I Need #04 #GOYA - Shira

Back in August I wrote a blog post asking for subjects for me to shoot.  I needed to run the camera, lens and lights, produce new work… do something.

This came from a place where I was spending more time thinking about shooting for myself and doing other work instead of actually doing something for myself.  Whilst this may sound like a personal project it’s not I have those planned and ready to kick start soon.

If you would like to help me out and allow me to shoot some portraits of you, you can apply via this post.  This is the 4th shoot and I have time for another 4 before I close the doors on this and move forwards.

So on to #GOYA #04.

Shira contacted me after seeing the post and images from #GOYA #03 with Laura.  It’s been quite humbling to see people give up their time for me and to step in front of a camera.

It was a pleasure meeting and photographing Shira, she’s quite a character. Do you ever ask your subject or client if they can sing during a shoot?  I sometimes do with a plan to capture the reaction after the fact… well, Shira started to sing.  I did grab a few reaction frames during though.

I want to also shout thanks to my friend Kevin Timmons for assisting me on the day and for jumping in amongst the reeds to hold a light for the main shot at the top of this post.

You can see a few more images from the shoot in the gallery below.

Thank You

Rick

Location Shoot: Sarah Mansfield…Castlefield Manchester

This shoot is from back in July 2012.

I first met Sarah at an event at a local Studio I ended up teaching on (was planning to just shoot but ended up taking one group)  and instantly realised she had a great personality for modelling and in general.  A shoot was arranged for the following Monday in Castlefield, Manchester UK.

Castlefield is a well known part of Manchester and hold great potential for location work, I must revisit it.

With travelling in by Train I decided to travel light (for me) along side my good friend Mark Boadey, we had arranged a joint shoot.   Having not visited Castlefield for a number of years I was looking forward to seeing what I could find.

This shoot was the one I made my mind up to finally go Full Frame.  I borrowed a 5D2 from a good friend Kevin Pack and never looked back.. anyway.

The images shown below are some of my favourites from the shoot.

The first frame was a simple head shot, I start with head shots quite often to warm up to the shoot.. how ever getting up close for a head shot might not suite all subjects as a starting point. This image was taken using great open shade with a bright sunny blue sky, I love open shade almost as much as I like direct sun/hardlight… almost

#1  Canon 5D2, Canon 85 F1.8 , Natural Light – 1/250th sec, F2.8 ISO125

The next frame was a full length shot, whilst not over all a favourite.. it could of been framed tighter! I still like it because of Sarah's expression and reaction to what ever I said (can’t remember), I also like how the top echos the shape of the arms in the pose.

#2 – Canon 5D2, Canon 85 F1.8 – Natural Light - 1/320sec, F1.8, ISO125

Next was a few head and shoulder shots, I love the eye contact and the background works well with Sarah’s hair colour and of course the smile in the second one.

#3 – Canon 5D2, Canon 85 F1.8, – Natural Light - 1/160sec, F4, ISO 400

#4 - Canon 5D2, Canon 85 F1.8, – Natural Light - 1/160sec, F4, ISO 400

Now its time for something more dramatic and wide angle, I love my 35 F2 lens but so far had only use it on a APS-C DSLR.. now on the 5D2 it was a real wide angle… play time.

The rail bridge that travel over the Canal hides some great locations and bridge structures, the next series of images were made around that area.

#5  - Canon 5D2, Canon 35 F2 – Natural Light & Flash – 1/200th sec, F11, ISO100, Flash 1/4 Power ish.  Thanks to Mark Boadey VAL duties.  1:1 crop in post.


#6 - Canon 5D2, Canon 35 F2 – Natural Light & Flash – 1/200th sec, F11, ISO100, Flash 1/4 Power ish – Some of the shadow shapes in this are created by shooting through a bridge barrier.

#7 Canon 5D2, Canon 35 F2 – Natural Light & Flash – 1/200th sec, F11, ISO100, Flash 1/4 Power ish

#8 Canon 5D2, Canon 35 F2 – Natural Light & Flash – 1/80h sec, F5, ISO100

Time for something lighter and warmer.

#9 - Canon 5D2, Canon 50 F1.8 II – Natural Light & Flash – 1/200th sec, F3.5, ISO400, Flash 1/8th Power ish with CTO Gel.  Just a small tree and a man made sun.

Now a little more dramatic with Grids.  Love these things.

#10 - Canon 5D2, Canon 50 F1.8 II – Natural Light & Mostly Flash – 1/200th sec, F8, ISO200 – Flash with 1/4 Grid at 1/2 Power ish. 1:! crop in post

#11 - Canon 5D2, Canon 35 F2 – a Natural Little & Flash – 1/200th sec, F8, ISO100, Flash 1/2Power ish with 1/4 grid.  - The grid keeps the flash off the wall.

You can see a video of my edit of this image here

#12 - Canon 5D2, Canon 50 F1.8 II – Natural Light – 1/400thsec, F5.6, ISO640 – A Bit of fun during last light. Never understood people who try to get rid of shadows in any photograph, they create shape/ depth.

#13 - Canon 5D2, Canon 50 F1.8 II, – Natural Light - 1/640thsec, F1.8, ISO640

#14 - Canon 5D2, Canon 50 F1.8 II, – Natural Light - 1/500th sec, F1.8, ISO640

Always keep your camera ready incase your Model decides to go climbing.
 

We wrapped the day off with some good food and a few drinks.



Thank you Sarah for an enjoyable shoot, look forward to working with you again.

Rick

Location Shoot with Mark Boadey & Model: Krissi Shaw

Spent a great day out shooting at an old disused factory/industrial unit with a good friend of mine Mark Boadey, we came across the location whilst scouting for a place to run an in//on car photography meet (which has been delayed). 

The location was on an industrial estate not too far away from home,  but I started the day by picking Mark up from Liverpool then heading over to collect our model for the day Krissi .

Myself and Mark spent the travel time getting to know the model and build up a rapport before the shoot would begin.

I also just want to add that Krissi was a star, dealing with rather cold conditions, she took direction well and even put forward her own ideas for future shoots which is great to hear.  Thank You  Krissi.

You can find Krissi ‘s modelling profiles below.

Pure Storm

Model Mayhem 

The Location

What did the location look like?….Not much to look at right, well depends on how you look at it.

The location it’s self is relatively small but had plenty of potential as you can see from the following few images.

 

So after unloading the car signing model release forms we got to shooting.

Myself and Mark both shoot Canon (which is handy) and also use the same speedlites/triggers which allows for a larger lighting setup should it required.

The Results

You can see some of Marks results on his blog post and in his portfolio.

So what did I get from this run down location. These are 3 of my personal favourites I took on the shoot.

Lit By: 3 Speedlites in tri bracket, 60” umbrella (reflective)

Lit By: Softbox Camera Left, fethered to keep back ground dark.

Im looking forward to many location and studio shoots in 2011.

Rick