Portraits of Lira (4 images)

[texxter]

This afternoon I got together with Lira for a portrait session. We wanted to get some images I could use for stock purposes and she could use for herself. We had fun together and got a couple of nice images.

All images were created with three lights: (1) SB-800 on a shoot-thru umbrella as key, (2) SB-800 bare as a hair light, and (3) ambient as fill.

#1. Lira is beautiful and I try to create a classy but a bit sensual portrait of her. Both the key and the hair light are to camera left.



#2. This is the same spot as #1, but I changed the light setup to be butterfly, with the umbrella as key and a silver reflector as fill, in addition to ambient. The hair light was to the left of the camera.



#3. A more intense portrait of her, I like her strong expression of determination. Both key and hair lights are to camera right.



#4. A casual portrait of Lira - she normally wears glasses - with a pretty sweater. I like her smile and relaxed pose here.

[prncfarquad]

#1 the lighting just seems off to me. I think the strong light of the flash is such a contradiction to the natural light I see you use so well in previous shots.

#2 is very nice I am drawn to the hot spot on her nose and the creases in her neck.

#3 Technically good I think and I was ok with her facial expression...until I saw #4 then I realized just how pretty her smile is

#4 I absolutely love and could see using that as a stock image in one of my apartment complexes marketing items. she looks smart, confident, and fun. Technically, this image is what I have come to expect when I click on a thread with your images in it.

[tukaniray]

#4 is great with the smile.

-Ray-

[texxter]

Ray, thank you!

Patrick, thank you so much for your comments. You're right in thinking that the light on #1 is unusual. Sometimes I work to mesh flash and ambient in a natural way, like #3 and #4 below, but other times I just use the light more creatively to help with a mood or idea. In #1, her pose, dress and expression is more sensual than it is in the others ones, and I wanted her to "pop" as China doll, soft and delicate. I used light to achieved this idea. I agree, though, that it doesn't look natural (i.e., lit with ambient only)

If you liked the last one you may also like this set below, which shows her personality a bit better:

[tukaniray]

These last photos you can see her true self.

Nice set Paco.

-Ray-

[prncfarquad]

Originally Posted by tukaniray

These last photos you can see her true self.

Nice set Paco.

-Ray-

Agree

The personality in these images seem genuine.

[hollandg]

Paco, you always have such good work. I really do aspire to be as good s you one day!

[bryanlindsey]

These are okay (I mean, they're certainly not bad), but not Paco-esque. :-)