My First Blog Posting Including Previews of A Recent Photo Shoot

First, let me welcome everyone who is just starting to follow my blog!

I put off starting a blog for a long time because I wasn't sure I would have enough to say. (This may come as  a big surprise to those who know how prolific I can be at times.)  However, some of my photographer buddies encouraged me to make the leap, and convinced me people would want to know about my photo shoots. That's how I got to this point. Now, I am committed to providing content from my shoots whenever the client allows it.

For starters, I'm including select photos from a recent shoot with Shelly.

Shelly is an experienced model who is very comfortable in front of the camera. This was the second time I worked with her, and both times we had a blast! It will not be the last time I work with her!

This image was shot in a cyc wall. I used four studio strobes for lighting; two for the background, and one each for key light and hair light. This is known as a high key image which is often characterized by the all white background and bright highlights on the model. This lighting is typically used for glamour shots.

For this image, I wanted to vary the mood by shooting in a lower light environment. I used a black background with one key light camera left and one fill light camera right. Again, studio strobes were used.

For this image, I wanted a very soft, focused light to highlight the model and create a calm, serene mood in the photo. I used one strobe with a forty degree grid. Putting a grid on a light significantly narrows the light beam and provides the photographer with a great deal of control. The black and white processing enhances the overall mood as well as focuses attention on the model.

As part of our shoot, Shelly needed some photos taken of her in this outfit which was given to her by a Canadian businessman who sells this clothing. He is going to include it in his most recent calendar, I believe. Anyway, he requested something edgy so I took Shelly into our "dungeon" aka the basement, and used one studio strobe with a 42" silver lined umbrella. I believe it does "edgy" very well!

Well that's it for my first blog. Whew! I made it!

I welcome any comments, ideas, or suggestions on what you would like me to do to make this blog more useful to you. Please, feel free to share them with me, and I will endeavor to provide you with what you want to see.

Thanks for reading!
-John