Monthly Archives: February 2025

2022 Shoots, Concept Images, Models

Barbie Shoot with Devon

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As I have mentioned before ideas for photoshoots can come in many ways. The concept for my Barbie shoot actually started when we bought a new treadmill. It arrived in a very large box that I realised was big enough for a person to stand inside it. That got the ideas flowing. 

I had shot a model as a doll a number of years before. I did not want to repeat exactly the same concert. Then the idea of Barbie in a multiple outfits came to mind.

I knew that I needed someone who could embody the doll, so Devon was the obvious choice. Her acting experience meant that she could pull off the expressions I wanted.

I have a large collection of gowns so I selected a number for the shoot. But when Devon arrived in a colourful outfit, she had made herself, there was no hesitation that we would use it as well.

The shoot was relatively simple. I placed the camera on a tripod ensuring that all of the angles would be the same. I then positioned the box and took a series of images in each outfit.  

As with the previous images on this shoot day, there was no need to change the lighting. The main light was in a beauty dish positioned above the camera. A second light was positioned camera right. This was shooting into a 7′ umbrella with diffusion to fill in the shadows.

Having shot the main images I now had to shoot the background plate. This had to be done in a toy store. Therefore, there was no way that I could go to a full set up including lights.  Also I had to be somewhat inconspicuous so I could not shoot with my camera.

Fortunately everybody today carries the camera in their pockets so I used my cellphone. I knew that I did not have to worry too much about the resolution. The overall image would not be large enough for anyone to pick up the differences.

The boxes provided a very easy border in which to mask the studio images into the composite. I then had to some graphics to go over the front of the boxes.

The studio images in this post were shot with my Lumix G9. The settings were 1/200s, f10, and ISO 200. The focal lengths ranged from 26mm to 50mm. The setting ensured that I had full control of the light while also giving me a good depth of field.

The shoot was only in ever intended to be a bit of fun and I was happy with the results. Obviously, it would have been better if the box had been white. However, when you work with found props, you often don’t have the luxury.

2022 Shoots, Models

Devon – Veils

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The third series of images shot with Devon was a play with lengths of sheer materials. I love how you can create quite dramatic images using simple materials.

You can get even better results when the model simply plays with the fabric.

As with the previous images on this shoot day, there was no need to change the lighting. The main light was in a beauty dish positioned above the camera. A second light was positioned camera right. This was shooting into a 7′ umbrella with diffusion to fill in the shadows. The only change that was made was to drop the white fabric used as a backdrop in previous images.

All of the images in this post were shot with my Lumix G9. The settings used were 1/200s, f10, and ISO 200. The focal lengths ranged from 26mm to 50mm. The setting ensured that I had full control of the light while also giving me a good depth of field. 

I entered the veiled image (above) into a camera club competition and it did very well.

At the end of the session I had my wife help me in creating a more dramatic image. I set the camera on a tripod. Then, I got her to throw the fabric while Devon moved her head.

Then in Photoshop I was able to combine several of the images to create what you see at the start of the post. By having the camera in a fixed position these composites are very easy to achieve.

2022 Shoots, Fashion, Models

Devon – Jewellery up close

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In addition to the vogue idea Devon had also expressed an interest to shoot jewellery style images. These are typically close up as the purpose is to show the jewellery rather than the model.

She had brought along a number of pieces to wear and I added to them with a dragon ring that my wife had given me as a Christmas present. It made for a very interesting image.

In order to focus solely on the jewellery it is fairly common that the models do not wear anything that will distract from the items.  Devon was happy to shoot topless although we insured that nothing showed in the images.

For this series of images there was no need to change the lighting. The main light was in a beauty dish positioned above the camera. A second light was positioned camera right. This was shooting into a 7′ umbrella with diffusion to fill in the shadows.

All of the images in this post was shot with my Lumix G9 with settings 1/200s f10 SO 200 with focal lengths ranging from 26mm to 50mm. The setting ensured that I had full control of the light while also giving me a good depth of field. 

Devon was happy with the resulting images.

2022 Shoots, Fashion, Lighting, Models

Devon Vogue Shoot

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I genuinely believe that model shoots need to be full collaboration events. Therefore if a model is coming to help me with a concept I am more than happy to shoot whatever they want.

After working together successfully at the workshop in the previous post, I asked Devon if she was interested in helping me with a concept. I also asked her if she would had some ideas she would like. She told me she wanted to do something like a vogue fashion shoot. She sent me a series of images on Pinterest.

As we were going to be shooting several shoots in the one day I layered up the backgrounds to save time. Devon brought several outfits starting with a suit so we shot that first. In typical vogue style she elected to wear nothing under the jacket.

