.’ They are Thrill-Seekers whose risk is being perceived as being weird or off.
So “pushing the envelope” or “pushing the limits” means testing the boundaries of what is safe or acceptable in a given situation by exceeding those boundaries.
Macy Frazier [NIKON Z 6, 85.0 mm f/1.8, ISO 50, ƒ/4.5, 1/160, Focal Length = 85]
Once I have gone with them on this journey of letting them perform risky expressions, they tend to let me in.
They can tap into their emotions and let me see them through their eyes and faces.
Timothy Villalovas [NIKON Z 6, 85.0 mm f/1.8, ISO 50, ƒ/4.5, 1/125, Focal Length = 85]
For me, the most complex photo to get with people is one where their personality is being projected.
Katy Johnson [NIKON Z 6, 85.0 mm f/1.8, ISO 50, ƒ/4.5, 1/125, Focal Length = 85]
Even the smile photos are more genuine and inviting than had I not gone through asking them to give me all their expressions.
I slowly adjust the heads so that the light works best and their expressions are captured most effectively. That might mean I lower and raise the camera angle to their eyes.
I work hard at getting rid of things like double chins.
Will Oliver [NIKON Z 6, 85.0 mm f/1.8, ISO 50, ƒ/4, 1/160, Focal Length = 85]
I like to think of getting a great expression because you need to have the subject go past the acceptable moment to an extreme.
My role is to create a safe environment where it is OK to try any expression, with the goal being that by pushing the limits, we can be truly transparent. This is when great moments can happen.
