Hand-Made Halloween :: Thanos

Thanos costume build for my 12 year old son. I found a template for the Infinity Gauntlet and for the helmet but was not able to find a suitable template for the armour or for the double-bladed weapon, so I created those by looking at comic-book references and screenshots. I started with the gauntlet and then proceeded to build from the head down the body. The blade was the second piece I built after the gauntlet, but was the last piece to be finished. I couldn't find a suitable mask for the costume, so I re-purposed a cheap, plastic Hulk mask I had in my Halloween box and built up the chin and other features to match reference images I had for Thanos. I documented the build process and finished with a studio session to show off all the different aspects of the costume.

Dia de los Muertos :: A Do-it-Yourself Mask

While shopping a few weeks ago, I came across a flimsy Day of the Dead mask with an attached veil. I liked the concept of the piece, but I wasn't impressed with the execution. I wanted to make a mask using some of the skills I have developed over the years painting on canvas. I knew I had a blank white mask at home, as well as a section of black lace fabric. The rest of the build is pretty much just paint. The only item I had to purchase is the purple flowers attached at the very end. 

Dramatic Lighting with Savanna

I took some time with Savanna to experiment with my studio lights, and explore new possibilities with light and shadow. I wanted to create new images that I hadn't thought of before. Since my space is limited, I rented a room in a reception hall that allowed me more ceiling height, and enough space all around to have lights, backdrops, and distance to allow me to pull my lights and model further from the background to create the effects I desired.

Headshot Lighting Setup

This session focused on the play of light and shadow as it travels across facial features. I have included a wide-angle setup shot for the final portraits with placement and modifiers labeled within the image. Power settings were adjusted up or down depending on the dramatic effect I was trying to achieve in each portrait. Please also note that the exposure settings for each setup shot may be altered from the finished portrait to allow for better visualization of the lights and modifiers within my shooting space.

My New Open-Air Studio

When I was arranging a portrait session with Dylan and Melissa, it became clear that we would be unable to find an indoor location to hold a photo shoot. I knew I wanted more that just natural light portraits, so I simplified my kit even further than usual to include two cameras, two lights, and a shoulder bag for my backdrop. My usual kit includes a hard case for holding my light modifiers and stands, a separate bag for backdrops, my backdrop stand bag, and my camera bag. An extra case for props can be brought along if the need arises. I still prefer the control an indoor space provides, but it is no longer a necessity. I can create a studio within minutes of arriving at a location.

We agreed to shoot in a local park along the river, and shot some portraits at a pond using the natural landscape as our background. For those shots, I alternated using one light, two lights, and all natural light. We then walked the nature trails until we found an area just off the main path with enough space to set up a backdrop without being interrupted by passers-by. A light-weight backdrop support  with a fabric backdrop and two lights created my brand new open-air studio. The part I like best about the images shot using this technique is that, until you see the wide-angle view, you wouldn't know the images were shot outdoors. Can you tell the difference?

I had a very simple setup for my lighting. I placed one light on my left hand side with a plastic diffuser that softens the light like an umbrella (without the bulk and kite-like behavior in the wind). My second light was set to my far right without a plastic diffuser, but using a blue gel coating that gives a coolness to the rim light you see on their hair and shoulders. With the shaded location, I was able to achieve very dramatic shadows by using the main light at a higher angle and from the side. The rim light helps to separate them from the black background and offer some definition on that side of the image. To amplify the dramatic look in some of their individual portraits, I turned off the rim light so that the shadow side of their faces merges with the background.

I have included several set-up shots taken during this session so you can see how I was able to achieve these looks. On the behind-the-scenes shots I also include a break down of my equipment and settings for anyone who is curious about my techniques.

Below are samples and behind-the-scenes shots from our first two shooting locations. We continued along the nature trail taking more shots along the way, but I will save those for another post.
Enjoy!

Kahlan: Model Portraits

Its always great when a model will help you realize a creative concept.

Kahlan is a wonderful model to work with, and makes selecting favorites a challenge because of the sheer number of good poses she is able to achieve. I came to her with several different ideas in poses and lighting and she was happy to help.

Family Photos At The Park

For baby's first photo session, we arranged to set up at a local park using the natural surroundings and weathered bridge as our backdrop. I brought two battery-operated flashes to use as we walked around the park to take advantage of the beautiful scenery. We started with some seated family shots, and moved on to some poses of just the mom and dad, then we laid a blanket over a park bench and focused on taking baby portraits. I was able to balance the natural light with my flashes to create depth without washing out the background, or having the portraits turn to silhouette.

As with all of my portrait sessions, I have trouble choosing favorites to share because there are so many fantastic images to choose from. I am never satisfied with just a few snapshots during a photo session, during this session I shot over 200 images. The first part of every session is used to get the jitters out and help everyone relax and let their natural expressions come out. Although I pick favorites, and edit those images; I provide every image from my photo sessions to my clients. I would rather you have them all to cherish than let those images sit unused on my computer. My clients are free to share the beautiful shots with friends and family, laugh over the funny ones, and scrapbook the rest. I allow them the freedom to choose how to preserve their memories.

Behind the Scenes of a Simple Headshot

 
I would like to offer a behind the scenes look in my studio, with a how-to guide for this lovely portrait. My intention was to create an evenly lit head shot, with a dark (but not black) background.

Now, for the shot and a description of the setup,