Sheila & Walt wanted some photos taken so we met up with Jorge and did a quick shoot in and around San Francisco. Our first stop was an old war bunker. I have shot in this bunker before; on the second ever TFP shoot I did. It’s a cool spot as it has a lot of shade…which is always nice at 14:30 in the afternoon!
For this first shot we used a 28″ softbox as the main light and we put an SB800 behind the couple, 2 and 1/3 stops higher than the main light. The wall was a light grey colour, basically very old concrete but I love how the flash and the wall blend together so well.
For the next two shots we walked about 50 feet from the bunker to a wood. I of course, stepped in poison oak and have a wee rash on my leg again! Anyway, we setup up two 28″ softboxes, one either side of the couple just outside the frame and told them to just hang out as we shot. It seemed to work well and we got some lovely natural shots. I played with the ambient in these so the shots don’t look overly lit. I really think balance is the key.
I have posted a lighting diagram for the above shots on my lighting diagram page, please have a look…tell your friends too!
This final shot was taken on Treasure Island as the non-existent sunset was giving up. This was taken using our home made boom, basically a light stand with a studio clamp on top which grips another lightstand horizontally. We stuck a 28″ softbox on the end of it. Cheap and easy!
We had a few technical issues on this shoot, most annoying was the issues we always seem to run into with Pocket Wizards not firing the flash. I don’t think these things are worth the money at all!
Technical issues aside we had a great time. Sheila and Walt were so cool and open to our ideas that they made the shoot a breeze. Thanks guys!
Great set. My favorite is the last one!
Thanks Mindy
I liked the shots I saw on your site, keep posting!
Paul
I love the photos in the woods! The lighting (and contrast) is excellent! They really pop. (also really like the first one in the bunker, but would have liked to see just a wee bit of contrast and vibrance thrown in for good measure. Play around with it, I think you’ll have fun!)
Also, about the poison oak… you said again. AGAIN?! Long trousers, man!
Thanks Brook
My favourite shots are the woods shots. I bumped the contrast a wee bit on the first shot as you suggested. I’m not a huge fan of highly processed shots just for the sake of it but I like the results with just a hint of extra contrast in this case…thanks!
Poison Oak, not nearly as bad as the last time i had it!
I think you are a magnet to poison oak.
I really like #2., the way you framed it in between the two trees. Really draws the eye to the couple
If you have extra cash, which you probably don’t, you should give this a try. It’s what I use and it always fire’s my flashes.
http://www.alienbees.com/cybersync.html
John
I am!
The shots in the trees were my favourites of the day. We never got the sunset we wanted which was a shame and then the PW’s started to fail. Painful!
I may switch to Cybersyncs if I get an Alien Bee. I’m still undecided on which strobe system to buy into.
Those Pictures are beautiful!!!
Thanks Sarah!