Beanie, our cat, loves checking in on studio shoots and as usual managed to photobomb into them.

Fashion shoots typically use punchy lights so to achieve this the main light was in a beauty dish positioned above the camera. A second light was positioned camera right. This was shooting into a 7′ umbrella with diffusion to fill in the shadows.

In addition to the suit Devon had brought some other outfits. They had a late 1960s vibe to them so we did a series of images using them.

All of the images in this post was shot with my Lumix G9 with settings 1/200s f10 SO 200 with focal lengths ranging from 26mm to 50mm. The setting ensured that I had full control of the light while also giving me a good depth of field.

2022 Shoots, Models, natural light, Workshops

Portrait workshop at Gear Homestead

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Mumtaz 1/200s f2 80mm (63mm equivalent) ISO100

In May 2022 my camera club was hosting a one day portrait workshop being run by Wellington commercial photographer Lindsay Keats. They were having problems getting models for the session so I offered to help them find some.

I posted a casting call on Wellington Facebook group and subsequently two models Devon and Mumtaz agreed to come along. Devon had experience as an actress and Mumtaz had modeled before.

The workshop was based out of the clubrooms which are in the grounds of the Gear Homestead in Porirua.

Devon 1/125s f2 80mm (63mm equivalent) ISO100

I had not planned on shooting but rather helping the others and assisting Lindsay. I had packed a portable backdrop and some lights which were set up in the clubrooms.

Lindsay is a Fuijifilm ambassador and when I got there I discovered that Sam from Fujifilm had also come along. He had brought with him some gear to play with. I immediately grabbed a GFX50s which is a medium format camera.

While we were waiting for everybody to arrive I noticed that Devon was standing in a pool of light. So I tested the ability of the camera to shoot indoors without flash. It was fitted with a f2 lens set at 80mm.

Devon 1/200s f2 80mm (63mm equivalent) ISO2000

With full medium format cameras, the crop factor works on reverse. The 80mm lens was the equivalent of 63mm lens on a full frame camera. I did have to crank the ISO up to 2000 but that did not present a problem.

When everyone had arrived Lindsay decided that we would actually outside and shoot under natural light. I only had to adjust the ISO on the camera.

1/200s f2 80mm (63mm equivalent) ISO100

Most of the participants stayed with Lindsay and one model. So I was able to take the other one away and capture them. This was also to guarantee them that they would get usable images.

I did have to share the camera so my final shots with Devon were back with my Lumix G9.

1/80s 24mm (48mm equivalent) ISO400

It was a fun afternoon and all of the participants enjoyed themselves. Devon and Mumtaz were excellent models and I arranged other shoots with them later in the year.

2022 Shoots, Lighting, Models, natural light

A day in the studio

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1/100s 32mm

My style of photography generally involves one or two models and myself. Therefore, when the opportunity arises to shoot with other photographers, I will take it for the social aspect.

I saw a post on a local Facebook group. It was about a meet up starting at the Photospace Studios in Courtney Place. I was not sure what the plan was but I thought it was a good opportunity so I went along. The studio had been booked by a couple of the photographers who were practising their techniques. They are also arranged for several models to come in and were happy for others to join in.

The studio has a large bank of windows at one end. I took this as an opportunity to practice blending natural light with flash. While it had a number of backdrops and lights I was happy to let the others use that area.

I had taken my Godox V1 speedlight. I also took a small 26 inch soft box. I positioned each one to camera right every time.

The first model I shot was Natalia. We did a series of shoots images utilising the light coming in from the windows. As this was changing I was having to adjust the shutter speed on each image.

1/320s 30mm
1/250s 36mm
1/100s 32mm
1/125s 24mm
1/125s 24mm
1/125s 24mm

She had brought a white shirt. I asked her to wear just that to create a different look. All of the images in this post were shot on my Lumix G9 at f5 with ISO400. The shutter and focal lengths did change as shown against each image.

1/125s 36mm

Also present was Armish. I don’t normally get to shoot with a male model so this was a good opportunity. We did a couple of images of him initially with Natalia and then by himself.

1/125s 24mm

The final series of images where with Sean and Libby who were a couple and photographers as well. They were more than happy to pose for the others. It was good to be able to capture images of a couple who were comfortable interacting with each other.

1/80s 36mm

When I processed the images deal with several that looked much better in black-and-white than colour so that is how I presented them to them.

1/125s 24mm
1/125s 24mm

All of the models appeared to have a good time and I got positive feedback when the images were sent to them.

2022 Shoots, Concept Images, Lighting

Reflections Shoot with Sian

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As I mentioned in the previous post I love playing with reflections in camera and also water. After the practise session Sian joined me to do the actual shoot. She was not feeling the best but she was willing to try it.

