Mel #1
Uploaded: March 14, 2008
This shot is designed to demonstrate mixed lighting used effectively. Not only does it mix hard and soft light it mixes continuous light and strobe to allow movement and sharpness in the same shot.
Exif: F Number: 11, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/10 seconds, Flash: did not fire., ISO: 160, FocalLength: 145.00 mm, Model: DCS Pro 14N
Tori A. Gonzalez March 17, 2008
Very interesting shot. did you have the strobe on his left side (the sharper focus)? and I'm guessing you had him move to create the slight blur on the right? #879516John H. Siskin March 17, 2008
Hi Tori,Sherry McClead July 19, 2008
Such a wonderful portrait John... you are a wonder. Thanks for sharing the info with us... many of us a eager to learn how it is done...Sherrybear :} #6197409
Joanne Kramer July 19, 2008
I love the color and softness of this portrait. #6198370John H. Siskin July 19, 2008
Hi Djoanne & Sherry,Sharon Cahn July 19, 2008
The eyes are so different (from each other) that the two sides of the face could be of two different people. Lighting the eyelid of the out of focus eye makes him look a little deformed. The movement works for me in the hand and even the shoulder, but I just can't like the missing eye. I have tried. What is your reasoning for lighting it this way? #6199914Arman E. Barbuco July 19, 2008
Yes this seems to be a very interesting portrait. Is this experimental or you totally been doing this? Though I like the smoothness of the shot. #6199939Ulysses A. Villamin July 20, 2008
HOM = Handsome Old Man :) #6200521John H. Siskin July 20, 2008
Hi Sharon & Arman,I do not do any one sort of portrait lighting, this light is created for this purpose. I think that it is strange for a photographer to manipulate the subject to fit the light; it should be the other way around. Since I work exclusively for businesses I know that they hire me to communicate a specific story about the business. Of course this is very different if the subject is a bank or a non-profit. Even when I am doing individual shots of a group, as with a bank board of directors I use a set up that allows some customization for the different faces. Unless you are shooting school portraits it is good to make the light match the needs of the image.
Thanks, John Siskin
Ps. I think you are right Ulysses.
#6201586
Sharon Cahn July 21, 2008
Thanks for explaining this. I see a Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde look to the two sides, all done with lighting on movement. How interesting! #6205316Ellen L. Zaslaw December 10, 2008
Engaging it is. Effective and captivating. #6875589John H. Siskin December 10, 2008
Hi Ellen,Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.
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