People Laura with the FA77

Laura with the FA77 · 10:41 PM

This was done quickly after a family session this afternoon. Laura liked it, mom didn't. Mom's choice won, but I wanted to work this one up anyway.

**Ash** · 12-19-2010, 10:47 PM

Well, there's mom's opinion: she doesn't have the nicest pose; and there's the photographer's opinion: this is a beautifully textured and 3D rendered image.
Two different points of view but for two totally different reasons.

Laura is very nicely portrayed in this candid portrait.
Well done.

Todd Adamson · 12-19-2010, 11:05 PM

Thank you, Ash.

I suspect what mom didn't like the most is that she looked a little too "mature" in this pic...

**Ash** · 12-19-2010, 11:48 PM

From the image it;s hard to tell her age, but she certainly looks like an adult. (Mum may think her baby's too young to grow up so fast).

Todd Adamson · 12-19-2010, 11:56 PM

Originally posted by Ash

Mum may think her baby's too young to grow up so fast.

Indeed. She's 15.

Tommot1965 · 12-19-2010, 11:59 PM

great Image Todd.....

Todd Adamson · 12-20-2010, 12:00 AM

Thanks!

**cdurfor** · 12-20-2010, 04:24 PM

Great image. I'd love to hear about the lighting. The catchlight in the eyes is super....

Todd Adamson · 12-20-2010, 04:51 PM - **2 Likes**

Thanks. I shoot 95% available light in my studio. This was done with my most-used "set-up." She was seated right next to a window for the main light (camera right, and the biggest catchlight). There is another window on the same wall, further away (next to me basically, to my right. There is another window behind me, on a perpendicular wall, which can add a bit of fill, depending on the time of day. Most of the fill came from a Larson 42" x 72" reflector very close and to her right (camera left). There is a window on the opposite perpendicular wall, behind her and camera left, which acts as kicker/rim-lighting. See photo detail.

I have black covers as well as sheer fabric scrims for each window. In combination with a couple of reflectors (but usually just the one Larson), and changing the angle of my backdrop and shooting position, I can get different lighting looks. It's often been mistaken for softboxes. It's actually better than softboxes, because I can shoot at f/1.4.

The downside is that on very cloudy days, or if I need more DOF, I might be cranking my ISO to 1600 or so. Which has generally not been a problem with my D3, and now with the K-5.

**Ash** · 12-20-2010, 05:37 PM

Goes to show having a nice wide window and decent background with some separation can make beautiful portraiture possible.
Very nice skin tones on this one - you've done well with the setup Todd.

**cdurfor** · 12-20-2010, 05:44 PM

Thanks Todd. If I knew how to add rep points I would do it for that clear and concise description.. Very cool and well worth saving... Thanks!

(Actually I just learned how to add Rep points as well....)

Todd Adamson · 12-21-2010, 09:16 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by cdurfor

Thanks Todd. If I knew how to add rep points I would do it for that clear and concise description.. Very cool and well worth saving... Thanks!

(Actually I just learned how to add Rep points as well....)

Cool, I got me some new reppage.

I have been wondering what that was all about....thanks.

Tommot1965 · 12-21-2010, 02:12 PM

just added Rep point too..thanks for explaining the lighting technique so concisely

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12-19-2010, 10:47 PM	#2
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Well, there's mom's opinion: she doesn't have the nicest pose; and there's the photographer's opinion: this is a beautifully textured and 3D rendered image. Two different points of view but for two totally different reasons. Laura is very nicely portrayed in this candid portrait. Well done.

12-19-2010, 11:05 PM	#3
Todd Adamson Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Iowa Posts: 722 Original Poster	Thank you, Ash. I suspect what mom didn't like the most is that she looked a little too "mature" in this pic...

12-19-2010, 11:48 PM	#4
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	From the image it;s hard to tell her age, but she certainly looks like an adult. (Mum may think her baby's too young to grow up so fast).

12-19-2010, 11:56 PM	#5
Todd Adamson Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Iowa Posts: 722 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ash Mum may think her baby's too young to grow up so fast. Indeed. She's 15.

12-19-2010, 11:59 PM	#6
Tommot1965 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,026	great Image Todd.....

12-20-2010, 12:00 AM	#7
Todd Adamson Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Iowa Posts: 722 Original Poster	Thanks!

12-20-2010, 04:24 PM	#8
cdurfor Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Washington, DC Photos: Gallery Posts: 581	Great image. I'd love to hear about the lighting. The catchlight in the eyes is super....

12-20-2010, 04:51 PM - 2 Likes	#9
Todd Adamson Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Iowa Posts: 722 Original Poster	Thanks. I shoot 95% available light in my studio. This was done with my most-used "set-up." She was seated right next to a window for the main light (camera right, and the biggest catchlight). There is another window on the same wall, further away (next to me basically, to my right. There is another window behind me, on a perpendicular wall, which can add a bit of fill, depending on the time of day. Most of the fill came from a Larson 42" x 72" reflector very close and to her right (camera left). There is a window on the opposite perpendicular wall, behind her and camera left, which acts as kicker/rim-lighting. See photo detail. I have black covers as well as sheer fabric scrims for each window. In combination with a couple of reflectors (but usually just the one Larson), and changing the angle of my backdrop and shooting position, I can get different lighting looks. It's often been mistaken for softboxes. It's actually better than softboxes, because I can shoot at f/1.4. The downside is that on very cloudy days, or if I need more DOF, I might be cranking my ISO to 1600 or so. Which has generally not been a problem with my D3, and now with the K-5.

12-20-2010, 05:37 PM	#10
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Goes to show having a nice wide window and decent background with some separation can make beautiful portraiture possible. Very nice skin tones on this one - you've done well with the setup Todd.

12-20-2010, 05:44 PM	#11
cdurfor Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Washington, DC Photos: Gallery Posts: 581	Thanks Todd. If I knew how to add rep points I would do it for that clear and concise description.. Very cool and well worth saving... Thanks! (Actually I just learned how to add Rep points as well....)

12-21-2010, 09:16 AM - 1 Like	#12
Todd Adamson Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Iowa Posts: 722 Original Poster	Originally posted by cdurfor Thanks Todd. If I knew how to add rep points I would do it for that clear and concise description.. Very cool and well worth saving... Thanks! (Actually I just learned how to add Rep points as well....) Cool, I got me some new reppage. I have been wondering what that was all about....thanks.

12-21-2010, 02:12 PM	#13
Tommot1965 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,026	just added Rep point too..thanks for explaining the lighting technique so concisely