1st Day of Modifying Light for Portraiture

F8PJ & Charleston Center for Photography

Modifying Light for Portraiture

with Stacy Pearsall and Mark Astmann

Photo By Chris Moore

Today was the first day of my lighting workshop with Mark Astmann from Manfrotto Distributions. We started by going over basic camera functions, internal camera meters and exposures. Then we talked about the different lighting terms and how they can be applied in practical shooting scenarios. After we laid a good foundation and brushed off the lighting cobwebs, we started to go over various how to use small-strobe lights such as the Nikon SB-900's. Finally, we reviewed modifiers such as Lostolite Ezy Boxes, Lastolite TriGrip Diffusers & Lastolite TriGrip Reflectors, Elinchrom Rotalux Deep Octabox, standard Elinchrom Rotalux Softboxes & Elinchrom Beauty Dishes and Octa Light Banks.

Photo By Jennifer Flores

The students got to shoot using all of the modifiers listed and use multiple light modifiers together. Student, Jennifer Flores, chose to use a large white Lastolite TriGrip Diffuser to knock out any direct sunlight hitting her model. Then she used a silver Lastolite TriGrip Reflector to add her own main light on camera left. Luckily, there was a pure white wall outside, which provided additional bounce on her model's face.

Photo By David Clark

Student, David Clark, used three small strobes. His man light had a small softbox, which was camera right and he used a direct small strobe to rim the right side of her hair. Cleverly, David used his third small strobe with a honeycomb grip and warming filter. The honeycomb isolated and directed the light straight to his model's face. The amber filter popped just a hint of warmth to her face too.

Photo By Russ Cooper

During a couple of the exercises, several students took the opportunity to shoot natural light portraits. Student, Russ Cooper, chose the above picture as his favorite of the day. The sun casted an interesting shadow across his model's face, which drew him to the photo. Since the light was directly over head (high noon), it was very directional and potent. That is why the shadows had such an effect.

Photo By Chad Trujillo

Many of the students used multiple light modifiers. Student, Chad Trujillo, used a Lastolite Ezy Box as his main light camera left. Then he popped a little white bounce light into the shadows from below using a Lastolite TriGrip Diffuser. Finally, he threw a little light into the right-side shadows with a silver Lastolite TriGrip Reflector.

Photo By Angel Lawrence

The ares around the studio offer many portrait backdrops. Student, Angel Lawrence, positioned her model in front of a beautiful aqua marine colored wall. Her model's eyes seemed to match the background, which was a stunning combo. Angel's lighting scheme was a simple one. She turned her model's back toward the sun, which threw the light on her model's hair. She then used a large white Lastolite TriGrip Diffuser to block out any directional sunlight. Finally, she used a gold Lastolite TriGrip Reflector to act as her main source of light.

Photo By Kayce Hale

The students have many different levels of photographic education. Some are professionals and others are hobbyists. Student, Kayce Hale, is a self-proclaimed hobbyist. For her first day of real intense shooting, Kayce did phenomenal. Likewise, first-time model, Taylor Dahl, did an excellent job in front of the camera.

Photo By Alicia Campbell

Last, but finally not least, student, Alicia Campbell, took my photojournalism workshop a few years ago. She's been working more on improving her portraits lately. She recently had a son and is inclined to make beautiful pictures of him. Therefore, she decided to join me for my Modifying Light for Portraiture workshop. I'm glad she did, because she made this pretty picture of her model, Cali Barini. We were lucky to have Cali back for this workshop. She is a wonderful model who always makes great pictures.

We have one more day of the two-day workshop. For day two, we will spend our time on the Elinchrom 300RX, 600RX, 1200RX and Ranger Quadra. Once the students have had their hands on the gear, we will combine my BxRi 500 kit with the Ranger Quadra and six Nikon SB-900's!! I can't wait.

Mark Astmann from Manfrotto Distributions talks with the students about various Elinchrom lights

Don't forget that I will taking this workshop internationally. I'm headed to Morocco in June with Photo Quest Adventures and registration closes out soon. Get signed up and let's have some fun!

More to come,

Stacy P