You would think by now I would know or have shot all the locations in Stockport, sadly that’s not the case so I have work to do.
It had been a nearly 2 months since I last picked up the camera and that’s not good, been busy with re-doing the website, social media stuff (infuriating at times) and not really been myself. I’m tired, stressed, still looking for a job and was in need of a kick up the ass to go shoot. Thankfully a good friend sorted that.. cheers Mark.
So a casting call was put up but that got resulted in nothing. After a post on a local facebook group Rachael came to the rescue. Now I had worked with Rachael before but it had been a while.
Come shoot day I was not feeling it at all. Confidence had lowered; doubts and noise had entered my already busy brain… ahh @#?!
It took me allot longer to get in to shooting and I know why, I think to much, worry too much and had left it too dam long between shoots.
Thankfully I had packed light, kept gear simple….less stuff to think about or get in the way. Only took one camera and one lens… actually it’s the only lens it has given the camera is a X100, also took 1 light and only 2 modifiers (28” Apollo, Grid Spot).
After I had warmed up somewhat and let my head clear (kinda) I started to enjoy the shoot more. I took a total of 169 images… allot of the first frames sucked… and that’s all me. All said and done came away with 22 edited images.
The image at the start of this post is my personal favorite from the shoot (thanks Rachael) because I had looked at this tunnel countless times and had an image in my head… funny thing is its not this image and I’m ok with that because this one is better.
Whilst setting up for this first image we were battling with traffic and public, during which a gent walking by asked Rachael what she was doing. I managed to catch this moment from the conversation.
Those images are actually from towards the end of the day so let’s rewind some and travel back in time.
The first location was an old car park of a now closed furniture shop (which by the way would make an amazing studio). Made a few frames at this first location which you can see below.
Those leggings and boots are great. Sometimes its worth looking for detail shots during a shoot.
But I’m a portrait photographer, better make some portraits then.
Anyone who’s knows me will know I like clean simple backgrounds, paper or walls.. what ever. That way your subject is the main focus of the image.
All the above images are natural light. Not wanting my speedlite to feel left out the next few are lit by a Westcott 28” Apollo Softbox.
The image above was taken whilst setting up, liked the pose/look.
Can’t remember what was said for the life of me, but made Rachael laugh. Then it was time for food and I was really looking forward to this after being on a training diet.. full English breakfast please.
After food we moved on to another location just at the side of The Plaza in Stockport. One day I will shoot in the Plaza… its going to cost so that one is on hold.
The next few frames were lit with that light you can see in the shot above. Westcott 28” Apollo on a stand boomed by Mark. Oh the jet stream thingy bugs the crap out of me, its sticking out of her head. Anyway moving on.
Needless to say we got some funny looks shooting this location on a busy Saturday afternoon. Oh also the EXIF Data = 1/1000th sec, F8, ISO400 Wireless Sync! Thank you Fuji and Phottix.
Sticking with the same location I changed the light modifier to a Grid Spot for the next set.
Head not in a clean spot but sometimes you compromise.
It was then time to move on to the next location just up the steps. Next images are lit with the Westcott 28” Apollo again.
Rachael fell in to this after a difficult and uncomfortable pose, that said uncomfortable pose did not get selected for edit.. go figure.
After this we moved on to the tunnel location but we have seen those already.
The final location was just nearby the tunnel and demanded bare flash and pretty much full power to control the sun.
Love this shot. Not quite as much as the tunnel one… almost. Bare flash zoomed to 80mm held by Mark in a horizontal position to change the pattern of light and the exposure was 1/1 full power, F16, 1/1000thsec, ISO250.
You can do allot with a speedlite with a DSLR but going up against full sun and a wide composition your better off with a leaf shutter camera like the Fuji X100… that thing will sync at 1/4000th sec if you cable a fast flash up, wireless its limited to your triggers and the signal delay. By the way the triggers I use are the Phottix Strato II Multi great for faster sync speeds.
Thanks for an enjoyable day shooting Mark & Rachael.
Thanks
Rick