The pool was constructed using a long length of black polythene sheeting and several lengths of 4 x 2 timber. The water was approximately 2″ deep. I placed a paving stone that was just below the water surface so that Sian appeared to be walking on it.

The test shots had shown that the best lighting position was two gridded soft boxes on either side, with a single softbox camera left. . To remove the reflection of the plastic, the fabric backdrop was run down into the water. The backdrop was well anchored as it was an outdoor shoot.

The camera settings were my usual when I wanted to control light and have a decent depth to the field. (1/200s f8 ISO200 using a 50mm equivalent on my Lumix G9).

The shoot only lasted 30 minutes and we shot a variety of poses.

The final images were pretty much strait out of camera except for removing the lights.

I was grateful for Sian’s help with the shoot and the images came out just how I wanted.

2022 Shoots, Concept Images, Lighting

Reflections Practice

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I love playing with reflections in camera and also water. It was no surprise that my first shoot of 2022 would involve both of them.

I used a long length of black polythene sheeting and several lengths of 4 x 2 timber. With these materials, I constructed a reflecting pool in the back garden. I filled it up with about 2 inches of water. I then left it to heat during the day. As it was the middle of summer the water managed to get to a very balmy 42°C which is 107.3°F for my American readers.

Sian had agreed to be my model for the shoot which was booked for 5 January. To avoid wasting her time, the pool was built the day before. That night, I moved my mannequin out and lights out. I did this to set up lights and determine what settings were needed to capture the images I was after.

I initially tried a single light from the end of the pool. I discovered that it was not strong enough to give me a strong reflection.

So I ended up positioning two gridded soft boxes on either side. In addition a softbox was positioned just to the left of the camera. This gave me the look it was trying to achieve.

The camera settings were my usual when I wanted to control light and have a decent depth to the field. (1/200s f8 ISO200 using a 50mm equivalent on my Lumix G9).

Running a test shoot under the same lighting conditions as you plan to use is advantageous. It enables you to identify issues early and also make the shoot smoother. Any problems that need rectifying can then be addressed.

I noticed that the black plastic at the rear of the pool was picking up too much light from the strobes. This was proving to be a distraction and needed to be eliminated. This was simply achieved by running the fabric background into the water.

In the next post I will cover the actual shoot.

2021 Shoots, Concept Images

Pandora

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This post covers the last shoot I completed in 2021. It was a collaborative effort with local stage actress Mandy.

In Greek mythology Pandora was the first woman created. Her curiosity led her to open a jar that Zeus has filled with a whole lot of bad things. As a result mankind was subjected to all of them.

Mandy wanted to bring the myth to life. I knew this would mean some elements would be shot in camera, and others would be created in the computer.

I built a muti-layered set in the garage using lengths of lace. We also fashioned a simple robe for Mandy to wear.

The lighting in the two images above was very simple. A single large soft box was positioned camera left. The camera was set at 1/200s f8 ISO200 and an equivalent focal length on 24mm.

For the images where Pandora was looking into the box I positioned a speedlight in a snoot at the edge of the frame. This was aimed it Mandy’ face.

The post processing mainly involved toning the image and then adding the elements coming out of the box. This involved blending in images I had of smoke or creating beams of light mainly using exposure and colour.

The faces in the first image are self portraits captured direct into the computer and then distorted. I also added the flames on the candles.

In addition to the three images shown above I edited a further eight with differing effects. These were shot at various parts of the day. You will note that the costume changed slightly as evolved it.

It was a great shoot and a great way to finish off the year.

2021 Shoots, Models, natural light

Sara on the Wharf

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1/1600s f5 180mm ISO200

I always take some time to photograph a model when they are booked for one of my concept shoots. I aim to create images that they may be able to use within their portfolio. It was the same with Sara after we had finished the monsoon girl shoot.

Sarah changed out of her wet clothes. We then headed across the road to the wharf in Evans Bay. There, we took a series of images. These images tried to reflect different moods.

1/1250s f5 70mm ISO200

All the images were shot using natural light and as such I had the camera in Aperture Priority. I set f5 so that I would still have a reasonable depth of field on Sara. This setting allowed the background to fall out of focus.

They were all shot with my 70-200mm f2.8 lens on my Nikon D600. The individual settings are shown against each image.

1/1250s f5 70mm ISO200
1/320s f5 70mm ISO200

Towards the end of our session I swapped lenses to my Lensbaby Composer. This is a totally manual lens that creates a very narrow area of focus within the image. It creates great results but it is quite tricky to work with.

1/2500s f2.8 ISO200

When I delivered the photos to Sara, she was really pleased with them. That is the ultimate time of any model shoot.

Looking back now I realise that the images could have done with a little lift from flash.