Gabby wanted grunge-I had ideas…let the collaboration begin. I spoke to my creative friend Laura Healy for location suggestions, and it seems her home town would be a perfect location. Laura got permission, and it’s off to grunge land for us. My grand-daughter has an artsy flare and always has. Below Gabby’s gallery, you’ll find my process for executing off-camera flash.
OFF-CAMERA FLASH PROCESS
EQUIPMENT: Gitzo Explorer tripod with BH 40 head, cheapo monopod for off camera SB-800 Speedlight, on camera SB-800 Speedlight, Nikon D3s, Nikkor 28-70 2.8.
SETTINGS: 60mm, ISO 200, 60@5.6. Remote SB-800-camera left near subject. SB-800 as master flash on camera. Bounce cards extended. The exposure mode was aperture preferred and flash settings are TTL.
Nikon flash mount, Cheapo monopod, Gitzo Explorer, RRS BH-40 (L). Nikon SB-800 speedlights. Bounce cards extended (R).
Flash power ratios unknown. Tweaked according to camera histogram. Flash heads were rotated to feather light as needed.
First camera angle testing ambient light as well as flash/fill-flash
Laura Healy, a former student of mine (UE Cont. Ed classes), met us in Norris City, IL. She had a location in mind. Laura was like a little birdie sitting on my shoulder. She saw what I missed and whispered to me. We worked like a polished team though it was our first time working together.
Processing samples: Camera file (L). LR edits (C). Single HDR edits (R).
Collaboration: Laura spotted the angle from the next room. Alisha (Gabby’s mom) tweaked the light position on my command. She was fantastic at small movements adjusting fall-off light. Gabby moved in small increments like a pro.
Final image. Photoshop CS6: Combined HDR and LR images, masked to lower saturation and exposure everywhere except Gabby, added a warm SPOTLIGHT filter for additional depth. What a team we made!
Oh and, a senior portrait needs a graduation year, like a mailbox needs it’s home number.
One final note: Try combining off-camera flash with HDR.
If HDR interests you, follow this link. It’s time to explore HDR!
If this tutorial was helpful, please comment. If I left out a step you needed, please let me know.
