Tutorial Bridal Rain Portrait

[Michael Sewell]

Budget version:Things to bear in mind:

Use clear plastic bags for the light sources (An SB800 detonating in the rain will remove eyebrows far better than wax. Ask me about it sometime!)

Use something to weigh down or tether your lightstands. Umbrellas and softboxes make great parachutes, and will destroy your lighting gear in the slightest breeze.

Wear your waterproofs! Expensive suits look like any other collection of rags when you're soaked to the skin. (yep, you can ask me about that too!)

Ensure your client has suitable weatherproof jackets. They can be taken off for the actual shot, but generally help to reduce the likelihood of a manslaughter charge.

[iso]

Re: Bridal Rain Portrait

Fantastic shot Michael. Lack of response so far could be caused by 'confusion in the ranks' .......

[Zuiko]

Re: Bridal Rain Portrait

Fantastic shot Michael. Lack of response so far could be caused by 'confusion in the ranks' .......

Hey, you have to give people a chance to take it all in! There's a lot of info to absorb........

It's way out of my league but I find Michael's walk throughs fascinating and I love the creativity and originality of his work.

[Michael Sewell]

Re: Bridal Rain Portrait

Fantastic shot Michael. Lack of response so far could be caused by 'confusion in the ranks' .......

I do realise that most members are very heavily into wildlife photography, and this kind of thing won't be for them.
However, I do hope it may help attract new members, or pique the interest of established members who may consider widening their repertoire.

Or something like that

[drmarkf]

Re: Bridal Rain Portrait

As someone who spends a great deal of time photographing people candidly, unposed and with whatever providence has given in the way of light, I am always delighted to see and learn what portraiture experts can achieve!

Lovely stuff.

[OM USer]

Re: Bridal Rain Portrait

Another great tutorial; thanks Michael. I'd love to try some of the shots have shown us but the opportunity and lighting equipment are not on my radar unfortunately.

[Michael Sewell]

Re: Bridal Rain Portrait

Another great tutorial; thanks Michael. I'd love to try some of the shots have shown us but the opportunity and lighting equipment are not on my radar unfortunately.

This is achievable with three speedlights and a brolly.

The girls you'd need to source on your own

[pdk42]

Re: Bridal Rain Portrait

Very interesting Michael. Maybe one day I'll get into studio work, but for the moment I'm really an ignoramus on it. So - thanks for the education. Lovely shot BTW.

[PeterBirder]

Re: Bridal Rain Portrait

A very informative tutorial.

Even for those of us who either through lack of opportunity or disinclination for artificially lit photography do not use these techniques learning how light can be "constructed" to give particular effects gives us a better understanding of how we may be better able to make use of different types of natural light to enhance our own photography.

Many thanks for taking the time to produce this.

[Wee man]

Re: Bridal Rain Portrait

Nice shot, and interesting detail on the lighting set up.

Sent from my LG-H870 using Tapatalk

[Walti]

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: Bridal Rain Portrait

I do realise that most members are very heavily into wildlife photography, and this kind of thing won't be for them....

While I work at a Wildlife Trust, most of my photography is of people in studios and on location.

Inspirational shots, like these, can be the basis of all sorts of ideas for others to explore.

Thank you for these postings, they are really appreciated.

[Michael Sewell]

Re: Bridal Rain Portrait


With regards to 1/4 or 1/2 output, I'm referring to using the speedlight in manual mode, where you dial the required output.
TTL can give inconsistent results, because it relies on measuring the amount of light being bounced back from the subject, and this can vary depending on a number of factors, including colours.
A bridal gown will reflect more light, and can fool the TTL into registering the scene as over exposed, quenching the flash early and causing the scene to be under exposed.
A groom in a black or charcoal suit will reflect less light, and cause the TTL system to attempt to increase the light output to compensate, over exposing the scene.

By taking manual control, you are developing the look of the image exactly as you intend to record it. Adjusting the output of the speedlights up or down to get the effect you want.

Does that make sense?

[Walti]

Re: Bridal Rain Portrait

With regards to 1/4 or 1/2 output, I'm referring to using the speedlight in manual mode, where you dial the required output.
TTL can give inconsistent results, because it relies on measuring the amount of light being bounced back from the subject, and this can vary depending on a number of factors, including colours.
A bridal gown will reflect more light, and can fool the TTL into registering the scene as over exposed, quenching the flash early and causing the scene to be under exposed.
A groom in a black or charcoal suit will reflect less light, and cause the TTL system to attempt to increase the light output to compensate, over exposing the scene.

By taking manual control, you are developing the look of the image exactly as you intend to record it. Adjusting the output of the speedlights up or down to get the effect you want.

Does that make sense?

Yes that makes sense, how do you work out the starting point though? Especially when using reflectors and umbrellas.

[Michael Sewell]

Re: Bridal Rain Portrait

Yes that makes sense, how do you work out the starting point though? Especially when using reflectors and umbrellas.

Experience will give you an idea what light output you get at a given setting with a given modifier at a given distance to the subject.
.Yeah, I know, it doesn't help

However, a rule of thumb would be to put them all at 1/4 output, Camera at ISO400, 1/125th sec and f5.6 and take a test shot. Then you can adjust up or down as required. (This is assuming an indoor environment).

1/4 output leaves you with two stops more output going up, and up to five stops going down. (If your speedlight goes down to 1/128th)