6
Votes
Chris Adval's picture

City Portrait

It's an area I haven't really shot often but after discovering this angle of composition I may come here much more often using the lines and repetition to my advantages!

Canon 6D
200mm · f/2.8 · 1/400s · ISO 400
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4 Comments

I like the location and the lighting on the hair. Perhaps a bit of light from a speedlight on the models face might be good. It would help offset some of the brightness in the background. Of course, slowing the shutter would also require a smaller aperture, therefore a greater depth of field. Maybe better, maybe not.

Thanks for the feedback Steve!

This photo is part of my Natural Light Adventures. Meaning I shot it strictly with natural light, but more specifically shot it without any modifiers and assistants, not by choice either but its been a vital skill for me to learn especially since I do not have funds easily available for assistants. And yes, I've tried colleges, apparently my area doesn't have passionate photography students in portrait work unless I throw some cash. So I make best with I got to my abilities. But do I still wish I had the chance to use speedlites or even modifiers to fill in more light into the subjects? Of course, but sadly this requires other human beings. I tried light stands, but shooting in urban environments is not the smartest thing to do without having a high chance in attracting the wrong people to the equipment unattended.

Chris,
I don't know how much your equipment has a tendency to 'walk off' while you are shooting. I have made an inexpensive and useful reflector and holder. I cut a scrap piece of 3/4" thinwall conduit 3' long and drilled holes about 2" from one end. I drilled a 5/8" hole through one side of the tube, and a 5/16" hole through the other side directly across. This allows me to mount the conduit onto a light stand. Slip the large hole over the stud and use a nut on the 1/4-20 thread through the small hole to hold it. I purchased a 3'x4' piece of white plastic corrugated sign board from a sign company for $5 US. I cut through on side of the board to allow me to fold it to a smaller side (2'x3') for transport. I can clamp the board to the conduit for an inexpensive reflector. I used spray adhesive on one side and glued aluminum foil so that I have both a silver and a white reflector. Total cost (including clamps) is less than $20. So far, I haven't used the silver side - it is too bright most of the time.

Oh I have a reflector and a reflector holder... and tried it outdoors on-location shoot, not the easiest task than shooting without it honestly. just unwilling to schedule a shoot with little to no wind day.I already am limited to just between the sun up and sun down times for best lighting conditions, adding the wind variable would heavily restrict when I can and cannot shoot even further sadly. But thanks for the tips.