Practicing Portraiture at Holmes Lake in Lincoln, NE

[xPhantom]

I've always done a lot of automotive photography, but lately I've decided that I really want to do more portraiture. So today, I called up a few friends and asked if they'd like to "model" for me so I could practice a bit.

This is what I ended up with:

1.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2467/3939639369_637b6e94c0.jpg

2.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2623/3939639699_6ba9b2b75a.jpg

3.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3500/3939640901_2bdcf4eaa0.jpg

4.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3436/3940421202_9ecfc0b96d.jpg

5.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2504/3939642287_4ac8b3de32.jpg

6.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2424/3939642585_71c6dd2dfe.jpg

7.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2423/3939643153_85f4fd67bc.jpg

the full set is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/__max/sets/72157622422462582/

Most of the setups involved 1 SB-600 through a 45" umbrella and 1 SB-600 bare.
#1 and #2 probably would have looked better if I would've set up both of my SB-600's with umbrellas, but the wind was too strong and I didn't have weights or an extra person to hold the other stand up from falling over.

comments and criticism are apprectiated!

[sweet caroline]

Very nice work here. Yes, you should do more portraiture! I feel you achieved a good balance between the background and your subjects in the sunset pics.

Caroline

[Dooginfif20]

Where did you have the lights set up at when shooting? Did you use i-ttl or manual?

[adbsgicom]

Great shots!! I really love 3 &6.

One question on 1&2, when shooting at sunset, should the light get gel'ed to match more of the orange light coming from camera right? I think the shots look great, but am wondering what conventional portrait wisdom says as well.

[CyberSteak]

Very nice. 3 is definately the best of the bunch with 6 coming in close behind.

[NateWagner]

These are quite nice images...

Lincoln, is my hometown (I moved away a couple years ago) so the location brings back fond memories.

Anyway, I enjoyed the shots, nice work.

[VayCayMom]

wow great portraits, nice lighting, love them.

[xPhantom]

thank you all for the kind words!

Where did you have the lights set up at when shooting? Did you use i-ttl or manual?
for the sunset shots, I had one SB-600 with a shoot-through umbrella at camera left probably about 3 feet from the subject.
for the shots on the bench, I had the SB-600 with the shoot through at camera left again but I also had a bare SB-600 at camera right slightly behind the subject to create that rim light.

Great shots!! I really love 3 &6.

One question on 1&2, when shooting at sunset, should the light get gel'ed to match more of the orange light coming from camera right? I think the shots look great, but am wondering what conventional portrait wisdom says as well.
One of my friends actually suggested that I use an orange gel with my lighting, which I would have tried, but I don't have any gels at the moment. When I get some, I'll probably try it out again and see how it looks.

[Dooginfif20]

what did you use to attach your 600 to an umbrella? I have been looking online and have no idea which one is a good one. also what kind of shoot through umbrella did you use?

[xPhantom]

i purchased this kit from B&H: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/475575-REG/Impact__Digital_Flash_Umbrella_Mount.html

i replaced the cold shoes with these: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/52772-REG/Stroboframe_300_SHO_Flash_Mount_Adapter_.html

i also bought two of these: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/423625-REG/Impact_UBBW45_45_Convertible_Umbrella.html

[ivar]

Very nice! i particularly like the light on the outdoor shots, I think you got a good mix between light on the subject and on the background/surroundings.

Did you process the skin much?

[xPhantom]

i actually didn't process the skin THAT much.
i smoothed it out a littttle bit, but it really helped that her skin was naturally very nice and smooth.

[Dooginfif20]

what kind of camera and lens did you use here? can you tell us image info like shutter speeds and iso and such? sorry if i am asking too many questions!